Starting a zoo from the bottom?

So most zoos in the Fantasy Zoos forum are medium to large sized zoo, final plans that would take years to build up to. (unless you have hundreds of millions of dollars to spare, I guess) Say you were to start a zoo from the bottom. You don't have tons of money, so you won't be able to get lots of big animals right away. As a result, you have to figure out how to attract guests without all of those big animals they normally expect to see in a zoo. What kinds of animals would you obtain and how would you try to get them? What would you do in the short and long term? What do you do to provide a fun and memorable experience?

I'd give the zoo a heavy focus on education and kind of present it as a museum, so people might be motivated to go for more than just entertainment. I'd also try to present the place as something for all ages, not just kids. To help promote the zoo (and make a little extra money) I'd set up a service where a zookeeper will take a selection of small animals and bring them to schools and events and talk about the animals. For more promotion, I'd have the zoo keep an active social media presence. In the zoo, free tours would be offered daily. I'd try to offer more than just looking at animals, to make up for the lack of charismatic megafauna.

Now, as for the animals? Without the presence of large animals, I'd try to shift focus onto interaction and learning. Have certain times of day where visitors can pet, hold, and/or play with various small animals such as chinchillas, hedgehogs, parrots, maybe even a serval and a fennec fox, and so on. But the zoo would likely need some more exotic animals as well. I'd first look into rescue cases, since lots of people get small exotic pets and then have to rehome them for whatever reason. Hopefully this would allow the fantasy zoo to get some exotics at a lower price. (and even better, bringing potentially mistreated animals to a good home) I'd also see about getting in contact with rescue organizations to offer to take in seized/surrendered exotics. After that, look for reputable and affordable breeders. Getting primates would be a priority, since they tend to be active and playful, so people enjoy watching them. I'd want to set up a bird show, featuring many different types of birds, since bird shows can be easily made entertaining and educational. I'd try to find unusual, interesting-looking animals that people aren't used to seeing, (such as emperor tamarins) and I'd set up some kind of feeding encounter as well. Lorikeets, I guess. Later on I'd might try to get a large animal suitable for feeding encounters.

This zoo would most likely be in south Texas, where I'm from. I'd want to put in some exhibits for native Texas wildlife such as white-tailed deer, ring tailed cats and American alligators. Also bats, (Mexican free-tailed preferred) cause bats need more love. In part to teach people about the different animals that live in the area, but also to encourage them to view nature as something that exists everywhere, not just in some jungle on the other side of the planet. This area might eventually expand into a general North American wildlife area.

Larger animals would likely have to be reserved for long-term plans. As with the small animals, I'd first look at obtaining them through rescues cases. You know, former pets, and retirees from circuses, roadside zoos, and other entertainment venues. Largely out of personal bias, I'd want tigers, though there's no denying that they'd be popular with the crowds too. Maybe wolves and some kind of bear for the North American area. Depending on how well the zoo does, American bison could probably be obtained early on, since lots of places raise them for meat.

 

I don't know if this is about sharing ideas or just about commenting on your zoo, but I'll assume you want more starting off small ideas.

I'd start with some generic cages at the edge of the grounds, some grassy and some forest-y, basically for rescue animals and larger wildlife that's cheap. They would be intentionally rotating, and built cheaply but with strong fencing so a wide variety of species can be kept. Build a small to medium sized cage in front, very slightly below ground level, to rotate in small species of birds, monkeys, small mammals, and other possible rescued animals.

The permanent collection would be housed in a large building in the back of the zoo, which would have to start off as a traditional black-background glass-window habitat, and I would probably start with either a reptile/amphibian/bird theme or a small mammal one, whatever is more cheap and convenient, though I imagine it'd be the former.

Build up from there with a focus on rescued animals and temperate wildlife. Save tropical stuff until there's looots of spare dubloons.

 

Mostly I'm interested in other people's ideas, but I'll take comments on my own as well.

You got some good ideas. Like you, I'd want to start with simple fence exhibits for the larger animals. I'd might want to arrange the smaller outdoor exhibits into categories, one area for birds, another for primates, and so on. But it might be smarter to try that later when the zoo has a more stable collection, and as you say, start out with something that can be easily rotated. Especially if the zoo plans on taking in lots of rescue animals, it is better to have general exhibits.

Some of the animals, such as the interaction ones, would be kept in a building area. The building would have some small exhibits (starting out with mostly reptiles and bugs, though try to get a couple small mammals as well) and serve as the area for educator talks and interactions. A number of small exotic mammals are bred and raised to be pets, so I'd look for friendlier ones that would be well-suited to interacting with people. The building would also offer some educational activities, some stuff for kids, though I would hope to think of stuff for older guests to do.

 

Personally I think I would create a "game plan" from the very beginning, planning for the larger and harder-to-acquire species from the get-go. Design areas based around smaller, more obtainable animals first, maybe leaving room to add in other species later. I'm all about geographic themed areas, perhaps biomes, and lastly taxonomic. Starting off it might be hard to avoid some taxonomic groupings, but it's possible.

Something like a petting zoo or farm area seems to be a zoo staple, so why not start with something like that early on, and make it great. Those animals are obtainable and tractable. Incorporate other species less commonly seen in those areas, ex. native species (barn owl, opossum), or even "pet" animals could go here, in the context of wild animals (rats, mice, native snake species).

Another idea of something people might be interested in would be Australian species. Wallabies are kept as pets in some areas, but can be expensive. Lots of colorful birds could probably found as rescues, same deal for Australian reptiles.

 

I would start out small, probably on some foreclosed land. It also might be easy to find a farm that has fallen into disrepair. The maximum size would be about 3 acres to start out, even if I owned more land (which would be developed later, possibly with some charismatic megafauna such as Elephants). The ultimate goal would be AZA accreditation. It would be a combination of a Zoo/Botanical garden and when I got old and died it would become a nonprofit and be run by a zoo board.

It would at first focus on native Flora and Fauna. I would have one Big Cat, I think a Mountain Lion would do very nicely. Also one smaller cat, I think a bobcat would do. The whole zoo would be centered around a barnyard orchard, with all sorts of fruit trees and a sort of barnyard exhibit featuring local rare breed animals. There would also be a "Farmhouse which would function as a sort of area for a few fish tanks, and a few reptiles, as well as be the administrative hub of the place. There would be a marine invertebrate display there. Also one large snake.

There would be an indoor aviary with parrots that you could feed at set times for a fee. Most of these birds would be rescues, but I would have a few hand fed members of more docile species, such as Senegal Parrots and Pyrrhura conures. I would also have some louder birds like Sun Conures and large Macaws. Also, a large indoor lily pond with Koi and citrus trees (and a sign explaining how geographically mismatched they are.

Also, a small greenhouse for exotic cactus and succulent species (I already have the collection in my house, and my other cactus club members could help me flesh it out. Why they could run the whole thing!) Also, a combination tropical house with more birds and species such as chocolate trees, vanilla orchids, and other rubber trees.

I would also have a wildlife pond, and a rescue paddock for abandoned, abused, and neglected horses. they might not all be permanent residents, some would be there for rehab prior to rehoming. Also, because this is fantasy I would have a Sea Lion pool for retired Navy Sea Lions. There would be a show showcasing their Navy training.

There would be a few more exotic things outside as well, but it would be dependent on what I could get. I'm so indecisive about this.

 

I would start with a petting zoo/farmyard and add some fish and native herps (Ohio) as well as some animals like deer, and wallabies, and possibly even a feeding station for parrots.

 

Look at my easy animals thread

 

I would start with a petting zoo with (Scottish Highland) cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, mini horses, mini donkeys, rabbits, chickens, and maybe ducks. It would start with having a few exotics, maybe a sulcata tortoise, peafowl and wallabies/kangaroos. It would acquire more exotics and there would gradually be less and less farm animals.

 

Interesting thread and some interested ideas. A few things though: In all the above comments you seem to think the cost of the actual animal is the major investment. Nothing could be further from the truth. The land is the major cost, the time of the person caring for the animal is an other thing that is very costly and the enclosure/fencing is also a very big investment. Compared to these things, the animals cost nothing.

I also think making lists of animals that could be kept is interesting, but much more interesting would be to hear novel ideas on how to present them. I'm a firm believer of that fact that the enclosure is more important than the animal. By that I mean that any animal can be found interesting and be a crowd pleaser if it's presented right.

 

If I had the money to start a zoo, I would begin with a few exotics; including cougars, wolves, monkeys, birds of prey and reptiles. If I gain a lot more money from that small collection I would raise it up to a bigger zoo with such exhibits as an Asian Elephant exhibit, an Africa exhibit (Giraffes, Zebras, Antelopes), a Pampas exhibit (Maned Wolves, Bush Dogs, Anteaters), a primate exhibit (Orangutans, Gibbons, Monkeys), a Mexican Wolf exhibit, an Asia exhbit (Przewalski Horses, Amur Leopards, Red Pandas) a Bird and Reptile House and an Arctic exhibit (Polar Bears, Arctic Foxes).

 

Back to the title of the thread. I think the wisest thing to do would be to have a job where you have the ability to run the zoo on your time off (holidays, weekends and summers). Start small and make it good! In the beginning there should only be animals which are cheap to care for in all aspects such as building the enclosure, time needed, food and heating. Animals in this category are some but not all common petting zoo/farm animals. Capybaras would not fall in this category because of their habits or defecating in their pools, making their care quite time consuming in most cases. If you start small like this and do it good, I believe you have the best chances of making enough revenue to expand yearly. Word of mouth is the best advertising and a neat, well run place that is friendly will make people want to share their experience.

 

That is a great point!

 

I agree with an idea that every animal can be interesting to look at in awe if presented right. I would probably start with small pens having some animals which are easy and cheap to keep. However I would try and name each of them. Pet zoo is not a bad idea either. Since it would be a small collection at first it shouldn't be a problem to be there when people come and visit. I would mingle around and pet and talk with the animals, calling them by their names and having handful of anecdotes likes e.g. This is Barney; Barney is a sheep and he absolutely loves to play with his best bud Joe the Piglet. That could keep people interested, the way they could familiarize themselves with the animals and not just watch random and anonymous ones.

 

Oh, I like that idea. People get more invested when they see the animals as individuals.

 

Pigs are actually very sociable. My Mom said that if I ever plan to raise and butcher a hog (and who knows, I might) that I should never ever get too friendly with it because pigs are very easy to make friends with and get attached to. I small pig might be a good addition to a petting zoo. A Donkey, make that two Donkey's might be a good addition as well, as I find them friendlier than horses. I find that horses don't really get friendly with you until you have a relationship with them, a donkey is more likely to want to be your pal from the get go. However that is not to say that a donkey won't start recognizing you and braying for you to come over, your relationship with them does get deeper over time. I also find that they are less nippy than horses. Maybe a couple of Sicilian Donkey's and a few Pot Bellied Pigs could be at my zoo, living in harmony together (I could tell a story about how they all lie down together at night.)

Me and my advice about farm animals. Geese might be a bad choice for a petting zoo unless they were kept in a pen where the public couldn't go in.

 

heres how it would start for me


there would be peacocks roaming freely as in most zoos that have these kind of things.tart with a barn such as at the bronx zoo but have enough space so that the animals could actually walk around and enjoy stuff. The first few animals would be jungle fowl in one enclosure and chicken in another to compare with a small plaque pointing out the differences. in another exhibit i would include perhaps pigs and another enclosure with wild boar. (seeing a theme here!) maybe if i could afford a fox while having a dog free roaming. (small so it wouldn't hurt the peacocks.
admission would be : adults=5.00, child 3-13= 2.00, child 6 months-2= free

no kids under 6 months allowed!!!

 

forgot one.

koi pond in the center

 

The zoo is located in Central-east Scotland and is 320 acres
Here is a sneak preview for the first exhibit
You see a South-American themed area with a traditional bridge at the entrance which is across the river. You see a South American restaurant with drum players pounding their drums loudly. You see a door reading "Come inside where birds sings." You open it...


Release date is 1st March

 

Heh, yeah, I know. My concern with big animals, especially carnivores like tigers, is the cost to keep and feed them.

Agreed on enclosures. I've been thinking of this "start from the bottom" zoo again, so I'm trying to think about how to make an interesting exhibit without spending too much money.

 

Its now the 29th of April (or did you mean 2016?).