Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Cleveland Zoo next project

I figured I'd revitalize this chat with a topic of discussion:

With the birth of an orangutan and a gorilla within a single year, I would think that would be an obvious point for raising funds for the proposed Rainforest expansion for the PC&A primates.

Has anyone heard or know anything about that project and its current status?
 
Tiramtortlephant said:
I figured I'd revitalize this chat with a topic of discussion:

With the birth of an orangutan and a gorilla within a single year, I would think that would be an obvious point for raising funds for the proposed Rainforest expansion for the PC&A primates.

Has anyone heard or know anything about that project and its current status?
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The only definite thing is that it will be done by 2032. The tropical bears area will likely happen soon.
 
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The other day when I was at Cleveland Zoo, a worker told me that lions had come up in conversation for a makeover. I know they had plans in the past but has anyone heard anything recent about replacing the lion yard? Something on the levels of Bears (Fill in the moat and expand it out) would do wonders for the exhibit.
 

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CMZman said:
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The other day when I was at Cleveland Zoo, a worker told me that lions had come up in conversation for a makeover. I know they had plans in the past but has anyone heard anything recent about replacing the lion yard? Something on the levels of Bears (Fill in the moat and expand it out) would do wonders for the exhibit.
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Hot take - the moat is fine, I'd argue they should have more options for viewing the lions - glass and mesh come to mind. If a zoo has the space and resources to do moated habitats justice, I reckon they should at least maintain *a* moated viewing area. If Lincoln Park could do it with gorillas and polar bears, Cleveland can certainly do it with at least lions.
 
There are renovating the food court. It has been discussed in a board presentation. They are likely replacing McDonalds and Pizza Hut. Part of the kitchen area will be the event kitchen. They currently have to bring everything from the RainForest. More covered seating is coming too.
 
The bigger issue is the size of the exhibit, not the moat itself. Moats are great, when a zoo has the space for a good exhibit with a moat. And as much as I love moats and the undisturbed viewing they provide, when a habitat is too small, often the easiest way to do so is fill in the moat and add glass or mesh viewing. Moats are great, they just are costly space-wise. So if Cleveland can find a way to expand the habitat but keep the moat, great. But if the option is a small, moated exhibit or a large exhibit with a different barrier, I'd choose the larger exhibit any day of the week. I'd also argue the best moated exhibits are those sloped on the animal side and steep on the visitor side- allowing animals access to the moat to maximize space.
 
TigerValley98 said:
There are renovating the food court. It has been discussed in a board presentation. They are likely replacing McDonalds and Pizza Hut. Part of the kitchen area will be the event kitchen. They currently have to bring everything from the RainForest. More covered seating is coming too.
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The RainForest dining is moving too? Is it becoming exhibit space?
 
Neil chace said:
The bigger issue is the size of the exhibit, not the moat itself. Moats are great, when a zoo has the space for a good exhibit with a moat. And as much as I love moats and the undisturbed viewing they provide, when a habitat is too small, often the easiest way to do so is fill in the moat and add glass or mesh viewing. Moats are great, they just are costly space-wise. So if Cleveland can find a way to expand the habitat but keep the moat, great. But if the option is a small, moated exhibit or a large exhibit with a different barrier, I'd choose the larger exhibit any day of the week. I'd also argue the best moated exhibits are those sloped on the animal side and steep on the visitor side- allowing animals access to the moat to maximize space.
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I remember one of the reasons why the lions were there in the first place was so visitors could look at a "big animal" while they were eating, so there was always something to see. Maybe rehabbing the food court will change the future of that exhibit.

Also, are there any architectural plans for the food court? I applaud the move but it seems to have come out of nowhere.
 
Tiramtortlephant said:
I remember one of the reasons why the lions were there in the first place was so visitors could look at a "big animal" while they were eating, so there was always something to see. Maybe rehabbing the food court will change the future of that exhibit.

Also, are there any architectural plans for the food court? I applaud the move but it seems to have come out of nowhere.
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Basically it's to get ready for the RainForest cafeteria to shut down when Primate Forest is built
TigerValley98 said:
This needed done. The only big kitchen the zoo has is in the RainForest. There is not one in Stillwater. With RainForest changes coming, they need something during construction.
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I just thought of this, since Bear Hollow is expected to open soon, I wonder if there's a chance they could utterly obliterate, I mean renovate, the absolutely abysmal Seal/Sea Lion exhibit while the RainForest expansion occurs. Even something on the scale of Columbus' new Seal exhibit is better than what they have now.
 

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CMZman said:
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I just thought of this, since Bear Hollow is expected to open soon, I wonder if there's a chance they could utterly obliterate, I mean renovate, the absolutely abysmal Seal/Sea Lion exhibit while the RainForest expansion occurs. Even something on the scale of Columbus' new Seal exhibit is better than what they have now.
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I have a hunch they'd remove seals & sea lions altogether before investing in an obliteration/renovation. There isn't a lot of space in that area for a better exhibit and caring for pinnipeds is so different from other animals (with their needs and the infrastructure to provide it) they might decide it's more economical to remove the exhibit and the animals, at least temporarily. That project alone could become a capital campaign-type project, ala AEC and the Primate Forest.
 
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