As of May 2007 (2007 studbook data) the park has 19 (1.18) Gaur. The largest herd is Henry Doorly Zoo (Omaha, NE) with 61 (28.33) Gaur. There are 100 Gaur total in the US within 8 institutions. This used to be a very popular species with US zoos, but interest has waned in the last 10 years for this species. The zoos that do keep them, breed them frequently. I know that H Doorly is doing a lot of reproductive research with their Gaur.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park Journey into Africa
- Thread starter Ituri
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As of May 2007 (2007 studbook data) the park has 19 (1.18) Gaur. The largest herd is Henry Doorly Zoo (Omaha, NE) with 61 (28.33) Gaur. There are 100 Gaur total in the US within 8 institutions. This used to be a very popular species with US zoos, but interest has waned in the last 10 years for this species. The zoos that do keep them, breed them frequently. I know that H Doorly is doing a lot of reproductive research with their Gaur.
61 Gaur at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo? Holy smokes...how many are on exhibit at one time? (I'm assuming that there are some off-site exhibits)
When I visited the San Diego Wild Animal Park two years ago I was told that there would eventually be two tram rides. The Asian ride was supposedly going to follow the African journey, but perhaps there are new plans to incorporate more walking trails for visitors. It's still a bit of a joke that the tram now costs extra, and I can understand why Kifaru is depressed with the progression of the park. But they still have an amazing breeding record, and a stunning assortment of wildlife.
When I visited the San Diego Wild Animal Park two years ago I was told that there would eventually be two tram rides. The Asian ride was supposedly going to follow the African journey, but perhaps there are new plans to incorporate more walking trails for visitors. It's still a bit of a joke that the tram now costs extra, and I can understand why Kifaru is depressed with the progression of the park. But they still have an amazing breeding record, and a stunning assortment of wildlife.
Mmmm that really sucks, it was amazing to see the field exhibits when I went back in 2005, the Asian exhibits were amazing especially the huge mountain of rocks for the mountain goats, it was a very impressive exhibit...
I guess they still have enough exhibits accessible by foot to make a trip there a worthwhile experience, Heart of Africa is quite stunning, so is Condor Ridge and also the Nairobi Village area.
I wish they would open up the Asian field exhibits soon, the Indian Rhinos are too impressive not to be displayed!
I guess they still have enough exhibits accessible by foot to make a trip there a worthwhile experience, Heart of Africa is quite stunning, so is Condor Ridge and also the Nairobi Village area.
I wish they would open up the Asian field exhibits soon, the Indian Rhinos are too impressive not to be displayed!
My last visit to San Diego was in 2006, when they were just starting the animal moves (around and away from the park) ... so this is from what I have heard, but not experienced.
(see also the map here: Wild Animal Park Exhibit: Journey Into Africa Tour)
The new tram tour focuses on the second half of the old monorail tour - i.e., the old South Africa and Asian waterhole exhibits. I believe the route goes counter-clockwise (opposite to the monorail). The old P. horse exhibit was going to be the "African desert" with gazelles and the like and the mountain habitat now has Nubian ibex and aoudad (I know this for a fact). Not sure what they did with the old serow and goral enclosures at the far end of the waterhole, or how the bridge over actually works. From photos I've seen online, the tram largely follows the old monorail track, and you look into the exhibits from the same perspective (over the hahas/fences). "Getting closer to the animals" is - I think - the PR department's way of saying "the road now follows the fence line closely" (compared to the monorail track). Finally, East Africa - formerly the largest field enclosure at 100+ acres - has been reduced in size to expand Asia (and make the animals more visible to the trams?).
Re Gaur: the WCMC recommended that gaur reproduction in North America be stopped until the subspecies situation was worked out. Most gaur are touted as Bos frontalis gaurus, but one of the founders was a B. f. hubbacki. The Omaha gaur are not all maintained at the zoo - they have a large off-site facility that can house such a large group "free range".
(see also the map here: Wild Animal Park Exhibit: Journey Into Africa Tour)
The new tram tour focuses on the second half of the old monorail tour - i.e., the old South Africa and Asian waterhole exhibits. I believe the route goes counter-clockwise (opposite to the monorail). The old P. horse exhibit was going to be the "African desert" with gazelles and the like and the mountain habitat now has Nubian ibex and aoudad (I know this for a fact). Not sure what they did with the old serow and goral enclosures at the far end of the waterhole, or how the bridge over actually works. From photos I've seen online, the tram largely follows the old monorail track, and you look into the exhibits from the same perspective (over the hahas/fences). "Getting closer to the animals" is - I think - the PR department's way of saying "the road now follows the fence line closely" (compared to the monorail track). Finally, East Africa - formerly the largest field enclosure at 100+ acres - has been reduced in size to expand Asia (and make the animals more visible to the trams?).
Re Gaur: the WCMC recommended that gaur reproduction in North America be stopped until the subspecies situation was worked out. Most gaur are touted as Bos frontalis gaurus, but one of the founders was a B. f. hubbacki. The Omaha gaur are not all maintained at the zoo - they have a large off-site facility that can house such a large group "free range".
San Diego Zoo Donor Clubs
Having 8 new exhibits to see on the Journey Into Africa ride will spruce things up a little, but I'm surprised that there still is no word on an Asian excursion. Among the new exhibits, the 4-acre flamingo pond is particularly impressive.
Having 8 new exhibits to see on the Journey Into Africa ride will spruce things up a little, but I'm surprised that there still is no word on an Asian excursion. Among the new exhibits, the 4-acre flamingo pond is particularly impressive.
What on earth is going on at the San Diego Wild Animal Park? I visited once, in 2006, and must admit that the animal collection is magnificent. The spacious enclosures, large breeding herds of ungulates, and atmosphere in the "Nairobi Village" and "Heart of Africa" areas are terrific. However, the vast herds of antelopes, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, etc can only be seen for a few minutes at a time. I can recall gliding by on the monorail past cool exhibits where I could have timed my appreciation of the captive wildlife in seconds rather than minutes. All I wanted to do was to stroll around and take in the highlights, but of course the monorail journey whisks visitors by and before one knows it the ride is over. Open-range zoos are terrific in terms of breeding successes, but it's frustrating for animal lovers like myself to whip by enclosures and literally only have a minute or two to view a large herd of animals before rapidly moving on to the new habitat. The walking section of the Wild Animal Park is excellent, but less than half of the animal species can be seen in that fashion.
The new pricing system at the park has also become ridiculous. It's $34 an adult to enter, and then the new 50 minute tour will be another $35 on top of that. I realize that it will be a longer tour, but it used to be free with the price of admission!!! The 8 new exhibits to be eventually added onto the Journey into Africa tour look interesting, but there is nothing there that will bring in extra visitors. Eventually everyone will have to drive half an hour away from the city of San Diego to arrive at the park, then pay whatever it costs for parking, then the expensive entrance fee, then the African tour fee, then the Asian tour fee (again, they both were one big free monorail tour!) and then almost everyone buys something to eat or drink because it's scorching hot and people are there for at least half the day. Souvenirs are optional but that's more cash spent. If someone wants to get a more intimate view of the animals by taking a slightly longer, close-up tour on a jeep that enters some of the enclosures, then that is $90 per adult. Add it all up for either a couple or a family and the price of visiting the park is staggering...
On the "Summer Road Trip" thread I list the San Diego Zoo towards the end of the planned 25 zoos and aquariums that my wife and I will see this summer. The chance of us re-visiting the Wild Animal Park is slim, as we would both rather pay the one fee and stroll around the zoo at our own pace rather than the park. Perhaps we'll go to the Zoo twice and skip the park, or even Seaworld (flawed as it is), as it offers better value for money. Neither of us enjoy roller coasters, but there is an amazing diversity of marine life at Seaworld amongst the gift shops and commercialization of the place. But the San Diego Wild Animal Park will have just about tripled its prices in less than 2 years, and the animal collection has barely changed at all.
The new pricing system at the park has also become ridiculous. It's $34 an adult to enter, and then the new 50 minute tour will be another $35 on top of that. I realize that it will be a longer tour, but it used to be free with the price of admission!!! The 8 new exhibits to be eventually added onto the Journey into Africa tour look interesting, but there is nothing there that will bring in extra visitors. Eventually everyone will have to drive half an hour away from the city of San Diego to arrive at the park, then pay whatever it costs for parking, then the expensive entrance fee, then the African tour fee, then the Asian tour fee (again, they both were one big free monorail tour!) and then almost everyone buys something to eat or drink because it's scorching hot and people are there for at least half the day. Souvenirs are optional but that's more cash spent. If someone wants to get a more intimate view of the animals by taking a slightly longer, close-up tour on a jeep that enters some of the enclosures, then that is $90 per adult. Add it all up for either a couple or a family and the price of visiting the park is staggering...
On the "Summer Road Trip" thread I list the San Diego Zoo towards the end of the planned 25 zoos and aquariums that my wife and I will see this summer. The chance of us re-visiting the Wild Animal Park is slim, as we would both rather pay the one fee and stroll around the zoo at our own pace rather than the park. Perhaps we'll go to the Zoo twice and skip the park, or even Seaworld (flawed as it is), as it offers better value for money. Neither of us enjoy roller coasters, but there is an amazing diversity of marine life at Seaworld amongst the gift shops and commercialization of the place. But the San Diego Wild Animal Park will have just about tripled its prices in less than 2 years, and the animal collection has barely changed at all.
A quick hint to saving money as a couple at the San Diego Zoo/WAP:
Buy a SINGLE membership ($75 US for out-of-region, including the $10 online discount ... although the online form doesn't work for out of country; Canadians have to phone in to become members). This gets one person into the zoo and park for free - and included in the membership package are two free passes for the parks. You'll still have to pay for food/parking/rides (although Skyfari is free for members), but it makes the deal a lot sweeter.
I concur with the reduction in the value of park admission ... for me, the field enclosures were the entire reason for visiting the park - it seems odd that they now charge admission to the site PLUS admission to see the majority of the animal collection.
Buy a SINGLE membership ($75 US for out-of-region, including the $10 online discount ... although the online form doesn't work for out of country; Canadians have to phone in to become members). This gets one person into the zoo and park for free - and included in the membership package are two free passes for the parks. You'll still have to pay for food/parking/rides (although Skyfari is free for members), but it makes the deal a lot sweeter.
I concur with the reduction in the value of park admission ... for me, the field enclosures were the entire reason for visiting the park - it seems odd that they now charge admission to the site PLUS admission to see the majority of the animal collection.
Here is what I can remember:
African Buffalo
Northern White Rhino
Southern White Rhino
East African Black Rhino
Reticulated Giraffe
Gemsbok
Scimitar Horn Oryx
Grevy's Zebra
Nyala
That is a very general list, as I can't remeber every kind of antelope because there were so may different kinds.
African Buffalo
Northern White Rhino
Southern White Rhino
East African Black Rhino
Reticulated Giraffe
Gemsbok
Scimitar Horn Oryx
Grevy's Zebra
Nyala
That is a very general list, as I can't remeber every kind of antelope because there were so may different kinds.
Which exhibits were they in?
The Southern Whites, gemsboks and giraffes are all in the East Africa exhibit together. The Black Rhinos are in the East African section but off in there own spacious paddock entirely to themselves due to their aggression. The Scimitar Horned Oryx are in North Africa. South Africa has most of the antelope, Grevy's Zebra in their own mountainside paddock, most of the antelope, the Northern Whites, more giraffes, and African Buffalo.
The Nyala are not really in a section and are just on the other side of Simba Station. I could send you a more detailed list after I visit SDWAP in two weeks.