Kind of off topic but I thought I would mention this on this thread as it is tenuously related to entrance animals and enclosures within zoos. Mexico's Chapultepec zoo has enclosures of native/ endemic and endangered species strategically located at the entrance to each of the three "biome" themed sections of the zoo. This was specifically designed during the remodellation programe in the 1990's to grab the visitor's attention and direct it towards the plight of native endangered species as soon as they enter. The goal of this was/ is to send a lasting conservation / environmental education message to the public about native biodiversity. So for example, you have Mexican wolves and big horned sheep at the entrance of the Arid zone, jaguars and ocelot at that of the rainforest zone , black bear and teporingo (volcano rabbit) in the temperate zone. Then you have a similar principle in two other sections such as axolotls in the reptile / amphibian house and the National bird and symbol of the flag , the golden eagle in the aviary section. Judging from my own observations during my time there, this plan doesn't really seem to work in practice though. Visitors typically just seem to ignore these first enclosures entirely and rush ahead to see more exotic and "charismatic" species on display such as the giraffe / elephants / rhino (when they had elephants and rhino that is) / lions , pandas and tigers / gorillas. This was always quite a sad thing to see as it revealed a certain disconnect and disregard for the native species and a marked preference for the exotic.
Some more. Calgary has, well, it's essentially an entrance exhibit, for penguins (Humboldt's in the summer and Kings and Gentoo's in the Winter) Brantford Twin Valley Zoo has entrance exhibits for Caribbean Flamingo and Goats Killman Zoo has Jaguar and a rotating lion and tiger exhibit viewable at the entrance. Bird Kingdom has a small terrarium with Knight Anoles and Geckos.
I think a good entrance animal is meerkats or otters, since those are very good crowd favorites. The Minnesota zoos Japanese macaques are a great start as well.
Binder Park Zoo - Dingo, Red Kangaroo, Common Wallaroo Columbus Zoo - Striped Skunk The Wilds - Domestic Horse, Hellbender Toledo Zoo - Gray Seal, Harbor Seal Anello's Torch Lite Petting Farm - Red Kangaroo, Bennett's Wallaby
I have always thought that skunks are awesome and all, but one of the greatest zoos in the U.S. to start with a, "Skunk"? is not really eye-catching to fans. But it is to me of course!
Montpellier zoo - Vicunas, parrots, rainforest house Beauval - Lemurs, Massive bird house and Cheetahs London - Gorillas, Aquarium (until recently ) and some aviaries Colchester - Rainforest house Berlin zoo -depends on which entrance but big cats or elephants I think. Chester - Elephants Vincennes - Madagascar area Leipzig - Terrarium, Aquarium and Koalas. Not sure how many of these have already mentioned, but one or two are probably new.
I wouldn’t exactly call Toledo’s seal habitat an entrance exhibit, although it is probably the exhibit closest to the main plaza, it still isn’t visible when you first step in the zoo.
Philadelphia has one of the most unique entrance animals, none at all. Although the rare animal conservation is close to the entrance it’s not forced upon you. It makes a better closing exhibit as you leave than the first thing you see.
Another example might be Brookfield Zoo, which opens up from both entrances with a general plaza and the Roosevelt Fountain. In terms of some of my favorite entrance exhibits, I have always found the Shedd Aquarium's Caribbean Reef exhibit to be a great opener, featuring Green Sea Turtle, Bonnet-head Shark, Cownose Ray, and many other bright and colorful reef fish.
Melbourne Zoo. Front entrance- Ring Tailed Lemur, Meerkat and keeper kids(Southern Coroboree Frog, Bolivian Squirrel Monkey, Eclectus Parrot, Blue and Yellow Macaw). Back entrance- Collared Peccary, Malayan Tapir. Moonlit Sanctuary. Day tour entrance- Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat, Common Wombat. Gift shop entrance (night tour)- Carpet Python Phillip Island Wildlife Park Seen from the road- Australian Pelican, Black Striped Wallaby and free ranging macropods (Swamp Wallaby, Red Necked Wallaby). Proximity from entrance. Less than 10m- Red Necked Wallaby Less than 50m , Blotched blue tongue, Lace Monitor, Koala, Parma Wallaby, Short Beaked Echidna. Weribee Western Plains Zoo. Meerkat Melbourne Aquarium- tank with Old Wife, bullseyes, magpie perch and Soilderfish.
My personal favourite is at La Palmyre Zoo, which has imo the most striking and memorable Caribbean flamingo exhibit. It is one of three flamingo exhibits in the zoo and is definitely a contender for best flamingo exhibit in the world, with its impressive waterfall. I’m yet to come across a more memorable one that I can think of off the top of my head. And that’s just one of four entrance exhibits, on the left. To the right is macaws and beisa oryx, and directly in front is a decent area for a herd of giraffe. Quite a first impression for a mostly great zoo with a great collection.
