San Diego Zoo Safari Park The Future of the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park
- Thread starter Ituri
- Start date
The current tiger exhibit is probably in the top 3 in North America in terms of size, with perhaps only the Minnesota and Bronx zoos having larger habitats...but the viewing opportunities are definitely not the greatest.
If they move Tembo in w/ the Africans she won't get to see Devi or Smitty anymore, her current herd mates. That is sort of sad, but at least she would be w/ her own kind, and hopefully her introduction w/ the young wild herd would go well. Tembo is middle-aged to older (somewhere in between) at 39-40 years old. African elephants typically live to be 50-60 years old wild or captive (if they get the correct care). Look at Petal (from Philly) she managed to live to be 52 in probably the smallest African elephant enclosure in the nation.
mstickmanp
Well-Known Member
I'm surprised they would move Tembo to the park, since she's been at the zoo with the other two asians for a while now. I personally would leave her at the zoo even though she's not asian.
I would too. She has formed close bonds with the Asian. But then again the introduction between her and the Park Asians might not go well and nowadays Asians and Africans are never introduced with each other unless they have been longtime herd mates.
Ii would probably be best to have two elephant herds at the zoo with odyssey is done...the current herd and the park's Asian herd. While I can understand adding Tembo to the park's African herd. Tembo may have difficulties integrating into the park herd and there is a good chance for herpesvirus transfer, since Tembo has lived with Asian Elephants for a long time. I hope San Diego doesnt add Tembo to the park herd.
mstickmanp
Well-Known Member
Good to hear.
Zoogoer2000
Well-Known Member
What I meant to say when I said shrunk was that maybe it would be shrunk so they could be viewed a bit easier,The exhibi twas gigantic though
SDCritter
Active Member
As has been said so far yes the dholes will be in the old lion exhibit. It needs modifications before the dholes move in and they don't want to do it during or right after a breeding season. But that is the plan. The new tiger trails exhibit is still in the planning stages but we know for sure that it will be in the same place as the current tiger exhibit. The other animals in the area have not been confirmed but right now the talk is for just a few species including hornbills that are currently off exhibit but that are unique and people have clamored to see. The binturong is another species being discussed.
As for Tembo as said in ZOONOOZ the idea is to keep her in Elephant Odyssey but the one thing you may not know is that although she has been with the Devi and Smitty for years she is the outcast in the group and is often picked on by the other two girls. So the question being asked is, with new elephants coming to town will Devi and Smitty stand by their old friend Tembo in a united front or will they say hey we've got new friends and join the other Asian herd in picking on Tembo. If so, Tembo's future will be reexamined for what's best for her. For now the plan is to integrate her into the group.
As for Tembo as said in ZOONOOZ the idea is to keep her in Elephant Odyssey but the one thing you may not know is that although she has been with the Devi and Smitty for years she is the outcast in the group and is often picked on by the other two girls. So the question being asked is, with new elephants coming to town will Devi and Smitty stand by their old friend Tembo in a united front or will they say hey we've got new friends and join the other Asian herd in picking on Tembo. If so, Tembo's future will be reexamined for what's best for her. For now the plan is to integrate her into the group.
Im not sure if SDWAP has implemented this new water re-circulation plan, but here is a view of it.
http://www.williamscreek.net/pdfs/WastewaterCaseStudyelectronic.pdf
http://www.williamscreek.net/pdfs/WastewaterCaseStudyelectronic.pdf
Nice post okapikpr, its good to see that the SDWAP has plans for water treatment and such considering we live in a desert and there is a current drought.
I'd like to raise a few issues for the "Future of the SDWAP," they have quite a few undertakings recently, most are rides but there are a few exhibits as well. I'm excited to see Tiger Trails and more theme in the zoo besides that of Africa. It has also been hinted that new exhibits along the Journey into Africa will be opening late this Summer, suggested by Park internet blogs.
Someone also posted in a pic with some hints to future plans of both the SDZ and SDWAP, I think it was Ituri, but I must say the SDWAP plans look by far the best and most ambitious. The species list is full of great animals that I think would really make the SDWAP far better than the SDZ, and possibly the greatest zoo ever if the exhibits are great. I've spoken with park officials and they always tell me of the potential of the park because of its large open space and more dedication to 3rd generation landscape immersion exhibits than the Zoo. I don't know if these plans will be implemented or whether they are being implemented with the Tiger Trail, but they are very extensive with three areas that break off into Americas, Asia, and Africa from 3 gates in an "International Base Camp" area.
My Analysis of the Plans @ Alexor Designs (also, this is what I think the plans say, not saying it will happen for sure):
So blew up the plans with my zoom in option for Firefox, some of the stuff I can read and can't read. Starting with the entrance, the waterfall and aviary looks like it will remain the same, but the aviary will be made into a new lorikeet landing area. There are plenty of educational areas and a new theater. Also things that you'd most likely see at a zoo entrance, shops and restaurants. The back part shows a center area with something that looks like it says "well of life watering hole," some sort of waterpiece and then it branches off into three paths. One leading to Americas, Asia, and Africa.
Americas: by far the easiest to read, The beginning of the trail looks like it will start from the Administrative building and go north east. It says the administrative building will be made into exhibits for small South American animals. These animals include primates, Harpy Eagles, River Otters (hopefully Giant Otters), butterflies, toucan and coati. One exception is a Jaguar exhibit infront of a building for primates and butterflies. Now based onto my knowledge of the park, the area behind that is the service road and maintenance road for the Wgasa Bush Line, which doesn't exist anymore, so it seems like a likely area to build new exhibits. It also may include the pathway to condor ridge, which has nothing but conifers and there a multiple botanical gardens up to the north. (a place where I've heard and seen little but never really explored) The plans then move into a circular area which is labeled "Native American village," so more thematic areas for the SDWAP, there are also paths that go around this area of Tapirs, Pacarana, Mexican or Red Wolves, Bush Dog, Jabiru Stork. The main path looks like it leads through the "Condor Ridge," making it seem like the plans are more realistic. It shows Bald Eagle and Prairie Dogs, which are already there, and added Pronghorn in the part where they have a desert garden right now. At the end there is a place called "Wild California" which may be the same outpost area with California Condors and Desert Bighorn.
Now onto Asia, These plans are the largest and hardest to read and interpret. I can read some of the animals on the right, and do my best. From the beginning it looks like it will start from the old Wgasa station and it starts with Indian Gharials and bunched in you can see some of the Tiger Trail bird species nearby; however, the tiger exhibit in the plans look like it is all the way at the old tiger exhibit. Now the latest ZOONOOZ did say the Tiger exhibit would follow the old Wgasa Bush line railway path, so I think it will somewhere north or northeast of the African Elephants, where it says, "China," in the plans. The India part looks like it is in the old elephant enclosures, but since the park is now holding African elephants and the plans say an Asian Elephant exhibit, I can see some mix-up. So as far as the plans go, there are some theaters in the Asia area, including macaques, gharials, fish, hornbill, stork, flying fox, and a nocturnal animal area. China area (more like Far East area b/c there are Indonesia, Malayan areas), Gibbons Island, Tapir, Fruit bat, komodo dragon, orangutan. In the back there is the Tiger exhibit, which I presume is the area for Tiger trails, and then to the north there are Japanese Sika Deer, Dhole, Western Tufted Deer, and Cranes. And then the overlook for the field exhibits as promised in ZooNooz and Tiger trail plans. The field exhibits also feature some reorganizing of the species along the north side from the random places along the old Wgasa Bush Line. The Przewalksi's Horse are already in that exhibit right now, there are Kiang, Blue Sheep, White-lipped Deer/ Markhor behind them. As far as viewing these exhibits, it doesn't show much plans for viewing them except for the overlook.
Now Africa, these plans do not show the Heart of Africa or Lion Camp, so those will be left alone, which is good, b/c it would be a shame to bulldoze those. It looks like the same Nairobi Village and lagoon to me, it shows maybe some renovation to the current Animal Care center. It also shows the gorilla exhibit in the same place but on the right it says, "New Gorilla Exhibit (Additional)," so I think the plan refers to a possibility of a new gorilla exhibit but not one of high priority. Now here are the few change Hidden Jungle and the new Hornbill enclosures will be converted for African species, and the Gibbon exhibit will include African Eagles. Also the Mobasa Lagoon area with the few exhibits to the south will be made to look more like an African Rainforest. The path leading north in front of Lion Camp will have Primates and Aviaries. There are also some instances of the plan already, The Great Rift Elevator has been built and the playground was renovated, which were all mentioned in the plan. The path to the Great Rift Elevator will be the main path to the Journey into Africa Tour.
Anyway, this is my longest ZooChat post since joining, I'm loving it here and communicating with people who enjoy zoo exhibits like me is very enjoyable. Hopefully there aren't too much typos and such, if anything just ask.
Links and such:
Tiger Trails
San Diego Zoo Donor Clubs
Alexor Design
I'd like to raise a few issues for the "Future of the SDWAP," they have quite a few undertakings recently, most are rides but there are a few exhibits as well. I'm excited to see Tiger Trails and more theme in the zoo besides that of Africa. It has also been hinted that new exhibits along the Journey into Africa will be opening late this Summer, suggested by Park internet blogs.
Someone also posted in a pic with some hints to future plans of both the SDZ and SDWAP, I think it was Ituri, but I must say the SDWAP plans look by far the best and most ambitious. The species list is full of great animals that I think would really make the SDWAP far better than the SDZ, and possibly the greatest zoo ever if the exhibits are great. I've spoken with park officials and they always tell me of the potential of the park because of its large open space and more dedication to 3rd generation landscape immersion exhibits than the Zoo. I don't know if these plans will be implemented or whether they are being implemented with the Tiger Trail, but they are very extensive with three areas that break off into Americas, Asia, and Africa from 3 gates in an "International Base Camp" area.
My Analysis of the Plans @ Alexor Designs (also, this is what I think the plans say, not saying it will happen for sure):
So blew up the plans with my zoom in option for Firefox, some of the stuff I can read and can't read. Starting with the entrance, the waterfall and aviary looks like it will remain the same, but the aviary will be made into a new lorikeet landing area. There are plenty of educational areas and a new theater. Also things that you'd most likely see at a zoo entrance, shops and restaurants. The back part shows a center area with something that looks like it says "well of life watering hole," some sort of waterpiece and then it branches off into three paths. One leading to Americas, Asia, and Africa.
Americas: by far the easiest to read, The beginning of the trail looks like it will start from the Administrative building and go north east. It says the administrative building will be made into exhibits for small South American animals. These animals include primates, Harpy Eagles, River Otters (hopefully Giant Otters), butterflies, toucan and coati. One exception is a Jaguar exhibit infront of a building for primates and butterflies. Now based onto my knowledge of the park, the area behind that is the service road and maintenance road for the Wgasa Bush Line, which doesn't exist anymore, so it seems like a likely area to build new exhibits. It also may include the pathway to condor ridge, which has nothing but conifers and there a multiple botanical gardens up to the north. (a place where I've heard and seen little but never really explored) The plans then move into a circular area which is labeled "Native American village," so more thematic areas for the SDWAP, there are also paths that go around this area of Tapirs, Pacarana, Mexican or Red Wolves, Bush Dog, Jabiru Stork. The main path looks like it leads through the "Condor Ridge," making it seem like the plans are more realistic. It shows Bald Eagle and Prairie Dogs, which are already there, and added Pronghorn in the part where they have a desert garden right now. At the end there is a place called "Wild California" which may be the same outpost area with California Condors and Desert Bighorn.
Now onto Asia, These plans are the largest and hardest to read and interpret. I can read some of the animals on the right, and do my best. From the beginning it looks like it will start from the old Wgasa station and it starts with Indian Gharials and bunched in you can see some of the Tiger Trail bird species nearby; however, the tiger exhibit in the plans look like it is all the way at the old tiger exhibit. Now the latest ZOONOOZ did say the Tiger exhibit would follow the old Wgasa Bush line railway path, so I think it will somewhere north or northeast of the African Elephants, where it says, "China," in the plans. The India part looks like it is in the old elephant enclosures, but since the park is now holding African elephants and the plans say an Asian Elephant exhibit, I can see some mix-up. So as far as the plans go, there are some theaters in the Asia area, including macaques, gharials, fish, hornbill, stork, flying fox, and a nocturnal animal area. China area (more like Far East area b/c there are Indonesia, Malayan areas), Gibbons Island, Tapir, Fruit bat, komodo dragon, orangutan. In the back there is the Tiger exhibit, which I presume is the area for Tiger trails, and then to the north there are Japanese Sika Deer, Dhole, Western Tufted Deer, and Cranes. And then the overlook for the field exhibits as promised in ZooNooz and Tiger trail plans. The field exhibits also feature some reorganizing of the species along the north side from the random places along the old Wgasa Bush Line. The Przewalksi's Horse are already in that exhibit right now, there are Kiang, Blue Sheep, White-lipped Deer/ Markhor behind them. As far as viewing these exhibits, it doesn't show much plans for viewing them except for the overlook.
Now Africa, these plans do not show the Heart of Africa or Lion Camp, so those will be left alone, which is good, b/c it would be a shame to bulldoze those. It looks like the same Nairobi Village and lagoon to me, it shows maybe some renovation to the current Animal Care center. It also shows the gorilla exhibit in the same place but on the right it says, "New Gorilla Exhibit (Additional)," so I think the plan refers to a possibility of a new gorilla exhibit but not one of high priority. Now here are the few change Hidden Jungle and the new Hornbill enclosures will be converted for African species, and the Gibbon exhibit will include African Eagles. Also the Mobasa Lagoon area with the few exhibits to the south will be made to look more like an African Rainforest. The path leading north in front of Lion Camp will have Primates and Aviaries. There are also some instances of the plan already, The Great Rift Elevator has been built and the playground was renovated, which were all mentioned in the plan. The path to the Great Rift Elevator will be the main path to the Journey into Africa Tour.
Anyway, this is my longest ZooChat post since joining, I'm loving it here and communicating with people who enjoy zoo exhibits like me is very enjoyable. Hopefully there aren't too much typos and such, if anything just ask.
Links and such:
Tiger Trails
San Diego Zoo Donor Clubs
Alexor Design
Great analysis, thanks for posting that. I've been going through meticulously trying to translate all of the individual lines in that. I thought the Asian elephant thing was either a mistake, or an outdated or poorly informed plan. But there are a lot of great things in there in the plan. And I definitely agree that the SD WAP's plan (at least the portion we are privy to) is better than the SD ZOO's plan (at least the portion we're privy to.) I wonder if the new wayfinding system and renaming of areas changes any of those plans. If not why didn't they name Urban Jungle something akin to African Savannah?
In a ZOONOOZ they said they were going to rearrange some animals in the SDZ. They also recently acquired a pair of Yellow Footed Rock Wallabies which are in the old goat exhibits. They might move them near the australia area pretty soon. Also whats weird is that the "Bear Canyon" is in the new "Outback" area which doesn't make much sense, and I don't think they have any planes to change Bear Canyon with a newer Sun Bear forest at the end of it.
Yeah, I'm saying that they probably won't change the upper part of bear canyon anytime soon because Sun Bear Forest was an update to lower part of it.