Sunday, June 1, 2008

Vintage Mesker Park Zoo--Evansville, Indiana


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mesker Park has had it's history of ups and downs, mostly financial. The African Plain exhibit shown here had hoofed stock displayed behind the moated lion area; pretty impressive for a small to mid-size zoo. I think they had the longevity record for their Nile hippo.

Wade G. Burck said...

Jim,
Welcome friend. I wanted to get in touch with you, and invite your expertise. We have done some St. Louis in past posts. Historically, I have always had a hard time finding any "sea lion show" photos. Elephants and Lions seem abundant. Did you purchase all know sea lion material?
Thanks for the insight. I had noted the camel along side the lion exhibit and didn't know if it was authentic, or added in.
Best wishes,
Wade

Anonymous said...

Wade,
If we're talking about the same camel, that view was of the moated bear exhibit. The lion moated exhibit was still used a few years ago when I lasted visited. They had African hoofed stock, including giraffe, in view behind the cats. There was also a small moated bear exhibit. It looked like any bear with a yearn to travel could have easily taken weekends off. When I last saw it it was a nice Arctic fox display.

Wade G. Burck said...

Jim,
Maybe this picture was before the new moated area. Or maybe as you suggest, the bear had taken a hike, and they "added" the camel so the area didn't look empty. Until they could get in some of those "little dog type deals from the Arctic," who probably, as they rightly supposed couldn't walk out of the moat like the bear did. LOL Thanks for that insight, it is greatly appreciated. That's how we all learn.
Wade