San Diego Zoo Thoughts on San Diego Zoo

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aw101

Well-Known Member
I have heard many great things about the San Diego Zoo, but when I went I was severely disappointed. When I went their newest exhibit was Absolutely Apes, and I did not like this exhibit at all. It was very unnatural in appearance, with steel poles and not much for the orangs to climb on. It was also quite small in area and the siamangs spent a great deal of time on the floor of the exhibit. The monkey enclosures next door seem to be a little small for the number of animals housed within them, to me they would make an exciting outdoor exhibit rather than an indoor one.

Ituri Forest was both good and bad. Hated the hippo/okapi exhibit, I often wonder why the decided to erect the ugly fence between the two exhibits, and not thought of a more natural way to keep the two species separated. The bantang enclosure was rather ugly, the use of the steel poles as a barrier was a bad design choice.

The honey badger was pacing incessantly, as were their sun bears and lions.

I enjoyed the Tiger Forest exhibit, and their reptile mesa was very well designed, I liked how they house their hand raised horn bill with their iguanas. I love their giant panda exhibits, as well as their gorilla and pygmy chimp enclosures. Their African koppe area was also well done.

The enclosures for the mountain goats need an upgrade desperately, so do many of the enclosures in the hoof mesa areas. Overall their collection of animals is amazing but they really do need to improve many of their exhibits.
 
You've made some interesting observations on the San Diego Zoo. I visited in May, 2006, and loved the brand new Monkey Trails exhibit. There were numerous enclosures that had a lot of foliage, surrounded by a wide boardwalk for visitors. You point out a number of excellent exhibits, such as tiger river, gorillas, bonobos, etc.

Some of your disappointments were also like mine: the siamang/orangutan exhibit does not have nearly enough to climb on and every ape was on the ground when I was there. The sun bear forest is actually quite well done, but there was a solitary bear that never once stopped pacing...probably until it dies it will be going back and forth, back and forth.

The large aviaries, fantastic reptile collection, decent polar bear exhibit, and many other enclosures make the San Diego Zoo still one of the best zoos on the planet. It just goes to show that sometimes even the very best collections could use some substantial improvements.
 
Hi..

Monkey Trails was not opened when I went, they were in the process of building it...I would love to visit next time though..it looks amazing..

The polar bear enclosure was very well designed, but I am curious though, I thought the whole area was supposed to house animals from that region such as arctic foxes, but when I went the exhibits housed caracals and pampas cats, what happened to the arctic foxes?

I meant the other sun bear exhibits not sun bear forest that needed improvement, the ones next to the lions. Sun bear forest was quite nice, I was told the bears destroyed all the vegetation in their enclosure.

I loved the flamingo exhibit, it is exactly what Taronga Zoo need!
 
I have found everything the San Diego Zoo has built after Polar Bear Plunge to be disappointing. I love Tiger River and the African Kopje. I was quite disappointed in Ituri Forest. The forest buffalo exhibit looks incredibly unnatural. I agree with the criticism of Absolutely Apes, but would like to add that I also was quite disappointed with Monkey Trails. Just smallish monkey enclosures surrounded by vegetation on the outside of the exhibits and lots of metal and concrete. The old horn-and-hoof mesa enclosures though they
are now gone, were quite small, but held an amazing array of hoofstock. The goat grottos are pathetic. San Diego has always had the problem of too many animals in not enough space.
 
Hopefully with next year's huge, $44 million "Elephant Odyssey" the zoo will create an outstanding exhibit that will satisfy all visitors.
 
My thoughts on San Diego precisely!

As a hoofstock aficionado, their collection can't (couldn't?) be beat, but the setting leaves much to be desired. It is sort of like eating out at a restaurant that serves gourmet food in a cafeteria setting ...

I have visited the zoo five times (or is it six?) over the past decade or so. On my first visit, Hippo Beach (as a stand-alone exhibit) had just been opened, and it blew me out of the water so to speak. It is still one of my favourite zoo exhibits. Ituri had yet to start construction, and so it was just hippos (and a series of wonderful hippos in sand sculpture). If anything, the okapi exhibit detracts from the hippos (in a combination that would never really occur in the wild ...). It would be much better (IMO) if there was a dense hedge separating the exhibits, rather than a highly-visible chainlink fence.

Recently, San Diego has been "pushing the envelope" on exhibitry, but from a concept perspective rather than from a true exhibitry one. A lot of the newer exhibits seem to have started out well, but then had things added on or taken away for practicality's sake (the vertical posts at the edge of Ituri's buffalo exhibit are a case in point ... I guess they were worried about a buffalo jumping/getting pushed over the gunnite wall).

Elephant Odyssey looks to continue this trend ... innovative concept, but the elephant paddock is still going to be long and narrow.

Monkey Trails introduces the whole multilayer approach to exhibitry, but I would concur that very few of the exhibits in it are truly innovative or special in design. My favourite Monkey Trails exhibit is the pygmy hippo/duiker/guenon enclosure, because of the varied topography, different viewing areas, and mixed species. The hippo pool is rather sterile, though.

Regarding the hoofstock, I always found it amazing that their best enclosures (and coolest species) were "off exhibit", including the massive paddocks behind Polar Bear Plunge ("Goat Canyon", or whatever it was originally called) and those above the pandas (visible under Skyfari, if you take the time to look). Herds of 20+ animals (East Caucasian tur, blue sheep, McNeill's deer, Spanish ibex, Calamian deer males, white-lipped deer ... ) in very large, rugged enclosures. Quite a sight to see, especially compared to the ancient grottoes in Cat Canyon.
 
@Ungulate: On my solitary visit to the San Diego Zoo I also noticed the massive exhibits that were not open to the public. The sheer enormity of the collection means that it is difficult to view it all in a single day, and it's mind-boggling to realize just how many other species are behind the scenes.

The cat and bear grottoes are similar to countless other zoos, and I wonder when they will finally update those exhibits and build more modern enclosures?
 
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Ungulate said:
Recently, San Diego has been "pushing the envelope" on exhibitry, but from a concept perspective rather than from a true exhibitry one. A lot of the newer exhibits seem to have started out well, but then had things added on or taken away for practicality's sake
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unfortunately san diego isn't alone here. it happens all the time, in fact more often than not. i'm radically beginning to be "turned off" so-called immersion exhibits for this very reason. conceptually they sound great but when put together fail miserably to convey the feeling your after.

melbourne zoos "trail of the elephants" is supposed to represent a hybrid southeast asian village (mostly thai architecture) with a paddock for domesticated elephants, that borders a rainforest where wild elephants live.

of course the "rainforest paddocks" are just as devoid of vegetation as the "village paddock" and likewise also comprise just as many man-made buildings and objects, so the whole thing whilst conceptually was interesting, fails miserably in practise because the area was too small and too many features continued to be added. melbourne zoo has gone so, "cultural immersion" mad that all the good work of the landscaping team and gardeners is ruined by a plethora of multicoloured, oriental inspired signs and elements.

from the photos i have seen of tarongas new GSO, its looking like that exhibit too is effectively had the "ocean" part of its name belittled by an overkill of giant beach balls, piers, waterplay areas and and sculptures...

whilst i agree that man-made elements are best represented as culturally correct, its worth remembering that its not a license to give up on naturalistic immersion.

yet thats the flavour at the moment.

yuk!


its a damn shame, because you would think by now that design teams would get it.
 
I agree patrick. Melbournes gorilla forest is way better because every cage is just natural and there are no buildings in sight but you get to the asia trails has gone cultual overkill and you feel like your in am old fashioned asian zoo.
 
yep! thats because melbourne's african rainforest was created in 90's before the trend went all about "cultural immersion". back then the idea was to immerse the visitor in the animals natural habitat, not the culture of its country of origin.

i wonder what the sandiego zoo is going to do with its elephant odessey. the idea is to recreate a prehistoric californian landscape. whilst i think its conceptually fascinating i wonder how well it will work in practise...
 
I think zoos should just try to recreate the natural habitat of the elephants, for Asian elephants this could be a clearing surrounded by tall trees fitted with hot wires, and some hardy plants within the exhibit itself...I do not like the idea of a logging camp or a rice paddock like at the Melbourne Zoo.....

Zoos should just aim to recreate the animal's natural environment, and not really focus on unnecessary theming unless it's done to the extent of Animal Kingdom which is amazing, but few zoos have as big a budget as Disney,

I love the African elephant enclosure at the SD Wild Animal Park, it's just a large expanse of area, with rock work to provide shade, and it also slopes a little bit to give them exercise. Something similar for Asian elephants would be ideal.
 
aw101 said:
I think zoos should just try to recreate the natural habitat of the elephants, for Asian elephants this could be a clearing surrounded by tall trees fitted with hot wires, and some hardy plants within the exhibit itself...
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i think you'll find there are no plants "hardy enough" to cope with life in an elephant exhibit.

aw101 said:
I do not like the idea of a logging camp or a rice paddock like at the Melbourne Zoo.....
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melbournes zoos exhibit is not meant to represent either of these things. the first paddock is supposed to be part of the village. you will not the elephants pool is designed not as a natural watersource, but as a rustic concrete tank with a fountain.

the other two exhibits are supposed to represent the forest. of course, all have thai inspired buildings adjoining. steel rope and pole fencing. dead trees for scratching and the "village paddock" now has a imposing ugly steel framed shade structure in it and the bull's rainforest paddock has a thai-style version of the same thing. and of course all three are dustbowls.

unfortunately they all look pretty damn similar to me...and don't immerse me in much at all!
 
aw101 said:
When I went their newest exhibit was Absolutely Apes, and I did not like this exhibit at all. It was very unnatural in appearance, with steel poles and not much for the orangs to climb on. It was also quite small in area and the siamangs spent a great deal of time on the floor of the exhibit.
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Hi all. I understand your points of view but have to say that overall the San Diego Zoo has some great exhibits. You have to remember a couple of things, the exhibits have to be designed with an individual species in mind and the general public as well. The truth is that the people in this forum, well we're a little special and we like the really unique critters while the general public sees one antelope and thinks they're all the same including those that are actually deer or goats!

Having said this Absolutely Apes is actually a fabulous exhibit. I do not like the tinted glass but I do like the being able to see the animals from floor to ceiling. Your comments that the animals are not often climbing is only partially true. Most of the times when I see them half of the animals are high above. But those that are the ground are usually relaxing or eating which tells me one very important thing, the exhibit is a good design or else they would be high above where they felt safe rather than on the ground where they are vulnerable.

Also, if you ever watch Ape Cam (live every day on the Zoo's Website) you'll see the orangs and the siamangs swinging away and better yet playing with each other. I personally have witnessed the baby siamang riding "piggy back" style on the young male orang's shoulders and another time saw the baby standing on a female orang's head. If they design didn't work for them they wouldn't be having such a great time.

Regarding the metal. I agree, it's not as attractive as live trees but orangs and siamangs are not easy on the plants. I think the zoo is right in spending money on designs that will outlast the animals strengths or else they would be spending their money or replanting the exhibit rather than knocking down old exhibits like those grotto style exhibits that we all know have to go -- but come on we know it takes time and money to redesign an entire zoo and they're doing slowly but surely!

Let me give you an example. When they were designing Absolutely Apes they put in a concrete termite mound in the orang exhibit to test the product's strength. The adult male orang grabbed the 500-pound concrete mound by an "aerial root" -- now the whole thing was secured with heavy metal chains -- and with one arm moved it with such ease that was both astonishing and inspiring! :eek:So they went back to square one and tried more products including fake vines for climbing, ropes etc. What you see is the best there was at the time of construction.

Granted there are some items that just seem unnatural but safety of animals, guests and employees is more important that 100 percent natural items I think. Oh and as far as Monkey Trails, it's gorgeous now that all the smaller plants have grown in. Particularly inside the animal exhibits because it is a great deal more natural looking. When exhibits first open they're great because they're new but see it again a year or so later and that's when the true beauty is exposed. The animals have settled in and the plants are flourishing.

I love the San Diego Zoo. But I also agree that simplicity is sometimes just as wonderful like the African elephants at the Wild Animal Park and those large field enclosures. Simple yet very real. It's still my favorite Zoo!:)
 
patrick said:
i wonder what the sandiego zoo is going to do with its elephant odessey. the idea is to recreate a prehistoric californian landscape. whilst i think its conceptually fascinating i wonder how well it will work in practise...
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It will definitely open more options for different exhibit themes, apart from the standard zoogeographic and taxanomic. The Virginia Aquarium in Norfolk, VA is creating a similar themed exhibit based on modern species representing prehistoric life. I would like to see an Eastern US zoo try this, especially since fossilized Red Pandas have been found in Tennessee.
 
@SD Critter: I enjoyed your long and heartfelt response to all of us who were disappointed with the "Absolutely Apes" exhibit. Melbourne Zoo in Australia opened a brand new orangutan exhibit that has siamangs in a parallel enclosure, and both enclosures are mainly full of unnatural climbing structures. The swaying poles, wooden beams, and thick ropes are terrific for the apes, and apparently they spend a lot of time off the ground. Once the vegetation grows in with the orangs then I think it will be a long-lasting, brilliant exhibit.

At the San Diego Zoo I loved the massive viewing windows on the "Absolutely Apes" exhibit, especially for a busy zoo that needs large spaces for the immense crowds. But these apes are arboreal, and in the wild spend a huge portion of their lives off the ground. Zoos like San Diego are encouraging them to sit on the grass or lounge on boulders, and I'd just love to see many more climbing structures for them.
 
Another complaint I had about San Diego, geography.

Freshwater crocs in a "Southeast Asian rain forest", or worse, red pandas and Arabian wild cats in an "Arctic tundra"? And the field exhibits at the park are just as bad, instead of naming them "East Africa" "South Africa" and the like they should just be "Savannah 1" "Savannah 2" because it's very misleading geographically speaking.
 
hi SDcritter.

not to be nasty but i feel like your long response doesn't hold up much. that is to say that none of, your reasons given are still an excuse for poor design. now don't get me wrong i haven't even been to san diego, but if you don't mind me saying - comments like..

SDCritter said:
...But those that are the ground are usually relaxing or eating which tells me one very important thing, the exhibit is a good design or else they would be high above where they felt safe rather than on the ground where they are vulnerable.
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is a bit nonsensical to me. i can easily reverse that back and say "the apes clearly feel vulnerable and exposed on the climbing structures and thus spend a lot of time on the ground which is unnatural"

truth is, it doesn't hurt them to be on the ground, but should you design an exhibit well, these zoo-bred animals will take preference to their arboreal ancestral lifestyle once more. thats not only good exercise but thats what the public likes too. if the inhabitants of absolutely apes not only spend much time on the ground, but that the exhibit is actually designed in a way that encourages this (and it sounds like it is with ground level glass windows) then i think its totally fair to criticise the design as being uninspiring.

personally, i dislike most orangutan exhibits because they are always so barren. i know they present certain challenges, but i'm yet to see a zoo other than singapore that has created anything even remotely naturalistic - and its worth mentioning no zoo comes even close to singapore. melbourne's new exhibit, which snowleopard mentions, is highly practical. it features thin upright, closely spaces poles covering almost the entire space. for a bunch of apes that have spent most of their lives sitting on grass in their old exhibit the zoo certainly has succeeded in getting them off the ground. why walk when you can brachiate?

but for me the challange is to hide practicality with naturalistic facade and keep it looking real. currently most zoos don't even seem to try. choosing against even trying to attempt to protect a live tree, instead selecting barren sites and hardly even attempting plantings other than grass.

boring!
 
It is truly difficult to design exhibits that will please both the captive animals and the animals that stand and gawk at the inhabitants. But nothing is more frustrating than to sit at an orangutan enclosure and read a sign that says something like "these apes spend all of their lives amongst the treetops" while watching a pair of orangs slumped against the glass with barely anything to climb on. I am 100% supportive of mixed-exhibits and rotating exhibits, and so I applaud San Diego for kickstarting the siamang/orangutan pairing.

The same goes for many other species: I've seen a pair of chimps sitting in front of a sign that said "these apes can exist in family groups of up to 30 individuals". Or a tiger enclosure with a tiny puddle of water: "these big cats adore swimming in freshwater lakes".
 
I wasn't particularly thrilled with the "Absolutely Apes" exhibit at the San Diego Zoo, and yet there are numerous other mixed-species enclosures both at the zoo and the wild animal park that are brilliant. Overall it is still a remarkable experience to spend a day at the famous zoo. Those of us that have visited can nitpick and make a list of possible improvements, but at the end of the day it is still one of the world's truly great zoos.

For those who were disappointed...what zoos are better? I'm not talking about specific exhibits, but if one were to rank zoos via a list of objective criteria would there really be many that one could place higher than San Diego?

Maybe the Bronx or Singapore???
 
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