This week we step away from the Zoo Director role and view the zoo from a different angle. Sue Chin, Vice President of Planning and Design and Chief Architect for the Bronx Zoo based Wildlife Conservation Society has her hands full overseeing new projects at all 5 New York City WCS institutions. But that didn’t stop her from answering a few questions about her 20 year career in the Big Apple and particularly the new snow leopard exhibit at the Central Park Zoo.
Taking a few notes from Bronx’s excellent Himalayan Highlands, as well as input from the esteemed George Schaller (winner of the 2008 Indianapolis Prize), Sue and her staff did their best to re-create the mountainous misty terrain snow leopards are famous for hiding in. For those, like me, that live too far from NYC to see in person, the internet proves to be a valuable resource. WCS posted a minute long video of the exhibit on You Tube.
Sue also touches on Bronx’s recently LEED Certified 2008 project Madagascar, the budget crisis which included the World of Darkness closing, and future plans at Brooklyn’s New York Aquarium and Queens Zoo.
It is truly amazing that a city, even one as big as NYC can have 5 zoos! What’s even better is that each is entirely unique, ensuring that a visit to one borough’s zoo will be as engaging as the next. That being said, the Bronx is certainly the crown jewel of the city and for many one of the world’s best. Bronx is definitely one of my favorites, if for no other reason than their exhibit design (thanks to Sue and co.) is extremely conducive for photography. Glass glare is limited and most exhibits have open views with beautiful backdrops. Maps for all 5 New York City Zoological Institutions are below, check out for yourself how different they are.
Saturday June 27th was a busy day at southern Michigan’s Binder Park Zoo. The annual 5K Cheetah Chase had eager runners passing giraffes early in the morning and later in the afternoon I made a presentation about America’s Best Zoos with a signing afterward. Fortunately, the weather was near perfect and lacked the humid bite so often a daily requirement for Midwestern summers.
In between the events were plenty of visitors enjoying the beautiful day the best way possible – touring the excellent zoo! Battle Creek, Michigan is hardly on the short list of places expected to see a well executed re-creation of an African savanna, but the fictional Zuri National Park serves as the medium to transport guests from an American forest to an open East African plain. On top of the 18 acre main antelope filled expanse, winding paths stroll past monkeys, birds, wild dogs, and African farm. Got lots of great pictures, especially of the giraffe-human interaction, so here’s a few.
P.S. Forgot two blog links last time. Even though they are in my blogroll, I think they deserve a noteworthy mention. First, Paul Becker is working on a project examining the sociology of zoos. As he and his wife Cathy visit zoos, they write about each experience with insightful and honest observations. Read them here – Animal Ruminations.
Second, who doesn’t love baby animals? I mean seriously, is it even possible to say “ugly” and “baby animal” in the same sentence? For all the cute and cuddly faces Zoo Borns is the place to be.
Wild Africa's Monkey Valley is home to colobus and black mangabeys
Cooled rocks, plenty of shade, and several misters keep the cold weather cats cool in the summer
Many zoos now offer giraffe feedings, but only a couple are in the same league as Binder Park's
An impressive set of horns awaits at the African farm
