Louisville Zoo Next big exhibit at Louisville Zoo...

One of the characteristics that I don't like about rotational exhibits with multiple species is that they increase the difficulty of tailoring an exhibit to every individual species needs. An enclosure with climbing structures that are good for brachiation, tiger pinatas or manipulable rope animals, larger branches for tiger lounging, scratching posts, food dispensors in the branches and at ground level dispensing different types of food, mud wallows, swimming pools, digging areas, etc. would balloon construction costs. The animals would also be unable to utilize every part of their exhibit.

Ensuring that interpretation and educational displays about each animal meet or exceed high standards and are available in each individual enclosure without making the visitor feel overwhelmed would also be difficult.

What control do the animals have in these exhibits? What if an animal would prefer to be in the enclosure that maximizes its exposure to morning sunlight or protects it the most from the hot summer sunlight?
 
Awe, but the beauty of rotation exhibits not only relieve pressure and trauma inflicted on the exhibits itself but provides stimulation to all the species involved. Popular beliefs holds that all enrichment should be positive. Enrichment is to illicit a response from an animal that is not part of an animal's routine, positive or negative. Even no response from an animal can still be considered an enrichment, only because the animal has been exposed to it. Of course its not a good idea to provide negative/or nonresponsive enrichment all the time. Its important to keep it random.

With rotation exhibits, an animal doesnt need to utilize every aspect of the exhibit. But its important that every aspect of the exhibit can be utilized by at least one of the species. From a keeper's standpoint, trust me its more important to keep an animal emotionally healthly - an animal's health is the last thing that should be skimmed from a budget. Zoos are doing so much wrong by making things so complex. Keeping it simple will keep costs down.

Rotation exhibits also add the feel of actually looking for an animal, just like you would in the wild. Rather than look at the map to know the animal will be there when you get there. Its just an additional aspect to immerson exhibits that need to be more than just plants between exhibits if you are to replicate the wild for the visitor.
 
@okapikpr: you summed up many of my earlier observations on this thread. The benefits for both the animals and the zoo patrons far outweigh any slight side effects. I only wish more zoos would begin to design rotational exhibits. The Denver Zoo's Asian Tropics (2009) will rotate malayan tapirs, asian elephants and indian rhinos.
 
Louisville Zoo will not receive a $6 million allocation from the state of Kentucky. This will result in a later (2011) opening or an opening in phases.

Louisville would be better off opening the exhibit in phases. This would allow extra time for fundraising and provide a better oppurtunity of return visits from guests - building attendance for a period of years due to frequent new exhibit openings.
 
okapikpr said:
Louisville Zoo will not receive a $6 million allocation from the state of Kentucky. This will result in a later (2011) opening or an opening in phases.

Louisville would be better off opening the exhibit in phases. This would allow extra time for fundraising and provide a better oppurtunity of return visits from guests - building attendance for a period of years due to frequent new exhibit openings.
Click to expand...

It might prove difficult to phase it.
They can delay the otters and the aviary, but that won't save alot of money.
If they build the rest but delay the Polar bears, they have little to show for their efforts (new exhibits are at least in part about marketing) and it will be that much harder and more expensive to build the bear exhibit with the others in place
 
Wow - I have to say this exhibit looks extremely ambitious and I hope it all works out! It definitely blows Columbus out of the water. It's so interesting how Brookfield, Columbus, and Louisville are building polar bear habitats at the same time - even though it's obviously due to raising awareness for global warming.
 
Actually, this trend appears to be for all bears and has been growing steadily over the last 10 years. In that time, construction for new and renovated great ape and big cats exhibits have decreased as those for pachyderms and bears has increased.
 
Check out my latest video for the Lousiville Zoo.

Still a lot of work left to do on the Glacier Run area. Can't wait though!
 
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