Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Zoo History

The 1952 map is great. It seems the black rhino pen we've been discussing in another thread was once a hippo pool. I also never knew there were once goats accross from the bears..... or roos in the Elephant House.
 
That's one heck of a collection of old post cards!
You're aware of the Zoo's own history book, aren't you? As I recall, there are some very early maps in it (I helped research and edit that book over seventeen years ago)
 
Zooplantman said:
That's one heck of a collection of old post cards!
You're aware of the Zoo's own history book, aren't you? As I recall, there are some very early maps in it (I helped research and edit that book over seventeen years ago)
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Its one of the best zoo history books in my library.
 
Zooplantman said:
That's one heck of a collection of old post cards!
You're aware of the Zoo's own history book, aren't you? As I recall, there are some very early maps in it (I helped research and edit that book over seventeen years ago)
Click to expand...

I love that book! I found it in a used bookstore years and years ago. Always been one of my favorites.
 
You know, I always thought the current bird house would have been great to see as a Reptile House. They did keep American and Chinese gators in there, plus some turtles when I was a kid, but it was originally the zoo's Reptile building. I think the exhibits before the WOTW rennovation would have been terrific for reptiles. I know I've heard the off exhibit areas are adequate, but the current Reptile House leaves a lot to be desired from a visitior standpoint.
 
groundskeeper24 said:
You know, I always thought the current bird house would have been great to see as a Reptile House. They did keep American and Chinese gators in there, plus some turtles when I was a kid, but it was originally the zoo's Reptile building. I think the exhibits before the WOTW rennovation would have been terrific for reptiles. I know I've heard the off exhibit areas are adequate, but the current Reptile House leaves a lot to be desired from a visitior standpoint.
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I don't think it would--too lofty. I never saw it before it's current form though. It would be great for larger reptiles but as far as showing a large body of them (frogs, toads, snakes, etc.), I don't think it would work too well, IMO. Those are two things Cincinnati really lacks for me: birds & herps. Well, that and deer.

I can't think of any space that would features reptiles well but reptiles, cats & bears should really be Cincy's next three priorities. I know cats actually *are* but still...the two pairs that aren't polar are going to die of boredom waiting on a someday renovation.
 
tigertiger said:
I don't think it would--too lofty. I never saw it before it's current form though. It would be great for larger reptiles but as far as showing a large body of them (frogs, toads, snakes, etc.), I don't think it would work too well, IMO. Those are two things Cincinnati really lacks for me: birds & herps. Well, that and deer.

I can't think of any space that would features reptiles well but reptiles, cats & bears should really be Cincy's next three priorities. I know cats actually *are* but still...the two pairs that aren't polar are going to die of boredom waiting on a someday renovation.
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That building is now completely different than it was before Wings of the World. The penguins are about the same, in the same area, but the rest is nothing like it was. The tropical room in the front was where the gators were. The big American gators, including one named Tojo that was in his 70s also had access to the outside exhibit that now houses the macaws on the right of the bldg. The rest was basically a hall style arrangement of decent sized glass fronted exhibits. There were lots of them that would have been great for big snakes, lizards and tortoises. There was a series of smaller ones near the penguins that has smaller birds and mammals like hedgehogs. WOW is really a nice exhibit, but the old bird house wasn't too bad considering it's age.
 
groundskeeper24 said:
That building is now completely different than it was before Wings of the World. The penguins are about the same, in the same area, but the rest is nothing like it was. The tropical room in the front was where the gators were. The big American gators, including one named Tojo that was in his 70s also had access to the outside exhibit that now houses the macaws on the right of the bldg. The rest was basically a hall style arrangement of decent sized glass fronted exhibits. There were lots of them that would have been great for big snakes, lizards and tortoises. There was a series of smaller ones near the penguins that has smaller birds and mammals like hedgehogs. WOW is really a nice exhibit, but the old bird house wasn't too bad considering it's age.
Click to expand...

That's really interesting--I wonder if there are many photos of this.
 
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