Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park Zoo Tampa Review (11/04/2022)

[Zoo Birding]

Today I went to Zoo Tampa and I have mixed feelings about this zoo. I'll start with the bad and end with the good.

The Bad

I understand now how some people feel Zoo Tampa is lagging (and lacking) behind in regards to upgrading or expanding their habitats.

Manatee Circle: Make the macaw's area an aviary and remove the divider inside the main aviary (BUT KEEP the smaller flights within the aviaries that separate the hornbills from the other species). Their tantric hornbill's flight needs to be redone and brought forward as another separate flight within the flight (perhaps move them into the empty flight next to the red-browed Amazons).

Asia: One all-encompassing thought regarding this section: NEEDS A COMPLETE OVERHAUL! This sector especially feels outdated and archaic with most of their large animal "enclosures" (they're barely habitats in my opinion) being old grottos. Their Indian rhino enclosure needs a complete rework to make it open and natural (the wooden stakes really ruin the vibes). Don't get me started on their "Sulawesi" Aviary! They need to give it a more generic, Asian-themed name for the aviary or actually display species that can be found on Sulawesi and remove all the species not even found on said island to the main aviary. There is actually no shortage of species to put in that aviary that's native to Sulawesi (like their numerous spotted whistling-ducks but also Nicobar pigeons, black-naked fruit-doves and metallic starlings; maybe introduce a pair of maleos, finch-billed mynas (grosbeak starlings if you prefer that name), pied imperial-pigeons, and black-naped orioles, all species NATIVE to Sulawesi).

Florida: My only complaint here is move the false gharial into the Asian sector where it belongs (perhaps on the opposite side of the "true" gharial). Modernize the aviaries a bit in this section.

Africa: From the walking path perspective, things don't look too bad. My only gripe with Africa is add something to the enclosure between the southern white rhinos and the African painted dogs (I understood that that exhibit used to be for the shoebills).

Wallaroo: Only complaint here is for their "Australasian" Aviary - PLEASE DISPLAY MORE SPECIES NATIVE TO THIS ECOREGION! Except for five species, all the other aren't even native to this ecoregion.

Primates: No real complaints here except I do see how the Hamadryas baboon seems to be "lacking" feels very uninspired (they kept some "grotto" features of the enclosure that they can modify or completely redo), the Bolivian titi monkey and golden lion tamarin enclosures felt a bit small and cramped, and the guenons enclosure needs to do away with the grotto features of it and either make it an netted enclosure or Plexiglass and netted enclosure.


The Good

Manatee Circle: I'm a sucker for walkthrough aviaries. Since they didn't make it region or continent specific, I say have fun mixing whichever species you want.

Asia: The few things they did right are the habitats for the gharial, the binturong, and Komodo dragon. While their Lorikeet Aviary displayed your typical green-napes and rainbows, I was pleasantly surprised to see a blue-faced honeyeater pair mixed in with them.

Florida: I felt this was a well-done section of the zoo, really showcasing (mostly) Florida wildlife. I have to praise utilizing the manatee space as also a reptile house of sorts. I thought that was a unique use of space.

Africa: I was fooled in how it appeared that the Masai giraffe area seemed to share the African elephant habitat. A good showcasing of African fauna here and unique aviary designations here. Maybe move their pygmy hippos into the unused habitat between the African painted dogs and the white rhinos? And perhaps make it more terrestrial for them than their current habitat, and put in their place a small African creature other than a meerkat colony in its place (maybe banded mongoose or fennec fox?).

Wallaroo: Interesting making this section the "kids playground" and petting zoo area of the zoo. First time I've seen yellow-footed rock wallabies in person (and they're gorgeous, perhaps my favorite macropod species alongside the commonplace red kangaroo). Glad they had at least some animals inhabiting the bottom of the Malayan flying fox enclosure (OH! Why not swap out the Lorikeet Aviary for the Malayan flying fox aviary and put the Malayan flying fox in the Lorikeet Aviary, modifying both aviaries to suit the needs of both).

Primates: Love how tall and vertical most of the open exhibits where, and how there was an interesting, divided moat between the siamangs and the lemurs.


I'm planning on going back on Monday after I leave the hotel but before my flight to go on their African jeep tour. It's my understanding that there are more animals there.

I'll post a full species list once I go back there to do their African tour and try to get pictures of some of the birds I was unable to see this first time around.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Great review, thanks for doing it. I really love hearing about what other people think of ZT. I will add a few observations that may add context for you

Manatee Circle: Make the macaw's area an aviary

When that area was first built it was for flamingos. They have never made it an aviary as they use the macaw fly over that goes into that habitat. Now, that said, I think it is a good idea to make it an aviary.

and remove the divider inside the main aviary (BUT KEEP the smaller flights within the aviaries that separate the hornbills from the other species).

Yeah, I am not sure why that is there. I know it has always been there, and likely there is/was some reason, but I cannot recall.

Asia:

One all-encompassing thought regarding this section: NEEDS A COMPLETE OVERHAUL! This sector especially feels outdated and archaic with most of their large animal "enclosures" (they're barely habitats in my opinion) being old grottos. Their Indian rhino enclosure needs a complete rework to make it open and natural (the wooden stakes really ruin the vibes).

I agree. The tiger grotto is too small, the sun bear is not terrible but is too small. IMO both habitats should be merged into one re-worked tiger habitat. The rhino has been expanded twice since the original yard, if you can believe that. While it is not natural, it is a reasonable indian rhino habitat, and the amount of calves they have had seems to indicate it is liked enough by the animals.

Don't get me started on their "Sulawesi" Aviary! They need to give it a more generic, Asian-themed name for the aviary or actually display species that can be found on Sulawesi and remove all the species not even found on said island to the main aviary. There is actually no shortage of species to put in that aviary that's native to Sulawesi (like their numerous spotted whistling-ducks but also Nicobar pigeons, black-naked fruit-doves and metallic starlings; maybe introduce a pair of maleos, finch-billed mynas (grosbeak starlings if you prefer that name), pied imperial-pigeons, and black-naped orioles, all species NATIVE to Sulawesi).

My thoughts entirely. Not even all the species in there are Asian.

Florida: My only complaint here is move the false gharial into the Asian sector where it belongs (perhaps on the opposite side of the "true" gharial). Modernize the aviaries a bit in this section.

The aviaries were the only main areas that did not get a renovation in the recent upgrade. They have not really been touched since it opened, so I agree they could use a update. The false gharial was originally American crocodile, which fits a lot better for the area.

Africa: From the walking path perspective, things don't look too bad. My only gripe with Africa is add something to the enclosure between the southern white rhinos and the African painted dogs (I understood that that exhibit used to be for the shoebills).

Yep, originally it was a fantastic African water bird aviary with a camel ride next to it. The dogs were originally a cheetah habitat as well.

the Bolivian titi monkey and golden lion tamarin enclosures felt a bit small and cramped

For a time they had the GLT outside on the huge oak tree between the baboon (chimps at the time) and bathrooms. Then they moved them back into the cages you see now. I think they had common or cotton tops in there during the interim.

and the guenons enclosure needs to do away with the grotto features of it and either make it an netted enclosure or Plexiglass and netted enclosure.

That would be great. Originally they were wooly monkey and then howler monkey in that habitat.

Asia:

The few things they did right are the habitats for the gharial, the binturong, and Komodo dragon.

The gharial was where the taipr were originally, it actually works surprisingly well for gharial. The binturong was where originally Persian leopard then clouded leopard were, it is pretty much the same as it always has been. They never really renovated it in any way. The dragon;'s have a good space. Originally it was two separate dragon enclosures, but they combined them when they grew. The indoor dragon area was used for various animals including red pandas and "big" snakes such as anaconda and pythons.

Florida: I felt this was a well-done section of the zoo, really showcasing (mostly) Florida wildlife. I have to praise utilizing the manatee space as also a reptile house of sorts. I thought that was a unique use of space.

The re-design was opened this year, so it is pretty new. I think they could have done better, but it is not as bad now as the scathing review I gave it when it opened (other than the black bear cage, it is worse). The manatee building/reptiles are not too bad, they could use a refresh, but overall it is a decent space IMO.

Africa: I was fooled in how it appeared that the Masai giraffe area seemed to share the African elephant habitat. A good showcasing of African fauna here and unique aviary designations here.

They designed that space really well. FWIW they have/had a mountain zebra in with the giraffe, but I have not seen it in quite some time, so I question if it really is there still since they received two new giraffe.

Maybe move their pygmy hippos into the unused habitat between the African painted dogs and the white rhinos? And perhaps make it more terrestrial for them than their current habitat, and put in their place a small African creature other than a meerkat colony in its place (maybe banded mongoose or fennec fox?).

That space is rumored to be reserved for lions or another large terrestrial creature.

They actually had a meerkat colony in the small enclosure between the restaurant and restrooms, it has the crested porcupine now. I am not sure why the made the swap, but I would love to know.

Wallaroo: Interesting making this section the "kids playground" and petting zoo area of the zoo. First time I've seen yellow-footed rock wallabies in person (and they're gorgeous, perhaps my favorite macropod species alongside the commonplace red kangaroo).

It used to be walk through too, that was fun. You can actually tell that as the two large viewing windows replaced the entry and exit doors.

Primates: Love how tall and vertical most of the open exhibits where, and how there was an interesting, divided moat between the siamangs and the lemurs.

It has been talked about in the past to combine the lemur and orangutan habitats (taking out the lemur, obviously). I think that would be cool to see and a good use of space.

I'm planning on going back on Monday after I leave the hotel but before my flight to go on their African jeep tour. It's my understanding that there are more animals there.

Yes, if they go through the paddock, if they skip it (like they did last time I was on it) then you don't, unfortuantly. Otherwise you may catch a duiker or two, patas monkey, and a few others that rotate off show and in to there.