Does anyone else find it odd that you will have to walk to opposite ends of the zoo to be able to see all of africa? It seems that the animal enclosures in the african forest are getting to be a bit dated as well. The Gorilla enclosure is the only exibit that i can really think of that looks like a cage, given the prominance of the gorillas to the history of the zoo. I would expect them to have a more "natural" habitat. I wonder if they are going to use the rest of the expansion area near the new "africa" to put the african forest?
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium How is the african forest going to relate to the expansion
- Thread starter The2co
- Start date
On a related topic to your thread, do you or any other ZooChatters know what Columbus has planned for their new Africa exhibit? I've read on here somewhere that an African elephant herd is part of the plans? Is that true?
team tapir
Well-Known Member
African Elephants have certainly been often mentioned but not confirmed.The only confirmed species are Giraffes and Zebras.Rumored to be included are Hippos,African Elephants,Gazelles,Wildebeest,Lions,Cheetahs African Wild Dogs,Black Rhino (Indian Rhino moving into Pachyderm building) other hoofstock possible as well.As far as the African Forest is concerned we have never heard of any plans to upgrade or include any current species of the African Forest in the new plans.Besides if one were in the savannahs of Kenya it sure would take quite awhile to reach the Rainforests of Gabon.So venturing from the front of the zoo to the back to see African species is not that big a deal.On a side note while the Gorilla exhibit is not the greatest around its certainly not horrible either.
Team Tapir
Team Tapir
There is a forested area of Creighton Road that's just west of the proposed site for the new East African Plains exhibit. However, plans call for it to turn into a Central/South American outdoor exhibit.
This sounds like it is going to be a significant project, I'd take a guess that the species other than those already confirmed will be phased in over a greater time-frame.
The original plans are very old now, I wouldn't be surprised to see significant deviations from them.
As for the African forest, It is a shame they are not closer, although as team tapir points out; despite sharing a continent they are not necessarily linked as closely as it may first seem.
My concern with this project is that the zoo may overstretch itself too soon, as many of the species rumored to be part of this area are new to the zoo and not relocations.
The original plans are very old now, I wouldn't be surprised to see significant deviations from them.
As for the African forest, It is a shame they are not closer, although as team tapir points out; despite sharing a continent they are not necessarily linked as closely as it may first seem.
My concern with this project is that the zoo may overstretch itself too soon, as many of the species rumored to be part of this area are new to the zoo and not relocations.
The plans call for an African Herd. In developing the plans for the new East African Plans exhibit, the African Elephant exhibit was placed near a service road that is just to the north of the current Asian Elephant exhibit.
I think the African Forest exhibit is like fine wine, it only gets better with age. The W.L. Gorilla exhibit is not great, but it's what Columbus has to work with.
Moving the exhibit (or should I say building a new exhibit) would mean the Great Ape keepers would have to split their time between two regions of the zoo, as the Sumatran Orangutans will still remain. So right now it doesn't seem to be in the plans here.
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
The zoo has brought in several very experienced senior animal people from other zoos in recent years.
There is much more experience within the staff then the present animal census would suggest
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
A question: several of you have referred to the zoo's Master Plan. What is the date of the one you refer to? Have you seen it in its entirety?
There is a rather new one, I believe.
There is a rather new one, I believe.
No, but it's one of many I'm avidly hunting for...