Blazing heat in New York City means it's time to get out of your apartment and go see the great exhibit that has been painstakingly organized and staffed at the Bronx Zoo, one of the oldest and largest metropolitan zoos in the United States.
“Madagascar is the naturalist's promised land… There you meet bizarre and marvelous forms at every step.” - Philippe de Commerson, French Explorer (1771)
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) unveiled Madagascar! at the Bronx Zoo, a spectacular immersion exhibit inside the restored historic Lion House on June 19th.
Tomato frog - Photo by Julie Larsen Maher copyright WCS 2007
Madagascar! gives all visitors a glimpse of the world’s fourth largest island off Africa’s eastern coast and home to an amazing array of unique animals and plants. The exhibit features a wealth of wildlife diversity found in this island nation, sometimes called “the eighth continent.”
Nile Crocodile- Photo by Julie Larsen Maher copyright WCS 2007
One of the featured creatures is a 13.5-foot, 800-pound Nile crocodile inside his limestone cave; the Zoo was kind enough to send Monsters and Critics great photos of all their star exhibits including the nimble ring-tailed lemurs leaping in a spiny forest; and for those who aren't put off by something fairly indigenous to New York City, more than 100,000 Madagascar hissing cockroaches crawling in a massive baobab tree.
Photo by Julie Larsen Maher copyright WCS 2007
The zoo has more than 150 other animals, representing nearly 30 species, will be featured in the 20,000-square-foot building.
Red Ruffed Lemur- Photo by Julie Larsen Maher copyright WCS 2007
“The Wildlife Conservation Society’s new exhibit featuring Madagascar is a window on our conservation of wildlife in that beautiful island country. The exhibit's placement in the historic Lion House at the center of the Bronx Zoo symbolizes Madagascar’s importance to the world of wild nature,” said Dr. Steven E. Sanderson, WCS President and CEO.
Photo by Julie Larsen Maher copyright WCS 2007
“Each visitor to Madagascar! will walk through a 'green' building that honors our mission in New York and around the world. We hope everyone will be moved to help save wildlife and wild places.”
"In a single exhibit, the Wildlife Conservation Society enhances our status as a global environmental and cultural pacesetter. The green components of the restoration of this landmark building are remarkable. And Madagascar! will be another terrific reason for tourists to come to New York. The City is proud to be a partner in this project," stated The Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City.
Radiated Tortoise- Photo by Julie Larsen Maher copyright WCS 2007
WCS ally and Madagascar President Marc Ravolamanana, made his nation a global leader in conservation through the “Durban Vision,” tripling the area of the island set aside in protected areas.
Mantella - Photo by Julie Larsen Maher copyright WCS 2007
“Madagascar has one of the greatest biodiversities in the world, but this world heritage is in danger. In our fight to protect our rich natural resources, a treasure that benefits the whole world, there is a need for commitment, ongoing research, persistence, and cooperation among the worldwide networks of zoos. The role that the Wildlife Conservation Society plays in educating the public is very important not only for conservation, but also for the well-being of the entire planet,” said His Excellency Mr. Marc Ravalomanana, President of the Republic of Madagascar.
Ringtailed mongoose- Photo by Julie Larsen Maher copyright WCS 2007
“We are delighted that Bronx Zoo visitors to this new exhibit will inspire them to learn and care about our island nation.”
Through its projects and partnerships, the Wildlife Conservation Society has worked to save Madagascar’s biodiversity since the early 1990s.
The WCS protects and manages wild places in Madagascar, including the country’s largest remaining tract of rainforest, a quarter of its coastal forests, and its coral reefs – the third largest reef system in the world.
Two of WCS’s most notable achievements in Madagascar have been the design, establishment, and management of Masoala National Park and the Makira Forest, which together make up Madagascar’s largest, contiguous protected area.
The Wildlife Conservation Society and the Government of Madagascar recently announced a landmark agreement, where the government will offer for sale more than nine million tons of carbon offsets to help safeguard Makira Forest and fight climate change.
The restoration of the historic Lion House was supported by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, former City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone, Sr., former City Council Speaker Gifford Miller, New York City Council Bronx Delegation, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión, Jr., as well as the generosity of WCS public and private donors, including the New York Power Authority, The Schiff Family, Joan O.L. Tweedy, Jonathan L. Cohen, and others.
ABOUT THE EXHIBIT - from the Bronx Zoo In the Joan O.L. Tweedy Tsingy Cliffs habitat, Coquerel’s sifakas show off their unique mode of locomotion called vertical clinging and leaping, using powerful limbs to jump from tree to tree.
In the Jonathan L. Cohen Crocodile Pool, a 25-foot-wide, two-inch thick expanse of glass holds 17,000 gallons of water and allows for an up-close encounter with two huge Nile crocodiles.
Small Wonders, Big Threats introduces mouse lemurs, tomato frogs, leaf-tailed geckos, rainbow fish, lesser hedgehog tenrecs, and other living gems. These exhibit spaces are set into a high-tech "theater-in-the-round" with dramatic video that shows the threats facing Madagascar.
The arid Spiny Forest is home to ten playful ring-tailed lemurs and a pair of personable brown collared lemurs. Flying freely within the exhibit are vasa parrots and red fodys.
A fabricated baobab tree hosts over 100,000 Madagascar hissing cockroaches enclosed behind glass artfully angled to look as if it doesn’t exist. The Discovery Zone named for Guy Rutherfurd by The Bodman Foundation, a child-focused interactive area, provides hands-on exploration to spark curiosity and foster learning.
In Masoala, a cascading waterfall flows into a 1,000-gallon elevated pool filled with colorful cichlids. This all sets the stage for a group of vociferous red-ruffed lemurs and a lemur predator, the fossa — a unique mammal predator found only on Madagascar. As guests exit Madagascar! and return to Astor Court, they follow the Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation, Inc. Conservation Path, where visitors are asked, “Why Protect Madagascar?”
Visit: www.wcs.org
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