he scarlet ibis found a favorite spot on top of the netting of the ocelot enclosure (upper right).
Parts of the river are visible as well as the giant anteater exhibit in the lower right corner.
The view from the balcony of the stilt house shows the 25 ft high rockwall with the free-falling waterfall
he exposed and washed-out sandbanks that surround the river hint that we are in the dry season when the water is low.
he ocelot exhibit is glass enclosed at viewing height and has netting above - not only to keep the ocelot in but also to keep the birds out.
he view from the top of the rockwall shows the toucan/tamandua exhibit in the far corner. The walls up to the windows and the roof are painted with a realistic rainforest mural which blends well with the vegetation.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
M&T Bank's Rainforest Falls--Buffalo Zoo
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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6 comments:
Wade, are we looking at a future AZA exhibit winner?
Mary Ann
Mary Ann,
It just opened in September. It would sure get my vote for the Big Deal 0 the Year.
Wade
Looks like a lovely exhibit for the people visiting. Mighty small for the animals, though. That ocelot exhibit doesn't look like it has much room for an animal that roams several square miles each day.
Problem is, these award winning exhibits are always designed with the people in mind. Think the animals appreciate the realistic rainforest mural? I think they'd rather the money be spent on more space and more access to real vegetation, water, etc.
Anonymous,
Education is part of the mission. Hard to replicate the rain forest in New York. The murals add to to the education. A large area is often harder on the animal when it comes time to catch it for vaccinations and treatments. A properly designed exhibit with branches at various heights and angles will give as much mobile area as a big open place. For smaller felines easier to replicate in captivity, then for the larger felines.
Wade
Anonymous,
There's a reason some animals roam for miles -- they need to in order to obtain all the food they need. I've used a saleman analogy for years: some need a route that includes N. Dakota, S. Dakota, and Minnesota in the winter while another could sell enough in three blocks of Sarasota. Animals do need an acceptable amount of room to exercise but they probably don't need to run a daily marathon. I haven't seen the Buffalo exhibit but I bet the probably captive born ocelot will do just fine.
I also haven't seen the mural. I've seen some good ones and some poor ones. The Cincinnati Zoo has some great ones in the newer buildings that give you a feeling for the animals natural habitat. Some zoo murals could be improved with coat of nice green or blue paint. Many factors go into a good animal display but the two major ones might be, 1. is it good for the animal, and 2. does it educate and interest the guest in the animal and it's environment. A big, dull exhibit doesn't help either one.
(Wade; nothing against ND but it's 80o here and I like it.)
Jim,
Great comment. Your insight and knowledge on the subject of captive animal husbandry is obvious. How the exhibit is laid out, and how available space is utilized will absolutely replicate larger areas. I used to see an individual turn a couple of tigers loose in the arena for "exercise", but before turning them loose, put a big pile of straw in the center. The felines "exercised" by walking tho the straw and going to sleep for the day, like a snake on a hot rock. Or putting 3 or 4 in the same situation, and 3 would take the straw pile, and chase out one, who laid on the cold concrete. They got as much activity as walking from the kitchen to the bathroom. But add but tree branches wired to the mesh and this person just "glowed" at their effort at husbandry and education. Add to that the signage, "eats meat and chicken" to drive home the education, and you were as close to St. Louis zoo as you could get, without actually being in Missouri.
Some murals are brilliant, and drip moisture, some look like the local elementary school had a "paint the monkey cage" contest.
Jim, you could never offend me about North Dakota. It is where God goes, when he need to test his mettle and "man up."
Wade
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