Asian Forest Sanctuary - Rotation Exhibit

April 17th, 2010.

Rotation for......

White-cheeked gibbons, siamangs, Sumatran tigers, Asian small-clawed otters, Indian crested porcupines, Malayan tapirs or lowland anoas.

While I'm pleased that Point Defiance is keeping the enrichment of their animals in mind, I wouldn't stop to observe docile Porcupines or Lowland Anoas in this massive exhibit behind this fence, although I know it has to be this way as the tigers must be able to use it as well.

While there is climbing equipment for the Gibbons and the Siamangs, there is just not enough of it, as it could be dangerous for the other animals that may use this exhibit at times.

It would have been better in my view if they had used this rotation system for carnivores only, like in some zoos where they rotate exhibits between lions, hyenas and wild dogs. How about tigers, leopards, wolves and/or dholes here?

This is what I've always thought when looking at photos of this complex - there's too diverse a set of needs - so the exhibits end up being jack of all trades but master of none.

And ugly to boot....

Thanks for the reply. Thats alot of species in rotation. Do different species share the enclosure at the same time ever?

Can anyone imagine Malayan Tapirs in here? I for one cannot, not for the life of me.

There is another enclosure that always has Indian crested porcupines in with Asian small-clawed otters, and the otters have been put in with the white-cheeked gibbons. The Malayan tapir and lowland anoa can be put with the white-cheeked gibbons as well in any sort of combination, and I agree that the entire complex is hit-and-miss with the exhibits. Great idea, but so-so execution. The only other major zoo in North America that has such an extensive rotation policy is Louisville with its "Islands" exhibits, and coincidentally I'll be at that zoo tomorrow morning!

Can I ask,by the term "hit-and-miss" I gather this exhibit/s is not that good. Is that true with everyone or just a personal opinion?