Dallas Zoo Dallas Zoo News 2013

[tschandler71]

That is the thing I don't know exactly what it means. I would assume it is like the night safari I have seen on the internet from Singapore. Trails of Africa (Birmingham) and Giants of the Savanna (Dallas) are similar concepts created around the same time 2007-2008 by the same zoo design firm (CLR Designs). Both exhibits feature rotational exhibits and the same lineups of animals which some consider a "generic" African list. Both exhibits will eventually mix the elephants with the giraffes and other hoofstock. Each focuses on slightly different aspects of the same concepts.

Dallas - Mostly new construction. Female African Elephant herd. Cheetahs are also a part of this exhibit.

Giants animal list - African Elephant. Rothic Giraffe. Lion. Cheetah. Grant's Zebra. Impala. Ostrich. Guineafowl. Warthogs. Red River Hogs. Zoo will mix all animals but predators

Birmingham - New Central habitat/Elephant Habitat. New Giraffe Feeding Deck/Habitat where the giraffes live under tree cover. The rest of the exhibit involves the renovation of the previous exhibits. All animals but the predators will eventually mix with each other. More emphasis on birds and other microfauna. All the non-predator exhibits connect to each other. More of a trail exhibit/walking path concept. Trails of Africa is the "Brand" name for all of Birmingham's outdoor African exhibits (those not part of the Primate or Small Predator buildings)

Trails Animal List - African Elephants. White Rhino. Hippo. Lion. Wild Dog. Rothtic Giraffe. Grant's Zebra. Grant's Gazelle. Ostrich. Guineafowl. Red River Hog. Kori Bustard. African Ground Hornbill, African .Spurred Tortoise. Aldabra Tortoise. Buff Bustard. Cinereous Vulture. African Songbirds.

Future Plans: Warthog (currently off exhibit), Cheetah (currently off exhibit), Meerkat (small indoor exhibit, will get larger outdoor one in African section), Impala, Waterbuck.

Everything but the tortoises, small birds, vultures, and predators will rotate from their primary exhibits to the main flex exhibit during various times of the day.

The reason I asked if CLR created the ideas for the simulated moonlight is that it appears in the plans for these two exhibits specifically. Obviously given the animals popularity/history of night Safaris in Africa it makes sense for Singapore, Birmingham, and Dallas to feature these animals in an exhibit at night. Especially like I said with Birmingham and Dallas being as hot/humid as a jungle themselves during summer means that seeing these animals at night would be a treat for locals.

 

[Arizona Docent]

I went to Dallas last summer and timed my trip specifically to be at the Dallas Zoo on a summer Saturday night. It was actually the last night of the season they were offering it, so I can provide a firsthand account. I can also compare it to the several (far superior) night experiences at Arizona zoos, which as far as I know pioneered the experience here in the states.

First off, the Dallas Zoo summer night does not really go into the dark. It actually ends just when it gets dark. Part of the problem is that Texas is like most of the illogical states in this country that use that ridiculous daylight savings time so it gets dark artificially late in summer. My state of Arizona, on the other hand, is the only one of the 48 continental United States that has enough brains to see this practice is pointless. As such, it is much easier for Arizona zoos to go into the dark than other zoos (although San Diego does pretty well).

If I remember correctly, the Dallas Zoo summer nights end at 9pm and that is exactly when it was finally getting dark. As such, there is no artificial lighting at Giants of the Savanna. My cousin and I were the last ones in that area, at the savanna actually a little past nine, and it was just dark out in the exhibit. I did take some shots with flash as well as flashlight and long exposure. You should be able to see these in the gallery. But there was no supplied lighting whatsoever and certainly no simulated moonlight. I will note that as we stood there we had a chat with a very friendly keeper and she made no hints about chasing us out or even that we were staying too late. I would like to see them stay open until 9:30 or 10, but even as it is being able to watch the golden light from the setting sun is worth it. The zoo was very crowded and these evening events are obviously a hit (as they are in Arizona and San Diego).

The Phoenix Zoo stays open until 9:30pm and the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum stays open until 10pm. Since we do not have Daylight Savings and since we are in a southern latitude, these times are well past dark. It is truly a magical experience to be in the desert at night and both institutions use soft lighting very effectively. As for "simulated moonlight," the closest thing I have seen to that are spotlights with blue gells in the big cat exhibits at the San Diego Zoo.