North or South?

[jibster]

@jibster: A bit off-topic but I always wondered what species of goral The Wilds (and other American collections) keep, I've read on Wikipedia that they were long-tailed gorals but I didn't know these were kept outside of their range (except for Tallinn Zoo), would you happen to know if they are indeed long-tailed gorals or just Central Chinese gorals?

I am almost certain they are Central Chinese goral, which is, I believe, the only goral taxon left in American zoos.

 

[DavidBrown]

I was almost going to add the Wilds myself (to a post extolling the virtues of the zoos of Ohio and the rest of the Midwest, which I never got around to posting). The Wilds is overlooked by many, but anyone who likes hoofstock or the field exhibits at the San Diego Safari Park would love it. I

How does one tour the exhibits in The Wilds? Do they have tram vehicles with a guide that go around the exhibits like the San Diego Safari Park does?

 

[sooty mangabey]

How does one tour the exhibits in The Wilds? Do they have tram vehicles with a guide that go around the exhibits like the San Diego Safari Park does?

I was about to ask exactly the same thing. Are there any parts of the Wilds that are toured on foot, as in a conventional zoo, or can it only be viewed as a tour?

 

[pachyderm pro]

I was about to ask exactly the same thing. Are there any parts of the Wilds that are toured on foot, as in a conventional zoo, or can it only be viewed as a tour?

A little bit of both. The carnivore complex and the lake trail are accessed on foot, while the more open savannah type yards can be accessed by cart

 

[jibster]

A little bit of both. The carnivore complex and the lake trail are accessed on foot, while the more open savannah type yards can be accessed by cart

Pachy's answer is correct, though I would say it's a little misleading to say it's a "little bit of both." The vast majority of the park's collection is accessible only by trams/buses (or a few upcharge experiences. including zip-lines and horseback safaris), and to reach either the carnivore complex (home to cheetah, painted dog, and dhole) or the lake trail (mostly scenic, with the budgie exhibit and the goral exhibit) you must take a tram. I highly recommend anyone visiting the Wilds take binoculars, which can really help seeing many of the species, which can keep a large distance from the tram route.

 

[sooty mangabey]

Pachy's answer is correct, though I would say it's a little misleading to say it's a "little bit of both." The vast majority of the park's collection is accessible only by trams/buses (or a few upcharge experiences. including zip-lines and horseback safaris), and to reach either the carnivore complex (home to cheetah, painted dog, and dhole) or the lake trail (mostly scenic, with the budgie exhibit and the goral exhibit) you must take a tram. I highly recommend anyone visiting the Wilds take binoculars, which can really help seeing many of the species, which can keep a large distance from the tram route.

Thank you for this helpful response.

On the zoo’s website, it lists a standard “open-air safari”, which is about two hours long. Would I be correct in assuming that once one has “done” that, one has seen the zoo (butterflies and zip lines aside)? So, does that mean that whether you’re a “see every beast and photograph it” nerd, or a “normal”, more casual visitor, your visit is going to be of a similar length?

 

[jibster]

Thank you for this helpful response.

On the zoo’s website, it lists a standard “open-air safari”, which is about two hours long. Would I be correct in assuming that once one has “done” that, one has seen the zoo (butterflies and zip lines aside)? So, does that mean that whether you’re a “see every beast and photograph it” nerd, or a “normal”, more casual visitor, your visit is going to be of a similar length?

For the most part, yes. The standard open-air safari does offer two stops (at the previously mentioned carnivore complex and lake trail), and one is welcome to spend as much time as one likes at these two stops (the safari vehicles cycle around the loop, and you can simply board the next one that comes when you are ready to leave). There are also opportunities to view some of the field exhibits from the main building if you have good binoculars (I always spend a fair amount of time doing this, but without binoculars, you don't see much other than distant spots), and there are great opportunities for butterfly and bird watching at the butterfly habitat (also a great chance to see the progress of the Wilds' fascinating restoration ecology work - which to my mind, is even more important that the work done with the exotic animals in its care). I would allow 3 hours at least to view the facility.

 

[sooty mangabey]

So, in less than a week I head out for the tip under consideration the I began this tread. A new thread to give some - brief - thoughts on said expedition. It can be found here. In the meantime, thank you to all who gave such helpful comments and advice here.