Looking at this, my main problem is just how boring it is.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Cleveland Zoo next project
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At least to me, it seems Cleveland might be phasing out Seal/Sea Lions, as they only have one seal left and I believe only two Sea Lions.
I personally see the pinniped habitat area being used expand the black and grizzly bear habitats when they are renovated someday.
Are there plans for that at some point in the future?
This area is not in the plans through 2032 unless it gets added at a later date. I expect smaller projects to continue during the RainForest expansion as funding becomes available.
The food court renovations will be done by Summer 2023
I certainly hope so. It would be crazy without it.
I'm curious if there's been any thought or discussion about the return of polar bears. It's been over a decade and - in my experience - that's one of the animals a lot of people want to see. It'd be another large-scale project that would change the discussion about what to do with the remaining bear enclosures and the pinniped pool.
You have to wonder if the next big step is expanding outside the current boundaries of the CMZ, into the adjacent Brookside Reservation. I know that has been discussed as an option in the past.
I think the zoo has an expansion area behind the Wilderness Trek area, and if the front parking gets changed around maybe that lot could be used for an expansion?
With ground being broken soon on the new gorilla and orangutan exhibits, and no known plans for future exhibits after this, it's understandable why many would be speculating on what the future of new exhibits at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo holds, and people have rightfully pointed out some of the zoo's weaker exhibits (pinnipeds, North American bears). As impressive the many recent projects at Cleveland Zoo have been, and as great as it's been to see so many projects improving the lives of their animals, personally I'd like to see the zoo take a new direction in whatever their next project is. All of the recent projects have had one feature in common with each other: a strong focus on one or two charismatic megafauna species. African elephants, tigers, snow and amur leopards, black rhinos, bears and great apes, have all either recently received new exhibits or will be receiving new exhibits in the imminent future. Granted, many of these projects were desperately needed so I can understand why they were priorities.
However, after the Rainforest expansion, I think it'll be time for Cleveland to focus on a project that isn't centered around one or two megafauna species, and instead look for ways to improve the overall biodiversity of the zoo collection. It's important for any zoo, in my opinion, to focus their collection on highlighting biodiversity, and while I have no problem with large mammals in zoos, it is educationally much more important for zoos to highlight the overall diversity of animal life, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. While all of these do have some representation at Cleveland, the zoo could be doing significantly better in these categories, and focus on highlighting species other than large megafauna. While I can understand why some may want to see sea lions or more bear species as focuses of future projects, I'd much rather see the zoo phase out those species, as they already have a strong array of megafauna on display, and instead work on a project to improve the overall biodiversity of the zoo.
I'd love to see the zoo design a modern reptile and amphibian center to the likes of Atlanta and Knoxville's new buildings, or see Cleveland's take of either an aquarium or an insectarium. Even if another mammal-focused project is in the works, a focus on smaller mammals instead of megafauna would be appreciated. Turn PCA into a dedicated Madagascar exhibit, as the zoo has fossa and a strong collection of lemurs already, and could benefit from the addition of Malagasy herps, inverts, birds, and fish to the area as well, or double down on its nocturnal primate exhibits and build a dedicated nocturnal building- a style of exhibit that is still impressive even if it has fallen out of favor lately. There are plenty of great possibilities for projects that Cleveland can prioritize going forward, so I'd hate to see another project that focuses on only the megafauna and neglects the fact that most animals are not large mammals.
However, after the Rainforest expansion, I think it'll be time for Cleveland to focus on a project that isn't centered around one or two megafauna species, and instead look for ways to improve the overall biodiversity of the zoo collection. It's important for any zoo, in my opinion, to focus their collection on highlighting biodiversity, and while I have no problem with large mammals in zoos, it is educationally much more important for zoos to highlight the overall diversity of animal life, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. While all of these do have some representation at Cleveland, the zoo could be doing significantly better in these categories, and focus on highlighting species other than large megafauna. While I can understand why some may want to see sea lions or more bear species as focuses of future projects, I'd much rather see the zoo phase out those species, as they already have a strong array of megafauna on display, and instead work on a project to improve the overall biodiversity of the zoo.
I'd love to see the zoo design a modern reptile and amphibian center to the likes of Atlanta and Knoxville's new buildings, or see Cleveland's take of either an aquarium or an insectarium. Even if another mammal-focused project is in the works, a focus on smaller mammals instead of megafauna would be appreciated. Turn PCA into a dedicated Madagascar exhibit, as the zoo has fossa and a strong collection of lemurs already, and could benefit from the addition of Malagasy herps, inverts, birds, and fish to the area as well, or double down on its nocturnal primate exhibits and build a dedicated nocturnal building- a style of exhibit that is still impressive even if it has fallen out of favor lately. There are plenty of great possibilities for projects that Cleveland can prioritize going forward, so I'd hate to see another project that focuses on only the megafauna and neglects the fact that most animals are not large mammals.
EXACTLY. Outside the box, love to see exhibit devoted to tree top species; more birds (toucans, motmot's, ring-necked parkeets, fairy bluebirds etc. etc., mix in exhibits venomous snakes!!! Not a rainforest exhibit rather tree top dwelling species. Something totally different. Personally I thought the several overhead passages for the tigers is over killed.
Honestly I think by the time RainForest is done, they should start looking at Australian Adventure for redevelopment. Australia itself has so many cool species but I've always felt Adventure looses steam once you get past the Koalas and Wallaby Walkaround. Another problem is that the entire area pretty much shuts down in the winter. Some good indoor exhibits would do the area wonders
There is such a shortage of polar bears in zoos right now, I don’t think anyone should built a new habitat right now unless they can be guaranteed bears. Otherwise it will become like Pittsburgh‘s walrus situation.
They're better off building a "flexible large bear" space that can hold polar bears, much like how North Carolina approached it when their polar bear renovation was happening.
Ursa International • Polar Bear Expansion
Ursa International • Polar Bear Expansion
That is the path to the Wilderness Trek entrance. They could expand here. I do not see anything happening here for a long time. After 2032 at the earliest.
If the bear and seal exhibits remain until then, they will have lasted longer than the original Pachyderm Building did. In fact-
Monkey Island (1933- 2019) - 87
American Bear Exhibits (1970- 2032) - 62
Primate, Cat and Aquatic [Assuming it's still standing] (1972- 2032) - 60
Pachyderm Building (1955- 2008)- 53
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PCA will remain. Considering a renovated cheetah habitat will be attached to it, it is staying. Only the gorillas are moving. They have never said PCA will be retired.
Jacob F
Well-Known Member
Maybe they could add an Australian nocturnal house, which would feature echidnas, wombats, sugar gliders, and tawny frogmouths.
Honestly PCA at this point is fine aside from the Gorillas. Most exhibits are being renovated with more climbing structures (I remember back in like 2013 when every exhibit was pretty much four walls and a rock or two). If only the outdoor yards would be upgraded, but that's a different story. Like I said above, Australia is in need of renovation more.