Roger Williams Park Zoo

O

okapikpr

Well-Known Member
The zoo is dedicating its first phase of development in its masterplan: a renovation of its African exhibits including an expansion of its elephant habitat.

A new home where the elephants and giraffes can roam | Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal


Roger Williams Park Zoo's Captial Campaign
RWP ZOO : Home

A tough fundraising environment has made the zoo re-evaluate the plan's timeline

Giant Anteater Habitat - completed 2007
Red Panda exhibit - completed
African Savanna renovation - completed 2008
New England Trail (Children's Zoo) - 2010
Animal Hospital - 2010
North American Trail - 2012
 
It's interesting how many projects have been delayed at this zoo, and I came close to including it on last summer's epic road trip. Judging from the lengthy article it appears that the zoo burst forth with a number of great habitats 20 years ago and since then has basically been treading water in the zoological world. I think it is fair to say that the same thing could be declared about Zoo Atlanta, which had a burst of activity 20 years ago and has remained strong yet stagnant ever since.

The polar bears have been bumped back in time, and at $15 million I seriously question whether or not an adequate exhibit could actually be built for the great white mammals. I'm sure that replacing them with bald eagles was a major blow to the zoo, but hopefully the funds arrive in the future. The volatile economic environment in North America is worrying everyone, and zoos could be affected as much as any other business. What is intriuging is that some zoos claim to have benefitted from the awareness of the erratic financial market, because families are staying home and taking mini-vacations in their own State rather than going far from home.
 
A very interesting proposal, however I think this is just PETA attempting to take over zoos, starting with this one. The terms really makes the zoo dependent on PETA.
 
I see in the news that they have sent similar letters to other zoos.

Can't really call it "PETA trying to take over zoos" since they are offering so very little. Rather, "PETA trying to take over the News."
 
Animatronic animals...that's a joke! People go to zoos to watch animals and their behaviour - to get a feel for what an animal is like in the flesh not some repetitive robot. Also, if I want to watch animals on a TV screen, I'll watch animal planet. This 'virtual zoo' is completely destroying the whole concept - a ridiculous proposal.

PS. I also notice that they are offering $1000 for every animal so surely if they are all animatronic, the zoo won't get a dime.
 
Thanks for the link okapikpr! Interesting that the design planning began over 4 years ago, and the project is going to apparently cost a cool $15 million.
 
Well, if they ever get the money. This is the project that became infamous on CNN as a "wasteful" request by the city to the Federal government as part of the "stimulus package." The end result is that ALL zoos and aquariums were specifically banned from receiving any funding in the package, an enormous and highly embarrassing blow for the US zoo community. The leadership at AZA should be very concerned about their continued livelihood after this egregious failure to present the case for the importance of zoos.
 
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