Forbes Article: America's Best Zoos

[ANyhuis]

Forbes Traveler has an online article, detailing THEIR picks for the 10 best zoos in the USA: America's Best Zoos - ForbesTraveler.com

While I like these Forbes people (they quoted me in their "World's Best Zoos" article 2 years ago), I kinda wish they hadn't used the title of our book, "America's Best Zoos", as I think both Jon and I would take great issue over some of their choices. Still, overall, I could see agreeing with Forbes on most (maybe 8) of their choices. I won't tell you which zoos I think should NOT be on their list, but the two glaring omissions are Omaha and Columbus! No "Best Zoos" list for the USA should omit these 2, as they are both "Top 5" level!

 

[ANyhuis]

I guess I should tell you Forbes choices for "America's Best Zoos":
Philadelphia
San Diego
Bronx
Brookfield
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Denver
National
St.Louis
Maryland
Cincinnati

 

[reduakari]

Maryland? Wow, what were they smoking?

Philadelphia is a little hard to justify as well.

East Coast media bias again!

 

[loxodonta]

Maryland? Wow, what were they smoking?

Philadelphia is a little hard to justify as well.

East Coast media bias again!

I couldn't agree with you more. I have visited both Philly and Maryland zoo over a dozen times combined and I do like each zoos respected collections but I would not put either one on a top ten list. National Zoo is also a tough argument but will be one of the best once Elephant Trails and the Africa exhibit is built.

 

[BlackRhino]

I don't think Cincinnati should be on their either. Columbus should be on there instead of Cincinnati, and I would most definitely put the Woodland Park Zoo on the list before I would place Omaha. Woodland Park Zoo focuses more on animal welfare where as Omaha mainly seems to focus on visitor amenities. I also think Miami Metrozoo should be on there instead of Maryland or Philly.

 

[snowleopard]

Thanks for posting the link Allen, and it offers up an opportunity for thoughts and criticism from fellow ZooChatters. Obviously everyone is in agreement in regards to the bizarre appearance of both Maryland and Philadelphia in the top ten, and I agree with Allen on the omission of both Omaha and Columbus. Both those zoos are in my top 5, and I also agree with BlackRhino as he mentioned strong contenders Woodland Park and Miami. Every zoo has its unique features, and some are stronger in some areas over others. Woodland Park only has 1,100 animals and lacks an extensive collection, but is probably a top 5 American zoo in terms of exhibitry. On the other hand Cincinnati has a fantastic collection but lacks quality in many of its exhibits. Overall the Forbes list is like any list, meaning that it can create a quality debate...but my personal take on it is that they got it half right. San Diego and the Bronx are the two no-brainers that just about all of us are in agreement on.

 

[ANyhuis]

and I would most definitely put the Woodland Park Zoo on the list before I would place Omaha. Woodland Park Zoo focuses more on animal welfare where as Omaha mainly seems to focus on visitor amenities.

I can't wait until you actually go see Omaha, BlackRhino! Your opinion will change drastically, I believe!

San Diego and the Bronx are the two no-brainers that just about all of us are in agreement on.

Yep, and I think Brookfield, Disney, and probably St.Louis are also no-brainers for any Top 10 list.

 

[ANyhuis]

Maryland? Wow, what were they smoking?
Philadelphia is a little hard to justify as well.
East Coast media bias again!

I'll bet that, rather than a "bias", it was a matter of convenience. It was easier to get their photographers to these big cities, rather than out to the smaller cities of Columbus and (especially) Omaha. The North Carolina Zoo also likely got no consideration for this reason.

 

[tigertiger]

Other than Maryland and Philidelphia, there's no glaring fault on that list. Of course, missing a few but it IS a biased list of 10--not 20.

 

[ANyhuis]

Not sure if we should start a new thread, but there's another new "Ten Best" zoos list out there, this one by the "America's Best & Top Ten" website. Here's their list:
1. San Diego
2. Disney's Animal Kingdom
3. San Diego Wild Animal Park
4. Maryland
5. Bronx
6. Cincinnati
7. San Antonio
8. Omaha
9. Phoenix
10. St.Louis, Minnesota (tie)
Zoos - Top Ten in the USA -- Americas Best Online

I have fewer problems with this list than with Forbes, as at least they included Omaha. Don't know why Columbus keeps getting overlooked. Maybe they just include Cincinnati (also very good) and then don't want to include 2 Ohio zoos. There's one very notable zoo on this list that clearly doesn't belong! I'll let you all point it out.

 

[tigertiger]

Not sure if we should start a new thread, but there's another new "Ten Best" zoos list out there, this one by the "America's Best & Top Ten" website. Here's their list:
1. San Diego
2. Disney's Animal Kingdom
3. San Diego Wild Animal Park
4. Maryland
5. Bronx
6. Cincinnati
7. San Antonio
8. Omaha
9. Phoenix
10. St.Louis, Minnesota (tie)
Zoos - Top Ten in the USA -- Americas Best Online

I have fewer problems with this list than with Forbes, as at least they included Omaha. Don't know why Columbus keeps getting overlooked. Maybe they just include Cincinnati (also very good) and then don't want to include 2 Ohio zoos. There's one very notable zoo on this list that clearly doesn't belong! I'll let you all point it out.

I don't know if that's the case (with Ohio zoos): The Forbes list had Maryland and National.

 

[BlackRhino]

Why the heck is the San Antonio Zoo on this list!! Definitely the Woodland PArk Zoo should be there in its place.

I really don't think Cincinnati has a place on it either with its line-up of below-average exhibits.

 

[ANyhuis]

I don't know if that's the case (with Ohio zoos): The Forbes list had Maryland and National.

Good point! And this new list also has BOTH San Diego zoos. (both are worthy, in my opinion!)

 

[ANyhuis]

Why the heck is the San Antonio Zoo on this list!! Definitely the Woodland PArk Zoo should be there in its place.

I really don't think Cincinnati has a place on it either with its line-up of below-average exhibits.

I don't have any "big" problems with either Cincinnati or San Antonio getting some recognition. Both are clearly "Top 20" status, in my opinion. The ONLY obvious zoo missing from this list is Columbus.

 

[tigertiger]

Why the heck is the San Antonio Zoo on this list!! Definitely the Woodland PArk Zoo should be there in its place.

I really don't think Cincinnati has a place on it either with its line-up of below-average exhibits.

I agree with Woodland.

I think the problem with zoos like Cincinnati (and National, to an extent) is that there's a large/impressive amount of species, a large amount of programs and breeding with specialized programs (cheetahs and the like at Cincy; clouded's at National) and a decent amount of superb exhibits. However, there's also more than their share of average exhibits and one or two God awful ones. Of course, most zoos are guilty of this in general but I feel like with ranking lists, the pluses counteract the negatives.

Plus, never discount the value of entertainment. Cincinnati and San Antonio too are very 'bring your child and have a family day' focused and provide many amenities to this end.

On a personal note as I'm a large fan of Cincinnati, I'd say in comparison to Bronx or SD (obviously for most a 1 & 2 set of zoos), of course it won't stack up. There's not the sheer acreage or funding. But I don't think minus the reptile house that Cincy has any below average exhibit. Sure, they have a good amount of average. But the same is true of Bronx--Birds of Prey is God awful, Aquatic Birds is below average too.

It's sometimes absurd to me when people make these lists because I don't see how one can even COMPARE zoos like Bronx to super urbanized zoos and see it as relatively fair.

 

[tigertiger]

Good point! And this new list also has BOTH San Diego zoos. (both are worthy, in my opinion!)

Really, I think both deserve a slash mark (as in San Diego Zoo/WAP, rather than two separate entries) but that's just a personal opinion.

 

[BlackRhino]

How are San Antonio and Cincinnati worthy of top 20 when there are so many other good zoos?? From the photos I have seen of San Antonio Zoo they are worthy of not too much. The hoof-stock paddocks there are deplorable, and make me loose respect for that institution. If they are worthy of being in a top 20 then there is a definitely a shortage of good zoos in the country.

Woodland Park is clearly missing from the list with the excellent Northern Trail, Brilliant Tropical RainForest section with Jaguar cove and one of the best gorilla exhibits in the country, also Tropical Asia with the elephants and tapirs, and finally the awesome African Savanna.

 

[tigertiger]

How are San Antonio and Cincinnati worthy of top 20 when there are so many other good zoos?? If they are worthy of being in a top 20 then there is a definitely a shortage of good zoos in the country.

Woodland Park is clearly missing from the list with the excellent Northern Trail, Brilliant Tropical RainForest section with Jaguar cove and one of the best gorilla exhibits in the country, also Tropical Asia with the elephants and tapirs, and finally the awesome African Savanna.

I've been to San Antonio once so I can't defend it but--while Cincinnati would be in a personal top ten--I think it earns a 11-15 place spot on many lists of this type for the following reasons:

*Family geared. Large amount of amenities for visitors. If you want to find a US zoo that would be just as good for children, look no further. Bronx doesn't provide the amount of visitor enrichment Cincinnati does.
*Sumatran rhinos. Top breeder of the species. Oh yeah, a great SHADED exhibit for them too.
*Only real insect house in the US. And a good one at that (complete with children friendly education games)
*Jungle Trails; good breeding programs for primates in general...one of the largest holders of both bonobos and gorillas in the states.
*Sea Eagle and Condor exhibits are superb.
*One of the few institutions not in Florida to hold manatees.
*Good gorilla families and lines (though they now are no longer allowed to breed...)
*Cheetah breeding programs and the work they have done (and plan to) for endangered tiny cats. Expanded cheetah run exhibit. One of the best collections (I did not say exhibits, mind you) of smaller cats. One of the few institutions to hold fossas.
*It's also a botanical garden--not just a zoo. One of two acreditted botanical gardens in the state and one of the largest collections of fauna and flora on this side of the country. P&G Botanical Garden building.
*History. Some of the oldest zoo buildings in the country.

Sure, the elephant, girafee, gorilla, and bird exhibits are average. And I will never attempt to justify the reptile house or the size of some enclosures in the cat house but it still deserves a top 15 or 20 spot. I think sometimes we all hold zoos at higher standards because we've seen the top top zoos but when it comes down to it, not everyone goes to a zoo to rate the square footage of every exhibit or the type of substrate used. Many go to a zoo for pure enjoyment and Cincinnati provides that (as does San Antonio, trifold).

What other zoos are SO much more deserving of a top 20 spot than either? I think it's really easy to argue the top 10 because there are a cluster of zoos that belong in there or out of there depending on whose making the list but when you get into the 15-20 range, I think it's another story.