Really? I still would visit to see the Siams but not having Moreletts, Orinoco and Cuban is disappointing. Do you remember seeing Russells vipers on display?
jbnbsn99's Texas Zoos
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Really? I still would visit to see the Siams but not having Moreletts, Orinoco and Cuban is disappointing. Do you remember seeing Russells vipers on display?
Thanks so much for the great reviews, and while Caldwell seems to be one of the better "small" American zoos Ellen Trout Zoo appears to be a disaster zone waiting to happen. I love this thread, as it gives me insight into some little known Texas zoos.
Even though I have never been personally there, I would lean towards San Antonio seeing as it is a big collection with quite an array of unusual species and some really great exhibits.
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
I've seen the new Africa Live! at the San Antonio Zoo and it's nice! Another great underwater hippo exhibit. San Antonio is one of those zoos with a tremendous collection (one of the best), but most exhibits are a little bit outdated. For bird-lovers, however, it's a can't miss zoo! Two species to go out of the way for are whooping cranes and aardwolves.
I agree San Antonio should be your next stop. It has a large diverse collection of animals to see plus some rarities like the aardwolf and whooping cranes. Others include giant salamanders, tomistomas (with juveniles born at the zoo!) and indian gharial, painted storks, black neck storks, red bird of paradise, hooded crane, bush dog, yellow foot rock walaby, topi and goodfellows tree 'roo. Unfortunately the pictures of their hoofstock yards are not good but they are in the middle of a masterplan. This zoo is a "must visit" when I go to Texas later this year.
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
Fort Worth Zoo Review
Well I had a day off from work and decided to make the shortest zoo trip I have to make on my trek through the Texan zoos today. I visited the Fort Worth Zoo. There has been a lot of back and forth on this zoo on the forum about the quality of this zoo, and I thought as I know the zoo probably better than anyone else here I would give my insights on it.
Right off the bat FWZ is the most expensive zoo in Texas. That's not saying much for anyone on the East or West coast however as admission is only $12 plus another $5 for parking (btw, it's one of only 2 Texan zoos that charge for parking). As you enter the zoo there is a music track that is on a constant loop. Mind you, it is not a full CD, but a single annoying track. Being a full time professional musician in a former life, these little things bug the hell out of me. This of course says nothing about the quality of the zoo, it's just an observation.
Immediately as you enter the zoo you come up to the World of Primates. This is of course the only place in North America where you can see 4 species of great ape - Western Lowland Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Bonobos, and Sumatran Orang-utans. Also here are White Handed Gibbons, Mandrills, and Colobus Monkeys. Not a single one of these exhibits is noteworthy except for their blandness. The Chimps and Bonobos rotate between the "large" outdoor area and the small indoor concrete "cell." Today when I went the Chimps were outside and the Bonobos were inside. No sines tells you which animal is which, and it is only after nearly a year of seeing Common Chimps ever day that I can really spot the differences between the two species. The common zoo goes just won't appreciate this. This has been one of my biggest complaints about Fort Worth for years. They have a magnificent animal here in the Bonobo, but virtually nothing speaking to that fact. Everything at the zoo is geared toward Common Chimps. As for the Gorillas they fare far better than the Chimps/Bonobos. There are actually 3 exhibits for Gorillas, the big outdoor, the big indoor, and what I think is just a night chamber that is visible to the public. These are really, really boring exhibits, bordering on terrible. The outdoor exhibit is long and narrow with I think all of two trees planted in the center, so there is no shade. The other plant material that is still alive in the area consists of something called grass. The indoor area is worse - no plants at all. There are two deafening waterfalls cascading from an unseen river that flows from the ceiling. A huge fake tree dominates the center of the indoor exhibit. I have see the indoor section of the World of Primates called an indoor rain forest. To that point I will quote the words of the immortal Nelson Muntz - "Ha Ha!" The Colobus Monkey exhibit is appalling, they never got to see the outdoors. It is a tiny meshed off hole in the wall. Also inside the building is an indoor holding area for Orangs. I have rarely seen them in there, just when it is cold outside, or a keeper is in the exhibit. I can't complain too much about the orang exhibit, but I will say it needs more shade, lots more shade. There is adequate climbing structures and the terraces landscape seem to give the orangs a few more climbing opportunities. The Mandrills may have the best lot of the bunch. I would call it the second best mandrill exhibit in Texas (not saying much though as there are only 3). The gibbon exhibit, is ok, your typical island concept with more water than land.
Next to the primates are the exhibits for Bongos, Cheetahs, and Warthogs. I know I have heard some people complain about the corporate sponsorship of the Cheetah exhibit (by Cheetos), but I honestly don't have a problem here. If a zoo can get the money to build an exhibit from a private corporation, more power to them. Both the Cheetah and Bongo exhibits are fine, I have no complaints about them (except I don't like the fencing on the bongo exhibit, but I'm being very picky here). The Cheetah exhibit is a big U-shaped exhibit with the visitors on a raised central platform. Spotting the Cheetahs can be difficult, and that is part of the fun of the exhibit. It is significantly more planted than any of the primate exhibits. The warthog exhibit I do have a problem with. It is tiny. Maybe 10 feet by 10 feet. The visitors are well above the Warthogs and most of the time they just look like hairy rocks. Another warthog lives with the Zebras, and I don't know why these couldn't get a better treatment. This exhibit might do well for...for...ok I can't think of anything right now. Near here is the area for their Black Rhinos. About 1.5 or 2 years ago FW had Blacks, Whites, and Indians, but sadly the White are no longer here. It was wonderful seeing 3 species of rhino within just a few minutes, and the chance to see Blacks and Whites next to each other is an opportunity that I would like to have back. There are now 3 Black Rhino yards for 4 or 5 rhinos. These are perfectly fine with lots of viewing areas to see them from. Next to the rhinos are the Giraffes. When I went today there were 7 giraffes on exhibit including 2 young one. Giraffes have always been one of my favorites so I can spend a long time watching these guys. The Giraffes share their area with female ostriches. Only comment I would make here is that I would love to see the inclusion of another species, but I can dream can't I. Across the path from the Giraffes is the Hippos. I think a lot of you have seen the photos of the Hippos here. It is a depressing exhibit, poorly designed, and in great need of an upgrade. If I am correct there actually is no filtration on the exhibit and the water has to be drained out of the pool every night and the pool walls scrubbed. I'm sure the Hippo keepers would love a new exhibit too is my assumption is correct.
Next up is the Asian Elephants. Now I know Snowleopard has railed on about how bad he thinks this exhibit is, but I honestly don't think it is as bad as he makes it out to be. The day he went it seems the pool was empty. I can honestly say in my years of going to the FWZ I can't remember a time when it was empty. Like the Hippo pool, it has to be drained every night, so it may have been that when he went that it just hadn't been filled back up yet. That said, there has been a lot of concern about the size of the enclosure. Its size in photos is misleading. It actually is a lot bigger than the photos lead one to believe. There are 3 years. 2 smaller ones, and the main large yard. Throughout the day the elephants will rotate between the yards. In the morning the females are in one of the two smaller yards so they can be fed and any check ups that need to be done can occur. One of the two bulls will be in the main yard. If it's Groucho he won't be doing much, but if it's Casey he will be splashing about in the pool. When the cows are let into the larger yard the doorway that separates the smaller yard where they were and the larger yard is kept open, giving them a much larger space. What the exhibit needs in order to make it much better is more shade and enrichment. Maybe something that could provide both - utili-trees anyone?
For now that should do for the first part of the review. I expect this to be a 3-parter like my review of the Houston Zoo. So stay tuned until next time for the Asian Rhino Ridge and Tiger Falls.
Well I had a day off from work and decided to make the shortest zoo trip I have to make on my trek through the Texan zoos today. I visited the Fort Worth Zoo. There has been a lot of back and forth on this zoo on the forum about the quality of this zoo, and I thought as I know the zoo probably better than anyone else here I would give my insights on it.
Right off the bat FWZ is the most expensive zoo in Texas. That's not saying much for anyone on the East or West coast however as admission is only $12 plus another $5 for parking (btw, it's one of only 2 Texan zoos that charge for parking). As you enter the zoo there is a music track that is on a constant loop. Mind you, it is not a full CD, but a single annoying track. Being a full time professional musician in a former life, these little things bug the hell out of me. This of course says nothing about the quality of the zoo, it's just an observation.
Immediately as you enter the zoo you come up to the World of Primates. This is of course the only place in North America where you can see 4 species of great ape - Western Lowland Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Bonobos, and Sumatran Orang-utans. Also here are White Handed Gibbons, Mandrills, and Colobus Monkeys. Not a single one of these exhibits is noteworthy except for their blandness. The Chimps and Bonobos rotate between the "large" outdoor area and the small indoor concrete "cell." Today when I went the Chimps were outside and the Bonobos were inside. No sines tells you which animal is which, and it is only after nearly a year of seeing Common Chimps ever day that I can really spot the differences between the two species. The common zoo goes just won't appreciate this. This has been one of my biggest complaints about Fort Worth for years. They have a magnificent animal here in the Bonobo, but virtually nothing speaking to that fact. Everything at the zoo is geared toward Common Chimps. As for the Gorillas they fare far better than the Chimps/Bonobos. There are actually 3 exhibits for Gorillas, the big outdoor, the big indoor, and what I think is just a night chamber that is visible to the public. These are really, really boring exhibits, bordering on terrible. The outdoor exhibit is long and narrow with I think all of two trees planted in the center, so there is no shade. The other plant material that is still alive in the area consists of something called grass. The indoor area is worse - no plants at all. There are two deafening waterfalls cascading from an unseen river that flows from the ceiling. A huge fake tree dominates the center of the indoor exhibit. I have see the indoor section of the World of Primates called an indoor rain forest. To that point I will quote the words of the immortal Nelson Muntz - "Ha Ha!" The Colobus Monkey exhibit is appalling, they never got to see the outdoors. It is a tiny meshed off hole in the wall. Also inside the building is an indoor holding area for Orangs. I have rarely seen them in there, just when it is cold outside, or a keeper is in the exhibit. I can't complain too much about the orang exhibit, but I will say it needs more shade, lots more shade. There is adequate climbing structures and the terraces landscape seem to give the orangs a few more climbing opportunities. The Mandrills may have the best lot of the bunch. I would call it the second best mandrill exhibit in Texas (not saying much though as there are only 3). The gibbon exhibit, is ok, your typical island concept with more water than land.
Next to the primates are the exhibits for Bongos, Cheetahs, and Warthogs. I know I have heard some people complain about the corporate sponsorship of the Cheetah exhibit (by Cheetos), but I honestly don't have a problem here. If a zoo can get the money to build an exhibit from a private corporation, more power to them. Both the Cheetah and Bongo exhibits are fine, I have no complaints about them (except I don't like the fencing on the bongo exhibit, but I'm being very picky here). The Cheetah exhibit is a big U-shaped exhibit with the visitors on a raised central platform. Spotting the Cheetahs can be difficult, and that is part of the fun of the exhibit. It is significantly more planted than any of the primate exhibits. The warthog exhibit I do have a problem with. It is tiny. Maybe 10 feet by 10 feet. The visitors are well above the Warthogs and most of the time they just look like hairy rocks. Another warthog lives with the Zebras, and I don't know why these couldn't get a better treatment. This exhibit might do well for...for...ok I can't think of anything right now. Near here is the area for their Black Rhinos. About 1.5 or 2 years ago FW had Blacks, Whites, and Indians, but sadly the White are no longer here. It was wonderful seeing 3 species of rhino within just a few minutes, and the chance to see Blacks and Whites next to each other is an opportunity that I would like to have back. There are now 3 Black Rhino yards for 4 or 5 rhinos. These are perfectly fine with lots of viewing areas to see them from. Next to the rhinos are the Giraffes. When I went today there were 7 giraffes on exhibit including 2 young one. Giraffes have always been one of my favorites so I can spend a long time watching these guys. The Giraffes share their area with female ostriches. Only comment I would make here is that I would love to see the inclusion of another species, but I can dream can't I. Across the path from the Giraffes is the Hippos. I think a lot of you have seen the photos of the Hippos here. It is a depressing exhibit, poorly designed, and in great need of an upgrade. If I am correct there actually is no filtration on the exhibit and the water has to be drained out of the pool every night and the pool walls scrubbed. I'm sure the Hippo keepers would love a new exhibit too is my assumption is correct.
Next up is the Asian Elephants. Now I know Snowleopard has railed on about how bad he thinks this exhibit is, but I honestly don't think it is as bad as he makes it out to be. The day he went it seems the pool was empty. I can honestly say in my years of going to the FWZ I can't remember a time when it was empty. Like the Hippo pool, it has to be drained every night, so it may have been that when he went that it just hadn't been filled back up yet. That said, there has been a lot of concern about the size of the enclosure. Its size in photos is misleading. It actually is a lot bigger than the photos lead one to believe. There are 3 years. 2 smaller ones, and the main large yard. Throughout the day the elephants will rotate between the yards. In the morning the females are in one of the two smaller yards so they can be fed and any check ups that need to be done can occur. One of the two bulls will be in the main yard. If it's Groucho he won't be doing much, but if it's Casey he will be splashing about in the pool. When the cows are let into the larger yard the doorway that separates the smaller yard where they were and the larger yard is kept open, giving them a much larger space. What the exhibit needs in order to make it much better is more shade and enrichment. Maybe something that could provide both - utili-trees anyone?
For now that should do for the first part of the review. I expect this to be a 3-parter like my review of the Houston Zoo. So stay tuned until next time for the Asian Rhino Ridge and Tiger Falls.
Thanks for your excellent review of FW Zoo part I.
Two remarks:
1) whereas exhibiting all great apes and gibbons may be very educational, it tends to take away building appropriate exhibits for all (I suppose). Perhaps FW Zoo has yet to make those choices? I would personally favour bonobos over chimps (and I assume we are talking generic chimps to that, so less conservation value). The choice between orang and gibbon is far more difficult seeing as these are so different from oneanother (well if one has the space, no problem).
2) your observations as to the usefulness of exhibiting 3 rhino species I do not agree with. It may be a question of personal tastes, but it has no conservation value to maintain all 3. In the FW setting space is an obvious limitation and FW has made the choice to concentrate on the black rhino minor race and Indian rhino (both of whom are rather non gregarious and require individual housing). In the case of the black rhino it allows the zoo to hold onto a breeding pair, a weaned offspring and perhaps even a second calf (when born) with the breeding cow. The Indian rhino have sadly been non-breeding for a considerable time period, but equally require individual housing. It is only when the cow is in heat that the bull should be introduced. Leaving out the white rhinos has left FW Zoo more options, has provided more optimal housing for the 2 remaining species and improved their breeding prospects. It is a win-win situation to me.
As for 1), I would hope that at some time the great ape collection at FW Zoo will be reviewed and when informed choices have been made, to build better housing for the remaining great apes. Perhaps some or other forumster can comment on the likelihood of this development taking place?
Two remarks:
1) whereas exhibiting all great apes and gibbons may be very educational, it tends to take away building appropriate exhibits for all (I suppose). Perhaps FW Zoo has yet to make those choices? I would personally favour bonobos over chimps (and I assume we are talking generic chimps to that, so less conservation value). The choice between orang and gibbon is far more difficult seeing as these are so different from oneanother (well if one has the space, no problem).
2) your observations as to the usefulness of exhibiting 3 rhino species I do not agree with. It may be a question of personal tastes, but it has no conservation value to maintain all 3. In the FW setting space is an obvious limitation and FW has made the choice to concentrate on the black rhino minor race and Indian rhino (both of whom are rather non gregarious and require individual housing). In the case of the black rhino it allows the zoo to hold onto a breeding pair, a weaned offspring and perhaps even a second calf (when born) with the breeding cow. The Indian rhino have sadly been non-breeding for a considerable time period, but equally require individual housing. It is only when the cow is in heat that the bull should be introduced. Leaving out the white rhinos has left FW Zoo more options, has provided more optimal housing for the 2 remaining species and improved their breeding prospects. It is a win-win situation to me.
As for 1), I would hope that at some time the great ape collection at FW Zoo will be reviewed and when informed choices have been made, to build better housing for the remaining great apes. Perhaps some or other forumster can comment on the likelihood of this development taking place?
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
I agree with you completely I think on all of your points. Since there is really only one exhibit for both the Chimps and the Bonobos I would much prefer seeing Bonobos. I think that they are moving in that direction housing more Bonobos now and less Chimps. The Gibbon/Orang situation isn't a problem. They both have their own areas which seen perfectly adequate for them.
I do actually agree with you on the rhino issue. What I was simple saying is that I miss having the opportunity to see side by side a Black and White and really be able to appreciate the differences between the two. I will comment on the Indian Rhino situation in my next part of the review. I think FW currently has two breeding pairs of Blacks with a calf that is about 4 or 5 years old by now. The Whites that they had a couple of years ago were a pair of females that I think have been sent back to Fossil Rim.
I do actually agree with you on the rhino issue. What I was simple saying is that I miss having the opportunity to see side by side a Black and White and really be able to appreciate the differences between the two. I will comment on the Indian Rhino situation in my next part of the review. I think FW currently has two breeding pairs of Blacks with a calf that is about 4 or 5 years old by now. The Whites that they had a couple of years ago were a pair of females that I think have been sent back to Fossil Rim.
Most of the times I've been to Fort Worth, chimps have been in the exhibit. I think the chimps should be sent to another zoo, and the bonobos should have the enclosure to themselves. I don't think there are any other zoos where 2 ape species have to take turns being in the same enclosure... Other than that I thought the orangutan and mandrill exhibits were probably the best, then the gibbons. The colobus monkeys were in the worst of the exhibits, no outdoor space. Why do so many zoos seem to have poor exhibits for these monkeys? I've read many zoo reviews here and many mention below average colobus exhibits...
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
Fort Worth Zoo Review part deux
On to the Asian Rhino Ridge and Tiger Falls.
I hadn't mentioned much about the Indian Rhinos in my last post as I was waiting until I got to that part of the review. Visibility this area is great. There is a bi-level viewing area for the rhinos so you can see them from either the ground or from above. There are two exhibits one for the male and one for the female. Both areas have pools that you can find the rhinos submerged in most days. The exhibits are fairly small though. There isn't much room for the rhinos to roam about. I think that this accounts for their lack of breeding. The FWZ acquired their rhinos in 1990 as a gift from the King of Nepal and no rhinos have been born there in nearly 20 years. Arun the male has been shipped out to other zoos and has proven to be a prolific breeder, but not here. Maybe he's just not into the female Aarati. Behind the rhinos on both levels you can still see the elephants. You have to be on the upper level to continue along to the rest of the exhibits. After the rhinos are the Lowland Anoas. This is a weird exhibit. It is long and narrow and the Anoas are almost always in the far back of the exhibit far from the view of the visitors. For the longest time there was no sign here telling you what animal you were looking at. This has been fixed in the last few months, but the sign is hard to find and only about 4 inches by 10 inches. To me this is the most disappointing exhibit in the zoo. On a good note one of the Anoas was right up close to the viewing area yesterday so after 4 years I finally got some decent pics of the world's smallest cattle. Past the Anoas are two small yards for Muntjac and Sarus Crane. They rotate between the yards, and sometimes mix with one another. Several years ago they had tufted deer with the crane as well. I miss seeing them. Around another bend in the trail you come to a new exhibit for Lesser Birds of Paradise.
Just next to the Birds of Paradise you get to the tiger area. When you first walk up you are greeted with a viewing window into the White Tiger area. Have I mentioned on here how much I hate White Tigers. If not I will say it then - I hate White Tigers. There is a sign next to the window telling the story of Whites and there is a small paragraph saying that while White Tigers have no conservation importance, they are useful in education and publicity. To this I say bull$h!t! Tigers have their own appeal, after all they have been voted the most popular animal in the world. I am seriously considering writing a letter to the zoo asking why they are keeping the animals and what their future plans with them are (I hope that they are being phased out). As for the actual exhibits they are not bad at all. A waterfall creates a deep gorge that separates the two tiger areas (the other has Malayan Tigers) and the gorge is densely planted and of course off limits to the tigers. As far as viewing, a lot of the viewing areas have metal bars blocking your view. This is of course needed as we all know tigers can jump. The Malayan Tigers have the bigger of the two areas. Next to the tigers are Sun Bears. I have heard it remarked on here that the Sun Bears exhibit is mostly a large pool and that Sun Bears don't normally use the water. This very well may be true as I have never once seen them in the water. None of these three exhibits are bad (2 tigers and Sun Bears), but none are spectacular.
Back to the African animals. Continuing along the trail you come to the African Diorama. This area is also viewed from down near the Gorillas. There are two spacious paddocks here. One has 2 Grant's Zebras and a Warthog while the other has a herd of Lesser Kudu and Gerenuk along with Abyssinian Ground Hornbill. Both exhibits are quite good and I particularly love the Lesser Kudu/Gerenuk. I actually adopted the Lesser Kudu about 2 years ago (I think I am the only person to ever do this at Fort Worth). The Lesser Kudu was one of my favorite animals when I was a little kid. I think that may something about me that is just odd. Behind these two paddocks is the much maligned Lion exhibits. There are two grottoes here usually one for the male and one for the female and cubs. I know Snowleopard particularly hates this exhibit. I can't say that I disagree, but for an animal that sleeps most of the day, it's not that terrible. What is terrible though is the steep moat that separates the visitors from the lions. This is one of the oldest exhibits at the zoo and is definitely in need of a makeover or an overhaul or a bulldozer. Next to the lions are the Nubian Ibex. Only one male was out when I went yesterday so I was able to get a good picture or two and they will be coming along with many others. This is a pretty cool exhibit for the Ibex. It is a rocky slope that is just shy of being vertical. The Ibex, when out, are sometimes quite hard to view as they blend into the rocks. This adds to the exhibit.
Next on our tour is the Lorikeet Landing. This area has seen many variations. It has held seals/sea lions, alligators, and now birds. This is your typical bird interaction area where you pay a buck, get some food, and have a birds land on you and if you lucky he'll leave a present behind. I normally don't go in, but I did yesterday to try and snap a few photos. It has been a big hit since it opened a couple of years ago.
Now to the birds. The bird garden or whatever they call it was completely void of birds when I went yesterday. I think they may be moving some around or maybe in the process of renovating or changing the area. There is nothing spectacular here but a few cages and the old monkey house that now houses birds. A funny thing about the old Monkey House, while totally unsuited for primates it now hold birds (or at least usually does) and as a reminder to its monkeyesque past there are colorful tile mosaics of monkeys and lemurs around the building. The only birds I saw in the area were their Wattled Cranes.
Raptor Row. Welcome to the bird of prey exhibit. I quite like this area. Several species here in aviaries, some of which go over the visitors heads. A quick list of species here: Crowned Eagle, Snowy Milk Owl, Andean Condor, King Vulture, Harpy Eagle, Bataleur Eagle. When I was there yesterday, one of the Harpy Eagles was perched on the mesh directly above the walkway. So only a few feet above my head sat, wings fully spread, the worlds largest eagle. It's a little humbling to see those claws that close.
Past here is a small yard for Asian Brown Mountain Tortoises. Past some Macaws and a few more bird cages you get to the Australian Outback. Here are two yards for either Red Kangaroos or Wallabys (sorry I can't remember the exact species right now but I think that they are Parma). Only complaint about the marsupials is the lack of good signage. Honestly, how difficult is it for a zoo to tell the public something about the animals that are being shown? This area used to have an indoor area for Koalas that were on loan from San Diego, but they have been gone for several years now. In their absence, 3 large aquariums have been installed depicting life from the Great Barrier Reef. I have spent a long time watching these tanks, and every time I go they keep getting better and better.
Ok that's going to be it for now. I have one more installment in me for the Fort Worth review and that will be Texas Wild!, the Herpatarium (old) and the MOLA (new herp. building). I may try and get that review up later today.
On to the Asian Rhino Ridge and Tiger Falls.
I hadn't mentioned much about the Indian Rhinos in my last post as I was waiting until I got to that part of the review. Visibility this area is great. There is a bi-level viewing area for the rhinos so you can see them from either the ground or from above. There are two exhibits one for the male and one for the female. Both areas have pools that you can find the rhinos submerged in most days. The exhibits are fairly small though. There isn't much room for the rhinos to roam about. I think that this accounts for their lack of breeding. The FWZ acquired their rhinos in 1990 as a gift from the King of Nepal and no rhinos have been born there in nearly 20 years. Arun the male has been shipped out to other zoos and has proven to be a prolific breeder, but not here. Maybe he's just not into the female Aarati. Behind the rhinos on both levels you can still see the elephants. You have to be on the upper level to continue along to the rest of the exhibits. After the rhinos are the Lowland Anoas. This is a weird exhibit. It is long and narrow and the Anoas are almost always in the far back of the exhibit far from the view of the visitors. For the longest time there was no sign here telling you what animal you were looking at. This has been fixed in the last few months, but the sign is hard to find and only about 4 inches by 10 inches. To me this is the most disappointing exhibit in the zoo. On a good note one of the Anoas was right up close to the viewing area yesterday so after 4 years I finally got some decent pics of the world's smallest cattle. Past the Anoas are two small yards for Muntjac and Sarus Crane. They rotate between the yards, and sometimes mix with one another. Several years ago they had tufted deer with the crane as well. I miss seeing them. Around another bend in the trail you come to a new exhibit for Lesser Birds of Paradise.
Just next to the Birds of Paradise you get to the tiger area. When you first walk up you are greeted with a viewing window into the White Tiger area. Have I mentioned on here how much I hate White Tigers. If not I will say it then - I hate White Tigers. There is a sign next to the window telling the story of Whites and there is a small paragraph saying that while White Tigers have no conservation importance, they are useful in education and publicity. To this I say bull$h!t! Tigers have their own appeal, after all they have been voted the most popular animal in the world. I am seriously considering writing a letter to the zoo asking why they are keeping the animals and what their future plans with them are (I hope that they are being phased out). As for the actual exhibits they are not bad at all. A waterfall creates a deep gorge that separates the two tiger areas (the other has Malayan Tigers) and the gorge is densely planted and of course off limits to the tigers. As far as viewing, a lot of the viewing areas have metal bars blocking your view. This is of course needed as we all know tigers can jump. The Malayan Tigers have the bigger of the two areas. Next to the tigers are Sun Bears. I have heard it remarked on here that the Sun Bears exhibit is mostly a large pool and that Sun Bears don't normally use the water. This very well may be true as I have never once seen them in the water. None of these three exhibits are bad (2 tigers and Sun Bears), but none are spectacular.
Back to the African animals. Continuing along the trail you come to the African Diorama. This area is also viewed from down near the Gorillas. There are two spacious paddocks here. One has 2 Grant's Zebras and a Warthog while the other has a herd of Lesser Kudu and Gerenuk along with Abyssinian Ground Hornbill. Both exhibits are quite good and I particularly love the Lesser Kudu/Gerenuk. I actually adopted the Lesser Kudu about 2 years ago (I think I am the only person to ever do this at Fort Worth). The Lesser Kudu was one of my favorite animals when I was a little kid. I think that may something about me that is just odd. Behind these two paddocks is the much maligned Lion exhibits. There are two grottoes here usually one for the male and one for the female and cubs. I know Snowleopard particularly hates this exhibit. I can't say that I disagree, but for an animal that sleeps most of the day, it's not that terrible. What is terrible though is the steep moat that separates the visitors from the lions. This is one of the oldest exhibits at the zoo and is definitely in need of a makeover or an overhaul or a bulldozer. Next to the lions are the Nubian Ibex. Only one male was out when I went yesterday so I was able to get a good picture or two and they will be coming along with many others. This is a pretty cool exhibit for the Ibex. It is a rocky slope that is just shy of being vertical. The Ibex, when out, are sometimes quite hard to view as they blend into the rocks. This adds to the exhibit.
Next on our tour is the Lorikeet Landing. This area has seen many variations. It has held seals/sea lions, alligators, and now birds. This is your typical bird interaction area where you pay a buck, get some food, and have a birds land on you and if you lucky he'll leave a present behind. I normally don't go in, but I did yesterday to try and snap a few photos. It has been a big hit since it opened a couple of years ago.
Now to the birds. The bird garden or whatever they call it was completely void of birds when I went yesterday. I think they may be moving some around or maybe in the process of renovating or changing the area. There is nothing spectacular here but a few cages and the old monkey house that now houses birds. A funny thing about the old Monkey House, while totally unsuited for primates it now hold birds (or at least usually does) and as a reminder to its monkeyesque past there are colorful tile mosaics of monkeys and lemurs around the building. The only birds I saw in the area were their Wattled Cranes.
Raptor Row. Welcome to the bird of prey exhibit. I quite like this area. Several species here in aviaries, some of which go over the visitors heads. A quick list of species here: Crowned Eagle, Snowy Milk Owl, Andean Condor, King Vulture, Harpy Eagle, Bataleur Eagle. When I was there yesterday, one of the Harpy Eagles was perched on the mesh directly above the walkway. So only a few feet above my head sat, wings fully spread, the worlds largest eagle. It's a little humbling to see those claws that close.
Past here is a small yard for Asian Brown Mountain Tortoises. Past some Macaws and a few more bird cages you get to the Australian Outback. Here are two yards for either Red Kangaroos or Wallabys (sorry I can't remember the exact species right now but I think that they are Parma). Only complaint about the marsupials is the lack of good signage. Honestly, how difficult is it for a zoo to tell the public something about the animals that are being shown? This area used to have an indoor area for Koalas that were on loan from San Diego, but they have been gone for several years now. In their absence, 3 large aquariums have been installed depicting life from the Great Barrier Reef. I have spent a long time watching these tanks, and every time I go they keep getting better and better.
Ok that's going to be it for now. I have one more installment in me for the Fort Worth review and that will be Texas Wild!, the Herpatarium (old) and the MOLA (new herp. building). I may try and get that review up later today.
I noticed changes with the birds last time I was there too but not all were gone. The various ducks, red-crowned cranes, etc were all there, and so were macaws and a few others. However many birds I previously remember seeing in the same area were missing, (jays, pheasants, thick-billed parrots, roadrunner...) I have no clue what is going on though...I thought maybe some of the birds (like the pheasants) could go to the Asian section but that's not going to happen especially since now they seem to be removing birds from there too.
Keep up with the great reviews! I love the fact that you use my name a few times, but in all honesty anyone reading the review can then get a second opinion.
I think that for the most part we are in agreement on just about all the exhibits at the Fort Worth Zoo. I look forward to reading your thoughts on "Texas Wild!", which has some wonderful sections but overall really disappointed me. It is basically a $60 million chunk of the zoo that focuses primarily on humans and not the captive animals there.
I think that for the most part we are in agreement on just about all the exhibits at the Fort Worth Zoo. I look forward to reading your thoughts on "Texas Wild!", which has some wonderful sections but overall really disappointed me. It is basically a $60 million chunk of the zoo that focuses primarily on humans and not the captive animals there.Just a few thoughts:
While I haven't been there, there's a zoo in Austin. There's also a little place on the way to San Antonio called the snake farm which apparently also has primates, birds etc., but I haven't been there either. Only seen signs for it. What about the Dallas World Aquarium? I know you've been there and so have I, but I'm sure there are some people who'd like to read a review of it.
I think those are the only zoos left...
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
I do intend on doing a review of the DWA. As for Austin, it is basically a rescue center and not AZA accredited. I will probably miss that one. One other I might get to is the Natural Bridge Wildlife Park. Close by in Oklahoma is Arbuckle Wilderness another drive through park. I haven't been there since I was 6 or 7 so I think it may deem another visit.
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