Just happened upon a new blog by a designer in one of the larger firms. Thought you might find her thoughts interesting: Designing Zoos
Thanks for posting the link Zooplantman, and I actually spent quite a bit of time reading through the entries. I thought it was interesting to read of the rumors of giant pandas going to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, as I'd not heard that one before. As of right now there are only 8 zoos outside of China with those animals, but with Adelaide, Oakland and Edinburgh all joining the cause then perhaps Omaha will be next? It's difficult to tell, as there are seemingly constant rumors of giant pandas invading all of the world's major zoos. Also, the prospect of more western zoos adopting Singapore's "Night Safari" idea interested me. I'm somewhat amazed that no North American zoo has replicated the environment that has been created next to Singapore Zoo. Allowing zoos to be open in the evening, and well lit with lamps, would be a novel and inspiring notion. It would keep the captive animals on show for much longer, thus giving them much more freedom from their night quarters. Surely visitors would be enticed to spend an evening at the zoo, or remain longer just to experience a whole new outlook on the traditional zoo visit. I know four people who have personally visited Singapore, and as well as the main zoo and the Jurong Bird Park they also visited the Night Safari. They all have raved about the experience, as the open-air exhibits are lit up with special lighting to showcase the animals in the dark. It's a small collection, but it must be easy to spend the day at the Singapore Zoo, have dinner, and then I believe the Night Safari is open from about 7 p.m. to midnight. A perfect day out...and yet there is still no sign of the concept in North America.
I think one thing limiting the spread of the night zoo concept is the varying day length. Because Singapore is near the equator its not too much of a problem, but I think this is why no-one has tried this in Britain yet. On the blog I've just spotted a bit about North Carolina Zoos elephant and rhino paddock. I'd never heard of it, but it looks really good! Apparently it is 44 acres with 7 elephants and 9 white rhinos as well various antelope.
Thanks for a link, Zooplantman! Changing day length and cold evenings make it impossible to make night-opened zoo in higher latitudes. But I agree European zoos should be open in summer until 9.00 p.m. or so in summer months, at least Friday and Saturday. These long summer evenings, when it is actually cool and you enjoy being outside. Now opening hours are ridiculously short. Few zoos are open until dusk. Berlin Tierpark is. The zoo is so huge, that checking it for being empty of people is impossible. I had great time watching animals - both zoo and wild ones - at the evening. Wolverines and wolves become active, various forms of eagle owls display, you see wild rabbits, bats, hedgehogs and buzzards going around their bussiness. And you have no families wih children! Also, primates are usually asleep very early in the evening. Basel zoo is open after dusk in mid-winter. It is casual, because days are very short. I had a great time watching snow leopard cub playing with her mother. At daytime, they were always resting or sleeping.
Excellent blog! What a great find zooplantman. Snowleopard: Disney is flirting with an combination idea similar to Singapore's Night Safari and Sea World's Discovery Cove. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, San Diego Zoo, and SDWAP all stay open later (into the evening) in the summer. As for the Giant Pandas, in the latest bid for American bound pandas I remember Oakland, Omaha, Toronto, Seattle, and another zoo (or two?) that I cant remember. Anyway Oakland won out on that rounds of bids.
Yeah, it's nice seeing someone thinking out loud about what zoos can be! And it appears to be quite new
