GraysonDP
Well-Known Member
Zoo Atlanta Review
Date of Visit: June 2009
Zoo Atlanta is best known for its huge collection of gorillas and orangutans as well as being one of four zoos in the country to house giant pandas. Once one of the worst zoos in America, it resurrected under the leadership of Terry Maple and excelled as new exhibits opened in the late 1980s and early 1990s. One thing I appreciate about this zoo is almost everything there is less than 30 years old and all the grottos, pits, etc. have been removed. However, most of the exhibitry ranges from average to good and little of it is state-of-the-art. I would consider it a solid medium sized zoo but would say it’s a stretch to say it’s one of the best in America.
Excellent
Ford African Rainforest- The exhibit that saved the zoo and, at the time of my visit, still the best. The nation’s largest collection of gorillas resides in four large grassy yards. The habitats are not as naturalistic or lush as the best made since that time but I feel they hold up pretty well and still are some of the best ape exhibits out there. They have a nice mix of open valleys and hills and shaded areas covered by tall trees. The moats are expertly designed to make the exhibits feel vast and natural. I appreciate how the four yards and the variation within them gives flexibility and choices for the apes to make.
Another thing that’s great about these yards is the amount of grass. Also the hilly landscape and varied terrain is great for giving variety and complexity to these habitats. There are quite a few enrichment opportunities and structures although they are not as realistically rendered as those in later gorilla exhibits. For instance, once has a huge fallen log surrounded by ropes and there are plenty more deadfalls through the exhibits. The viewing opportunities are awesome and the amount of space given for the apes is amazing. Definitely a top 12 gorilla exhibit in the nation and, while not as modern or lush as others, holds up quite well after almost 30 years.
Monkeys of Makoku- A fairly large meshed habitat features guenons and the rare drills. It works because it has a stellar amount of height, climbing opportunities and enrichment. Several fake trees and branches allow the charismatic primates to move around and act as they please. The flooring is quite green and lush. Ring-tailed and black-and-white ruffed lemurs live in a smaller mesh netted habitat with a nice tree with several climbing opportunities.
Scaly Slimy Spectacular- When I visited Zoo Atlanta had a quite old, outdated reptile house but the new one looks very impressive. This isn’t an informed assessment but I would guess this is now a highlight of the zoo.
Asian Forest- A large family of orangutans lives in two habitats that are not state-of-the-art but quite good. They have ample space and lots of ropes and platforms for enrichment. It would have been nice if there was a thicker canopy surrounding these habitats to better replicate an Asian forest but, like the gorilla habitats, they do they job and hold up reasonably well. Nearby, a tiger exhibit is not enormous but fairly lush and contains a large pool for swimming. I like the amount of trees in the habitat and the opportunities for hiding and shade. Overall I would say it’s a good exhibit but not that impressive. Clouded leopards live in an open bamboo habitat (open tops for clouded leopards are rare) that is quite good and immersive. A komodo dragon exhibit is indoors and average. Red pandas have a medium sized habitat viewed from a boardwalk. They have a fair amount of climbing opportunities but this is nothing especially noteworthy. Since I visited, sun bears have been added to this part of the zoo.
Average
Giant Pandas- While no Asia Trail at National Zoo, I would say this is the second best giant panda exhibit in the country and quite a nice one. I like how it uses many different levels and is fairly lush and naturalistic. The details in the rocks is admirable and the habitat is quite well shaded. However, I wish it were larger and more immersive. Good but nothing that extraordinary.
Masai Mara- State-of-the-art when it opened, this complex is now mixed in terms of quality. It begins with the Mzima Springs habitat for African elephants. Unfortunately, this is the weak point of the complex- yes it is quite muddy and has some nice backdrops but it is way too small for the pachyderms that live there. Also, it is lacking in terms of naturalism and enrichment. Fortunately, there are plans to build a massive African elephant exhibit at the zoo possibly mixing them with giraffes and other hoofstock.
Meerkats live in an average exhibit that could have been designed better and warthogs live next door in a habitat that is a bit messy. The design of the warthog yard is poor and its elements and aesthetics don’t come together in an immersive way. A lion habitat nearby is pleasant but average with a rock in the middle for the cats to lay on. The exhibit has a kopje theme and is nice enough but not particularly large or evocate. Black rhinoceros have the best exhibit of the bunch. Their yard is quite muddy and filled with clay, surrounded by a water-filled moat on three sides. The rockwork and details make it quite immersive. It isn’t enormous but a pretty solid rhino habitat. It also looks like the rhinos are in the same exhibit as giraffes, zebras, waterbuck and ostriches, who live in the savanna behind them. The savanna is decently sized but drier and oranger than most. I would recommend putting in grass to make it more naturalistic. The complex closes with a grassy, solid exhibit for bongo and duiker. There are moments of brilliance here but it is average and at times dated compared to other African complexes.
Flamingo Pool- Nice first exhibit at the entry of the zoo but no different than other flamingo pools.
Kids Zone- Nothing that special but includes exotics such as kangaroos, cassowaries and tamarins.
Poor
Bird Exhibits- Bald eagles, ground hornbills, vultures and others are found in cages that aren’t that good.
I enjoyed my visit to Zoo Atlanta and especially enjoyed Ford African Rainforest, especially since I love gorillas so much. However, not many exhibits from Atlanta have remained on my favorites list and a lot of it is present but forgettable. I would say anywhere from 27 to 39 would be an appropriate ranking for this zoo on a list of America’s best zoos.
Date of Visit: June 2009
Zoo Atlanta is best known for its huge collection of gorillas and orangutans as well as being one of four zoos in the country to house giant pandas. Once one of the worst zoos in America, it resurrected under the leadership of Terry Maple and excelled as new exhibits opened in the late 1980s and early 1990s. One thing I appreciate about this zoo is almost everything there is less than 30 years old and all the grottos, pits, etc. have been removed. However, most of the exhibitry ranges from average to good and little of it is state-of-the-art. I would consider it a solid medium sized zoo but would say it’s a stretch to say it’s one of the best in America.
Excellent
Ford African Rainforest- The exhibit that saved the zoo and, at the time of my visit, still the best. The nation’s largest collection of gorillas resides in four large grassy yards. The habitats are not as naturalistic or lush as the best made since that time but I feel they hold up pretty well and still are some of the best ape exhibits out there. They have a nice mix of open valleys and hills and shaded areas covered by tall trees. The moats are expertly designed to make the exhibits feel vast and natural. I appreciate how the four yards and the variation within them gives flexibility and choices for the apes to make.
Another thing that’s great about these yards is the amount of grass. Also the hilly landscape and varied terrain is great for giving variety and complexity to these habitats. There are quite a few enrichment opportunities and structures although they are not as realistically rendered as those in later gorilla exhibits. For instance, once has a huge fallen log surrounded by ropes and there are plenty more deadfalls through the exhibits. The viewing opportunities are awesome and the amount of space given for the apes is amazing. Definitely a top 12 gorilla exhibit in the nation and, while not as modern or lush as others, holds up quite well after almost 30 years.
Monkeys of Makoku- A fairly large meshed habitat features guenons and the rare drills. It works because it has a stellar amount of height, climbing opportunities and enrichment. Several fake trees and branches allow the charismatic primates to move around and act as they please. The flooring is quite green and lush. Ring-tailed and black-and-white ruffed lemurs live in a smaller mesh netted habitat with a nice tree with several climbing opportunities.
Scaly Slimy Spectacular- When I visited Zoo Atlanta had a quite old, outdated reptile house but the new one looks very impressive. This isn’t an informed assessment but I would guess this is now a highlight of the zoo.
Asian Forest- A large family of orangutans lives in two habitats that are not state-of-the-art but quite good. They have ample space and lots of ropes and platforms for enrichment. It would have been nice if there was a thicker canopy surrounding these habitats to better replicate an Asian forest but, like the gorilla habitats, they do they job and hold up reasonably well. Nearby, a tiger exhibit is not enormous but fairly lush and contains a large pool for swimming. I like the amount of trees in the habitat and the opportunities for hiding and shade. Overall I would say it’s a good exhibit but not that impressive. Clouded leopards live in an open bamboo habitat (open tops for clouded leopards are rare) that is quite good and immersive. A komodo dragon exhibit is indoors and average. Red pandas have a medium sized habitat viewed from a boardwalk. They have a fair amount of climbing opportunities but this is nothing especially noteworthy. Since I visited, sun bears have been added to this part of the zoo.
Average
Giant Pandas- While no Asia Trail at National Zoo, I would say this is the second best giant panda exhibit in the country and quite a nice one. I like how it uses many different levels and is fairly lush and naturalistic. The details in the rocks is admirable and the habitat is quite well shaded. However, I wish it were larger and more immersive. Good but nothing that extraordinary.
Masai Mara- State-of-the-art when it opened, this complex is now mixed in terms of quality. It begins with the Mzima Springs habitat for African elephants. Unfortunately, this is the weak point of the complex- yes it is quite muddy and has some nice backdrops but it is way too small for the pachyderms that live there. Also, it is lacking in terms of naturalism and enrichment. Fortunately, there are plans to build a massive African elephant exhibit at the zoo possibly mixing them with giraffes and other hoofstock.
Meerkats live in an average exhibit that could have been designed better and warthogs live next door in a habitat that is a bit messy. The design of the warthog yard is poor and its elements and aesthetics don’t come together in an immersive way. A lion habitat nearby is pleasant but average with a rock in the middle for the cats to lay on. The exhibit has a kopje theme and is nice enough but not particularly large or evocate. Black rhinoceros have the best exhibit of the bunch. Their yard is quite muddy and filled with clay, surrounded by a water-filled moat on three sides. The rockwork and details make it quite immersive. It isn’t enormous but a pretty solid rhino habitat. It also looks like the rhinos are in the same exhibit as giraffes, zebras, waterbuck and ostriches, who live in the savanna behind them. The savanna is decently sized but drier and oranger than most. I would recommend putting in grass to make it more naturalistic. The complex closes with a grassy, solid exhibit for bongo and duiker. There are moments of brilliance here but it is average and at times dated compared to other African complexes.
Flamingo Pool- Nice first exhibit at the entry of the zoo but no different than other flamingo pools.
Kids Zone- Nothing that special but includes exotics such as kangaroos, cassowaries and tamarins.
Poor
Bird Exhibits- Bald eagles, ground hornbills, vultures and others are found in cages that aren’t that good.
I enjoyed my visit to Zoo Atlanta and especially enjoyed Ford African Rainforest, especially since I love gorillas so much. However, not many exhibits from Atlanta have remained on my favorites list and a lot of it is present but forgettable. I would say anywhere from 27 to 39 would be an appropriate ranking for this zoo on a list of America’s best zoos.