Under the Moose Dome

 "Changes in latitude, changes in attitude."

- Jimmy Buffett

It really is strange to me, the more I think about it, how many rare, endangered, exotic animals - some of which weren't even known to science a century ago - I saw in zoos before I saw my first moose.  I guess that's a testament to both how widespread and successful zoos have become, making once almost-mythical animals such as gorillas accessible to a huge swath of the population, as well as to just how hard moose can be to keep... outside of the north, at any rate.  Even polar bears aren't so problematic in warmer climes.

I wonder if it would be possible to keep moose in the south if they were kept indoors.  It would have to be a big building, mind you, and probably very expensive.  I'm sure you could do a lot of quirky stuff with it - a tunnel leading through underwater viewing of moose?  a hydroponic greenhouse to provide the aquatic plants that they eat - but I don't see it coming anytime soon.  Which is strange, because so many northern zoos build rainforest buildings to accommodate tropical species.  Why doesn't anyone do the opposite?

Maybe it would be best if we took a step back from building giant domes (or at least as many giant domes) and focused more on animals that could be exhibited outdoors year round (or at least for a greater chunk of the year).  Northern US zoos could take advantage of cooler climes to have species of the northern US and Canada, as well as northern Asia, the Himalayas, Patagonia, and parts of Australia.  Southern zoos would have their own native species, as well as Africa, tropical Asia, and tropical Australia/New Guinea.  Some species do well outdoors in both - lions, for example, are just about as comfortable in New England as they are in New Orleans.  Not building huge, expensive-to-maintain buildings would save a lot of cash which could go to other things... like salary raises?

Of course, some indoor exhibits would still be around, especially for smaller animals.  And you would need indoor holding regardless of where you are, especially for freak unexpected weather, such as when Florida has cold snaps or the Pacific Northwest has heatwaves.  Part of the appeal of zoos is also seeing animals from someplace completely different from your own, such as introducing the tropics to the Midwest, or the arctic of California.

Also, you  know who would really miss those indoor exhibits?  The keepers.  Because when its 30 degrees outside, it can be very nice to spend your workday wearing shorts in the tropics.