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Erie Zoo Erie Zoo Review 2014

Discussion in 'United States' started by CuseZoofan, 18 May 2014.

  1. CuseZoofan

    CuseZoofan Well-Known Member 10+ year member

    Joined:
    29 Aug 2011
    Posts:
    105
    Location:
    Kirkville, NY, USA
    Recently I had the chance to visit the Erie Zoo in Erie, PA a small but charming zoo. Erie is not at all the biggest zoo around, but it certainly tries as hard as it can to be one of the big boys. The Zoo is easy enough to get around and really doesn't take too long to visit or see. We arrived about 2 hours before closing and saw everything in 90 minutes or so. Once you enter the Main Gate you are immediately greeted by the impressive Main Zoo Building with some smaller outdoor enclosures on the side of it.
    While the Building may look impressive on the outside, it leaves much to be desired on the inside. The building holds several species and exhibits but none are over the top or incredibly large either, most are average at best. Most of the exhibits are either Glass Fronted or have thin Harp Wire fronts, along with a few small terrarium type exhibits. Currently the Building holds the Zoos Lions in the old Gorilla Exhibit and it shows how small the exhibit really is. Other Cats include the indoor holding for the Amur Leopard as well as exhibits for Servals and Sand Cats. One of the better exhibits is a somewhat spacious Meerkat exhibit and an average Rock Hyrax exhibit. Other inhabitants include Black and White Ruffed Lemurs, Naked Mole Rats, Sacred Ibis as well as several small lizards and insect species.
    Upon Exiting the Main Building are several outdoor enclosures for the Leopard and Jaguar, none being to large. Across from them are small exhibits holding Prehensile Tailed Porcupines and Golden Lion Tamarins when the weather is warmer. Heading around the Main Building is one of the better areas in Wild Asia. Themed to look like an ancient temple ruin it does a decent job of making up for the older Main Building Exhibits, but is still not the best it could be. Before entering is a Capybara exhibit that appeared to have very little if any water for them. Once inside visitors can view three terrariums of reptiles and to the right can view the Red Pandas who could use a taller exhibit for climbing. Further on is the Siamang Exhibit that has plenty to climb on but still appears to be small for the three living here. After the small goat exhibit is the Zoo's centerpiece, the Orangutan Exhibit. Much larger than the others and done much better consists of a mesh outdoor yard with plenty to climb on and a decent indoor exhibit filled primarily with artificial stone and trees. Many viewing windows give ample chances to view them and normally would be a sup-par exhibit however with the ability to go outside in the summer it is a small step up from an all indoor exhibit.
    Other outdoor exhibits that do not have a specific theme are the River Otters, Spider Monkey Island and the Giraffe Exhibit which seems too small for them, but does provide viewing of them in the winter with a window into their barn. What the zoo lacks in size or impressive exhibits it makes up for in it's gardens and location. The zoo was starting to bloom on my visit and the river running thru the zoo only added to the beauty. The Childrens Zoo is one of the nicer areas but does seem to lack in animals compared to others. Along with the typical farmyard friends of goats and sheep, there are exhibits for Humboldt Penguins, an American Alligator, Kangaroo Walk Thru, Seasonal Lorikeet Exhibit and smaller terrariums inside the Adventure Center. There are also several gardens and interactive areas for kids to enjoy including a carousel to ride on.
    The final area and what I felt was the strongest exhibit at the zoo was the Kiboka Outpost, a recreation of an African Research facility that was well themed especially given the size of the zoo. This area contains four large outdoor exhibits including White Rhinos, Warthogs, Zebras and Wild Dogs all which are good exhibits. It also is home to some large reptile exhibits in the building as well as a small African Aviary. The Erie Zoo is not at all the most impressive zoo but it is making strides to be better including a new future cat exhibit that will replace the old Bear and Lion Grottoes with newer more natural exhibits. The Kiboka Outpost and Wild Asia save this zoo along with its Childrens Section but it is still a good zoo for a city the size of Erie. If your on your way to Ohio or New York and your on I-90, make the stop it wont take long and is pretty reasonably priced.