Jan. 2022 - African Forest - Kapok Tree Timeshare Exhibit

That is one of the worse looking Baobabs in existence.... (Kapok trees are an American species).

@lintworm

Just in case I'm interpreting that you believe I misidentified the tree, the zoo refers to it as a Kapok tree.

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@Moebelle Then the zoo probably misidentified it completely, it doesn't even look like a kapok (and it only barely resembles a baobab).

@lintworm Though this doesn't change the design, I'm finding several sources stating the Kapok tree can be found in West Africa.

Kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra) from above, Yasuni National Park, Ecuador | GRID-Arendal

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@Moebelle Thanks, I already learned something new today (and I haven't even had my breakfast...), wasn't aware that kapok trees are indeed native to W-Africa. But my point about ugliness and baobabs still stands

Now @lintworm, although this tree may not be as visually appealing as some other notable zoo trees (I actually think it looks half-decent in my opinion). I will say, though, that there are definitely other artificial trees in zoos elsewhere, that visually look a lot worse than what Jacksonville had constructed for their primates.

I remember the gorillas spending their time on this enclosure on my visit in January 2020. I forgot if they had access to any other enclosures at the time but this is the most unappealing gorilla enclosure that I have seen (although that is not much bc I hadn't been to many zoos with gorillas), used for gorillas, in person. I don't even know if it be good with the other animals in the exhibit, such as guareza or lemurs, shifting to this nasty structure. Not the mention that the cylinder shape reminds me of corn crib cages that everyone and their mother hates on this website.

@PossumRoach At least with Land of the Tiger, PJA Architects made it a point to hide the overhead transfer chutes with strangler fig root facades. Here, whoever designed the African Forest didn't even try to do anything creative or immersive.