The Washington D.C. Zoo, also known as the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, has made a bold claim on their website. Under the heading of future plans, they have a link to "strategic plans" that contains the announcement that they plan to be the best zoo in the world by 2016. Impressive statement to say the least. I've never been to the eastern seaboard of the United States, but there are countless zoos of note in the general area of the U.S. capital city. What is great about the National Zoo is that it is free for visitors, has over 2,000 animals, and its future plans are definitely worth a look for anyone who is a fan of zoos.
After years of controversy with several key animal deaths and the resignations of board members, the zoo announced (around 2003) an enormous influx of cash from the American government. After a couple of years of construction they opened a Wild Asia section in October 2006. It features giant pandas, sloth bears, red pandas, Japanese giant salamanders, clouded leopards, fishing cats and asian small-clawed otters. This entire project cost $53 million and on the Zoolex website there are lengthy and informative postings with all of the details of this section of the zoo.
Asian elephants are up next, and the zoo is currently under construction on a huge, 3-habitat enclosure for its pachyderms. Work will continue on the exhibits until its grand unveiling in 2011, and by then there will be a number of elephants added to the collection and more than likely a significant boost in attendance. The enclosure is to be called "Trail of the Elephants", and will have a winding, forested pathway that is an offshoot of the main 3 habitats. Their website has a lot of useful information in regards to what is planned for this project, and since it's still almost 4 years away from opening there will be plenty of buzz generated in the zoo community.
Many newspapers in North America have carried tiny articles on the progression of this zoo, and it is intriguing to note that attendance isn't the enormous concern as it is at practically every single other zoo on the planet. The U.S. government is more than happy to pour millions into new projects, and so if the trend continues then maybe by 2016 the Washington D.C. Zoo can call itself one of the leaders in its field.
Also: At the AZA (American Zoo and Aquarium Association) Awards for 2006 the Wild Asia section at the Washington Zoo won second place for Best New Exhibit. The winner was the $20 million "Big Cat Falls" at the Philadelphia Zoo, which has snow leopards, lions, tigers, jaguars and cougars in a series of connected exhibits.
After years of controversy with several key animal deaths and the resignations of board members, the zoo announced (around 2003) an enormous influx of cash from the American government. After a couple of years of construction they opened a Wild Asia section in October 2006. It features giant pandas, sloth bears, red pandas, Japanese giant salamanders, clouded leopards, fishing cats and asian small-clawed otters. This entire project cost $53 million and on the Zoolex website there are lengthy and informative postings with all of the details of this section of the zoo.
Asian elephants are up next, and the zoo is currently under construction on a huge, 3-habitat enclosure for its pachyderms. Work will continue on the exhibits until its grand unveiling in 2011, and by then there will be a number of elephants added to the collection and more than likely a significant boost in attendance. The enclosure is to be called "Trail of the Elephants", and will have a winding, forested pathway that is an offshoot of the main 3 habitats. Their website has a lot of useful information in regards to what is planned for this project, and since it's still almost 4 years away from opening there will be plenty of buzz generated in the zoo community.
Many newspapers in North America have carried tiny articles on the progression of this zoo, and it is intriguing to note that attendance isn't the enormous concern as it is at practically every single other zoo on the planet. The U.S. government is more than happy to pour millions into new projects, and so if the trend continues then maybe by 2016 the Washington D.C. Zoo can call itself one of the leaders in its field.
Also: At the AZA (American Zoo and Aquarium Association) Awards for 2006 the Wild Asia section at the Washington Zoo won second place for Best New Exhibit. The winner was the $20 million "Big Cat Falls" at the Philadelphia Zoo, which has snow leopards, lions, tigers, jaguars and cougars in a series of connected exhibits.
At some point, someone is going to have to try and claim the title.
, are there any of their rhinos 
