FDA inspection lists.
This or That: San Diego Zoo or Safari Park?
- Thread starter IndianRhino
- Start date
Habitat Comparison #3:
This next featured species is one that is largely unknown to most of the world, most regular zoo-goers look at this species and go “Woah, look at that zebra-horse!” without even taking a glance at the signage nearby that clearly states that this is an Okapi. While this species may be unknown to most of the general public, the breeding and care for these animals is far from unknown for both SDZ and SDZSP. Both facilities have had wonderful success breeding okapi and have habitats that stand out, each in their own way. This was another difficult decision, look below for images and descriptions of both habitats.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s okapi habitat is a large and grassy yard located in African Woods. There are a few trees scattered around the habitat as well as a few shade structures and some logs. There is also a small pen located to the left, home to a pair of red river hogs that were formerly housed with the okapi. This didn’t end well so they were separated but the okapi still interact regularly with the RRH through the mesh door. A very nice aspect of this habitat is that guests can walk along the entirety of the very large yard so they can get multiple views of the species and have a better chance of spotting the animals. The only downside to this otherwise large and excellent okapi habitat is, like with the gorilla habitat, the lack of more trees and foliage that would more accurately replicate the wild habitats of okapi.
Okapi Habitat - African Woods - ZooChat
San Diego Zoo’s okapi habitat is located right by the hippo habitat in Lost Forest and the okapi regularly interact with the hippos through the mesh gate dividing their habitats. This habitat is smaller than the park’s habitat but as usual, the zoo did a better job planting their habitat than the park. While the floor of this habitat is just dirt, there are numerous trees and stumps that are planted all around the habitat. Another thing is that, unlike the park, the zoo’s okapi are regularly mixed with another species, the black duiker. This allows for a more enriching lifestyle as the okapi regularly interact with both the duiker and the nearby hippo. The downsides to this habitat are the visible fence separating the yard from the hippo yard and the rockwork on the other side; it would’ve been nice if they added some trees, vines, or other plants there to better conceal it.
Okapi and Black Duiker Habitat - Lost Forest - ZooChat
Like with the gorilla comparison, foliage and how well planted the habitats were, played an important role in my decision. I ended up choosing the zoo’s habitat because even though it is clearly smaller than the park’s habitat, it much more closely replicates natural habitat and allows the animals to interact with duiker (in the same physical space) and hippo (through a gate) which provides for a more enriching and enhancing lifestyle for their okapi. I suspect this one may be one that people will disagree on so as I said earlier feel free to discuss this and let me know why you think otherwise.
I like the Zoo's habitat better as well personally. Even if it isn't as large as the Safari Park's, it's still a sizeable enclosure and I like the addition of live trees. When I first visited they also had a number of Okapi in here mixed with Black Duiker which is another favorite species of mine.
~Thylo
~Thylo
I'd go with the zoo, but I'm a huge fan of the tropical plantings and the feeling of getting lost in certain areas.
The Safari Park is almost literally one of a kind. My only issue with it is less about me and more about the fact that I visited with my (at the time) 5-year-old son. It's a lot of walking with a lot less shade and fewer things to see between major exhibits. On a hot day, you're going to cook in the sun at the Safari park. That shouldn't deter hardened zoo nerds, but some people might not love that particular aspect.
The Safari Park is almost literally one of a kind. My only issue with it is less about me and more about the fact that I visited with my (at the time) 5-year-old son. It's a lot of walking with a lot less shade and fewer things to see between major exhibits. On a hot day, you're going to cook in the sun at the Safari park. That shouldn't deter hardened zoo nerds, but some people might not love that particular aspect.
40 species sounds really high, do you have a list or is this an estimate? There are still only a handful of places they could exhibit fish species.
~Thylo
splendens
Well-Known Member
Sorry that was a rough estimate I probably over estimated. I counted about 6 species in the penguin tank, there are the koi, at least 3 native fish in elephant odyssey, barbs, monos, archer fish and more in one of the aviaries, at least 3 cichlids in a tank next to the hippos, mosquito fish and more cichlids in the hippo tank, a few including catfish if i remember correctly in africa rocks. Not an expert on cichlids but I saw many seperate species I believe.
Owens Aviary also has a small pond tank that has had about 5–10 species in the past, any still in there?
splendens
Well-Known Member
Yep it has a few including barbs, scats, archer fish and more.
This is quite a comparison! I'm not sure which one I like more!Habitat Comparison #3:
This next featured species is one that is largely unknown to most of the world, most regular zoo-goers look at this species and go “Woah, look at that zebra-horse!” without even taking a glance at the signage nearby that clearly states that this is an Okapi. While this species may be unknown to most of the general public, the breeding and care for these animals is far from unknown for both SDZ and SDZSP. Both facilities have had wonderful success breeding okapi and have habitats that stand out, each in their own way. This was another difficult decision, look below for images and descriptions of both habitats.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s okapi habitat is a large and grassy yard located in African Woods. There are a few trees scattered around the habitat as well as a few shade structures and some logs. There is also a small pen located to the left, home to a pair of red river hogs that were formerly housed with the okapi. This didn’t end well so they were separated but the okapi still interact regularly with the RRH through the mesh door. A very nice aspect of this habitat is that guests can walk along the entirety of the very large yard so they can get multiple views of the species and have a better chance of spotting the animals. The only downside to this otherwise large and excellent okapi habitat is, like with the gorilla habitat, the lack of more trees and foliage that would more accurately replicate the wild habitats of okapi.
Okapi Habitat - African Woods - ZooChat
San Diego Zoo’s okapi habitat is located right by the hippo habitat in Lost Forest and the okapi regularly interact with the hippos through the mesh gate dividing their habitats. This habitat is smaller than the park’s habitat but as usual, the zoo did a better job planting their habitat than the park. While the floor of this habitat is just dirt, there are numerous trees and stumps that are planted all around the habitat. Another thing is that, unlike the park, the zoo’s okapi are regularly mixed with another species, the black duiker. This allows for a more enriching lifestyle as the okapi regularly interact with both the duiker and the nearby hippo. The downsides to this habitat are the visible fence separating the yard from the hippo yard and the rockwork on the other side; it would’ve been nice if they added some trees, vines, or other plants there to better conceal it.
Okapi and Black Duiker Habitat - Lost Forest - ZooChat
Like with the gorilla comparison, foliage and how well planted the habitats were, played an important role in my decision. I ended up choosing the zoo’s habitat because even though it is clearly smaller than the park’s habitat, it much more closely replicates natural habitat and allows the animals to interact with duiker (in the same physical space) and hippo (through a gate) which provides for a more enriching and enhancing lifestyle for their okapi. I suspect this one may be one that people will disagree on so as I said earlier feel free to discuss this and let me know why you think otherwise.