Smithsonian National Zoo Washington, D.C. Zoo

snowleopard said:
@okapikpr = King of the site plans! Cheers for posting the links, and of course Asia Trail is arguably one of the best zoo exhibits in North America. The seal/sea lion/pelican plans look to be impressive, and there is already a couple of large pools for the pinnipeds at the zoo. All that needs to be done is to spruce the area up a bit, to the tune of a few million dollars.
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That is pretty much what is happening.
 
When I went the seal lion pool was alreayd extremley good, it just needs a bit more land space and some refurbishing.The seal pool was'nt as great as the pool anbd land space was a bit small.Hopefully they get a better exhibit but by the looks of it all it should be amazing
 
Wow that Asian Trails "masterplan" is quite simply the best I've ever seen..!
 
MARK said:
Was there a date set for the new Asian elephant exhibit to be finished, also would anyone know how far along the project has come yet?
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I was there the weekend just gone and having seen your previous post took some pictures of the latest construction, which I just posted. I will post my pictures of the new gorilla baby and anteater baby when I get chance.
 
Does anyone have a plan or know where I could find a plan of the panda house at national zoo?
 
This is all fantastic news. I was there in September 2005, before Asia Trails opened. At that time, the zoo was a huge disappointment. There was not one single standout exhibit (except maybe panda yard, which was better than panda yards at San Diego & Memphis). The pachycerm house was absolutely atrocious, something out of the 1800's.

But from the photos I've seen, Asia Trails is very nice and if they continue with that trend on these new exhibits, it could be turned into a great zoo. If I was a zoo director, I would never throw around the term "World's Best," as that just seems to be asking for unnecessarily harsh criticisms and comparisms. Perhaps "World Class" would be a better term.
 
My partner and I are thinking about to take a trip to Washington D.C. in January. I wanted to go to the zoo, but I was curious about the viewing limitations because it will be winter. I'm not real familiar with the weather/temperature there in January, but if anyone in the area could tell let me know what animals are usually off exhibit or mostly in their indoor exhibit. I would love to see the orangutans climbing on the O-line, but I have a feeling it will be too cold for them to be outside.

Thanks!
 
Of the four zoos in the U.S. that house giant pandas, they have the only good exhibit. Pandas in the snow would be reason enough to visit.
 
Pandas are a main reason for me to go to the zoo and I just read that they can be very active in the snow. But do you know if there are any animals off exhibit because of the season? I do like that it won't be as busy.
 
I think, there wll be no chance to see the orang utans using the o-line. Most zoos in the world don't let their apes out of the indoor exhibits in winter because its too "cold".

So the same with hippos and tapirs.
 
MARK said:
Any news in regards to how the new Elephant exhibit is coming a long?
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Phase 1 is basically complete, opening this fall, they are about a month into acclimating the elephants to the new exhibits/barn

Phase 1 will include 2 expansive yards, a new barn and a couple other features I can't remember (I think the walking trail is one)
 
Does the zoo not have proper staffing for the beginning of off season? I had a friend who visited the zoo today and she told me the Elephant exhibit and Small Mammal House were both closed off to the public and she heard that the Andean Bear exhibit is only open during the weekends. Or are these areas going under construction?
 
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