Monsoon Forest review
From the moment you walk in through large double doors you can tell this is an incredible exhibit. You are greeted by rhinoceros hornbill aviary (the female from the elephant house who will be joined by the male shortly). It is a smaller enclosure than I expected but there is a very large outdoor netted area (not currently visible to the public).
You then walk through a tree top research station with huge viewing windows to 3 separate indoor enclosures for the orangs and gibbons (currently empty). The landscaping and design is impressive with large artificial trees and lush planting (behind netting but giving a forest backdrop). In the middle of the tree top station is a central exhibit featuring a number of invertebrates, with a ranger on hand to engage about them. Tentacled snakes can be seen in a tank nearby and a large aquarium (currently empty) is also in this area. It is in my opinion a stunning part of exhibit, taking the best bits of RORA and amplifying.
Through the research station you enter free flight bird forest (no birds yet though). Well planted although smaller than I had imagined.
Further on you reach the macaques, viewed here from above through spacious window. It is a large and interesting enclosure. Well layer out and 10 times better than their previous one. Lots of tree trunks, rock work and hanging ropes means they are active and using the full height of this exhibit.
Through a dark tunnel and on to secondary macaque viewing, then down to the ground floor to view the gharials first through ground level then underwater. This is undoubtedly the most impressive part currently populated with animals. The female offering amazing clear views of her underwater.
Bornean turtle and Asian tortoise complete the animal roster and then out through ground level free flight area.
In my opinion this is world class and once complete will be one of the highlights of the zoo for years to come.
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