Another Voice
Charter Member of The Element
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2000
Most zoos built DO now create natural looking environments. Mostly because the role of zoos has changed from exhibiting animals to preserving species. And I cant recall seeing anything that looks remotely like a cage since I was a child (back when wholly mammoths still roamed L.A.).
And most places have far BETTER environments than the ones created at Animal Kingdom. MANY TIMES better. Look at the exhibit spaces at the San Diego Zoo or their Wild Animal Park among them. Even the Bronx Zoo the stereotypical example of horrible places has been completely rebuilt with environments for the animals that far exceed Disneys attempts. This is a particular sore point because Disney could have done so much better but they choose not to.
By the way, did you know that the lion exhibit space at Animal Kingdom is supposed to be the smallest of any major animal there? Disney is trying to force the animals into visible positions for the lumbering trucks. And guess where those very same animals spend ever moment they are not on display in twenty foot cages. NONE of the animals have miles to roam around in. Theyre all nicely locked into their own little pens. All that lovely rock work isnt intended to make the animals feel at home, its to hide the bars.
People were expecting an animal park that was generations beyond their local zoo. They were expecting a place that transformed zoos and aquariums the same way that Disneyland transformed amusement parks. Instead they got a rehash of trends from Lion Country Safari thirty years ago and a few value-designed theme rides.
No wonder Discovery Cove is such a strong success while Animal Kingdom is giving away soft drinks just to get loyal customers back through the turnstiles.
And most places have far BETTER environments than the ones created at Animal Kingdom. MANY TIMES better. Look at the exhibit spaces at the San Diego Zoo or their Wild Animal Park among them. Even the Bronx Zoo the stereotypical example of horrible places has been completely rebuilt with environments for the animals that far exceed Disneys attempts. This is a particular sore point because Disney could have done so much better but they choose not to.
By the way, did you know that the lion exhibit space at Animal Kingdom is supposed to be the smallest of any major animal there? Disney is trying to force the animals into visible positions for the lumbering trucks. And guess where those very same animals spend ever moment they are not on display in twenty foot cages. NONE of the animals have miles to roam around in. Theyre all nicely locked into their own little pens. All that lovely rock work isnt intended to make the animals feel at home, its to hide the bars.
People were expecting an animal park that was generations beyond their local zoo. They were expecting a place that transformed zoos and aquariums the same way that Disneyland transformed amusement parks. Instead they got a rehash of trends from Lion Country Safari thirty years ago and a few value-designed theme rides.
No wonder Discovery Cove is such a strong success while Animal Kingdom is giving away soft drinks just to get loyal customers back through the turnstiles.