You're given an opportunity...

You're given an opportunity...
10-08-2012

So let's say you're approached by a new zoo to design a new exhibit (or an entire exhibit complex), and this is your one opportunity to "break in" to the world of exhibit design. They have no size or species specifications, cost is no object, and you can have any animal that could feasibly be held in captivity (which means you'd have to count out the larger cetaceans, among others) on display. You're only asked to make the enclosures as naturalistic as possible (no obvious barriers, no mixed species that wouldn't occur naturally in the wild, no species that could be harmed by co-habitation with one another), and to ensure that there is a strong focus on conservation and preservation.

Unique environments not usually displayed in zoos are encouraged, but the tried-and-true species and environs (albeit, these should be presented in a fresh and unique way) are also welcome. So, you're given this great opportunity - What do you present them with?

I'm new here, so I've read through a few of the exhibit design competitions, but I found them a bit limiting with their restrictions and rules (although I understand that that is a part of the challenge, in those threads). Some of the ideas in those threads, even within the confines of the rules of that specific challenge, blew me away. I've always loved visiting the zoo, and spent a fair amount of time when I was younger playing Zoo Tycoon, but I have never actually tried to create an exhibit on my own, so needless to say many of the posters here impressed me with their ideas. This thread was really created to see what the posters here (myself included, although I only just started on my exhibit complex) could come up with when the goal is to let your imagination run wild.

So, with that in mind, you're getting ready to head into the meeting to present your concept and this is what you have for them...

10-08-2012

Bale Mountain Complex

Mountain Nyala, Walia Ibex, Gelada, and Ethiopian Wolf in a 6 acre rocky mountainous enclosure.

11-08-2012

Cool.

Still working on my exhibit, which Is focused on the Everglades and includes a boat trip through/past many of the enclosures. I'm trying to be as detailed as possible, so it's taking longer than I'd expected.

21-08-2012

Several thousand acres on a block large enough to include a couple of ecological niches,i.e. mountains/ridges & also slopes running down to flats.These would be two large enclosures (several klm2 ) Then in the centre a well designed breeding facility with proper handling yards & lab & about 2 dozen 40 acre plus pens plus several smaller quarantine & holding yards, all connected by races to the central yards.

Exhibiting is not the objective,but research,teaching,restoration,breeding & conservation as the focus.My particular interest is value adding to wildlife species to allow them to compete against domestic stock for land, funding & acceptability in the real world.I believe that with good stockmanship many wildlife species can be more profitable than domestic,& without the chemicals or labour component. The added bonus is the collateral benefits to the indigenous wildlife, & keeping large units of exotic species to limit genetic drift,however the genetic material in the tanks in the lab allow the use of decades old semen & eggs to reverse any drift & assist with quarantine/bio security.

No interest in "domesticating" any species but breeding to origin.Having large numbers also allows for some sexual selection in the breeding programmes, rather than just pedigree,or the human eye trying to judge conformation.

All the things that zoos already do?

Cheers Khakibob

25-08-2012

So this is for any kind of Exhibit?

25-08-2012

Journey to the Himalayas. It's a mountain theme exhibit, based on the wildlife of Nepal and Tibet. It's based on a man made mountain (obviously not very tall, but its location on a hill makes it look that way). Upon entering, the visitors are greeeted with a pond for bar headed geese. Several large spacial exhibits are for Yaks, Bharals, Ibexes, and tahrs. There is also a rocky exhibit for pikas, and two predator enclosures for Snow Leopards and Asiatic Black Bears. The last part of the exhibit is a balcony near the top of the "mountain" that overlooks the zoo.

25-08-2012

Okay here's two good Exhibits for Aquariums.

Oceanarium: This is similar to the Oceanarium at the Shedd Aquarium. The First thing you see when you enter is the Pool for the California Sea Lions and Harbor Seals. Nearby are the Habitats for Sea Otters and African Penguins; Brown Bobbies (That's a Bird) and Inca Terns live with the Penguins. Past by the Tank for the Giant Pacific Octopus to see the Habitat for Beluga Whales and Grey Seals. As you walk you'll see the Tank for White Sturgeon and Rainbow Trout as well as the Bird of Prey Center which is home to such Raptors as the Osprey and Peregrine Falcon. Then you will see the Tank for Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. There is also an Underwater Viewing Area to see Bottlenose Dolphins, Beluga Whales, Seals, Sea Lions, Sea Otters and Penguins. There are also two Bird Habitats- One for Tufted Puffin, Common Murre, Pigeon Gulliemot, Crested Auklet, Rhinoceros Auklet and Black Oystercatcher and One for King Penguins, Gentoo Penguins, Chinstrap Penguins and RockHopper Penguins.

River Explorer: This is inspired by the River Scout Exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium. The First Habitat you see when entering the Exhibit is one for Cayman Island Blue Iguana. Nearby is the Tank for Elephantnosed Fish, African Cichlids and Tipala. As you continue your Journey you'll see Archerfish, RainbowFish, Tiger Barb, Clown Loach, Tomato Frog, Mossy Frog, Chinese Crocodile Lizard and Madagascar Giant Day Gecko; you'll finally arrive at the Habitat for the Indian Gharial; also in the Habitat are Pig Nosed Turtle, Snake Necked Turtle, River Terrapin, Painted Terrapin, Malayan Box Turtle, Giant Gourmai, Asian Arowana and Barramundi. Past by the Habitats for Mangrove Snakes and Asian Water Monitor you'll see the Electric Catfish, Electric Eel and Red Bellied Piranhas. Explore the Habitat for Two Toed Sloth, Collared Anteater and Wattled Jacana. Also see the Habitat for Poison Dart Frogs and Amazin Milk Frogs. Next is the Habitat for the Green Anaconda with Silver Dollars in it's Habitat with Dwarf Caiman and Neon Tetra nearby by. Next is the Giant Amazon Tank for Central American River Turtle, Arapaima, Silver Arowona, Pacu, Peacock Bass, Red Tailed Catfish, Tiger Shovelnose Catfish and Freshwater Stingray. Also see the Cage for Hynacith Macaw and Red Fan Parrot before seeing the Turtle Island home to Red Eared Slider, Yellow Bellied Slider, Diamondback Terrapin, False Map Turtle, Painted Turtle, Spotted Turtle and Ornate Box Turtle. See the Habitats for Alligator Snapping Turtles and CottonMouth Snakes before seeing the Habitat for American Alligator as well as Paddlefish, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Bowfin, Largenose Gar, Spotted Gar and Bluegill. Finally see Habitats for Giant Otters, Asian Small Clawed Otters and Nutria.

More Ideas coming sooner or later.

25-08-2012

You mean Brown Boobies I presume?

25-08-2012

Yes must have misspelled by accident.

27-08-2012

Here's Ideas for Wild Asia and the Elephant and Rhino House. Both are based on the Asia Quest and Pachyderm House at the Columbus Zoo.

Wild Asia: This Exhibit is home to many Animals from Asia and also has Models of Asian Landmarks such as the Taj Mahal in India and the Great Wall of China.

Here's the Animals in this Exhibit:

Mammals:
Przewalski Wild Horse
Somali Wild Ass
Persian Onager
Malayan Tapir
Bactrian Camel
Dromedary Camel
Banteng
Nilgai
BlackBuck
Dama Gazelle
Lowland Anoa
Takin
Himalayan Tahr
Japanese Serow
Pe're David's Deer
Barasingha
Reeves Muntjac
Tufted Deer
Chinese Water Deer
Babirusa
Japanese Macaque
Malayan Tiger
Asian Lion
Amur Leopard
Clouded Leopard
Fishing Cat
Pallas Cat
Striped Hyena
Asian Palm Civet
Asian Black Bear
Red Panda
Yellow Throated Marten
Sable
Dhole
Asian Small Clawed Otter
Indian Crested Porcupine

Birds:
Bali Mynah
Great Indian Hornbill
Golden Eagle
Red Breasted Goose
Mandarin Duck
Indian Peafowl
Silvery Pheasant
Golden Pheasant
Reeves Pheasant
Great Angus
Demsoille Crane
Red Crowned Crane
White Naped Crane
Golden Eagle

Reptiles:
Chinese Alligator

Elephant and Rhino House: This exhibit is home to two large animals- the African Elephant and the Indian Rhinoceros. This exhibit has both a Large Outdoor Exhibit and a Large Indoor Exhibit for both Species.

Animals:
African Elephant
Indian Rhinoceros

What do you think?