jbnbsn99's Texas Zoos

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I have a feeling if we get into a discussion on which exhibit is bigger it might become one of those wars as to which exhibit is better than what and why. You are probably right though on San Diego, but as I have never been to California I couldn't even venture to guess. I will just stick to my guns and say Dallas has a great exhibit and not care one bit about the size.
 
Once again dear readers I will load up my iPod, charge up my camera batteries, and get up before the butt-crack of dawn to visit another zoo. Technically though, this one shouldn't be in this thread, but as I don't want to start another one it will be just fine and happy staying here. Tomorrow comes Oklahoma City Zoo. I have high hopes for it from everything I've read on here about it.
 
7 hours of driving plus 7 hours walking around the OKC Zoo makes me a tired boy. Review later, plus 400+ photos.
 
Hey Bret,

Any updates on the Dallas Zoo? How is the Giants of the Savanna coming along? Any more new exhibits in the works?

Please let us know at your earliest convenience.
 
The Savanna is moving along fast. Most if not all of the rock work is done. The barns are all framed, and one or two have the outer walls. Restaurant was being erected on Monday when I was last there. Planting starts this month (thank Zooplantman!). No new exhibits to speak of yet. At least none that I know of.
 
jbnbsn99 said:
The Savanna is moving along fast. Most if not all of the rock work is done. The barns are all framed, and one or two have the outer walls. Restaurant was being erected on Monday when I was last there. Planting starts this month (thank Zooplantman!). No new exhibits to speak of yet. At least none that I know of.
Click to expand...


Are they still going to build a sloth bear exhibit near the tiger habitat?

Glad to hear Giants of the Savanna is moving along so well. It looks like it will be one of the best exhibits ever created, maybe the Congo Gorilla Forest of African Savanna exhibits I hope! I really love the Dallas Zoo, so I like to see that they have such a wonderful project in the works. I am also glad zooplantman is working on the plantings as that assures it will definitely be good!
 
BlackRhino said:
Are they still going to build a sloth bear exhibit near the tiger habitat?

Glad to hear Giants of the Savanna is moving along so well. It looks like it will be one of the best exhibits ever created, maybe the Congo Gorilla Forest of African Savanna exhibits I hope! I really love the Dallas Zoo, so I like to see that they have such a wonderful project in the works. I am also glad zooplantman is working on the plantings as that assures it will definitely be good!
Click to expand...

kiss up. ;)
 
BlackRhino said:
Are they still going to build a sloth bear exhibit near the tiger habitat?
Click to expand...

I don't think so. I talked with someone in the know and he thinks it would be better suited for an Orangutan exhibit, and I actually agree with him. The area is heavily wooded and would be one of the best exhibits for Orangs in the country with only a little construction.
 
OKC Zoo Review

I don't think I can bring myself to do a full review of this zoo as it is about twice the size of any other zoo I've visited as that review would be about 5-6 posts long. What I am going to do is hit some highlights.

Oklahoma Trails
We have a genius among us. Zooplantman may be the very best at what he does. I mean this quite honestly. Anyone involved with great exhibit deserves an award. Normally I have an area where I think something could be done better in an exhibit, but I can't find any of those areas here. Quite simply it is brilliant. The two bear exhibits are the best Ursid habitats I've ever seen.

Cat Forest
Another great area. While I normally don't like taxonomic areas this is about as good as it gets in that regard. 2nd best lion exhibit I've seen (after Houston). I honestly hope Dallas' will look like this one. The overall conservation message of Cat Forest is commendable. This is the first zoo I've ever seen preach against the evil of housing White Tigers. Included here was my 1st Snow Leopard. Beautiful animal. The Tiger area was at first seemingly dismal, but as I walked along it kept getting bigger and bigger. Excellent, but not as good as Dallas'.

Great EscAPE
Just an ok Gorilla, Orang, and Chimp area. The gorilla areas are just grassy hills with a few climbing structures on one of the two exhibits. No trees or naturalistic planting, but the fact that they had 10 gorillas was impressive. Orangs were ok, but only 2 Orangs were present. I wish I could have found out whether they were Sumatran or Borneans. Chimp area again was just ok, but the 1 year old who had just been put into the exhibit was entertaining to watch.

Wild Dog Area
While the species list is impressive, I found this area quite boring. Just row after row of identical looking exhibits that appear to be interchangeable for any carnivore. I didn't see the Cheetahs, Bat Eared Fox (some of the employees had never seen them either), or Hyenas.

Hoofstock areas
A big 5 paddock area for African hoofstock was ok, but could have been better if the boring chain link fence was removed. The Okapi yards were the biggest I've seen and quite acceptable for the animals. I briefly caught a glimpse of the baby born in August. New animals for me are always exciting, here I saw; Grant's Gazelle, Blue-Necked Ostrich, Rothschild's Giraffe, and Nile Lechwe. Alse here were Grant's and Grevy's Zebras as well as Red River Hogs.
The 2nd hoofstock area was an Asian deer valley that was great. Pere David's Deer, Indochinese Gorals, Hog Deer, and Tonkin Sika were all new animals for me. The only drawback here was the fact that a train actually went through this exhibit. It somewhat detracted from the greatness of the exhibit.
The other hoofstock area was closed off due to construction, but I was able to glimpse Sable Antelope and Gerenuk in bland yards.

Pachyderm Building
First off, I hate the term Pachyderm. It is outdated and highly inaccurate. Let's all stop using it please. That said these were ok areas for Indian and Black Rhinos, but only one of the 4 rhinos (2 Indians and 2 Blacks) were out yesterday. The other 3 were inside, but accessible as the whole holding area was a walk through building. Inside was a weird shock. On one side were rhinos, and the other side were tropical birds. Odd pairing. At the far end were 2 Pygmy Hippos. These have always been a favorite of mine, and these were the first Pygmies that I can remember seeing. There seem to be none in Texas except for Brownsville which for all intents and purposes could be Mexico. One hippo was indoors and the other was in a small outdoor yard. Rather bland.

Island Life and Reptile House
Island life is a cool concept, all animals found on the worlds islands, but it is mostly reptiles and birds. Ok at best, and the concept could offer a lot of potential. Reptile house itself is mediocre, but the only poor exhibits were for the large snakes (anaconda and retic. python).

Small animal grotto
Nothing special here just some small animals like Red Pandas, Meerkats, Anteaters, and Porcupines. The best thing here was a grotto that had been emptied out of all of its inhabitants and a sign was up saying that these were the old bear grottos, and asked the question - "would you like to like in an area this small?" I have the utmost respect for any zoo that does this.

Aquarium
Meh. Few tanks. Small seal/sea lion pool. Needs renovation. Might happen soon.

That's about it. The new Children's zoo is nearing completion and will open up early next year. Construction has begun on the new elephant exhibit. It this is built according to the plans on the OKC Zoo website it will be stunningly brilliant. 5 elephant yards, 2 rhino yards, and lots of other Asian animals.

In summary, I like the OKC Zoo. It is not yet great, but may be soon. At 110 acres I think this is the perfect size for a large zoo. Of the zoos I've visited, only Dallas is close to this size. If I were to score this zoo, I think a solid 7.5 is in order. Oklahoma Trails is phenomenal, maybe one of the best exhibit complexes out there. The general taxonomic layout of the zoo (cats, dogs, apes, hoofstock, "pachyderms") is not my preferred way of laying out a zoo as I am much more in favor of geographic layout. It looks like the OKC Zoo is heading in this direction. I am looking forward to 2011 when the new elephant exhibit opens.
 
I'm not a huge fan of Oklahoma Trails (very obvious barriers/ugly barrier at that, somewhat bland/fake looking exhibits) although it is very good for the animals

Much of the zoo ounds very good though and with the new Asian area, it should be even better!
 
While that it is the case that there are some animal barrier issues in Oklahoma Trails, once there that are very easy to overlook. The exhibits though are anything but bland or fake.
 
@jbnbsn99: Thanks for another review! I'm a big fan of the Oklahoma City Zoo, and I think that more than most zoos a good portion of the grounds are very impressive. The 8-acre Oklahoma Trails area is fantastic, and has some of the best exhibits and signage of any American zoo. As you also pointed out in your review, Cat Forest is a 4-acre area that has 13 species in excellent, naturalistic enclosures. Great EscAPE is above average but not earth-shattering, but I love Wild Dog Drive and was surprised that you didn't enjoy that area as much as the rest of the zoo. There are 8 huge, grassy, totally naturalistic and overgrown yards for an impressive list of animals, and probably the best selection of canids in North America. The hoofstock yards are all massive, and that brings me to my favourite trait of this zoo. All of the cats, dogs, bears, hoofstock and other mammals have LARGE enclosures that allow for lots of space to roam. Very few animals at this zoo have subpar, tiny exhibits, and the future is bright with both the children's zoo and Asian zone due for completion within the next few years. I could point out some of the zoo's flaws (Island Life area, possibly the Aquarium) but overall I truly believe that it is one of the best zoos on the continent.
 
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For my ho-hum view of Wild Dog Drive, I think that my view is based wholly on the perspective of a visitor. The viewing areas are bland, and a lot of the time you are looking through chain-link fence. If these minor things are addressed then I would not have a problem with calling it a good area. I do agree that every thing has large areas, which is a huge plus. A lot of the hoofstock areas are gone now, or will be shortly once the Asian area gets rolling.

OKC Zoo is a carnivore lovers paradise.
Cats - Lion, Tiger, Jaguar, Puma, Caracal, Serval, Black-Footed Cat, Ocelot, Clouded Leopard, Cheetah, Snow Leopard, Bobcat, Fishing Cat
Bear - Grizzly, Black, Spectacled
Dog - Coyote, Mexican Grey Wolf, African Wild Dog, Red Wolf, Bat Eared Fox, Bush Dog, Maned Wolf
Other - Sea Lion, Harbor Seal, Red Panda, Meerkat, Badger, Spotted Hyena
 
The cat exhibits are all at least of average quality, and some are definitely top class. I think that one of the main reasons I love this zoo so much is the fact that it is a mammal lover's paradise, on top of the fact that so many of the enclosures are large in size. The list of carnivores that "jbnbsn99" provided is incredible, and the amount of hoofstock is also excellent. The book "America's Best Zoos" ranks the Oklahoma City Zoo as the #2 zoo in the United States for North American animals (after North Carolina) and in the top 10 for cats, hoofstock, and fish & zoo aquariums. I believe that it is a strong contender for one of the 10 best zoos on the continent, but that is only my opinion and there are many other terrific zoos to choose from.
 
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A recent post on the must read thread reminded me that I never finished this one. I still have more zoos and animal places to visit. Here is a list of what I will try and accomplish in the next few months:

Fossil Rim
Gladys Porter Zoo
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
International Exotic Feline Sanctuary
As well as new trips to Houston, Caldwell, Oklahoma City, and Fort Worth for the opening of the MOLA.

Also after getting America's Best Zoos for Christmas, I see there are a few categories I can nominate zoos to. African, Asian, South American, Australian exhibits etc. Maybe some others as well.

At any rate I'm off to the DWA in a few minutes to see their new Jaguar exhibit!
 
Got back from the DWA a little while ago. Here are some updates. Sadly the Water Opossum seems to be gone. So the few photos I got of him while he was there are the only ones that may come for a good long while. Two giant anteaters have been added to the howler monkey exhibit (didn't see the howlers though). A new exhibit for Black Palm Cockatoos is being built by the entryway. I was presumptuous in seeing the new Jaguar area, it won't be done until sometime in 2010. I did find out through the DWA's newsletter that they Jaguars have about 2,300 sq. ft. of room which is a lot more than anyone would have guessed. Also the Jaguars have the option to be in the glassed in area and can go back and forth between there and their more naturalistic area. They just choose to be in the jaguar "aquarium."
 
Best of Texas

Here is my list of the best of in Texas. A listing of the best places to see, Asian, African, South American, Australian, North American animals/exhibits, Birds, Reptiles, Primates, Cats, and Large Mammals. I've got brief overviews for spots 1 and 2 and when applicable I've mentioned a runner up. If no runner up then no other zoo fits the criteria. If anyone has some suggestions for other categories let me know.

Asian Animals/Exhibits
1. Fort Worth Zoo. Not really much of a choice here. Fort Worth is the only zoo with a large Asian area. Asian Elephants, Indian Rhinos, Crane and Muntjac, Malayan and White Tigers, and Sun Bears. In another area of the zoo are Orangutans and Gibbons.
2. Cameron Park Zoo. This is the only other zoo with a devoted Asian area. It is small and most of it is only a few months old. Only 3 species in this area. Sumatran Tigers, Komodo Dragons, Orang-utans.

African Animals/Exhibits
1. Dallas Zoo. Easy choice here. Wilds of Africa is still my favorite area of any zoo I've been to. Only getting better in a few months with Giants of the Savanna.
2. Caldwell Zoo. Not as extensive of a collection as Dallas, but what they do, they do right.
Runner up - Cameron Park Zoo

South American Animals/Exhibits
1. Dallas World Aquarium. Great collection of a lot of lesser known South and Central American animals. Most exhibits are small but aesthetically pleasing. Always changing collection and exhibits.
2. San Antonio Zoo. Great collection of animals in some decent exhibits, and a lot of bland ones.

Australian Animals/Exhibits
1. San Antonio. Surprise here I guess. Best collection of Australian animals I've seen. Hint it's not just kangaroos. Also Emus, Cassowaries, Tree Kangaroos, 2 types of Wallabies, and it wouldn't be San Antonio without birds. All in close proximity to each other so it is one of the few places in the zoo with a near consistent theme.
2. Fort Worth Zoo. Nice exhibit area for the people, but bland in species. Only kangaroos and some kind of wallaby. Koalas used to be here, which would have edged them over San Antonio, but they are gone and have been replaced by 3 large fish tanks.

North American Animals/Exhibits
1. Cameron Park Zoo. Brazos River Country has the most complete collection of native animals in the state. All the big guys are here. Can't think of any animal left out. Exhibits are all good except for the big cats.
2. Caldwell Zoo. Not as extensive as a collection as Cameron Park, but very well done. The central large area for Bison and Deer is one of my favorite single exhibits around. Had the ocelots and Jaguars not been removed, it would be a lot better area.
Runner up - Fort Worth Zoo

Birds
1. San Antonio Zoo. Huge collection. Ming-bogglingly numbing collection. Most are in boring bird cages, but the amount of walk through aviaries and bird houses make up for that.
2. Houston Zoo. Nearly as large of a collection as San Antonio. Most are in single species cages, but the Tropical Bird House is a stand-out here. Now with Shoebills.
Runner up - Dallas Zoo

Reptiles.
1a. Dallas Zoo. Huge collection. I work there and I don't even know how big it is. Name a venomous snake or an obscure monitor lizard and its here.
1b. Fort Worth Zoo. Note this is not 2 but 1b. Fort Worth's amazing collection is under wraps until March when the MOLA opens. When that does, it solidly goes into 1st place. It's only 1b now because of no collection other than Gharials are visible to the public.
Runner up - San Antonio Zoo

Primates
1. Dallas Zoo. Chimpanzee and Gorilla habitats are amazing. Best two ape exhibits around. Mandrills again in a great home. Gibbons, Spider Monkeys, Grey Titi Monkeys, Saki Monkeys, Mona Monkeys, Colobus Monkeys, and Allen's Swamp Monkeys, and 3 species of Lemur round out the collection. None are in a disappointing home.
2. Fort Worth Zoo. Wortham World of Primates has an extensive collection of Lemurs, Old World and New World Monkeys as well as Simangs and Orang-utans. Also more primates in the Natural Wonders exhibit including Lorises and Tamarins.
Runner up - Fort Worth Zoo

Cats.
1. Houston Zoo. While there are some older exhibits here, most have been so lushly planted that you can't even tell you are looking at a 1930's style cat cage. Great lion exhibit. Lions, Malayan Tigers, Clouded Leopards, Leopards, Margay, Jaguar, Mountain Lion, and Cheetahs make for the best collection in Texas.
2. Fort Worth Zoo. Nothing spectacular here. The standout exhibit is Tiger Falls for Malayan and White Tigers. Lions, Cheetahs, Mountain Lions, Ocelots, Bobcats, and Jaguars complete the collection.
Runner up - Caldwell Zoo

Large Mammals (Elephants, giraffes, hippos, rhinos)
1. Cameron Park Zoo. While no hippos here, all the rest have great homes. Large lush area for elephants, big mud wallow for White Rhinos, and a nice paddock for Giraffes.
2. Fort Worth Zoo. Asian Elephants, Black and Indian Rhino, River hippos, and Giraffes. Only the Black Rhinos' area and maybe the Giraffes' seem to be anything close to a great exhibit though.
Runner up - Caldwell Zoo
 
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