Most Interesting Non-Animal Features at American Zoos and Aquariums

[Aardwolf]

Like many of us, I very much enjoyed @pachyderm pro 's threads on the Must-See Zoos and Aquariums and Must-See Exhibits in the US. A lot of the conversations in these threads revolved around the animals featured at this facilities and the exhibits that housed them. I thought it might be interesting to start a thread on unique, interesting, dare I say must-see NON-animal attractions at American zoos and aquariums.

This list is not a count-down, top-10/50/127 list. I'll add items to it periodically as I think of them. And at the same time, I would encourage anyone reading it who has an entry that they would like to add to go ahead and do so - no need to wait to see if I'll add it! (Conversely, if folks don't show much interest in this and it doesn't get engagement, I'll let it peter out).

The only stipulations are that it has to be a feature of a zoo that is not an exhibit of live animals (and yes, dead ones are fine - I have at least two in mind already). Animal houses wouldn't fit in this thread either; the Must-See Exhibits thread already did a great job highlighting historic animal houses in the US. So, to give an idea of what I'm looking for, here is entry #1!

1.) Cincinnati Zoo - Passenger Pigeon Memorial

Cincinnati Zoo has the unfortunate honor of having been home to the last known living specimens of not one but two now-extinct North American birds, the passenger pigeon and the Carolina parakeet (Carolina conure). In the 1970s, it appeared that construction of planned new ape habitats might result in the demolition of these enclosures, so the decision was made to set one of the old bird houses (built in the 1870s and styled as Japanese pagodas) aside as a memorial for these lost species. It's an iconic feature of the zoo and commemorates a tragic moment in zoo history; it begs the question of what might have been if a coordinated effort had been made to save these species. (Worth noting that the last passenger pigeon herself, Martha, is NOT here - her remains are at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC)

 

[Persephone]

I’m not sure captive breeding could’ve saved the passenger pigeon. They only feel comfortable breeding in large groups. The collapse of those groups was their death knell. Maybe modern aviaries could work something out, but I doubt it was possible given the facilities at the time.

Carolina parakeet might’ve been a different story. I suspect the modern zoo world could’ve saved them.

Anyway, excellent idea! A few things come to mind off the bat: Como Park Zoo’s conservatory, Henry Vilas’ Playground, maybe the treehouse at Fort Wayne. Are less conventional zoos eligible for this list? Brookgreen Gardens is primarily a sculpture garden, Busch Gardens / DAK / SeaWorld are arguably more theme parks than zoos, The National Mississippi River Museum is a hybrid aquarium-museum. Not to mention the actual museums that are AZA accredited…

 

[Aardwolf]

I’m not sure captive breeding could’ve saved the passenger pigeon. They only feel comfortable breeding in large groups. The collapse of those groups was their death knell. Maybe modern aviaries could work something out, but I doubt it was possible given the facilities at the time.

Carolina parakeet might’ve been a different story. I suspect the modern zoo world could’ve saved them.

Anyway, excellent idea! A few things come to mind off the bat: Como Park Zoo’s conservatory, Henry Vilas’ Playground, maybe the treehouse at Fort Wayne. Are less conventional zoos eligible for this list? Brookgreen Gardens is primarily a sculpture garden, Busch Gardens / DAK / SeaWorld are arguably more theme parks than zoos, The National Mississippi River Museum is a hybrid aquarium-museum. Not to mention the actual museums that are AZA accredited…

You raise a point which has been debated a lot. Some sources have said that passenger pigeons only bred in large flocks, and the initial destruction led to a downward spiral in which breeding no longer became possible. Others have contested this, and at least some sources have said that Martha herself was bred and hatched at Cincinnati, in which case captive breeding would have been a possibility for the species. Of course, you could argue that we could have probably bred pigeons in enough numbers to be a sustainable zoo animal, but considering the sheer numbers of the birds and their role in the ecosystem, they would have remained ecologically extinct, since it would have been almost impossible to produce them in sufficient numbers to reoccupy their niche. One of those things we'll never know now, I suppose.

Excellent suggestions, thanks for pointing them out. I hope more folks continue to share their ideas. I'll probably toss up another one tomorrow, but nobody feel the need to be shy!

 

[birdsandbats]

There were several zoos, mostly in Europe, that were successful in breeding Passenger Pigeons in captivity.

 

[birdsandbats]

I’m not sure captive breeding could’ve saved the passenger pigeon. They only feel comfortable breeding in large groups. The collapse of those groups was their death knell. Maybe modern aviaries could work something out, but I doubt it was possible given the facilities at the time.

Carolina parakeet might’ve been a different story. I suspect the modern zoo world could’ve saved them.

Anyway, excellent idea! A few things come to mind off the bat: Como Park Zoo’s conservatory, Henry Vilas’ Playground, maybe the treehouse at Fort Wayne. Are less conventional zoos eligible for this list? Brookgreen Gardens is primarily a sculpture garden, Busch Gardens / DAK / SeaWorld are arguably more theme parks than zoos, The National Mississippi River Museum is a hybrid aquarium-museum. Not to mention the actual museums that are AZA accredited…

Henry Vilas' playground isn't anything special, IMO.

 

[ZooElephantMan]

I’m not sure captive breeding could’ve saved the passenger pigeon. They only feel comfortable breeding in large groups. The collapse of those groups was their death knell. Maybe modern aviaries could work something out, but I doubt it was possible given the facilities at the time.

Carolina parakeet might’ve been a different story. I suspect the modern zoo world could’ve saved them.

Anyway, excellent idea! A few things come to mind off the bat: Como Park Zoo’s conservatory, Henry Vilas’ Playground, maybe the treehouse at Fort Wayne. Are less conventional zoos eligible for this list? Brookgreen Gardens is primarily a sculpture garden, Busch Gardens / DAK / SeaWorld are arguably more theme parks than zoos, The National Mississippi River Museum is a hybrid aquarium-museum. Not to mention the actual museums that are AZA accredited…

I don't want to get too far in the extinct-species-speculation rabbit hole, but maybe they could've bred Passenger Pigeons using mirrors, to trick the animals into thinking they lived in larger groups than they truly did? I've heard of the same tactic being used to breed flamingos, who also seem to breed better in larger flocks.

 

[Blackleopard207]

Great idea! I look forward to seeing your thoughts on some unique non-animal related features in zoos!

 

[pachyderm pro]

Fantastic idea for a thread and thanks for the shoutout. Makes me happy to know I inspired someone to start such an interesting discussion just as I was inspired. This is a great topic and I have some ideas...

The historic ticket booths at Philadelphia Zoo were the first things that came to mind. These gingerbread house buildings opened with the zoo in 1874 making them among the oldest existing structures in a US zoo. They are still in use to this day, providing a fascinating glimpse into the past. For a collection that proudly boasts its title as the oldest zoo in the country, which of course is debatable, these structures are a perfect way to showcase cherished history.

@snowleopard

Another personal favorite is the Roosevelt Fountain at Brookfield Zoo. Named after president Theodore Roosevelt, the fountain is located at the nucleus of the zoo connecting the four "quadrants" which comprise the grounds. Native flora and a dozen bronze sculptures of endangered species surround the fountain and it makes for a stunning vista when viewed from a distance. I've seen it countless times, but feeling the mist of the water shooting 70 feet in the air on a hot summer day never gets old.

@Moebelle

@ZooNerd1234

 

[birdsandbats]

I'd like to point out Cafe Carnivora at the Toledo Zoo. It's a 1930s-era cat house no longer fit for residents, but it makes an excellent restaurant. The old bar and concrete cages are now seating areas.

@ZooNerd1234

@geomorph

 

[15399]

I couldn't find any photos of the exhibit in the zoochat gallery, but the first thing that comes to mind for me is Roger Williams Park Zoo's Wetlands Trail, as an example for some natural beauty right inside a zoo. No live animal exhibits, but native wildlife can often be seen along the path and it's a nice peaceful part of the zoo to walk through. During the month of October, this area is transformed into the Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular, which while maybe not the most appealing to zoo nerds, is a very interesting nighttime display with a lot of truly incredible jack-o-lanterns made by professional pumpkin carvers.

 

[birdsandbats]

I couldn't find any photos of the exhibit in the zoochat gallery, but the first thing that comes to mind for me is Roger Williams Park Zoo's Wetlands Trail, as an example for some natural beauty right inside a zoo. No live animal exhibits, but native wildlife can often be seen along the path and it's a nice peaceful part of the zoo to walk through. During the month of October, this area is transformed into the Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular, which while maybe not the most appealing to zoo nerds, is a very interesting nighttime display with a lot of truly incredible jack-o-lanterns made by professional pumpkin carvers.

There are various zoos across the country that feature excellent wildlife and scenery within the grounds. Possibly the best example of wildlife and scenery in the country can be seen at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. There are countless examples of both across the country, of course.

 

[wild boar]

Very soon, the Treetops Trail at the Minnesota Zoo will open, and I think that is definitely worth mentioning. The exhibit is about bringing guests into a large nature setting, even if there are a few enclosures that will be able to be seen from the walkway. It is going to be the longest elevated walkway in the world, differentiating it from just being a nature trail like the many in various other zoos.

 

[Blackleopard207]

The Redwood Skytrail at the Sequoia Park Zoo is a unique attraction. Similar to the Treetops Trail coming to Minnesota Zoo but in a completely different atmosphere! Another would be the ARC Campus at Zoo Knoxville. It is the most well-done reptile exhibit in my opinion.

 

[Jurek7]

Interesting thread!

I’m not sure captive breeding could’ve saved the passenger pigeon.

Yes, passenger pigeons were bred many times in cages in America and Europe, and one breeder in Europe even released the young to the wild hoping to introduce them. Even more remarkable, reading carefully, it seems they were mostly bred in dovecotes, sometimes together with domestic pigeons! But no sustained effort to create and repeatedly breed a larger population was made until too late.

Carolina parakeets were also bred. They had even a feral colony in Germany, before they were wiped out.

 

[wild boar]

Another would be the ARC Campus at Zoo Knoxville. It is the most well-done reptile exhibit in my opinion.

That would be an "Animal Feature" which is the opposite of the purpose of the thread.

 

[Aardwolf]

2.) Cheyenne Mountain Zoo - Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun

There are some zoos which you could pick up, transplant five states over, and never notice the difference. There are others which are defined by their geography - perhaps their scenery, perhaps their terrain, perhaps both. I always appreciate it when a zoo is evocative of its geography. There are few better examples than Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, literally built on the slopes of a mountain. Overlooking the zoo is the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun, a five-story stone tower that offers a commanding view not only of the zoo, but of the surrounding city and countryside, including the famous Garden of the Gods. Accessing this incredible view means driving through the zoo up a windy road (watch for deer), and is limited to those who have purchased admission to the zoo - some folks buy admission to the zoo solely or predominately for the shrine. Although the tower is named after Will Rogers, it's actually the tomb of Spencer Penrose (responsible for building much of Colorado Spring, including substantial development of the zoo) and his wife. Besides the majestic view, it also features a small but interesting art collection, as well as beautiful gardens.

 

[birdsandbats]

2.) Cheyenne Mountain Zoo - Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun

There are some zoos which you could pick up, transplant five states over, and never notice the difference. There are others which are defined by their geography - perhaps their scenery, perhaps their terrain, perhaps both. I always appreciate it when a zoo is evocative of its geography. There are few better examples than Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, literally built on the slopes of a mountain. Overlooking the zoo is the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun, a five-story stone tower that offers a commanding view not only of the zoo, but of the surrounding city and countryside, including the famous Garden of the Gods. Accessing this incredible view means driving through the zoo up a windy road (watch for deer), and is limited to those who have purchased admission to the zoo - some folks buy admission to the zoo solely or predominately for the shrine. Although the tower is named after Will Rogers, it's actually the tomb of Spencer Penrose (responsible for building much of Colorado Spring, including substantial development of the zoo) and his wife. Besides the majestic view, it also features a small but interesting art collection, as well as beautiful gardens.

You can also catch Solgaleo here.

 

[Blackleopard207]

That would be an "Animal Feature" which is the opposite of the purpose of the thread.

You’re right, I should’ve specified more. I’m not referring to the animals, I’m more referring to the unique design and theming of the exhibit.

 

[birdsandbats]

You’re right, I should’ve specified more. I’m not referring to the animals, I’m more referring to the unique design and theming of the exhibit.

That's still an animal exhibit.

 

[Pleistohorse]

I am partial to carousels.

I think the most beautiful is at the Beardsley Zoo in Connecticut. It is inside a large barn like building…which takes a bit from the experience…but otherwise it is a very grand work of art.

My second favorite is less historic and culturally significant than Beardsley’s…but for its colors, mounts, setting, and general glamour…Texas's San Antonio Zoo carousel is absolutely beautiful.