Popular Zoo Mammals and Their Best Exhibits

[15399]

Given the recent discussion about lions, I have determined that there are simply too many impressive lion exhibits to narrow the list to five. All five exhibits I had listed are excellent, and I defend that they belong in this thread, however it remains true that many other lion exhibits are equally impressive and could've easily taken their place. Therefore, in today's post I will be featuring another five lion exhibits, instead of a new species, and this is something I may try again in the future with a select few species. The criteria will be the same as yesterday, and all of these exhibits are as impressive as the ones featured yesterday.

• Perhaps the omission that was most controversial yesterday was that of San Diego Zoo Safari Park's African Lion Camp. This exhibit is a very large home for a pride of four African lions, and contains a number of trees and other naturalistic elements over the course of a very large grassy area. One big praise this exhibit deserves is how varied it is, as it provides the lions choice and control of their environment in a way others do not:

Photo by: @Julio C Castro

Photo by: @Julio C Castro

Photo by: @Julio C Castro

Photo by: @IndianRhino

• Similarly controversial was the omission of Omaha's Henry-Doorly Zoo, which as part of its African Grasslands exhibit features a pride of five African lions. This exhibit contains a very large rocky, kopje structure- which is certainly the most unique aspect of this exhibit. This may not be a perfect exhibit, as the kopje does include a fair amount of unusable space, however it remains a unique and impressive home for the species, even if I'd disagree with @snowleopard's opinion of it being the country's greatest:

Photo by: @Pleistohorse

Photo by: @Pleistohorse

Photo by: @Pleistohorse

Photo by: @ZooNerd1234

• While unfortunately only home to two lions, Fort Wayne Children's Zoo has a very large, impressive exhibit for lions. This immersive exhibit does not have a visible back barrier, creating an impressive illusion of viewing lions in the wilds of Africa. This grassy exhibit includes a number of great rock structures and trees to add onto the naturalistic element:

Photo by: @Grizzly Hound

Photo by: @snowleopard

Photo by: @snowleopard

Photo by: @Rookeyper

• While many of the exhibits so far discussed for lions are at major zoos, that isn't to say smaller zoos can't have great lion exhibits if they prioritize them. Akron Zoo has redesigned much of its exhibits in recent years, including the opening of Heart of Africa, anchored by an impressive habitat for lions. While this pride of lions does not live in a habitat as spectacular or naturalistic as many others on the list, it remains a respectable, functional home for the species. Large viewing windows are present, and one unique visitor element is the lion exhibit continues over the visitor's heads at one point:

Photo by: @Anmltrnr98

Photo by: @Moebelle

Photo by: @TigerValley98

Photo by: @Moebelle

• Another small zoo with an impressive, unique lion exhibit is the Utica Zoo, which is my favorite lion exhibit I've personally seen. This exhibit makes good use of the zoo's natural terrain, featuring some great rock segments and some native trees in a large habitat. This exhibit does not attempt to recreate the African savanna, but instead utilizes the local terrain to create an impressive, naturalistic habitat regardless. While the viewing for this exhibit is entirely through chain link fences, the animal components of this exhibit are certainly impressive and visitors are able to view the exhibit from numerous vantage points. I just uploaded photos of this exhibit to the gallery since it was previously underrepresented:

Photo by: @Neil chace

Photo by: @Neil chace

Photo by: @CuseZoofan

 

[15399]

While I originally wasn't planning to do back-to-back posts on two of the most iconic megafauna species, in addition to Thursday's World Lion Day, today happens to be World Elephant Day! While Asian elephants have gotten the nod earlier in the thread, today's post will look at some of the best African Elephant exhibits in the US. Like lions, elephants are another animal with way more than five incredible exhibits, and will similarly be split into two posts. Today's post will look at five incredible African Elephant exhibits, and then tomorrow's will give an additional five elephant exhibits, without regards to species.

The criteria for this post are identical to the Asian elephant criteria:

• Space: Elephants are big animals, and ones that walk across long distances in the wild. As such, maximizing the space available to them should be prioritized in any elephant exhibit.
• Enrichment/Exhibit Furnishings: Elephants are also very intelligent animals, and as such it's important to build habitats that provide an enriching home. Unfortunately, many zoos historically kept elephants in more barren exhibits due to their destructive nature, but a good elephant exhibit should involve finding ways to safely add a variety of enriching components to the exhibit.
• Social Structure: Elephants are social creatures, who in the wild live in multi-generational, matriarchal herds, or alternatively bachelor male groups. Unfortunately, zoos have historically housed elephants either alone or in small same-age groups, not replicating this natural social structure- which is a priority for this post.
• Flexibility: While social, not all elephants will always get along. As such, zoos should have the flexibility of multiple yards for their elephants, as this not only allows flexible social groups but also allows elephants more enriching opportunities.
• Water Feature: Elephants are great swimmers, and any good elephant exhibit should include a pool large enough for the elephants to swim in.
• Natural Substrate: Both the indoor and outdoor portions of an elephant exhibit should incorporate some sort of natural substrate (e.g. sand, grass, dirt), as traditional hard floors can make elephants prone to foot problems/arthritis. This is especially true in northern zoos where the elephants have to spend a good portion of time inside.

The exhibits selected for African elephants are:

• Mixed-species exhibits for elephants are rare, but one excellent example is Giants of the Savanna at the Dallas Zoo. This large exhibit complex includes the flexibility of multiple yards, which is important not just for elephants but also managing the social dynamics of a mixed-species exhibit. A large herd of eight African elephants share this exhibit, including a calf born earlier this year. A large pool is present in this exhibit, along with some unprotected trees that create a unique, naturalistic display. Unprotected trees aren't common in elephant exhibits, so it's great to see Dallas Zoo willing to let elephants manipulate their own environment:

Photo by: @Pleistohorse

Photo by: @Pleistohorse

Photo by: @snowleopard

Photo by: @geomorph

• Omaha's Henry-Doorly Zoo has recently become a powerhouse in breeding African elephants, with four of their five cows recently giving birth, making for a total of ten African elephants at the zoo. This exhibit includes very large outdoor yards, complete with an impressive indoor exhibit complete with sand floors, which is certainly a necessity in the harsh Omaha winters:

Photo by: @Brayden Delashmutt

Photo by: @Brayden Delashmutt

Photo by: @Dhole dude

Photo by: @pachyderm pro

• A bachelor herd of three African elephants lives at the Birmingham Zoo, in a large, spacious home for young male elephants. This is a very naturalistic exhibit, with lots of trees, rocks, and other natural elements, unfortunately not all available for the elephants to access. Irregardless, this exhibit provides plenty of space for these elephants to roam, and bachelor holdings are especially important given the recent spike in births:

Photo by: @tschandler71

Photo by: @m30t

Photo by: @m30t

Photo by: @fkalltheway

• A very large elephant exhibit can be found at Disney's Animal Kingdom, however unfortunately it is only visible from the Kilimanjaro Safaris. A large herd of nine elephants can be found here, including a currently pregnant female, in an exhibit with multiple large yards complete with many naturalistic elements (including baobab trees!) While I'd love it if this exhibit contained more viewing opportunities than only the Safaris, that doesn't change the fact it is an incredible home for elephants:

Photo by: @Mr.Weasel

Photo by: @GraysonDP

Photo by: @GraysonDP

Photo by: @geomorph

• Six African elephants share yet another spacious exhibit at the North Carolina Zoo. This massive enclosure includes impressive panoramic views of the large yards, which might be the most visually impressive elephant exhibit in the country. Each of the massive yards here are over two acres, making this one of the largest elephant exhibits in the country as well:

Photo by: @Pleistohorse

Photo by: @Pleistohorse

Photo by: @Breckenridge

Photo by: @Moebelle

 

[Astrotom3000]

The extra cool thing about North Carolina's Elephant habitat and something that went unmentioned is how the barriers between the 2 elephant habitats as well as the adjacent Watani Grasslands exhibit are hidden by landscaping. If you do the Zoofari ride, you can get some really cool perspective shots.

(Both photos are my own)

 

[Emanuel Theodorus]

• A very large elephant exhibit can be found at Disney's Animal Kingdom, however unfortunately it is only visible from the Kilimanjaro Safaris. A large herd of nine elephants can be found here, including a currently pregnant female, in an exhibit with multiple large yards complete with many naturalistic elements (including baobab trees!) While I'd love it if this exhibit contained more viewing opportunities than only the Safaris, that doesn't change the fact it is an incredible home for elephants:

You can also opt to book a Caring for Giants tour for a full elephant exhibit tour in Disney. You'd even get full backstage view of the barns and stuff, albeit not permitted to take photos of it. You are free to look and photograph the elephants as you like after the backstage area

Though honestly you didnt really do this exhibit justice because the amount of details like a separate exhibit for bachelors, three giant pools and over a nine acre exhibit that only Disney can make.

Yeah I know, Disney sucks because less viewing opportunities blah blah blah, but man there's a reason this exhibit is very much known to be among the best for its kind.

 

[15399]

While there are enough excellent African Elephant exhibits to make an entire second post dedicated to them, there are also many excellent Asian Elephant exhibits beyond the five previously mentioned. Due to this, today's post is going to look at an additional five elephant exhibits, without regard to the species.
To recap, the ten elephant exhibits mentioned so far have been:

• Houston Zoo's McNair Elephant Habitat
• Smithsonian's National Zoo's Elephant Trails
• Denver Zoo's Toyota Elephant Passage
• Oklahoma City Zoo's Sanctuary Asia
• Saint Louis Zoo's River's Edge
• Birmingham Zoo's African Elephant Exhibit
• Omaha's Henry-Doorly Zoo's African Grasslands
• Dallas Zoo's Giants of the Savanna
• Disney's Animal Kingdom's Kilimanjaro Safaris
• North Carolina Zoo's Watani Grasslands

The five additional habitats that I am featuring, many of which are as good as the ten above, are:

• Currently notable for having the only twin Asian elephants to ever survive outside their native range, Rosamond Gifford Zoo made history last October. Their Asian Elephant Reserve is currently home to eight Asian elephants, and this large exhibit includes multiple spacious yards that lead to a nice, panoramic view. The one downside to this habitat is the barn, which has awkward viewing opportunities and lacks natural substrate on the floor, but the outside habitats are notable enough on their own to give Rosamond Gifford a place on this list, showing how small and medium zoos can, if determined, be home to excellent elephant programs:

Photo by: @TinoPup

Photo by: @TinoPup

Photo by: @Neil chace

Photo by: @Neil chace

• Oregon Zoo may no longer be the breeding powerhouse it once was, however Elephant Lands remains an impressive, large home for their herd of five Asian elephants. This exhibit contains an impressive community center indoors, along with excellent outdoor yards including a large pool. This exhibit provides a lot of variation as well, giving elephants great control over their environment and plenty of enrichment opportunities:

Photo by @snowleopard

Photo by: @snowleopard

Photo by: @snowleopard

Photo by: @geomorph

• My favorite elephant exhibit I've seen is the African Elephant Crossing at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. This exhibit contains multiple yards, separated by a visitor path which closes multiple times a day for the elephants to cross into the other yards. Along with the multiple large yards, this is another exhibit to feature a large indoor barn, including sand stalls:

Photo by: @CMZman

Photo by: @CMZman

Photo by: @Sarus Crane

Photo by: @Moebelle

• Another impressive African elephant exhibit can be found at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, which just yesterday announced both of their cows are pregnant! While unfortunately only home to three elephants at the moment, this exhibit is large and spacious, containing both a large pool and live trees throughout the exhibit. Had the herd at Fresno Chaffee been larger, these yards easily would make for one of the top five elephant exhibits in the country:

Photo by: @snowleopard

Photo by: @snowleopard

Photo by: @snowleopard

Photo by: @snowleopard

• While Omaha currently has the largest elephant herd in the United States, the second largest herd is actually a three way tie. One of these is the already-mentioned Disney's Animal Kingdom, and another is Kansas' Sedgwick County Zoo, which exhibits their nine African Elephants in the impressive Elephants of Zambezi River Valley exhibit. This exhibit contains both multiple large yards and an impressive water feature (hence the name), and also has a number of mature trees located in the exhibit as well. This exhibit is another one to feature sand stalls, which is always something great to see in indoor elephant exhibits:

Photo by: @geomorph

Photo by: @geomorph

Photo by: @geomorph

Photo by: @geomorph

 

[BenFoxster]

I think there are a few worthy of being on this list: San Diego Safari Park, Omaha, and Fresno. Lion Camp is coming close to 20 years old but still a stellar lion exhibit. Omaha and Fresno are ones I really want to see in person, being large and size as well as having climbing opportunities for them too.

I was surprised to see Lion Camp didn't make it; I thought it would make it much as I had thought with the Tiger Trail. I haven't seen the Omaha, but the Fresno Chaffee Zoo lion exhibit is really nice in person, I've seen in a few times. The predator prey setup with the mixed species savannah in the back is really nice, and every time I've gone the lions have seemed to enjoy themselves on their rock or in the trees. The overhead bridge connecting to their holdings is also a nice touch.

 

[15399]

Today's post will be dedicated to a unique ungulate species that has been rising in popularity in recent years: the Red River Hog! One of the most commonly kept ungulates in US Zoos, there are fifty zoos keeping this species in the AZA alone, with plenty more outside it.

The criteria used in this post are:

• Social Structure: Red river hogs tend to live in small groups of six to ten in the wild. In zoos, however, they are commonly housed in much smaller groups, sometimes even singularly. As such, every zoo mentioned in this post has multiple red river hogs, usually at least three.
• Natural Substrate: Red river hogs forage through digging, so ideally their habitats should contain natural substrate that allows the hogs to manipulate their environment- just like other digging species mentioned so far in this thread.
• Size: Perhaps the most common criteria on this thread, this is another species that I've often seen in fairly small exhibits. That being said, there are some truly remarkable, large exhibits for the species that deserve praise in this thread.

The five exhibits I chose for red river hogs are:

• One zoo known for both African animals and large, spacious exhibits is the North Carolina Zoo. Red river hogs are another species they house in a large, spacious exhibit- housing three female red river hogs in a large, forested exhibit. This exhibit also has lots of shade and trees, ideal for a forest species:

Photo by: @ZooNerd

Photo by: @ZooNerd

Photo by: @Pleistohorse

Photo by: @Moebelle

• Another large, forested habitat for this species can be found at the Nashville Zoo, which houses a breeding trio of red river hogs. This is another large, forested exhibit for the species, providing them a great home complete with natural substrate:

Photo by: @pachyderm pro

Photo by: @pachyderm pro

Photo by: @TinoPup

Photo by: @Coelacanth18

• An impressive group of six red river hogs can be found in the African Forest exhibit at Jackson Zoo. While Jackson Zoo is known for its impressive pygmy hippo exhibit, that isn't the only great exhibit in the African Forest. This red river hog exhibit excels both in terms of social structure, having a herd of six individuals, and in space, having a large, forested area for this group of hogs:

Photo by: @SwampDonkey

Photo by: @snowleopard

• Despite their name, red RIVER hogs are not given large water features often, perhaps understandably as they are known for living along river beds, not for swimming. That being said, Houston Zoo does an excellent job providing their river hogs a large water feature in addition to plenty of land area. A breeding trio of river hogs live in this large habitat, which has a unique set-up as there is no barrier between this exhibit and the gorilla exhibit located behind it:

Photo by: @geomorph

Photo by: @geomorph

Photo by: @Moebelle

Photo by: @jbnbsn99

• For a great red river hog exhibit in a zoo yet to be featured in this thread, look no further than South Bend, Indiana's Potawatomi Zoo, which features a trio of red river hogs in a large, forested exhibit. The terrain in this exhibit is also fairly varied, which allows the hogs some great ability to choose and control their surroundings:

Photo by: @Rhino0118

 

[AnActualFan]

If I can say an honorable mention, Bronx's Congo Gorilla Forrest is another great Red River Hog exhibit, and it's even a shared exhibit with Mandrills.

 

[15399]

If I can say an honorable mention, Bronx's Congo Gorilla Forrest is another great Red River Hog exhibit, and it's even a shared exhibit with Mandrills.

I agree, I almost put this one in the thread, however it was narrowly edged out since some of the other exhibits are larger, but that doesn't mean the Congo exhibit isn't phenomenal. Also narrowly edged out was the excellent exhibit at Saint Louis Zoo, mainly due to social structure, and the exhibit at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

 

[StoppableSan]

I agree, I almost put this one in the thread, however it was narrowly edged out since some of the other exhibits are larger, but that doesn't mean the Congo exhibit isn't phenomenal. Also narrowly edged out was the excellent exhibit at Saint Louis Zoo, mainly due to social structure, and the exhibit at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Saint Louis would have not qualified anyway (for this bracket at least) since they replaced their red river hogs with Chacoan peccaries.

 

[15399]

Saint Louis would have not qualified anyway (for this bracket at least) since they replaced their red river hogs with Chacoan peccaries.

I was not aware of that, thanks for the update. Certainly a species I'm glad to see more holders coming on board for!

 

[birdsandbats]

Surprised you didn't mention Binder Park Zoo, which certainly has the most naturalistic Red River Hog exhibit out there:

(photo credit @snowleopard)

It's also viewed from an elevated boardwalk which is just inherently cool.

 

[TheGytrash]

I love the waterfall and riverbanks in the Congo red river hog exhibit at the Bronx Zoo even if it's not the biggest habitat.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Jackson Zoo is such a zoo of contrasts. The newest areas (even going back to the 90s) are actually nice....the rest though.....

 

[15399]

Surprised you didn't mention Binder Park Zoo, which certainly has the most naturalistic Red River Hog exhibit out there:

(photo credit @snowleopard)

It's also viewed from an elevated boardwalk which is just inherently cool.

That exhibit didn't come up during my research, so unfortunately I wasn't able to consider it. I likely would've included it had I been aware, however it does seem as though it is understocked, as the exhibit is only home to two, elderly red river hogs.

 

[BenFoxster]

Jackson Zoo is such a zoo of contrasts. The newest areas (even going back to the 90s) are actually nice....the rest though.....

Which areas would you say are the nicest and which the most outdated SwampDonkey?

 

[JVM]

When I read and subsequently posted the recent news that the Jackson Zoo was likely to close, the pygmy hippopotamus and red river hog exhibits mentioned in this thread came to mind immediately.

 

[15399]

After today's post, this thread is officially halfway through! This will be the 40th of 80 planned posts (75 species, plus three bonus posts, and the extra posts for elephants and lions). This post will be dedicated to the most common species of bear found in US Zoos, the North American Black Bear! Primarily non-releasable rescues, this species can be found in both AZA zoos, roadside collections, and native specialist collections- the latter of which contains some with excellent exhibits.

The criteria for this post are very similar to those used for the Andean Bear:

• Size: Bears are a species typically housed in more old-fashioned style exhibits, oftentimes too small for the large size of these animals. While the five exhibits mentioned in this post may not be the largest five exhibits for the species, but they are all very spacious, and include plenty of areas for the black bears to explore.
• Exhibit Complexity: Bears are intelligent animals, and as a result a large exhibit isn't enough for them. Instead, the exhibit needs various furnishings, enrichment opportunities, and more to build a more complex environment for them. Many of the best exhibits for this species take advantage of the natural complexity of an area, containing native trees, natural rockwork, water features, and more.
• Natural Substrate and Digging: Bears are known to dig, and while this can be at the frustration of zoo maintenance staff when they destroy parts of their exhibit, it should still be a priority to give bears a safe opportunity to utilize this need to dig and manipulate their environment.
• Climbing Opportunities: Black bears are very adept climbers, and it's important that their exhibits reflect this fact. It's important that zoos keeping black bears give them safe opportunities to climb and exercise this natural behavior.

The exhibits featured for black bears are:

• Specialist collections can sometimes have the best exhibits for certain species, and no example proves this more than the 2.5-acre black bear exhibit at the North American Bear Center. This is a massive, spacious exhibit that contains varied terrain, including both open, grassy areas and much more heavily forested areas. A large water feature is also included in this exhibit, making it an all-around great home for black bears:

Photo By: @snowleopard

Photo By: @snowleopard

Photo By: @snowleopard

Photo By: @snowleopard

• Another large, excellent black bear exhibit can be found at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Sometimes, the best exhibits can amount to little more than an area of natural habitat fenced off, and this exhibit is a great example of this. This exhibit contains both natural rockwork and a number of native plants, all creating one of the largest, most naturalistic bear exhibits in the country:

Photo By: @Pleistohorse

Photo By: @Pleistohorse

Photo By: @Pleistohorse

Photo By: @Pleistohorse

• A large, forested exhibit for black bears can be found at the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. While visually very different than the Alaska exhibit, both utilize similar methodologies for exhibit design: creating extremely naturalistic exhibits by using nature in the exhibit. This exhibit contains many tall trees to allow for excellent climbing opportunities for the black bear residents:

Photo By: @snowleopard

Photo By: @snowleopard

Photo By: @Ituri

Photo By: @snowleopard

• Further East, another excellent exhibit for black bears can be found at New Hampshire's Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. This exhibit is not quite as large as the others on the list, but is equally as naturalistic and still provides substantially more space for their bears than any traditional zoo does. Large rocks and trees make this exhibit an impressive, complex home for the bear residents, and the attached interpretive gallery makes it an excellent and educational exhibit for visitors as well:

Photo By: @TinoPup

Photo By: @TinoPup

Photo By: @zoo_enthusiast

Photo By: @TinoPup

• Finally, a large and naturalistic exhibit for black bears can also be found at the Lee Simmons Conservation Park. This large exhibit contains both plenty of rockwork and a number of live trees and other plants, creating a fifth great, naturalistic home for black bears:

Photo By: @Pleistohorse

Photo By: @Dhole dude

Photo By: @Dhole dude

Photo By: @Dhole dude

 

[MGolka]

A note about the Simmons exhibit, that’s 100% natural rock, there is nothing artificial about the landscape in that exhibit. It’s nestled in a canyon between the hills and trails.

 

[otusasio451]

Second time Squam Lakes appears on this list! I love it! Good to see my local facility get some props, since it's pretty small and often goes ignored by the zoo community at large. Awesome, and I'm loving this list!