CLRdesign has just released a video celebrating their exhibit design. Features: Giants of the Savanna, Toyota Elephant Crossing, and more Evolutionary Thinking in Habitats
Thanks for that It looks like CLR have designed most of the biggest exhibits opened in the the United States in recent years.
I have downloaded it in the UK, using Firefox and Flash Video Downloader. I hope to watch it soon. Alan
It is an excellent video, and I only wish that more zoo exhibits were showcased rather than a trio of habitats at Denver, Dallas and Philadelphia. I enjoyed the discussion about flex habitats, as well as the new theory of activity-based zoo design.
I'm at the AZA conference in Phoenix this week. Yesterday there was a very well attended paper session on activity-based design. Speakers presented Dublin Zoo's Asian elephant exhibit, Denver's Toyota Elephant Passage and Predator Ridge, Oregon Zoo's plans for elephants, ... I sat there thinking that our UK and European zoochatters would be laughing throughout as these presentations about encouraging animal choice were presented as new trends.
Great photo. Thanks Zooplantman! It should be noted however, when they say "This is the only place in the country where you'll see other species with elephants," that Lowry Park has kept their African Elephants with their Impala and guineafowl for quite a long time.
Great video! Thank you for sharing. They seem to have some great ideas; or, some of the same ideas I have had. Though, I don't know why it took so long for this "revelatory concept" of engaging environments to gain traction. I'm still not sold on Flex Habitats.
Again even CLR the dang designer ignores Trails and from your comments Plantman it seems even the AZA is. It is mind boggling how much little respect Birmingham is getting considering the risks they have taken. From this forum, the AZA, and the media at large. Trails when fully implemented will mix species including Rhino with 4 BULL African Elephants yet no respect.
Have you ever thought that there might be other reasons. Giants of the Savanna and African Trails are very similar exhibits, but GotS is more refined. If the designers had to pick one of the two to display, best bet is to go with the exhibit that shows off the concept at a more advanced state. It could also be the politics of the individual zoos involved. And it could be that the other three zoos are located in areas with major airports that would make it much easier for a film crew to reach them as opposed to Birmingham. Just a thought.
I am convinced that no one wishes to ignore Birmingham. Most of all CLR who knows the zoo as a valued and respected client. I agree with jbnbsn99 that the video couldn't show everything (I don't see fans of Louisville, Portland, Port Defiance, Como Park and other CLR clients taking offense at not having their zoos represented) and that while the Birmingham animal management plan is courageous, the exhibit itself is a less expensive twist on what was done in Dallas. While Denver, for example, is different in significant ways. Had they made a different video, showing everything CLR has done, it would be hours long with no time to explain anything. Perhaps they will feature Birmingham in Designers Make Their Case II: This Time It's Serious
The paper sessions at AZA were derived from who wanted to speak. AZA did not ignore Birmingham. Birmingham apparently chose not to give a talk. And as I had some very small part to play as an adviser on Trails, I have no lack of appreciation for it.
@tschandler71, you have this preconceived notion about CLR and AZA not giving credit to "Trails of Africa". Why is that? You rant on another thread, then jump to another thread to practically say the same thing. You really should not assume that CLR and the AZA could not care less about "Trails". Also, "Trails" has been open since Spring 2011, right? So, if the concept was not in full swing with the mixing of species (which you mentioned in your above post and answered, imo) "Trails when fully implemented will mix species including Rhino with 4 BULL African Elephants yet no respect." Why all the blaming on the AZA and CLR Design, then? You can call or email the institutions you have grievance with. CLR Design tel: 215 564-0250 [email protected] AZA You have to be a Member to contact them. If you aren't, they have a submittal form you can use to email them. Here's the link. Untitled Page Birmingham Zoo tel: 205 879-0409 You can also email them. Here's a link to choose who you'd like to email. Contact Us - Birmingham Zoo Hope this helps.
@tschandler71- My man i see where your coming from. birmingham zoo is a great zoo and the trails are wonderful. But don't blame aza or the designers. There's two sides to every story and there's a reason why Birmingham has not told the aza yet. It's just not the zoos time to shine yet but we both know that it will be one day.
Oh I know, have you seen the (pretty ambitious) Hoofstock plan yet? Its just weird after all the complaints about certain exhibits that Birmingham despite its recent problems should be a great comeback story but no one on this board or in the zoo media at large dares to care.
Giants isn't that spectacular from an attempt standpoint. Dallas was already a "big" zoo and its just mixing hoofstock with pretty old and tame female elephants. Exhibiting multiple bulls and mixing Rhino and Hoofstock with them as it will take time should be worthy of praise on this forum. Dallas shouldn't be praised they took the easy way out, the big zoo should have done the bold thing with the Bulls. Dallas and Giants is like the pinch runner on third who gets home but the write up in the paper the next day about him not the underdog who hit the sac bunt to get him home.
