Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Cleveland Zoo next project

CMZman said:
I really hope a refresh/overhaul is coming, because based on how it looked yesterday, I think we're seeing the beginning of the end for Australian Adventure. Every exhibit across from the nature pavilion was empty, the BBQ place, Aviary, and Homestead are permanently closed, and the Yagga Tree seems to be on its last legs, as it looked REALLY bad when I went through it (aside from Bill seeming to be down for good, it just looks really unloved inside. The top layer is still closed, the rock work is falling apart). I wouldn't be surprised if they start closing the remaining parts of the area one by one, until it just cuts off at the train tracks and Wallabys
Click to expand...
The interesting factor to consider about any AA closure is the train. I'd think they have to keep the area alive to an extent. If there's no life in the area or it's mostly closed, there's less reason for people to pay for a train ride, and the train makes WAY too much money. It's too important to lose for the duration of a complete overhaul.

If they kept the walkabout and the petting zoo open, that'd be enough to keep people happy and give them something to see on the train ride. It makes AA an interesting challenge, unlike any other area, since you're working around such a big "engine of revenue" :D in addition to animal enclosures and such. Putting a train anywhere else would be an enormous expense and logistical nightmare.
 
Tiramtortlephant said:
The interesting factor to consider about any AA closure is the train. I'd think they have to keep the area alive to an extent. If there's no life in the area or it's mostly closed, there's less reason for people to pay for a train ride, and the train makes WAY too much money. It's too important to lose for the duration of a complete overhaul.

If they kept the walkabout and the petting zoo open, that'd be enough to keep people happy and give them something to see on the train ride. It makes AA an interesting challenge, unlike any other area, since you're working around such a big "engine of revenue" :D in addition to animal enclosures and such. Putting a train anywhere else would be an enormous expense and logistical nightmare.
Click to expand...
I doubt they'd take AA entirely down at once for an overhaul. More like "For 3 months the Homestead is redeveloped and then a few months later the Yagga Tree goes down for an overhaul". Either that, or during the off season, close let's say the Tree again as usual and then keep it closed into the regular season if the refurb requires.
 
I believe it has been said before on here that AA was the area of a bygone era where it was more about entertainment then education. It is a part of my childhood that I will miss but the zoo should not have animatronics and Australia doesn't hold the same mystique it once did. It's been a slow death but its been in a long decline since that poor kangaroo died. There's just been more of an animal focus on exhibits since then I think. AA sits on a promising bit of real estate with a big hill in the middle of it, I could see them getting very creative with it.
 
mwalle09 said:
I believe it has been said before on here that AA was the area of a bygone era where it was more about entertainment then education. It is a part of my childhood that I will miss but the zoo should not have animatronics and Australia doesn't hold the same mystique it once did. It's been a slow death but its been in a long decline since that poor kangaroo died. There's just been more of an animal focus on exhibits since then I think. AA sits on a promising bit of real estate with a big hill in the middle of it, I could see them getting very creative with it.
Click to expand...
Forgive me ignorance as a non-local, but dare I ask what kangaroo died?
 
JVM said:
Ah, I see. I thought the "slow decline" comment was about the mystique of Australia but looks like it just means the exhibit in general.

This is the second time I'm in a month here, I think, I've had to be linked to a major news story involving a macropod death I previously did not know about. If I had a nickel...
Click to expand...
The slow decline has been more the area itself dying a slow death, aside from the Wallaby Walkaround, which still holds up.
- Reinberger Homestead, Bugideer Aviary, and Matilda's BBQ: Permanantly closed.
- Ballarat Theatre: Unused for years
- The Yagga Tree: Partially operational (Top level is closed) and looking really rough (Rockwork is visibly cracking, animatronic crocodile no longer functions, it was "raining" in the tree last time I went as water dripped while going down the steps.
- Barn, Dingos: Still upkept
 
Also, Australia is the only area of the zoo not to be updated in any major way since it opened. Look at all the other areas since 2010-

RainForest- Primate Forest is on the way

Africa- Elephant Crossing, Giraffe Deck, Monkey Island removal, New Rhino yard, food court renovation

Wilderness Trek- Tiger Passage, Bear Hollow, Asian Highlands

Waterfowl Lake- Carousel, 4D Theater, Zipline, new food area.

Primate Cat and Aquatic- New climbing/enrichment for animals, gorilla expansion as Mandrills moved out, gorilla yard refurb.

And then-

Australia- Pavillion converted to small animal holding.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JVM
CMZman said:
Also, Australia is the only area of the zoo not to be updated in any major way since it opened. Look at all the other areas since 2010-

RainForest- Primate Forest is on the way

Africa- Elephant Crossing, Giraffe Deck, Monkey Island removal, New Rhino yard, food court renovation

Wilderness Trek- Tiger Passage, Bear Hollow, Asian Highlands

Waterfowl Lake- Carousel, 4D Theater, Zipline, new food area.

Primate Cat and Aquatic- New climbing/enrichment for animals, gorilla expansion as Mandrills moved out, gorilla yard refurb.

And then-

Australia- Pavillion converted to small animal holding.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the fill-in. Cleveland is one of the zoos I've only started following more recently and while I've gathered some of this is I'm not always in the loop.
 
I am unsure what update you could do that would make it more worthwhile. I agree I think Wallaby Walkabout still holds up well as does Gumleaf Hideout. Lorikeet Landing was fine but I don't know if it is still open or not. Now that the CMZ has a better playground area, there is not much need for the Yagga tree. At one time it had little exhibits in it of snakes and other smaller creatures.

This would be a capital sort of project but I guess building a building that could be used year-round in the area would be a big upgrade. A negative of AA for me is that it has always had to close for large parts of the year.
 
mwalle09 said:
Lorikeet Landing was fine but I don't know if it is still open or not. .
Click to expand...
Nope. Lorikeets (Technically now Bugideers) are closed seemingly for good. When I was at the zoo last week I was told it was being "Re-evaluated for future use"
 
mwalle09 said:
I am unsure what update you could do that would make it more worthwhile. I agree I think Wallaby Walkabout still holds up well as does Gumleaf Hideout. Lorikeet Landing was fine but I don't know if it is still open or not. Now that the CMZ has a better playground area, there is not much need for the Yagga tree. At one time it had little exhibits in it of snakes and other smaller creatures.

This would be a capital sort of project but I guess building a building that could be used year-round in the area would be a big upgrade. A negative of AA for me is that it has always had to close for large parts of the year.
Click to expand...
CMZman said:
Nope. Lorikeets (Technically now Bugideers) are closed seemingly for good. When I was at the zoo last week I was told it was being "Re-evaluated for future use"
Click to expand...
I hope that if the zoo were to do some major renovations to Australian Adventure that some new animals are considered as part of the plan. While stuff like wombats and Tasmanian devils might not be the most realistic, adding in a smaller mammal (e.g. Feathertail Gliders), an aviary for more Australian birds, and some more herps would definitely be an appreciated change. While most of Australia was closed on my visit (October 2022), the parts I saw seemed to be good, and I hope any changes would be out of a desire to feature more of the incredible wildlife from this continent.
 
I was at a wild life park in Australia once and it was incredible. Seeing an Emu up close as well as Tasmanian Devils and Cassowarys as well as animals we have at the CMZ was worth it.

They could learn a lot from the San Diego Safari Park because it was a nice mix of animals, indoor/outdoor areas and environmental things. I realize there are a lot of differences between us and them but I'm sure they could find some things to work on. This all being said, the CMZ has plans for other areas already in the works and are definitely focused on them.
 
I’m confused about the proposed night range for the elephants in the zoos 150 plan. Is the current yard that you can only see if you ride the train going to be inside?
 
Kevin Miller said:
I’m confused about the proposed night range for the elephants in the zoos 150 plan. Is the current yard that you can only see if you ride the train going to be inside?
Click to expand...
From the illustration that seems to be the plan. Now, if that or the Cheetah proposal every come to light are a different story
 
Last edited:
At the zoo now and got to speak to an employee for a few minutes in The RainForest about the Primate Forest. Got three interesting points-
- Primate Forest is likely to start construction, "Spring or summer of next year" (Before I would be told "There's no timeline")
- Outdoor exhibits for Gorillas and Orangutan are "in the drawings I've seen"
- The RainForest is closing for a period of time because "This whole building is going to be redone". No word on when or how long RainForest will be closed.

Would take these with a grain of salt but I thought they were interesting
 
I'm at the zoo and theres construction going on where the WRYAS plant was. Since this is becoming parking lot when Primate Forest happens I wonder if that means we're getting close to a ground breaking for Primate.
20231103_114305.jpg
 

Attachments

  • 20231103_114305.jpg
    20231103_114305.jpg
    306.7 KB · Views: 112
CMZman said:
I'm at the zoo and theres construction going on where the WRYAS plant was. Since this is becoming parking lot when Primate Forest happens I wonder if that means we're getting close to a ground breaking for Primate.
View attachment 666359
Click to expand...

That area will be new parking since the current front lot will be filled by the new expansion.
 
Today while at the zoo I saw a group of what looked like zoo officials (All of them were wearing zoo jackets/lanyards) with clipboards and cameras touring PC&A. I could not hear their entire discussion but the Gorillas moving was mentioned as well as animal space.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top