team tapir
Well-Known Member
Cleveland is our home zoo we are both memebers and have been visiting the zoo since 1980.I myself am a former employee and know the zoo very well.The Rainforest is by far the best exhibit the two story building is beautfully landscaped both inside and out.The lower level features a variety of anphibians and reptiles. The upper level houses orangatangs along with many other rainforest creatures. We give the rainforest a B+. The next exhibit is, the currently under construction, Elephant Crossing. This looks to be a great exhibit with tons of space for the elephants, and multiple vantage points for the public. However they did not want to spend another 10 million dollars (on top of the 25 million budget) to include longtime zoo staples of warthogs, tapirs, and the ever popular hippos. An average lion exhibit sits across from elephant crossing. The next area is the rest of the african savannah, including zebras, bontabok, gazelles, vultures, ostrich, and giraffes. There is plenty of room for the animals to roam, so much so, that you might not see the zebras or gazelles on some days. The giraffes and ostrich are seperated from the rest by a cheap chain link fence that reminds you that you are still in Cleveland and not Africa. Across the way is the historic Monkey Island, rhino yard, and leopard cage. Overall this area is a C+. The next area on your trip is the Northern Trek. Minus Wolf Wilderness this area is in dire need of attention. 6 species of bears, tigers, and seals are displayed in small grottos, throughout the area. Their indoor holding area are even worse, however, they are currently being revamped. Wolf Wilderness doesn't match the rest of the area. The pack of female wolves are in their "natural environment" with plenty of vantage points the include cameras that you manipulate. Overall we give this area a D+. On the other side of the African Savannah is Australian Adventure which is a great place for kids. It features koalas, wallabys, kangaroos, cockatoos, a huge playground and a petting zoo. We give this area a B-. A winding deckwalk through the forest leads you up top to the Primate, Cat & Aquatics building. Aside from the outdoor cheetah, and gorilla yards, the building itself is very substandard. The aquatic section contains a wall of aquariums with a couple free standing aquariums like we have in our house. In the middle is a 4500 gallon circular tank that holds, a giant grouper, a sting ray, a black tip reef shark, and a nurse shark that only have the option to swim in circles 24-7. The other half of this building houses a huge collection of primates. Lemurs, baboons, and spider monkeys to name a few. Despite having a large "collection" they are exhibited in small, cell wall, concrete enclosures that don't offer much enrichment. They have some from enrichment from the keepers making things, but no "natural" habitats. We give this area a D. Overall we give the zoo a C. This zoo has so much potential with it's size and wallet, it is a shame that the animals are "put on hold" or "denied" because of mismanagement of funds. The Cleveland Zoo has a way to go to be compared to the other Ohio zoos, before even being compared to the zoos in the rest of the country.
