Not just audio-animatronic-pirates, but audio-animatronic animals as well, tied up with a dubious conservation message. To my eyes, it's a poorly done cousin to Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean, with poor viewing of the real animals (which is the problem that led to the addition of dinosaurs two years ago, to be replaced by pirates this year). However, it seems to be popular (certainly more popular than the ride was prior to the addition of audio-animatronics). There is another boat ride at a U.S. zoo: Although recently closed for renovation (until next year), Fort Wayne children's zoo has a River Ride which circles its Outback section.
Sedgwick County will join zoos such as Columbus, Brevard, Fort Wayne and Naples as an American zoo with a boat ride although I believe the only free one is Naples and its "Primate Expedition Cruise" lasts 20 minutes and takes visitors past a number of island exhibits with monkeys, apes and lemurs as inhabitants. There are other facilities (Tennessee Aquarium, Gator Country, etc) that offer boat cruises for an additional fee and visitors have an opportunity to view non-captive wildlife in a far different setting.
I am so glad. They have had good stats with their black rhino and the facility really needs a bit of an upgrade. Perhaps not so fancy as Columbus or Omaha's Henry Doorly or San Diego, but otherwise a very nice zoo with a great collection. I think they are on the right track and mindset with their new elephant exhibit - looking forward to another breeding herd of Africans here - and the new boat rides project!
The Sedgwick County Zoo had a boat ride long before they started construction on the new elephant exhibit. It started in their North American exhibit, going past bison, pronghorn, sand hill cranes, elk, and Mexican grey wolves before going through Africa. It finished by Pride of the Plains. Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley is just adding a marquee species to the experience
Great point re already a boat ride at SCZ. I hope they smarten up the existing landscapes seen from the boat.
Sedgwick County Zoo, Henry Doorly Zoo and Dallas Zoo to work together to relocate 18 elephants from Swaziland, with each Zoo taking 6 - Dallas Zoo hopes to relocate elephants, make room for rhinos in Africa | Dallas ZooHoo! More info here - http://www.roomforrhinos.org/
Having taken a tour of the progress last week, it is looking good. What the photos Zooplantman linked to doesn't show is the prime view, standing at the large covered viewing pavilion and looking out to the west to Nganda Island over the water (with elephant barrier not visible). When the water is there it will be a pretty spectacular view. The views from the pavilion toward the roadway are pretty bland and glaring right now but they are planning to continue the "King Kong" wall along the entire perimeter along the roadway and plant it up with vines and the like. The zoo horticulture and graphics staff always does a good job of coming in after construction and making is look great! Overall there will be a lot of space for the elephants to roam, looking forward to seeing the finished product.
I think the exhibit looks nice, nothing to spectacular and pretty simple but I'm glad its spacious. I am a bit confused though on why a zoo in Kansas of all places went with building a corrugated wall barn? I figured for sure a zoo in tornado alley let alone an exhibit with elephants would build something of higher duty. I could understand a zoo pulling it off in a warmer climate without strong storms but Kansas winters are pretty cold so I'm curious how well the building will be insulated for imported elephants unfamiliar with cold midwest winters.
What's so bad about steel buildings? You act as if they're not able to be insulated. Do you know what type of heating system they're using for the barn? Just because it's steel doesn't mean it'll be an ice box. I'm sure there are guidelines for architects and builders in areas where a tornado can touch down. Omaha's new Elephant and Giraffe barn are made of steel as well.
I just figured it would be made of concrete, not saying what they have is bad. For example I know that Lowry park zoo purposefully built their barn to also serve as a shelter to bring in other animals and I just thought maybe they'd go with something else.
An Orangutan is using a blanket to cope after earthquakes- it seems he doesn't like them. Orangutan uses "blankie" to cope with earthquake | Local News - Home
A grass fire occurred in the elephant exhibit construction area. Luckily, no damage to the animals or structures occurred. Grass fire at Sedgwick County Zoo causes no damage | KSN-TV
Reports indicate that the proposed import of the Elephants from Swaziland will go ahead. Apparently they have found no reason to deny the import and the final decision will be published tomorrow (January 22, 2016.) Importing of six elephants for Sedgwick County Zoo nears federal approval | The Wichita Eagle
The permit has been approved. Six Elephants will be coming. Permit for new elephants at Sedgwick County Zoo approved | KSN-TV
We have crossed another Rubicon! This surely will open the way for more African elephant imports, both North American and European. Both populations will benefit immensely from new blood and the potential to improve breeding prospects for the African species in zoos. Down with those anti zoo ele friend brigade!
We are the real ele friends. Had I won the powerball I would have bought the Waggoner ranch in northern Texas and turned it into Elephant ranch, every Elephant facing a cull in Africa would be welcome there.
There are already free-roaming zebras in Texas, so why not up the ante and make it into Kenya number 2. Fantastic job for everyone involved for the new elephants. It will be interesting to see how all 18 will do to AZA life.
