Houston Zoo Gorillas of the African Rain Forest

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BlackRhino

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Has anyone researched this exhibit? Looks like it may be one of the best new exhibits to open this decade and reminds me a lot of Congo Gorilla Forest at the Bronx Zoo, although there are some distinct differences. The 5 minute video does a walk through animation of the exhibit and it looks amazing. I believe it was designed by the Portico group, which has done many great exhibits in the past, although I am not sure how I feel about their recent developments at the Los Angeles Zoo. Anyways, would love to know what everyone else thinks.

Gorillas of the African Forest – HOUSTON ZOO – NATURALLY WILD
 
Heres the google maps view: http://goo.gl/maps/JByF8 .

- The site is being cleared with the moats constructed and a berm of trees in place. The exhibit seems like it will be nice but not on the level of Bronx or Disney. It firstly lacks the integration of other species such as okapi, or smaller primates. Secondly you are looking into the gorillas space, not integrated into it. Also the exhibit will not be able to hold a huge group of gorillas as is done in bronx and atlanta.
 
Thank you, for the aerial map, uszoo. It looks, long and narrow. Will the Gorillas even enjoy the trees and plantings? Or will they just be hot-wired off? Hope for them to enjoy it, not get zapped. Glad they are letting the trees and plantings take root, though. Once the visitor areas are added, I wonder if the gorillas can escape view and find solace? I feel bad the Chimps got nothing like the Gorillas are getting. A pit with cement trees vs. a sloping yard with real ones.
 
Has anyone researched this exhibit?
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It's been extensively discussed on this thread:

http://www.zoochat.com/22/50-million-african-forest-exhibit-95779/index6.html

It firstly lacks the integration of other species such as okapi, or smaller primates.
Click to expand...

This is only phase 2 of a much larger development, so yes there are and will be additional animals in this exhibit complex. Also, if you looked at the plans you would notice that red river hogs will be included in this phase of construction.
 
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