Team Tapir Summer Zoo Trip 2

Team Tapir Summer Zoo Trip 2
18-06-2012

We just set out on our summer zoo trip and here is our itinerary

Louisville Zoo
Nashville Zoo
Memphis Zoo
Birmingham Zoo
Zoo Atlanta
Georgia Aquarium
Knoxville Zoo
Cincinnatti Zoo
Columbus Zoo

Any thoughts or comments ?

Team Tapir

18-06-2012

Excellent choices all! Good timing on Nashville as you will get to see the five clouded leopard cubs together (quite a rare event). I myself am going to see them in a month.

18-06-2012

I've visited all 9 of those attractions and the only stinker in the group is Birmingham Zoo. However, since my 2010 visit the mega-complex "Trails of Africa" has opened and I'm sure that the zoo is now slightly improved. Georgia Aquarium is the world's largest (in terms of gallons of water) and all of the zoos each have some great exhibits. I look forward to the mini-reviews!

18-06-2012

@Arizona Docent since we just visited Nashville in march we were going to skip it this trip.We were going to go to Graceland in Memphis today and since I have been there before Bonnie says to me she really would much rather see clouded leopard cubs So no Elvis this trip

Team Tapir

18-06-2012

The more we visit Glacier Run in Louisville the more we think this exhibit is top notch it just might be better then Columbus which we peg #2 behind Detroit as far as polar bear exhibits go.The one thing Columbus has that sets it apart is its stocked with trout.But Louisville has it in its size and scope.Its also very creative.We are not sure many Zoo Chatters have seen this exhibit? We know there are alot of you in the Cincy area have you seen Glacier Run and what are your thoughts?

BTW pictures do not do glacier run justice its unique set up does not allow you to ever see the full scope of the enclosure in pictures.

Team Tapir

20-06-2012

It was great to visit Memphis and be able to visit this zoo the way I (Marty)like to.On my first visit I was with a friend who was not that into zoos and wanted to just cruise through so I missed a lot.This was Bonnie first visit to Memphis and she loved it.Teton Trek was not open during my first visit and is incredible once some of the bigger trees in the exhibit mature its could be a contender for best grizzly habitat in the country.

Memphis also has one of the best nocturnal houses we have ever visited perhaps only rivaled by Desert Dome in Omaha.

Today its a visit to the Birmingham Zoo.We are very excited to see Trails of Africa.

Team Tapir

22-06-2012

We were truly astonished by the Georgia Aquarium.We never thought anyone could ever top Shedd.Georgia's website was not very good and despite knowing they had whale sharks and manta rays we had no idea it would immerse us like it did.We could have literally spent the whole day at the Ocean Voyager tank its that good.There is not really a bad exhibit in the entire facility.

Team Tapir

22-06-2012

Tapir when you get a chance a detailed review/opinion of Birmingham would be nice to contrast with Snow's (which while honest I don't think was fair in context).

23-06-2012

We have decided to add a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga TN.They have a brand new exhibit called River Giants that we are excited to check.

We had a very nice time At Zoo Atlanta today.I (Marty)have now seen all four Panda zoos and would rank them

1.National Zoo
2.Atlanta Zoo
3.San Diego Zoo
4.Memphis Zoo

Neither one of us had ever seen more active pandas as we saw today Po spent nearly a half hour wrestling with his mom Yang Yang.While in the other enclosure Po's dad ran circles around his exhibit and did somersaults.It was complete Pandamonium .

Zoo Atlanta has some of the best primate exhibits around we were very impressed.

They have a large troop of drills.Considering that this is a phase out species here in the US does anyone know if they have had any success in breeding them ? perhaps while other zoos have not.

Team Tapir

24-06-2012

We also stopped at the Chattanooga Zoo today which we were pleasnatly surprised at how nice it is.It is a mirror image of one of our home zoos in Akron Ohio.

The Tennessee Aquarium was also very impressive.

Team Tapir

24-06-2012

Isn't Chattanooga Zoo tiny - something like five acres?

24-06-2012

The zoo's total area is about 13 acres but I do not know how much of that the zoo uses.

24-06-2012

Yes it is very tiny.

24-06-2012

We spent about 2 hrs at this small but nice zoo their highlight exhibits include Chimps,jaguars,snowleopards,red pandas and hunaman languars.

They are currently constructing a new facility that will exhibit mainly reptiles.

Team Tapir