phone photo instructions

March 17, 2016.

Kind of ridiculous for a DESERT zoo...

@Ebirah766 The Sonoran Desert includes the Gulf of California. This is clearly demonstrated in the graphics for the exhibit. (There is also a small aquarium building at the museum entrance with similar explanations). However I do object to this exhibit for other reasons, but not because it is geographically inappropriate as you imply.

Ah, okay. Now that I think about it the zoo could be a great place for endangered pupfish. Do they have any?

@Arizona Docent If only the could exhibit the endemic cetacean...

If we wanted to get real nitpickey, they are Atlantic Cownose Rays, not the Golden Cownose Ray that is present in the Gulf of California...

@Ituri

That would actually make sense...

@birdsandbats Not a live one of course, but they do have a model of one hanging from the ceiling of the small aquarium building.

@Arizona Docent Just curious, why do you object to the exhibit?

@birdsandbats I object for two reasons.

1) It is a cheap money making scheme (no one gets into the exhibit area unless they pay to feed the stingrays). It is a copy of something that zoos around the country (including nearby Phoenix Zoo and Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Farm) are doing because it is proven to generate revenue. In the past ASDM has always been original and avoided copying other zoos and avoided these extra fee gimmicks. It is out of character and lowers their credibility in my opinion.

2) The huge shade awnings and metal ticket counter stick out and do not blend into the surroundings at all. Historically ASDM has always done a great job of blending into the surrounding desert so that most exhibits look like they were always there (even though they are recreations). This ugly construction ruins the views and overall feeling of the museum.