I've been going to the Houston Zoo since as early as I can remember (1995ish) and I vaguely remember there were two tiger exhibits. The current one that held and currently holds Indochinese(Malayan) Tigers and another large moat exhibit that is where Africa Live is currently. Also I remember you could walk up stairs and view this exhibit from above? Anyway wasn't there some Siberian tigers in that moat area? I just always remember it being empty on most visits, but the old green map had a picture of a tiger. Also some of the signs had pictures of white tigers but I never saw any whites. Some old article also said that a zookeeper was killed by a Siberian tiger in 88, and the zoo had like 8 tigers total back then. If anyone knows the recent tiger history of the Houston Zoo it'd be much appreciated ! Thanks! (Big Cat Fan).
Houston Zoo Tiger History?
- Thread starter JRG2491
- Start date
Yes, the first time I visited there were indeed two exhibits just as you describe. I believe the now-demolished one was listed as alternating between a white tiger and some siberian tigers. Just as you mention, however, I saw neither out. Since there were no cats, I have no photos of that exhibit. However, I believe I do have a slide of an educational display on tigers that was in a shaded area just to the right of that old exhibit. If you plead and beg, maybe I will go to the trouble of digging it out and copying it to post here.
BTW, I see this is your first post, so welcome to ZooChat!
Thanks! And wow if you had a pic of that educational sign that'd be great and a childhood flashback for sure. I like the new improvements to the zoo but I do miss how it used to look. For me the children's zoo is still all the way in the back lol. Even though it was just a petting zoo and a small aquarium with Gar and a snapping turtle. Also the old maned wolf/jaguar exhibit was behind the old tiger moat where it was fogged up glass and they had dog houses.
Can you find this sign pic? There is no history of this exhibit on the internet at all as far as I know. Which is surprising because it wasn't demolished until 2008
OK, I found the slide in my slide binders. Since I do not have a scan of it, I just photographed the slide on my light table with a macro lens. It is posted in the gallery here: http://www.zoochat.com/572/tiger-education-display-393137/
It was in an alcove next to the exhibit, so I am afraid it does not show any part of the actual animal exhibit.
It was in an alcove next to the exhibit, so I am afraid it does not show any part of the actual animal exhibit.
Thanks for posting! Brings back memories. IF I remember correctly, that display was to the right (facing the exhibit) then you continued walking left and the large exhibit was right there. It also mirrors the present lion exhibit. Do you have a circa 98 map of the Houston Zoo? Should be green in color.
No, I do not save maps. But you are correct, this display was to the right as you face the exhibit.