Bronx Zoo Gibbon Island and Big Birds Exhibits

[OneHungryHippo]

Does anyone recall those two exhibits that were over by where the Dinosaur Safari is now? If so, then could anyone be as kind as to provide backstory on what exactly these two exhibits were, and why they closed. Also, perhaps, any photos, if there are even any from then.

 

[gerenuk]

The zoo's masterplan has slated this entire section of the zoo, west of Astor Court, for relocation of the zoo's service area and various research facilities.

 

[Zooplantman]

Big Birds was a re-use of old existing yards that in the past had held varied species including (in my childhood) yaks. Big Birds featured ratites: cassowary, emu, rhea, ostrich. I think it was done around 1997 or so.

At the time the Director wanted some introductory signs based on old Burma Shave ads (which perhaps no living visitor would have recalled). I proposed the follwing:
It's covered in feathers
And eight feet tall
It's either a ratite
Or else RuPaul

Got a laugh (once we explained to him who RuPaul is) but did not get used