Zoo Atlanta Will Giant Pandas Stay At The Zoo?

I've never been to Atlanta; how does it stack up with other zoos? Could it still maintain attendance and presence in Atlanta without them?
 
I visited Zoo Atlanta last summer, and a full review is buried somewhere in the middle of the thread "Snowleopard's Epic Road Trip". There are 3 major attractions at the zoo: 4 giant pandas (only 4 zoos in the U.S. have pandas), 11 orangutans (the most in North America), and over 20 gorillas in 4 different enclosures (approximately tied with the Bronx for most gorillas). Those 3 reasons should be enough to satisfy anyone, but in truth this zoo has a number of decent exhibits. Nothing spectacular, but there are no grottoes, traditional cages and bars all over the grounds. The main downfall is that the zoo is very tiny (35 acres), is easy to see in a few hours, and has stalled somewhat over the past decade. In my opinion losing the pandas would be a serious hit attendance-wise, but having said that zoos are flourishing in the economic recession in terms of people staying home and visiting local attractions.
 
snowleopard said:
I visited Zoo Atlanta last summer, and a full review is buried somewhere in the middle of the thread "Snowleopard's Epic Road Trip". There are 3 major attractions at the zoo: 4 giant pandas (only 4 zoos in the U.S. have pandas), 11 orangutans (the most in North America), and over 20 gorillas in 4 different enclosures (approximately tied with the Bronx for most gorillas). Those 3 reasons should be enough to satisfy anyone, but in truth this zoo has a number of decent exhibits. Nothing spectacular, but there are no grottoes, traditional cages and bars all over the grounds. The main downfall is that the zoo is very tiny (35 acres), is easy to see in a few hours, and has stalled somewhat over the past decade. In my opinion losing the pandas would be a serious hit attendance-wise, but having said that zoos are flourishing in the economic recession in terms of people staying home and visiting local attractions.
Click to expand...

Also elephants, rhinos, komodo dragon, tigers, clouded leopards and a nice savannah exhibit help round out a small but impressive collection.
 
I doubt regular attendance would change if Atlanta were to send the pandas back.

And the new contract will cost $1 million per year to hold pandas at Zoo Atlanta.
 
They are asking the Public to donate a half million dollars. They laid off employees this week, so the recession is hurting them with or without the Pandas.
 
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