There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with this exhibit. I really don't think they need to replace it with anything. It provides more land space than Omaha. Could this exhibit be a bit bigger? sure. Is it adequete for the tapirs? I don't see why not. It looks sort of similar to the San Diego enclosure, except indoors.
I agree. It actually looks a little bit bigger than san diego zoo's enclosure. It also has more loose substrate.
Both the malayan tapir and gibbon exhibits inside JungleWorld are MUCH better than the enclosures for the same animals in the Lied Jungle at the Henry Doorly Zoo. There is no comparison in quality, as the lush foliage, deep pool and wide beach in JungleWorld is actually rather impressive.
To me, the measure of a good exhibit is not just amount of space, but also how easy the animals can retreat from public view. A good exhibit IMHO should provide hiding space(s) where the animals can at least be partially concealed. This exhibit looks adequately spacious and the planting is superb for an indoor rainforest. Can anyone enlighten if the tapirs in this exhibit can hide from visitors' view?
There are "caves" in the mudbank barriers that lead to the doors to the off-exhibit holding areas. The tapirs can if they wish retreat to those sheltered spaces, which I've seen them do (but at the end of the day when I'm sure they were anticipating dinner, not because they felt "exposed"). Another unique aspect of this exhibit is that the gibbons that live in the forest above the tapir beach area will sometimes hang from vines and "groom" the tapirs. Very amusing, and the tapirs seem to enjoy it....
I like the tapir's JungleWorld exhibit, but I like their Zoo Center yard a bit better. I wish the Bronx Zoo would put tapirs in both Zoo Center and JungleWorld again. I hope they do this spring!
