jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
I just got home an hour or so ago from the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, TX. I noticed that there was no thread on the site for it so I thought I would post some info and a review of the zoo on here.
In short I think this may be the most under rater zoo in Texas.I could only find one exhibit that I didn't like and only because it was too small (the jaguar). The zoo is all new being relocated in I think 1995 to its current location.
When you enter the zoo there are two islands (really peninsulas but who's that picky) in a fairly large lake. One houses white-handed gibbons (only saw one out today but heard others) and the other lemurs. The zoo is constructed in a large loop so I went counterclockwise to try and avoid the school groups (that didn't work BTW). First exhibit was for bald eagles. It seems every zoo in Texas must have these. Of course they are rehab birds that can't be released. Next was a large area for Galapagos Tortoises which weren't out today, might have been too chilly or the lovely ever present rain storm that was going on. There was then a small macaw exhibit. The first big exhibit was the Rey de la Montana a South American exhibit that was designed around their King Vulture(s). Housed several birds, scarlett ibises, capybaras, maras(not out?), sloths (not out?), squirrel monkeys (not out or hiding).
After this was the big new Brazos River Country. The Brazos river runs right near the park that the zoo is in and so this is a feature of the animals that one would find as you started at the gulf coast and headed to the headwaters of the river. You enter in a Gulf of Mexico aquarium. There is one big tank on one wall and several smaller tanks on the other. Only complaint here is the inclusion of some Pacific fish (don't usually expect to see tangs and clownfish in the Gulf of Mexico). After exiting the aquarium you enter a large aviary with coastal birds: pelicans, stilts, terns, etc. This aviary is probably at least 3 times as large as Fort Worth's Texas Wild! version. Next are two decent sized alligator exhibits both with underwater viewing and a tunnel for children to go into to see them underwater. I have to emphasize children as I tried to go in myself and was not successful since the days rain made it very slippery and my dumb self ended up on the ground in the splits. Not doing that again, and luckily there was no one around to see. A fake beaver lodge is in between the two alligator exhibits. Next is the mountain lion exhibit which didn't have anything in it today, and I felt was pretty small (although not quite as small as FW's). Next to that was an aviary for the Crested Caracaras. After that was a black bear exhibit. I don't know if I like this or not. For viewing its great you can see nearly every inch of the habitat and there are still places that the bears can be reclusive. It also has an underwater viewing area for the bears, something I hadn't seen before. As far as size, it seemed big enough, but the layout was odd. Next was a great river otter exhibit. The otters were very playful and came up to the window to interact with the guests. In the middle of the habitat was a tube slide that kids could go through the exhibit and get another view of the otters. I went to the top of the slide and was followed by the otters, but didn't go down - I had learned my lesson earlier about going into areas that should only be for kids (why do zoos do this anyway?). Next was the night house an indoor exhibit with raccoons, owls (at least 4 species), bats, armadillos, and skunks. Next to the night house was a nice butterfly garden. Following the path along you come to the freshwater aquarium. This again is an indoor aquarium (which was great to go into to get out of the rain) with two main tanks. The first tank was for paddlefish and I think some young sturgeon. The other was a long tank about knee high with a shore line. In this one there were many game fish (bass, crappy, perch), pond turtles, alligator snapping turtles, and two small alligators. There were also several snake, lizard, and frog exhibits in the typical herpatarium style. Exiting here you go past a fossil dig (I'm sure the people of Waco just love that one!) to the the big cat exhibits the ocelot and the jaguar. Now from an exhibit standpoint I have a problem with these two as, as far as I know these two animals have never lived along the Brazos, at least in the last several hundred years. The ocelot was quite active in its decent sized habitat. It could have been bigger, but I've definitely seen worse (cough Fort Worth cough). Next to it was the jaguar exhibit. As I said earlier it was the only exhibit that I though was subpar. There was little in the way of plants or hiding areas. Visitors could nearly make a complete 360 around the exhibit. Only 1 male jaguar was out today, but I can't imagine it holding 2. It is about the same size if not a little smaller than FW's. Next up was the Bison exhibit. Nothing spectacular, about an acre, walled in, with no grass. Its not as bad as you think, because as I was looking there appears to be a large grazing pasture just on the other side of the exhibit out of view of the public. The last exhibit was for White-tailed deer, peccaries (not out), and turkeys (not out). Not a bad exhibit, built onto the slope of a hill. In all Brazos River Country is by far the best Texas exhibit around, it really puts Texas Wild! in FW to shame - at least from an animal perspective.
Exiting the BRC, you come to the Reptile building. This is a small collection (of course to me anything's small after being around Dallas' collection) divided into 2 parts: Rain Forest and Desert. Primarily housed snakes (in particular rattlesnakes). Quite well designed even with some mixed species enclosures. Exiting the Reptile building there is a vulture exhibit (black and turkey). I had to chuckle at this one because there were about 100 or more wild black vultures throughout the zoo including several dozen in the black bear habitat.
After taking some winding paths you come to the tree top cafe/village (which was closed) which overlooks the African Savanna exhibits. This is currently the best African Savanna in Texas (ok, maybe tied with Caldwell Zoo in Tyler). As you go around a ramp on the inside of the ramp is an exhibit for Kori Bustards and Dik-Dik. I honestly didn't know that this combination could work. First big habitat is for the giraffes, greater kudu, crowned cranes, and marabou stork. The public can view into the giraffe house (which was good as 2 of the 3 giraffes didn't want to come out today). There are great viewing opportunities here and you are able to look past this habitat into the next one (white rhinos), and the next one after that (elephants). My only complaint here is that it could have used a few more species (zebra, gazelle, etc.). The white rhino exhibit is the best in Texas (not saying much as the only other whites are in San Antonio - and look up those pictures for a good cry). There is probably 1 acre to 1.5 acres here for 3 rhinos. Lots of mud wallows (or was that just due to the rain). The elephant exhibit was next door. Big, spacious, green, everything you didn't expect in a Texas elephant enclosure. Probably 2-2.5 acres maybe more for 2 female Africans. Only complaint here is from the visitors stand point, some of the bushes in the viewing area need to be trimmed so you can see the elephants. Next was the lion exhibit. Not sure here. Decent space for the 3 lions, lots of tall grass, and rocks to climb on, but something was kind of weird. It was basically like a large open cave (I know a contradiction of terms is there ever was one). Outside the lions was a small ubiquitous meerkat exhibit. You see one you've seen them all.
Last on the tour was the Asian forest. Only thing here was a decent Sumatran Tiger exhibit. Maybe not the biggest, had a lot of harp wire instead of moats or platforms, and was very lush. Next to this is the exciting part; a new exhibit that will open in late August early September. This is the area for Orangs and Komodo Dragons. I took a look around the construction barrier, and I think this will be one great exhibit.
All in all, I quite like this zoo. It is fairly small - I was able to tour it twice in the 3 1/2 hours I was there, but what that lack in size they make up for in great exhibits. I have about 200 photos that I will try and upload over the next several days.
In short I think this may be the most under rater zoo in Texas.I could only find one exhibit that I didn't like and only because it was too small (the jaguar). The zoo is all new being relocated in I think 1995 to its current location.
When you enter the zoo there are two islands (really peninsulas but who's that picky) in a fairly large lake. One houses white-handed gibbons (only saw one out today but heard others) and the other lemurs. The zoo is constructed in a large loop so I went counterclockwise to try and avoid the school groups (that didn't work BTW). First exhibit was for bald eagles. It seems every zoo in Texas must have these. Of course they are rehab birds that can't be released. Next was a large area for Galapagos Tortoises which weren't out today, might have been too chilly or the lovely ever present rain storm that was going on. There was then a small macaw exhibit. The first big exhibit was the Rey de la Montana a South American exhibit that was designed around their King Vulture(s). Housed several birds, scarlett ibises, capybaras, maras(not out?), sloths (not out?), squirrel monkeys (not out or hiding).
After this was the big new Brazos River Country. The Brazos river runs right near the park that the zoo is in and so this is a feature of the animals that one would find as you started at the gulf coast and headed to the headwaters of the river. You enter in a Gulf of Mexico aquarium. There is one big tank on one wall and several smaller tanks on the other. Only complaint here is the inclusion of some Pacific fish (don't usually expect to see tangs and clownfish in the Gulf of Mexico). After exiting the aquarium you enter a large aviary with coastal birds: pelicans, stilts, terns, etc. This aviary is probably at least 3 times as large as Fort Worth's Texas Wild! version. Next are two decent sized alligator exhibits both with underwater viewing and a tunnel for children to go into to see them underwater. I have to emphasize children as I tried to go in myself and was not successful since the days rain made it very slippery and my dumb self ended up on the ground in the splits. Not doing that again, and luckily there was no one around to see. A fake beaver lodge is in between the two alligator exhibits. Next is the mountain lion exhibit which didn't have anything in it today, and I felt was pretty small (although not quite as small as FW's). Next to that was an aviary for the Crested Caracaras. After that was a black bear exhibit. I don't know if I like this or not. For viewing its great you can see nearly every inch of the habitat and there are still places that the bears can be reclusive. It also has an underwater viewing area for the bears, something I hadn't seen before. As far as size, it seemed big enough, but the layout was odd. Next was a great river otter exhibit. The otters were very playful and came up to the window to interact with the guests. In the middle of the habitat was a tube slide that kids could go through the exhibit and get another view of the otters. I went to the top of the slide and was followed by the otters, but didn't go down - I had learned my lesson earlier about going into areas that should only be for kids (why do zoos do this anyway?). Next was the night house an indoor exhibit with raccoons, owls (at least 4 species), bats, armadillos, and skunks. Next to the night house was a nice butterfly garden. Following the path along you come to the freshwater aquarium. This again is an indoor aquarium (which was great to go into to get out of the rain) with two main tanks. The first tank was for paddlefish and I think some young sturgeon. The other was a long tank about knee high with a shore line. In this one there were many game fish (bass, crappy, perch), pond turtles, alligator snapping turtles, and two small alligators. There were also several snake, lizard, and frog exhibits in the typical herpatarium style. Exiting here you go past a fossil dig (I'm sure the people of Waco just love that one!) to the the big cat exhibits the ocelot and the jaguar. Now from an exhibit standpoint I have a problem with these two as, as far as I know these two animals have never lived along the Brazos, at least in the last several hundred years. The ocelot was quite active in its decent sized habitat. It could have been bigger, but I've definitely seen worse (cough Fort Worth cough). Next to it was the jaguar exhibit. As I said earlier it was the only exhibit that I though was subpar. There was little in the way of plants or hiding areas. Visitors could nearly make a complete 360 around the exhibit. Only 1 male jaguar was out today, but I can't imagine it holding 2. It is about the same size if not a little smaller than FW's. Next up was the Bison exhibit. Nothing spectacular, about an acre, walled in, with no grass. Its not as bad as you think, because as I was looking there appears to be a large grazing pasture just on the other side of the exhibit out of view of the public. The last exhibit was for White-tailed deer, peccaries (not out), and turkeys (not out). Not a bad exhibit, built onto the slope of a hill. In all Brazos River Country is by far the best Texas exhibit around, it really puts Texas Wild! in FW to shame - at least from an animal perspective.
Exiting the BRC, you come to the Reptile building. This is a small collection (of course to me anything's small after being around Dallas' collection) divided into 2 parts: Rain Forest and Desert. Primarily housed snakes (in particular rattlesnakes). Quite well designed even with some mixed species enclosures. Exiting the Reptile building there is a vulture exhibit (black and turkey). I had to chuckle at this one because there were about 100 or more wild black vultures throughout the zoo including several dozen in the black bear habitat.
After taking some winding paths you come to the tree top cafe/village (which was closed) which overlooks the African Savanna exhibits. This is currently the best African Savanna in Texas (ok, maybe tied with Caldwell Zoo in Tyler). As you go around a ramp on the inside of the ramp is an exhibit for Kori Bustards and Dik-Dik. I honestly didn't know that this combination could work. First big habitat is for the giraffes, greater kudu, crowned cranes, and marabou stork. The public can view into the giraffe house (which was good as 2 of the 3 giraffes didn't want to come out today). There are great viewing opportunities here and you are able to look past this habitat into the next one (white rhinos), and the next one after that (elephants). My only complaint here is that it could have used a few more species (zebra, gazelle, etc.). The white rhino exhibit is the best in Texas (not saying much as the only other whites are in San Antonio - and look up those pictures for a good cry). There is probably 1 acre to 1.5 acres here for 3 rhinos. Lots of mud wallows (or was that just due to the rain). The elephant exhibit was next door. Big, spacious, green, everything you didn't expect in a Texas elephant enclosure. Probably 2-2.5 acres maybe more for 2 female Africans. Only complaint here is from the visitors stand point, some of the bushes in the viewing area need to be trimmed so you can see the elephants. Next was the lion exhibit. Not sure here. Decent space for the 3 lions, lots of tall grass, and rocks to climb on, but something was kind of weird. It was basically like a large open cave (I know a contradiction of terms is there ever was one). Outside the lions was a small ubiquitous meerkat exhibit. You see one you've seen them all.
Last on the tour was the Asian forest. Only thing here was a decent Sumatran Tiger exhibit. Maybe not the biggest, had a lot of harp wire instead of moats or platforms, and was very lush. Next to this is the exciting part; a new exhibit that will open in late August early September. This is the area for Orangs and Komodo Dragons. I took a look around the construction barrier, and I think this will be one great exhibit.
All in all, I quite like this zoo. It is fairly small - I was able to tour it twice in the 3 1/2 hours I was there, but what that lack in size they make up for in great exhibits. I have about 200 photos that I will try and upload over the next several days.
