点评:I’ve lived in Birmingham my whole life, and some of my fondest childhood memories involve trips to the Birmingham Zoo. Today was my first time returning since before 2020, and unfortunately, the experience was a major disappointment. The new front entrance and gift shop are beautiful — clean, modern, and welcoming. They gave me a brief moment of excitement and hope for what was to come. But once I stepped past the gates, it felt like a complete 180. The majority of the exhibits looked outdated and run-down. Many enclosures seemed small, barren, and poorly maintained, with sparse vegetation and little enrichment for the animals. It was hard not to feel disheartened seeing so many habitats that looked more neglected than nurtured. The predator area was especially lacking, with very few animals actually present. The primate house also felt old and in need of serious renovation. There was no rhino, no tiger, and the lion was confined to a cramped indoor space. Entire sections were oddly closed off, making the visit feel even more limited. The zoo seems in desperate need of revitalization and expansion. It just didn’t live up to the joy and wonder I remembered from my childhood. I left feeling both nostalgic for the past and sad for the animals currently housed there. I truly hope the Birmingham Zoo gets the attention and care it needs — for the sake of the animals and the families who want to keep making memories there.
翻译:我一辈子都住在伯明翰,童年最美好的回忆都与伯明翰动物园之旅有关。今天是我2020年前第一次回去,可惜的是,这次经历却让我大失所望。新的正门和礼品店很漂亮——干净、现代、温馨。它们让我短暂地感到兴奋,并对即将发生的事情充满希望。但一旦跨过大门,感觉就像来了个180度大转弯。大多数展区看起来都陈旧破败。许多围栏显得狭小、贫瘠、维护不善,植被稀疏,动物的营养也很少。看到这么多栖息地看起来更像是被忽视而不是被精心培育,很难不感到沮丧。捕食者区域尤其缺乏,实际上几乎没有动物。灵长类动物馆也感觉很老旧,需要彻底翻修。那里没有犀牛,没有老虎,狮子也被关在一个狭窄的室内空间里。整个区域都奇怪地被封闭了,让参观体验感觉更加受限。动物园似乎急需翻新和扩建。它完全没有恢复我童年记忆中那种快乐和奇妙。离开时,我既怀念过去,又为现在住在那里的动物感到难过。我真心希望伯明翰动物园能得到应有的关注和关爱——为了动物们,也为了那些想继续在那里留下美好回忆的家庭。