Dallas Zoo Dallas Zoo News 2010
- Thread starter jbnbsn99
- Start date
All very exciting. Will the cafeteria and lion and cheetah exhibits be open then as well?
Dallas has launched a new video showing off the construction so far on their new Giants of the Savannah project. Good mix of creatures, African elephants (2 acquired thus far by my count), lions, cheetahs, giraffe, zebra, ostrich, wild dogs (I think). No clue what else is planned for the exhibit.
That said, I'm a bit distrustful of Dallas launching this exhibit after only 1 year of construction and a rush on gathering the necessary funding. Sort of like how I don't trust tent-poll summer action flicks made in two years or less; just seems rushed. I feel that it may feel a bit gimmicky and may be poorly designed or cramped. Possibly it may not age well if it is designed this quickly like the San Antonio savannah exhibit (okay, it has aged pretty well, but it is still pretty boring and flat, it feels 15 years old). I guess I will see and possibly eat my words once they complete construction in May and I will make a real judgement call then.
That said, I'm a bit distrustful of Dallas launching this exhibit after only 1 year of construction and a rush on gathering the necessary funding. Sort of like how I don't trust tent-poll summer action flicks made in two years or less; just seems rushed. I feel that it may feel a bit gimmicky and may be poorly designed or cramped. Possibly it may not age well if it is designed this quickly like the San Antonio savannah exhibit (okay, it has aged pretty well, but it is still pretty boring and flat, it feels 15 years old). I guess I will see and possibly eat my words once they complete construction in May and I will make a real judgement call then.
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
I can assure you that it has been designed with as many details as possible from one of the best architects in the zoo design business. It will be anything but cramped with nearly 4 acres for elephants. I agree about San Antonio's "Savanna" and am shocked to find out that it is only 15 years old.
In fairness, I may have been too hash in saying 15 years. It may be a smidge older. We're looking at somewhere between the mid 80s and early 90s.
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
Even then, that Savanna isn't what I would call an "exhibit." It's a quarry yard with a few zebra, topi, and a single giraffe. In comparison to what Dallas is doing, it will be a very close approximation of what the real African savanna looks like, complete with representative plants.
The pics on Dallas' website do it no justice, could you elaborate as to what is going in there including numbers of each animals. It is my understanding that it is 2 female African elephants as the stars along with an assorted number of lions, cheetahs, giraffe, zebra, and ostrich?
Also, is this exhibit absorbing any of the land that previously housed the lions, elephants and giraffes, or is this all new area? If no, what are the plans for this area?
C'mon jb, I read you work at this zoo, I need details!
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
Numbers, I don't know and probably won't until it opens. I honestly don't think anyone knows. I can give some rough estimates from what I've read.
Confirmed are 5 lions and 3 Cheetahs.
Up to 6 or 7 elephants
12-14 Giraffes
30-40 Impala
About a dozen each of Zebra (probably Grant's) and Ostrich
Maybe some smaller birds like Guinea Fowl, but I don't know anything has been decided on yet.
Both Warthogs and Red River Hogs will be there, probably just the pair of each that is currently in the collection.
All of the land is space that was unused for exhibits. Only a few offices and education trailers were on the site prior to construction. Look for the powerpoint presentation the Zooplantman posted back in April for all the detail you could want on placement and design.
Where the Elephants and Giraffes are now will be home to Camels (don't know which species) and a Black Rhino. Haven't had lions in nearly two years, but Cat Row where the lion used to be I think is becoming a Texas Predator exhibit. At least that's the last thing I saw in the media. As per my position as the zoo, I should make it clear that I will only post information that is widely available to the public.
Confirmed are 5 lions and 3 Cheetahs.
Up to 6 or 7 elephants
12-14 Giraffes
30-40 Impala
About a dozen each of Zebra (probably Grant's) and Ostrich
Maybe some smaller birds like Guinea Fowl, but I don't know anything has been decided on yet.
Both Warthogs and Red River Hogs will be there, probably just the pair of each that is currently in the collection.
All of the land is space that was unused for exhibits. Only a few offices and education trailers were on the site prior to construction. Look for the powerpoint presentation the Zooplantman posted back in April for all the detail you could want on placement and design.
Where the Elephants and Giraffes are now will be home to Camels (don't know which species) and a Black Rhino. Haven't had lions in nearly two years, but Cat Row where the lion used to be I think is becoming a Texas Predator exhibit. At least that's the last thing I saw in the media. As per my position as the zoo, I should make it clear that I will only post information that is widely available to the public.
HOLY ****! That is VERY impressive, where are all these animals coming from? I mean, I was expecting like 2 elephants and more later, cats sounded about right, maybe 5-6 giraffe, and 4 zebra and ostrich with various other antelope.
And no I got ya, and understand, I had gotten wind of the elephant pregnancy at Houston about 1 month before the announcement. As a political science major with a background in film, I respect confidential sources.
This just all looks fantastic. I mean, name one other traditional zoo (not safari park) that has a herd of 30-40 of any type of antelope. There is no question whatsover in my mind that this project will make Dallas one of the top five zoos in America.
@Arizona Docent: one of the top 5 zoos in North America? That is a bold statement, and I cannot wait to visit Dallas this August to check out the new $40 million "Giants of the Savanna". What would your top 10 zoos be?
There will soon be 6 elephants at the Dallas Zoo:
New elephants coming two by two to Dallas Zoo | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News
There will soon be 6 elephants at the Dallas Zoo:
New elephants coming two by two to Dallas Zoo | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News
A guaranteed herd of six elephants? This just keeps getting better and better! If the City of Tucson keeps stalling on construction of our new elephant exhibit, maybe I will need to move to Dallas 
.
.
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
The zoo's own website mentions a $30million price tag, which is a bit less than this article claims
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
That video makes the new 11-acre "Giants of the Savanna" look extremely impressive. How will the public be able to physically touch the elephants? Will it be an extra fee? Are the 6 elephants really going to have 6 acres? It certainly appears to be an exciting addition to the Dallas Zoo.
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
I have only vague ideas on how the visitors will touch an elephant, but I do know it will be entirely protected with keepers present. The 6 acres if the total animal space for all the exhibits. The whole expansion is approx. 11.2 acres. Of the 6 acres for animals the elephants will have just under 4 acres.