San Diego Zoo San Diego Zoo News 2017

The_UltimateBea said:
Has anyone been to WAF yet?
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Yes. Not much to report. Opening this section involved uncovering a wall of windows so that you can see inside. You could basically see the exterior when the penguin exhibit and waterfall opened. It's interior is similar to the crocodile exhibit next to the pigmy hippos. I saw one dwarf crocodile and two species of turtle.

The walls blocking the view of the next section of netted exhibits was taken down. I was absolutely impressed with this portion. The interior of these exhibits looked to be in process of being landscaped, so the topography seemed completed minus most foliage. I felt small looking up the trail which winds between what appeared to be three new exhibits. The exhibits were taller than I had expected. The nearest exhibit to my left had the cut out of a large cat in an artificial tree that was still being created. My wife thought leopard, I thought fossa. That exhibit, if fossa, was quite large. All three seemed quite large. I am very excited for this next portion to be opened. Before seeing it I had not been terribly impressed with what had opened of Africa Rocks. Coming from 22 years experience in the theme park game there is too much infrastructure visible for my taste. The huge retaining wall along the bus road of Africa Rocks completely kills immersion for me with the foliage being so low to the ground and young. Maybe in time, it will grow in and improve. Also views of prefab buildings that seem too support the theatre is off putting. A zoo really isn't a theme park, but I appreciate when backstage is hidden from public view, and every foot of walkway is treated as an experience. This next section will probably please this desire based on what can reasonably be expected of a zoo and an area with such a restrictive budget.
 
d1am0ndback said:
Do you recall what species of turtle?
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Sorry, I don't recall. I'm more a mammal/bird person, I tend to bypass small reptiles and insects. My wife doesn't like them for the stereotypical reasons. But turtles are usually acceptable.

The signage was an odd distance away from the exhibit, meaning it wasn't in front of the viewing window. If you wanted to identify the names of the species present you need to remember them or walk back a few feet and look.

Again, sorry.
 
Just visited today. Turtle species are Gabon Forest Turtle (Pelusios gabonensis) and West African Mud Turtle (Pelusios castaneus).
 
I went to the Zoo a couple weeks ago (hint, hint), and the Croc exhibit was still under construction. Opened pretty quick, didn't it?
 
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