Now, how about that new elephant exhibit at The North Carolina Zoo?!

Dan

Dan

Well-Known Member
I am very fascinated and interested in the current trend in American zoos to build new and bigger exhibits for elephants! I hope that our American forumsters will go on feeding us with as much information as possible on these developments. To my knowledge, two new exhibits have been opened in 2008-2009:

The one at San Diego has created an enormous amount of interest here at ZooChat! There is a splendid review to enjoy; there are lots and lots of debate and, last but not least, there are (probably) hundreds of pictures in the gallery!

In comparison, the one at North Carolina has not been featured very much at all. About a dozen splendid pictures in the gallery and some discussion in this thread:

http://www.zoochat.com/22/huge-elephant-exhibits-u-s-zoos-74301/

I would be thrilled to read and learn more about it. Could anyone write a detailed review? And in general: feel free to comment on it!
 
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I posted some details about the NC elephant exhibit with the pictures. I truly believe its the BEST elephant exhibit in a North American zoo. There is an observation area that allows you to view the elephants and the African plains exhibit at the same time. The only thing that I would like to see is more elephants (they currently have 6 but have room for nearly twice that).
 
I am a bit surprised by the lack of response to this thread. Only loxodonta has replied and he or she is the forumster who supplied us with the great photos in the gallery that I mentioned in my opening post.

No one else who would like to comment?
 
The North Carolina Zoo is not a zoo that a large number of US Zoochatters have been to. I really think this is why the response has been so limited.
 
Biggest is not always best, and my personal vote for America's best African Elephant habitat goes to Nashville.
 
Its sad that not many chatters have gone to NC Zoo. As someone that has visited quite a large number of zoos (not nearly as many as snowleopard:) I made it a priority to visit this zoo. Its one of my favorite and if they ever decide to add an Asia section it would easily rival some of the biggest zoos in the country if they don't already.

I have seen Nashville's exhibit and it reminds me of NC's but NC's is much larger. True, bigger is not always better, (having worked with elephants I realize some individuals do not even use a large area when given to them) but its tough to even see the enrichment items in the NC yards because they are so large. I find that amazing.

I have argued that NC elephant yards are the best in the country with numerous people and I realize its personal preference. Some like multiple small yards, some like one big yard, some like natural enclosures, some like realistic natural enclosures. Its just depends on the person. But my favorite is NC's and more people should visit this zoo because its easily in the top ten if not five best zoos in the U.S.

By the way Dan, I am of the male gender.
 
I think we're headed into a few regional zoos with large elephant enclosures and breeding facilities (like Pittsburgh) at the direction of the AZA. North Carolina is not on my list of zoos to visit next year but it's on my list for 2011 and not for their elephant exhibit. I didn't know about their elephant exhibit until this thread. I wanted to see their gorilla exhibit. North Carolina, BTW, is the birthplace of Kwan, one of 2 silverbacks at Lincoln Park Zoo.
 
Nashville's grass is more elephant resistant. It is designed to not wear away under the pressure of the elephant's feet. North Carolina's is pretty much a larger expanse of fenced off wilderness. Nashville's looked nearly identical to North Carolina's when it was under construction, once the plantings were put in it made a huge difference.
 
Elephant resistant grass? What makes it elephant resistant?

The planting at Nashville looked good but didn't really impress me. Its nice aesthetics.

I also like seeing multiple antelope species and rhinos in the background of NC's yards.

Why not use natural wilderness? Especially if it adds extra enrichment for the elephants. Sandpits, natural grass and trees, rocks for scratching and annoying Canadian geese to chase:)
 
zoogeek said:
I think we're headed into a few regional zoos with large elephant enclosures and breeding facilities (like Pittsburgh) at the direction of the AZA.
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You are correct; while the elephant SSP allows as many zoos to breed as possible there are definitely breeding facilities in the US that have been constructed or are being constructed to serve as primary facilities.

Asian Elephant - Oregon, St. Louis, Columbus, Elephant Center (Florida), Houston, (National and Denver once their exhibits open)

African Elephant - SDWAP, ICC, Pittsburgh, DAK, Indianapolis, (Cleveland once their exhibit opens (however they will need new females and a new male) / and the SSP is trying to establish NC as a breeding facility)
 
loxodonta said:
Elephant resistant grass? What makes it elephant resistant?

The planting at Nashville looked good but didn't really impress me. Its nice aesthetics.

I also like seeing multiple antelope species and rhinos in the background of NC's yards.

Why not use natural wilderness? Especially if it adds extra enrichment for the elephants. Sandpits, natural grass and trees, rocks for scratching and annoying Canadian geese to chase:)
Click to expand...

North Carolina natural wilderness does not exactly look like an African Savanna. Nashville spent a lot more time planning their horticulture to make it look authentically African than NC did, and yes the grass will last a lot longer. Dallas will also have longer lasting grass that you can read about on their Giants of the Savanna page. Nashville has all those things you said, sandpits, mud holes, trees, rocks. Before they added all the horticulture in it look a lot like North Carolina's exhibit.
 
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