Cheyenne Mountain Zoo new elephant exhibit

[okapikpr]

Here a quote from the zoo's website for their next developement...a new elephant exhibit, surprise!

The next phase in the Zoo's master plan is to renovate the elephant area. The Zoo anticipates the elephant holding building will be complete in 2011 and the entire new elephant exhibit will be open in spring 2012. Renovations at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo are guided by the Zoo's desire to affect people's relationship with the environment. By transforming the visitor experience from a passive viewer to an active participant, the Zoo strives to encourage an appreciation and respect for the dignity and intrinsic value of all living things.

 

[gerenuk]

County to issue bonds for Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's elephant exhibit

 

[Ituri]

That is exciting news. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will be joining the ranks of renovated African elephant exhibits. Exciting that it also means new black rhino and lion exhibits as well.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

I am glad this development can come through and will benefit not just elephants, but equally other savannah representatives like the black rhinos et al ...

Any idea where to get to see sketches for the new exhibit and plans?

 

[Ituri]

I have yet to see any renderings for this project.

 

[Zooplantman]

You mean this?


About The Zoo - Encounter Africa

 

[Ituri]

Excellent find, thanks much Zooplantman!

 

[Zooplantman]

Difficult to imagine where they'd have a 2 acre more-or-less flat area!

 

[Ituri]

That is exactly what I was thinking.

 

[Arizona Docent]

Well, this is certainly great news, because if they are going to keep elephants they had to do something. Before this announcement I personally thought they should get rid of their elephants, but if they can commit to a large exhibit like this, even better.

The new lion exhibit is good news too, because the current exhibit is too small.

As for putting a crashed bush plane into the exhibit, I only have two things to say: .

 

[gerenuk]

There is something about this design that I just dont seem to like. Cant quite put my finger on it yet.

 

[Arizona Docent]

There is something about this design that I just dont seem to like. Cant quite put my finger on it yet.

Is it the fact that the large 2 acre yard appears to be an empty dirt lot off exhibit and the main exhibit yards are still relatively small?

 

[Ituri]

Or perhaps that you are looking down on the animals?

 

[gerenuk]

It just looks very inefficient - of space, time management, money, etc.

 

[Dallaspachyderm]

They should plant the two acres with trees and grass, and vary the topography. At least giving them a haven out of the public eye that replicates their home.. Although considering that the lot is bigger than the publicly viewed habitat it should be somewhat available for public viewing!

 

[Dallaspachyderm]

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – Encounter AFrica - Watch the Progress

New elephant barn scheduled to be completed this summer. My theory for the hastily built barn is that Malaika one of the elephants at the zoo, is pregnant, and they want her to give birth around the time the elephant enclosure opens in 2012. It makes sense considering she is 24 right now!

 

[ShowMeElephants]

Elephants of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

A new article at ShowMe Elephants regarding two former elephants of the Lee Richardson Zoo, both named Penny. These two animals arrived from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Carson and Barnes Circus, respectively. If anyone has further information regarding animals questioned in the report, please leave a comment or message me in an effort to complete their records for elephant historians.

>> "Lee Richardson Zoo - Penny" at ShowMe Elephants

 

[Dallaspachyderm]

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – Encounter AFrica - Watch the Progress

update!

 

[kb2000]

More for Tourist $ than the elephants

The new Encounter Africa exhibit will be an amazing exhibit, however, there are some features that appear to be designed more for tourist dollars and not for the comfort of the animals. The overhanging bush plane platform for viewing the animals will not allow them a place to hide. It will put them under a microscope for the tourists’ entertainment. The recent renovation to the reptile house gives a clear example of the Zoo’s dedication to chasing money over the welfare of the animals. The reptiles are housed in vases and displayed as art, not in comfortable terrariums imitating their natural habitat. The elephants need a new exhibit but they are not art to be displayed. They are beautiful animals that deserve respect and some privacy, not bush plane viewing platforms clearly designed to bring in money to the zoo.

 

[reduakari]

The new Encounter Africa exhibit will be an amazing exhibit, however, there are some features that appear to be designed more for tourist dollars and not for the comfort of the animals. The overhanging bush plane platform for viewing the animals will not allow them a place to hide. It will put them under a microscope for the tourists’ entertainment. The recent renovation to the reptile house gives a clear example of the Zoo’s dedication to chasing money over the welfare of the animals. The reptiles are housed in vases and displayed as art, not in comfortable terrariums imitating their natural habitat. The elephants need a new exhibit but they are not art to be displayed. They are beautiful animals that deserve respect and some privacy, not bush plane viewing platforms clearly designed to bring in money to the zoo.

Two problems with your theory: the "bush plane" is to be located above the rhinos, not the elephants, and it will not be a paid experience, so is not in any way going to "bring money to the zoo." This is an impressive and innovative exhibit, being built for a fraction of what other zoos have spent on their new elephant exhibits. I hope you noticed the huge off-exhibit sloping forest area being devoted to letting the elephants roam and interact with hundreds of live trees.