It was apparent from entering that they'd done a wide range of upgrading throughout, since my last visit. Some of this was due to loss of species and some of it reflected their current work on realizing a new Master Plan, but a whole lot more of it felt more like addressing deferred maintenance issues.
Among the most noticeable was the creation of a large glass viewing portal for the Andean Condors along with a water feature. Water features were added or up-graded throughout other habitats as well. The transformation of the former North American Otter habitat into a new "Barn Yard" habitat with new species of goats and three species of chickens was a delightful discovery necessitated by the assumption of the former goat yard into the new Madagascar Habitat exhibit.
Altogether I encountered 21 species. Based on the price of admission, that would be a $0.33 cost per species--a bargain!
I'd thought about packing a picnic lunch, and then wished I had. The Zoo skirts a lovely park with lots of picnic tables along the Brandywine Creek. In previous visits, it seemed unkempt. The center piece is a turn of the 20th Century fountain which was always partially disassembled and surrounded by barriers with no progress to its restoration apparent. Today, its repairs were complete, and it was once again the center piece of a genial public space. Interestingly, the parking lot was full and sported only a few cars from Delaware. The majority were from Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jerseys, with at least one plate from Massachusetts, Arkansas and California!
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