Sunday, September 30, 2018

Philadelphia Zoo: Snapshot #8 - Raptor Ridge

The newest exterior habitats at the Philadel- phia Zoo are a pair featuring birds of prey called Raptor Ridge.  The exhibit with a pair of Barn Owls is made to look like a cutaway of a barn with a model cow and live chickens.  Nearby there are interactive displays about various raptors and an actual tractor for guests to climb up on and get a photo.

Just a little further up is the one of the largest American Bald Eagle habitats I have ever seen at a zoo.  The one at ZooAmerica in Hershey, Pennsylvania is also huge.  The photo doesn't show even half of it.  At the time of my visit the pair was hanging at this end of their home because the keeper was housing down the other end.  This is the area of the zoo were I first encountered the inadequate Red Panda exhibit over 30 years ago on my first visit.  There was also a camel ride here, a vestige of mid to late 20th century zoos that is no longer consider a best practice.  Some zoo's still offer the opportunity, but many like the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore and the Denver Zoo in Colorado.


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