I've always been particularly interested in walk-through exhibits, but usually these exhibits are fairly limited to lemurs, squirrel monkeys, and butterflies (at least in the zoos in Britain). What I'm wondering is what unusual and innovative walk-throughs are there? I think this could be quite an interesting discussion. The walk-through spider exhibit at London Zoo is quite good, though small, though I suppose there was no need to make it any bigger. I must admit I did think that the rest of the spider exhibit (which isn't walk-through) would be bigger with more spider species variety, but meh, it was still good. I am sure that I remember some kind of walk-through frog exhibit that I saw on the Internet. I can't seem to find it again, does anyone know any info? To finish off, I think that a walk-through insect enclosure would be interesting. As well as the usual stock of tropical butterfly species, there could also be sun beetles, jewel beetles, and other fruit beetle species, and giant millipedes. The main problems would be keeping the planting alive, because as I have found from personal experience keeping sun beetles, their faeces tends to kill the plants off. Does anyone know of interesting walk-throughs?
Does the UK not have any walkthrough bird aviaries? In Australia walkthrough macropod enclosures are very common. Hix
Yes, we also have quite a lot of macropod and bird walk-throughs in Britain. I forgot to mention them!
London Zoo has walk-through squirrel monkey, ring-tailed lemur, goat, butterfly and spider exhibits, as well as walk-through bird areas in the African Bird Safari, Gorilla Kingdom and Snowdon Aviary. Various birds and mammals have access to the corridor in Rainforest Lookout.
here are some threads to get you started: http://www.zoochat.com/38/walk-through-exhibits-282766/ http://www.zoochat.com/2/walk-through-enclosures-309241/ http://www.zoochat.com/38/walk-through-enclosures-399737/ Probably the most unusual walk-throughs mentioned are for boas, mangrove snakes, and crocodiles.
Sensu stricto they walk between the people, and there are barriers as well; but I couldn't resist the 'walk through' phrase Alan
The big rainforest walkthrough at Moody Gardens in Galveston has cotton-top tamarins, and a variety of bird species. The pond has some different fish species as well.
Also a white faced saki monkey. Parker Aviary in the San Diego Zoo will soon have golden lion tamarins in it. There are several macropod walk-troughs and even more walk-through aviaries in the US. I can only think of two lemur walk-throughs, however: one at the Henry Doorly Zoo and one at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The National Aquarium's rainforest exhibit has birds, GLTs, Linne's two toes sloths, and a turtle. The National Zoo has Goeldi's monkeys (maybe not anymore), white eared titis, and a lot of birds in Amazonia. Several zoos also have small deer (usually mouse deer or Reeve's muntjac) in aviaries.
Thanks for all the replies people! Walk-through walrus exhibit?! I'd be terrified going there - I supposed I've heard too much about walrus sucking the brains of seal pups out through the nose (seriously). I think a walkthrough armadillo enclosure could work. They're pretty harmless, though they can claw you, I suppose (I very nearly got a scar on my hand from feeding an armadillo). Perhaps gibbons could be in a very spacious walk-through? Sorry if that's a stupid idea, I don't really know much about gibbons. Edit: actually no, just read some of the replies on the other walk-through exhibit threads. Awful idea.
Africa is indeed a strange and wonderous place, of which we yet know little about the mysterious denizens inhabiting its dark heart.
I suppose the new orangutan habitat at dublin zoo kind of counts as a walkthrough i suppose even though the orangs can't physically touch you.
I am most interested in reptile/amphibian walk-throughs, or exhibits where they roam free amongst other animals. Could anyone suggest any examples other than what has already been said?
