Smithsonian National Zoological Park Review
The Smithsonian National Zoo or National Zoo is located in Rock Creek Park just outside the main city of Washington, D.C. Being a part of the Smithsonian Institution, entrance to the park is free. However, parking at the zoo’s parking lot is $20 for the day. Most pedestrians however, take the Metro which is only 3 blocks away from the zoo’s Connecticut Street Entrance. Currently, the zoo is undergoing a number of large construction and renovation projects that coincide with the Facilities Master Plan, including the Elephant Trails (Opening 2011) and the Renovated Beaver Valley (Opening 2012), so a few sections of the zoo are closed. By the year 2016, the zoo hopes to be the world’s finest.
Asia Trail
The Asia Trail is the strongest and best section of the zoo. Opened in 2007, Asia Trail includes a number of animals including Giant Pandas, Sloth Bears, Clouded Leopards, Red Pandas, Asian Small-Clawed Otters, Fishing Cats, and Giant Salamanders. Each species has a superbly built exhibit that includes a multitude of trees and other vegetation, rocks, logs, and at least some sort of water feature. The Giant Panda exhibits include three outdoor yards and three indoor rooms inside the Giant Panda Research Center. Each of the outdoor panda exhibits recreates the Asian Highlands, so there are plenty of large rocks and many trees and bushes, as well as pools and waterfalls. The Asian Small Clawed Otter exhibit is one of the best, if not the best, in the country. The exhibit includes a pool with a stream that runs through the center of the exhibit. Unlike a number of otter exhibits, trees and bushes are used throughout the exhibit. There is nothing negative about these exhibits, except that it can be very hard to find the animals.
http://www.zoochat.com/612/sloth-bear-exhibit-asia-trail-169496/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/giant-panda-tian-tian-asia-trail-169489/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/giant-panda-exhibit-asia-trail-169486/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/giant-panda-exhibit-asia-trail-169487/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/asian-small-clawed-otter-exhibit-asia-169466/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/asian-small-clawed-otter-exhibit-asia-169463/
Bird House
The Bird House was built in 1927 and includes the Great Flight Exhibit, adjacent to the Bird House. Bird species are split up into regions from around the world; however that was not very clear. Many of the exhibits were closed for renovations. The outside section of the bird house includes a number of ponds to exhibit ducks and geese. Towards the rear of the Bird House are outdoor yards that provide plenty of space for cranes, flamingos, and other large birds. Connected to the Bird House is the Great Flight Exhibit. From the outside, the exhibit looks impressive. However, once inside it is hard to spot the birds, and for such a big exhibit, I was expecting more birds. Overall the Bird House was enjoyable, but nothing spectacular. FYI: The Bird House is due for a major overhaul in the next few years.
http://www.zoochat.com/612/bird-house-great-flight-exhibit-169529/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/bird-house-flamingo-169524/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/bird-house-rosette-spoonbill-scarlet-ibis-169520/
Cheetah Conservation Station
Here at the Cheetah Conservation Station is only a female Cheetah named Tumai. Also here are Grevy’s Zebra, Scimitar-horned Oryx, Dama Gazelles, and Maned Wolves. The Cheetah exhibit is spectacular with three yards of open space which include fallen trees and tall grasses. Why only one Cheetah you may ask? Tumai has given birth to nine cubs in her lifetime and in order to provide more room for the five cheetahs at the Conservation and Research Center in Fort Royal Virginia, she was moved to the zoo. The Zebra, Oryx, Gazelle, and Maned Wolf exhibit are nice, but nothing as great as the Cheetah exhibit. Not a lot is done to conceal backup areas, electric fencing, metal fencing, and exhibit separation, which is really the only bad part of this section.
http://www.zoochat.com/612/cheetah-conservation-station-tumai-169538/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/cheetah-conservation-station-169535/
Elephant Trails
The Elephant Trails section of the zoo will be spectacular with three habitats and an exercise trek. The new barn addition is very nice and includes sand flooring. The Community Center is under construction inside the old Elephant Barn and will give the elephants a nice open indoor exhibit. The outdoor yards are large and two of the three yards includes a pool. As for viewing opportunities, this will be one of the plusses of the exhibit. The bridge that links Asia Trail to the Bird House goes right over Habitat 3, so seeing an elephant from a “bird’s eye view” will give guests a neat perspective. The exhibit also includes the elephant outpost and the elephant exercise trek. The exercise trek is on an incline and connects to the upper part of the outdoor Bird exhibits. The trek is pavement and dead ends so the elephants, with their trainer’s guidance, will have to turn around. Phase I, which includes Habitat 2 and 3, the Elephant Outpost, Elephant Trek, and Barn will open Labor Day 2010. Phase II includes Elephant Community Center and Habitat 3 and will open in 2011.
http://www.zoochat.com/612/elephant-trails-169505/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/elephant-trails-169501/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/elephant-trails-169498/
Great Ape House
The Great Ape House was constructed in 1980 and includes five indoor enclosures for Western Lowland Gorillas and Orangutans. The indoor exhibits are nice and clean and include large fake trees in each one. Plenty of enrichment items such as blankets, balls, and crates filled with fruit provides the gorillas and orangutans with some fun. The numerous skylights and large glass panels from the floor to the ceiling allow plenty of light into the exhibits. The outdoor exhibit includes one large exhibit for gorillas and the O-Line for orangutans. The gorilla exhibit includes some trees, bamboo, bushes, concrete tubes, and one large climbing structure. The exhibit is in no way compared to the Bronx Zoo’s Congo Gorilla Forest, but it is better than most gorilla exhibits at zoos. The O-Line for the orangutans is a series of towers and lines that connect the orangutan exhibit at the Great Ape House to the Think Tank. This gives the orangutans plenty of enrichments and it shows visitors how these animals swing through trees in the wild.
http://www.zoochat.com/612/great-ape-house-169553/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/great-ape-house-orangutan-exhibit-o-169551/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/great-ape-house-gorilla-exhibit-169547/
Small Mammal House
The Small Mammal House was built in 1937 and includes some very good exhibits, including the zoo’s Golden Lion Tamarin breeding program. Mammal species here include lemurs, meerkats, naked mole rats, prehensile porcupines, and many species of monkeys. Being an old building, a number of exhibit are too small for their inhabitants. However, the Tamarin and Lemur exhibits have skylights, plenty of vegetation, and plenty of space.
http://www.zoochat.com/612/small-mammal-house-golden-lion-tamarin-169599/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/small-mammal-house-lemur-exhibit-169595/
Reptile Discovery Center
In order to enter this 1931 building, visitors must wait in line until an attendant allows you to enter. Because of the long line every time I am at the zoo, I have never been in the Reptile Building, so I will not comment.
Invertebrates
The Invertebrate exhibits are located in the basement of the Reptile Discovery Center. Here, animals are represented from the insects and spiders, to octopus and corals. The invertebrate section is nice, but the exhibits, especially the aquatic displays, are dirty and require maintenance. Displays are small as well. What is nice about this section is that it includes a walk through butterfly exhibit called Pollination. A number of butterfly species fly around in this colorful garden.
Think Tank
The Think Tank is a one of a kind exhibit housing Orangutans and Sulawesi Macaque. Here children can play tug of war with an orangutan and explore how animals teach and learn. The Think Tank is the oldest building at the zoo, built in 1906. A renovation in 2001, introduced an outdoor Orangutan exhibit, new indoor exhibit for both Orangutans and Macaques, new educational exhibits, and all around impressive facility. This is one of the only sections of the zoo that will not be affected by the Master Plan.
http://www.zoochat.com/612/think-tank-169570/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/think-tank-sulawesi-macaque-exhibit-169571/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/think-tank-169575/
Great Cats
The Great Cats exhibit is composed of three, tiered sections. Three lions and two tigers inhabit the three exhibits. With a water moat and concrete structure, the exhibit is not entirely visually pleasing. However, you do get great views of the lions and tigers. Large outdoor yards with constant outdoor exposure make this an acceptable exhibit.
http://www.zoochat.com/612/great-cats-169578/
Amazonia
The Amazonia building is an indoor rainforest housing sloths, birds, and Golden Lion Tamarins. In the bottom level of the building are a number of large aquariums housing pacu, arapaima, and other South American fish. In another section of the building is an education room where visitors can interact with a giant model of Earth, see research scientists, and learn about the animal world. This is an enjoyable building simply because it is not very crowed because it is off the beaten path, so there are no screaming children. As a part of the Master Plan the entrance will be moved to Olmsted Walk
Beaver Valley
Closed for Renovation. Will open in 2012 with new Seal and Sea Lion exhibit.
http://www.zoochat.com/612/new-seal-sea-lion-exhibit-169621/
Overall
The National Zoo is a very enjoyable zoo with a number of exceptional exhibits. With Asia Trail, the Think Tank, and Amazonia, the National Zoo provided some enjoyable experiences. Within the decade, the zoo will transform itself into one of the world’s best zoo, and it will be an exciting time to see what is in store for the Nation's Zoo.
The Smithsonian National Zoo or National Zoo is located in Rock Creek Park just outside the main city of Washington, D.C. Being a part of the Smithsonian Institution, entrance to the park is free. However, parking at the zoo’s parking lot is $20 for the day. Most pedestrians however, take the Metro which is only 3 blocks away from the zoo’s Connecticut Street Entrance. Currently, the zoo is undergoing a number of large construction and renovation projects that coincide with the Facilities Master Plan, including the Elephant Trails (Opening 2011) and the Renovated Beaver Valley (Opening 2012), so a few sections of the zoo are closed. By the year 2016, the zoo hopes to be the world’s finest.
Asia Trail
The Asia Trail is the strongest and best section of the zoo. Opened in 2007, Asia Trail includes a number of animals including Giant Pandas, Sloth Bears, Clouded Leopards, Red Pandas, Asian Small-Clawed Otters, Fishing Cats, and Giant Salamanders. Each species has a superbly built exhibit that includes a multitude of trees and other vegetation, rocks, logs, and at least some sort of water feature. The Giant Panda exhibits include three outdoor yards and three indoor rooms inside the Giant Panda Research Center. Each of the outdoor panda exhibits recreates the Asian Highlands, so there are plenty of large rocks and many trees and bushes, as well as pools and waterfalls. The Asian Small Clawed Otter exhibit is one of the best, if not the best, in the country. The exhibit includes a pool with a stream that runs through the center of the exhibit. Unlike a number of otter exhibits, trees and bushes are used throughout the exhibit. There is nothing negative about these exhibits, except that it can be very hard to find the animals.
http://www.zoochat.com/612/sloth-bear-exhibit-asia-trail-169496/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/giant-panda-tian-tian-asia-trail-169489/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/giant-panda-exhibit-asia-trail-169486/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/giant-panda-exhibit-asia-trail-169487/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/asian-small-clawed-otter-exhibit-asia-169466/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/asian-small-clawed-otter-exhibit-asia-169463/
Bird House
The Bird House was built in 1927 and includes the Great Flight Exhibit, adjacent to the Bird House. Bird species are split up into regions from around the world; however that was not very clear. Many of the exhibits were closed for renovations. The outside section of the bird house includes a number of ponds to exhibit ducks and geese. Towards the rear of the Bird House are outdoor yards that provide plenty of space for cranes, flamingos, and other large birds. Connected to the Bird House is the Great Flight Exhibit. From the outside, the exhibit looks impressive. However, once inside it is hard to spot the birds, and for such a big exhibit, I was expecting more birds. Overall the Bird House was enjoyable, but nothing spectacular. FYI: The Bird House is due for a major overhaul in the next few years.
http://www.zoochat.com/612/bird-house-great-flight-exhibit-169529/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/bird-house-flamingo-169524/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/bird-house-rosette-spoonbill-scarlet-ibis-169520/
Cheetah Conservation Station
Here at the Cheetah Conservation Station is only a female Cheetah named Tumai. Also here are Grevy’s Zebra, Scimitar-horned Oryx, Dama Gazelles, and Maned Wolves. The Cheetah exhibit is spectacular with three yards of open space which include fallen trees and tall grasses. Why only one Cheetah you may ask? Tumai has given birth to nine cubs in her lifetime and in order to provide more room for the five cheetahs at the Conservation and Research Center in Fort Royal Virginia, she was moved to the zoo. The Zebra, Oryx, Gazelle, and Maned Wolf exhibit are nice, but nothing as great as the Cheetah exhibit. Not a lot is done to conceal backup areas, electric fencing, metal fencing, and exhibit separation, which is really the only bad part of this section.
http://www.zoochat.com/612/cheetah-conservation-station-tumai-169538/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/cheetah-conservation-station-169535/
Elephant Trails
The Elephant Trails section of the zoo will be spectacular with three habitats and an exercise trek. The new barn addition is very nice and includes sand flooring. The Community Center is under construction inside the old Elephant Barn and will give the elephants a nice open indoor exhibit. The outdoor yards are large and two of the three yards includes a pool. As for viewing opportunities, this will be one of the plusses of the exhibit. The bridge that links Asia Trail to the Bird House goes right over Habitat 3, so seeing an elephant from a “bird’s eye view” will give guests a neat perspective. The exhibit also includes the elephant outpost and the elephant exercise trek. The exercise trek is on an incline and connects to the upper part of the outdoor Bird exhibits. The trek is pavement and dead ends so the elephants, with their trainer’s guidance, will have to turn around. Phase I, which includes Habitat 2 and 3, the Elephant Outpost, Elephant Trek, and Barn will open Labor Day 2010. Phase II includes Elephant Community Center and Habitat 3 and will open in 2011.
http://www.zoochat.com/612/elephant-trails-169505/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/elephant-trails-169501/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/elephant-trails-169498/
Great Ape House
The Great Ape House was constructed in 1980 and includes five indoor enclosures for Western Lowland Gorillas and Orangutans. The indoor exhibits are nice and clean and include large fake trees in each one. Plenty of enrichment items such as blankets, balls, and crates filled with fruit provides the gorillas and orangutans with some fun. The numerous skylights and large glass panels from the floor to the ceiling allow plenty of light into the exhibits. The outdoor exhibit includes one large exhibit for gorillas and the O-Line for orangutans. The gorilla exhibit includes some trees, bamboo, bushes, concrete tubes, and one large climbing structure. The exhibit is in no way compared to the Bronx Zoo’s Congo Gorilla Forest, but it is better than most gorilla exhibits at zoos. The O-Line for the orangutans is a series of towers and lines that connect the orangutan exhibit at the Great Ape House to the Think Tank. This gives the orangutans plenty of enrichments and it shows visitors how these animals swing through trees in the wild.
http://www.zoochat.com/612/great-ape-house-169553/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/great-ape-house-orangutan-exhibit-o-169551/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/great-ape-house-gorilla-exhibit-169547/
Small Mammal House
The Small Mammal House was built in 1937 and includes some very good exhibits, including the zoo’s Golden Lion Tamarin breeding program. Mammal species here include lemurs, meerkats, naked mole rats, prehensile porcupines, and many species of monkeys. Being an old building, a number of exhibit are too small for their inhabitants. However, the Tamarin and Lemur exhibits have skylights, plenty of vegetation, and plenty of space.
http://www.zoochat.com/612/small-mammal-house-golden-lion-tamarin-169599/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/small-mammal-house-lemur-exhibit-169595/
Reptile Discovery Center
In order to enter this 1931 building, visitors must wait in line until an attendant allows you to enter. Because of the long line every time I am at the zoo, I have never been in the Reptile Building, so I will not comment.
Invertebrates
The Invertebrate exhibits are located in the basement of the Reptile Discovery Center. Here, animals are represented from the insects and spiders, to octopus and corals. The invertebrate section is nice, but the exhibits, especially the aquatic displays, are dirty and require maintenance. Displays are small as well. What is nice about this section is that it includes a walk through butterfly exhibit called Pollination. A number of butterfly species fly around in this colorful garden.
Think Tank
The Think Tank is a one of a kind exhibit housing Orangutans and Sulawesi Macaque. Here children can play tug of war with an orangutan and explore how animals teach and learn. The Think Tank is the oldest building at the zoo, built in 1906. A renovation in 2001, introduced an outdoor Orangutan exhibit, new indoor exhibit for both Orangutans and Macaques, new educational exhibits, and all around impressive facility. This is one of the only sections of the zoo that will not be affected by the Master Plan.
http://www.zoochat.com/612/think-tank-169570/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/think-tank-sulawesi-macaque-exhibit-169571/
http://www.zoochat.com/612/think-tank-169575/
Great Cats
The Great Cats exhibit is composed of three, tiered sections. Three lions and two tigers inhabit the three exhibits. With a water moat and concrete structure, the exhibit is not entirely visually pleasing. However, you do get great views of the lions and tigers. Large outdoor yards with constant outdoor exposure make this an acceptable exhibit.
http://www.zoochat.com/612/great-cats-169578/
Amazonia
The Amazonia building is an indoor rainforest housing sloths, birds, and Golden Lion Tamarins. In the bottom level of the building are a number of large aquariums housing pacu, arapaima, and other South American fish. In another section of the building is an education room where visitors can interact with a giant model of Earth, see research scientists, and learn about the animal world. This is an enjoyable building simply because it is not very crowed because it is off the beaten path, so there are no screaming children. As a part of the Master Plan the entrance will be moved to Olmsted Walk
Beaver Valley
Closed for Renovation. Will open in 2012 with new Seal and Sea Lion exhibit.
http://www.zoochat.com/612/new-seal-sea-lion-exhibit-169621/
Overall
The National Zoo is a very enjoyable zoo with a number of exceptional exhibits. With Asia Trail, the Think Tank, and Amazonia, the National Zoo provided some enjoyable experiences. Within the decade, the zoo will transform itself into one of the world’s best zoo, and it will be an exciting time to see what is in store for the Nation's Zoo.