New Elephant Experience Area at Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is really doing a lot of things this year, doesn't it? After the enormous, new coaster, "Cheetah Hunt", the new animal exhibit, "Cheetah Run", an unannounced refurbishment of Rhino Rally, and the announcement of a huge animal care center, they still have something new for us!
You may remember, from our huge Busch Gardens update, that we showed you a new wooden area built next to the elephant area. Well, here's now the official news, from the official Busch Gardens Tampa Blog:
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NEW! Elephant Experience Area
The new Elephant Interaction Area at Busch Gardens Tampa is many things and it’s difficult to describe in a few short sentences. Really, it’s designed to bring people and elephants together in a fun and enlightening environment… and it just opened recently!
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It’s located adjacent to the guest sidewalk and across from the site of our new state-of-the-art zoo hospital (now under construction on the site of the old Nairobi rhino display).
The area features a beautifully-landscaped, raised deck for enhanced viewing of the elephant habitat, plus a shaded, ground-level plaza that runs up to an innovative husbandry gate.
At the gate, our Elephant team has everything they need to do blood-draws, footwork, and other basic husbandry procedures that heretofore had to be done off-display just outside Pachyderm Palace.
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This versatile gate area also allows the animal care specialist team to maintain strong bonds with the elephants, by engaging in relationship and play interactions, to the delight of the elephants and the enchantment of our guests. We’ve always talked about the importance of play and close, trusting relationships, but we can now better demonstrate these in an intimate setting.
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Although the major advantage of the new area is getting new and closer access to the elephants and their keepers, audio/visual elements will also contribute to messaging and interaction with guests.
In addition to a crystal clear new audio system for trainers, a 53” flat-panel display will feature video images from three sources: a fixed camera covering most of the elephant habitat and much of the rhino rally hoofstock area, a hand-held video camera that will permit us to show close-up details of husbandry procedures, and a flash-video component that allows us to loop video, such as our Saving a Species Elephants episode, training demonstrations, and elephant news headlines from around the globe.
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Another addition is a staircase for the Elephant team that will provide them with improved access to the elephant exhibit and guest areas. Graphics will soon be added that spotlight the engaging and unique personality traits of our five Asian elephants.
In addition to being open three hours per day or more for guests, the Elephant Interaction Area also has the potential to host private tours and programs, and can also be utilized for behavioral research, another important component of our elephant program.
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You can still view the elephants from the Nairobi sidewalk, the Rhino Rally ride, or from the skyride, but we hope you’ll stop by to see them in a new light and visit with us at our Elephant Interaction Area.
If you love elephants, another way to get up close and personal with them is the Elephant Keeper Experience tour. You'll learn more about these elephants by touring the state-of-the-art Pachyderm Palace to comprehend the sheer size of these animals as well as the specialized care they require. Your group will help the zoo team prepare elephant-size treats, and try out some of the less glamorous duties as well!
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Very nice addition, isn't it? Here you are the photos of the area that we recently took:
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is really going above and beyond this year! It is really a great park, surely a park you won't want to miss during your next visit! When we'll be able to get back to the park, we'll make sure to take photos of this new area. For now, that is all. Have a nice day!
All the pictures that have a caption are subject to the copyright of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. © 2011 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.
As I said last time If Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will join with Disney Animal Kingdom, I think it will be the best Park in the World!!!
ReplyDeleteI love Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and I love theyre love for the animals and you can see how the animal are in great wealth and in total integration with the people who love them!
This new area is really great; last time we went there I told with my wife: "It would be great if the will realize a place much near tho this lovely elephant" and now... This is it!!!
Great job Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, keep in this direction and you, Animal Kingdom... wake up... you can do much better than how are you doing you work now!!!!
I absolutely agree with you, Bigfoots! Disney's Animal Kingdom is a great park, but it needs something new, something fresh. It needs to have the same mentality Busch gardens have, and think about their future.
ReplyDeleteThey should not rest on their laurels just because Animal Kingdom a Disney theme park.