Fixing the KC Zoo (ongoing)

[mean]

Now, I haven't seen the lift.  If it is simply an open rail chair, I can imagine it won't be long before some dumbass falls off that thing and gets eaten by a lion. 

Omaha's has been running for a couple seasons now and there haven't been any problems afaik.

[beautyfromashes]

Nope.  But, I ski about every winter and I see little kids (probably as young as 5??) regularly on the ski lifts that are much higher than the zoo lift. 

So, are you suggesting a 5 year old age limit, cause that would exclude thousands of kids a year? I just wish it was an enclosed gondola instead of a chair lift. 

[KCMax]

Now, I haven't seen the lift.  If it is simply an open rail chair, I can imagine it won't be long before some dumbass falls off that thing and gets eaten by a lion.  Seems like a tough project to get insured.  I dunno.     

Well that's one way to draw a bigger crowd.

[GRID]

This is a really cool addition to the KC Zoo.  My kids have been on ski lifts of all sorts since they were barely able to walk.  Kids are fine so long as the parents know how to raise them.

[Highlander]

Now, I haven't seen the lift.  If it is simply an open rail chair, I can imagine it won't be long before some dumbass falls off that thing and gets eaten by a lion.  Seems like a tough project to get insured.  I dunno.     

I guess that is the difference, other skiers do not eat you if you fall off the lift!  I doubt if the "lift lines" are that long which would allow the operator time to enclose the patrons with some kind of restraint and for the operator at the opposite end to remove the restraint.  Ski areas are unique because long lines and disembarkment procedures (skiing off the lift) do not allow such restraints.  Plus, there is an upenned assumption that if you have the physical ability to ski down a mountain, you can probably stay put in a lift (it's getting on and off that causes most people problems).    I cannot imagine the zoo having unrestrained people gliding over the lion or rhino pens.  Too much risk. 

[chingon]

It looked like the lifts have a lock-in bar.

[Major KC Fan]

The lift only goes over herbivores.  Sorry, no free entertainment other than watching people that have never been on a lift. Was at the zoo this weekend (Sunday) and it was crowded--about 9,000 plus.

[IraGlacialis]

The lift only goes over herbivores.  Sorry, no free entertainment other than watching people that have never been on a lift.

The key is which herbivores. If it goes over hippos or rhinos, the potential for entertainment via stupidity is still there.

[Major KC Fan]

Should have clarified.  It doesn't go over either the rhinos or the hippos, just the open savannah area with giraffes, zebras, ostriches, all of which could inflict some damage if you survive the fall. 
That being said, I'm sure the legal team for the zoo will have all in order to keep liability to a minimum.

[KC-wildcat]

That being said, I'm sure the legal team for the zoo will have all in order to keep liability to a minimum.

Apparently you never saw Jurassic Park.  This lift concept is essentially the exact same thing.   

[pash]

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[Major KC Fan]

Guess I'm a "glass half-full" person.  I'm all for anything that brings more customers to the zoo.  It results in greater revenues and potential for more growth, hopefully along the lines of their 20 year plan that I saw this winter.

[KC-wildcat]

Except, you know, the zoo doesn't have any dinosaurs. ...

Not true.  The Zoo has two crocodiles and some tortoises. 

[KC-wildcat]

Guess I'm a "glass half-full" person.  I'm all for anything that brings more customers to the zoo.  It results in greater revenues and potential for more growth, hopefully along the lines of their 20 year plan that I saw this winter.

I agree.  And I love the zoo, so I'll always support positive development out there. 

One thing I would like to see is a big cat exhibit that centralizes all of the big cats (except for the lions b/c their exhibit is pretty cool in Africa).  See Philadelphia Zoo. 

It's the new trend in zoo design where similar species are clustered into a rotating pod-type exhibit.  From the Philly zoo webpage:

"One group of cats are able to roam their exhibit area and another cat's habitat, too! Being able to smell and explore a space where another cat has lived provides excellent behavioral enrichment, stimulating the senses of the temporary residents. This situation also mimics the behavior of wild cats, who live in a core range surrounded by outlying areas they roam less frequently.

A system of overhead tunnels allows the cats to move from one exhibit to another. Who knows, you may even see an Amur leopard high above the visitor walkway, watching you!"

But it cost 20mil. 

[mean]

The lift only goes over herbivores. 

That's kinda too bad. The thing in Omaha goes over the lions and some other big cats. It's pretty neat.

[KCMax]

Just went to the zoo this morning. I don't think you have to worry about people falling out of the lifts. What I would be worried about, is people dropping trash into the pens.

One thing I would like to see is a big cat exhibit that centralizes all of the big cats (except for the lions b/c their exhibit is pretty cool in Africa). 

A system of overhead tunnels allows the cats to move from one exhibit to another. Who knows, you may even see an Amur leopard high above the visitor walkway, watching you!"

But it cost 20mil. 

That would be awesome. I'd also like to have more displays with this guy narrating.

The Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger (original narration by Randall)

[Highlander]

Just went to the zoo this morning. I don't think you have to worry about people falling out of the lifts. What I would be worried about, is people dropping trash into the pens.

That would be awesome. I'd also like to have more displays with this guy narrating.

The Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger (original narration by Randall)

I'll take the Honey Badger, cool animals.  It would nice to really round out the Africa and Australia exhibits with a better representation of the species that live there.  Leave the obnoxious narrator though (he's funny at first but that last for about 30 seconds).  

[pash]

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[FangKC]

KC Zoo wants multi-county tax

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/06/23/29 ... ounty.html

[KC-wildcat]

What are everybody's thoughts on the tax?  How does this thing need to be marketed to pass? 

I support it.  Not sure if it will pass or not.  I can imagine that anybody with children would lean toward voting yes.  For others, perhaps a discounted ticket guarantee for Jackson, Platte, Cass, and Clay Co. residents?  May ease the heartburn some will feel over JoCo residents not contributing to the cause. 

May also be wise to let peopl know what Omaha's, STL's annual budgets are so that people will have a visual point of reference for what this tax measure will mean. 

Question - what does the following mean? 

"If the tax district is approved in all jurisdictions ? it would have to pass in Jackson County, at least, to take effect ? the measure could generate $17.6 million a year."

So, if the measure only passes it Jackson, it will move forward?  But if it passes everywhere but Jackson, it fails?