Although several of Forth Worth's exhibits were constructed in the 90's, they feel increasingly dated... Luckily the zoo is soon embarking on a multi-million dollar (20 year) face lift. First on the agenda is to turn adjacent soccer fields into a new Savanna enclosure for Giraffe, Ostrich, and Black Rhino. The current Savanna will be turned into a secondary elephant yard- with the construction of another Barn (I'm not really sure why?). The second yard will be connected to the current yard by means of an over-head bridge. A feature I'm only aware of at the Denver zoo at present. Elephants are receiving the first of the improvements by 2016 to comply with the PC management mandate- and allow space for up to three calves expected in the next 2-4 years. Indian Rhinoceros will enjoy a yard expansion While the common hippo will be moved else where in the zoo (the soccer fields as well?) and receive a larger enclosure with underwater viewing.
Interesting about the soccer fields. I seem to remember that in the last contract with the city, the soccer fields were ruled our as a possible expansion area. I guess it helps to have friends who own the city... A new barn is desperately needed, as the old one is far too small, and may not meet the AZA requirements.
Glad to hear about the hippo exhibit ! Fort Worth's current hippo exhibit is one of the worst around ! Team Tapir223
Thank god the elephants will recieve a major expansion as there exhibit is puny along with the adjacant hippo exhibit.
i did a quick and rough analysis of the adjacent soccer fields on SketchUp, and the site for the proposed expansion is right at 10 acres. With a site that large and excluding elephants, they could have the potential for a really nice African savanna with some interesting species.
No, sticking with Asian. It looks like the elephants will take over what is now the savanna, and a new savanna will be built.
