Small zoos with up-to-date exhibits

[MurphyFox]

I've been to many small zoos that I have enjoyed. They are usually cheaper than the large ones. However, a problem with many smaller zoos is that the exhibits tend to be outdated compared to larger zoos.

There are some, however, with very up-to-date exhibits. The best example is the Stone Zoo (the overall exhibit quality is better than that at many large zoos I've been to).

Any others?

 

[birdsandbats]

Wildwood Zoo comes to mind.

By the way I completely disagree that small zoos are bad.

 

[MurphyFox]

Wildwood Zoo comes to mind.

By the way I completely disagree that small zoos are bad.

I didn't say that they are "bad", many are very good (and sometimes I prefer them to the larger ones). There is a difference between a place bad and a place feeling in need of a renovation.

 

[MurphyFox]

Many large zoos can have issues too (crowds, prices, and some areas getting focused on more than others).

 

[Shirokuma]

One of the best smaller zoos I have visited, in fact one of the best zoos in general is Tierpark Dählhölzli in Bern. They have excellent well-designed enclosures.

 

[Dassie rat]

One of the best small zoos I visited was the RSCC in Sandwich, Kent. It was only 8 acres but had a range of rarely-seen animals.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

I've been to many small zoos that I have enjoyed. They are usually cheaper than the large ones. However, a problem with many smaller zoos is that the exhibits tend to be outdated compared to larger zoos.

There are some, however, with very up-to-date exhibits. The best example is the Stone Zoo (the overall exhibit quality is better than that at many large zoos I've been to).

Any others?

Have never been there but Shaldon Zoo in the UK seems to do an amazing job with the animals and space they have and also contributes to important in-situ conservation work here in Brazil too.

To be honest , I prefer the smallish zoos that focus on smaller species than the larger ones like San Diego, Bronx, LA, Whipsnade, Chester etc which to be frank dont really call my attention.

 

[Dassie rat]

I would prefer a small zoo to have lots of smaller species, rather than a few big species.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

I would prefer a small zoo to have lots of smaller species, rather than a few big species.

Yes, that is pretty much one of the reasons why I have that preference for smallish zoos too.

I know they are not small in terms of size but due to that primary focus on smaller species I tend to think of the Jersey and Bristol zoos as being of this type.

 

[RatioTile]

At this point I go to zoos and aquariums mainly to photograph species I haven’t seen before, and many of those are small animals or held by one or few collections in a country. So there are times I’d rather go to a small, less assuming zoo because it has rarer species.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Many large zoos can have issues too (crowds, prices, and some areas getting focused on more than others).

I just don't really like the theme park atmosphere at these kinds of zoos or all the constant hyperbole.

I prefer smaller institutions with "heart" / substance over style / quality over quantity and that actually contribute more to ex-situ and in-situ conservation than zoos that are three times their size and with a much larger budget.

 

[RatioTile]

I just don't really like the theme park atmosphere at these kinds of zoos or all the constant hyperbole.

I prefer smaller institutions with "heart" / substance over style / quality over quantity and that actually contribute more to ex-situ and in-situ conservation than zoos that are three times their size and with a much larger budget.

In some countries, zoos are combined with (very tacky) amusement parks, or kids’ museums with optical illusions, which tend to charge a separate admission fee.

 

[Dassie rat]

Chessington Zoo used to have a circus. Now the area is an amusement park with a small zoo.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

In some countries, zoos are combined with (very tacky) amusement parks, or kids’ museums with optical illusions, which tend to charge a separate admission fee.

Yeah, I'm just not really into that kind of thing.

I'm a bit utilitarian in this sense but I am just interested in zoos for what they can do in terms of education and conservation so everything else is superfluous and redundant to me.

 

[RatioTile]

Yeah, I'm just not really into that kind of thing. I'm a bit utilitarian in this sense but I am just interested in zoos for what they can do in terms of education and conservation.

I’m not a fan of those, but if they lead to more visitors, they do help. However, amusement park rides tend to be a source of noise pollution for the animals. I’ve been to a park where these poor orangutans had to listen to an advertising jingle that repeated itself every 30 seconds.

I prefer a tranquil zoo with the atmosphere of an art gallery and no screaming children.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

I’ve been to a park where these poor orangutans had to listen to an advertising jingle that repeated itself every 30 seconds.

Must be hell for those orangs

 

[GiratinaIsGod]

The Naturzoo Rheine would be a great example. It is somewhat of a hidden gem in Germany. Espicially the Lemur, Slothbear and Gelada exhibits are in a extrem good quality. On the level of top zoos. It has only a few "bad"/outdated exhibits left. But they will for example remove the old monkey house (the last eyesore of the zoo) in the recent furure.

 

[Valentinoamor]

Henry Vilas Zoo is a relatively small zoo that has high-quality exhibits. (Arctic Passage, Wisconsin Heritage, etc.)

 

[evilmonkey239]

Binder Park Zoo is quite small in terms of their collection, but for years they’ve been famous for their “Wild Africa” exhibit. The highlight of this attraction is an enormous mixed-species savanna containing one of the largest giraffe herds in the country, alongside zebras, wildebeest, ostriches and more ungulates and birds. Other animals kept in this section of the park include lions, cheetahs, African wild dogs, red river hogs, Colobus monkeys and a walk-through aviary. It is surprisingly immersive, with a village-themed entry plaza and food court, and many props around the area like an elephant skeleton and tents meant to represent a safari camp. The rest of Binder Park is relatively forgettable, though there is quite a nice American black bear habitat and a large, wooded Mexican wolf habitat with a boardwalk over it.

Another small zoo from my home state, John Ball Park Zoo has a fairy large and naturalistic tiger habitat. It has multiple viewing areas and is composed of distinct upper and lower “realms” that are connected by a narrow netted trail through the woods that brings to mind the Philadelphia Zoo’s animal bridges.