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Toronto Zoo If You Bought Toronto Zoo...

Discussion in 'Canada' started by TZFan, 13 Aug 2013.

  1. TZFan

    TZFan Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    I assumed the smaller animals would be in the pavilion.

    It's a pity loons just dont do well in captivity. I think they would be a very popular exhibit.

    Im sure you will surprise me with some of your choices. My North American section was based off of species I liked and then to fill in the rest of the blanks I used the various provinces species at risk sites. The great thing about North America is that you can source any animal you want with the right permission.

    Dont worry about taking your time. Im happy to wait so you can craft the pavilion you want. You waited ever so patiently for my first rainforest pavilion.
     
  2. arcticwolf

    arcticwolf Well-Known Member

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    I'm doing my North American Pavilion very similar to how you did your section. I started by thinking about what species had to be in it and now I'm filling it out with other species that are threatened or unique.

    The species that I think might be surprising aren't ones that are uncommon in captivity. There are just a couple of species that I wouldn't normally think about including, but they fit in perfectly.
     
    Last edited: 1 Sep 2014
  3. TZFan

    TZFan Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Rainforest Refuge Part II
    The pygmy hippos northern neighbour will be the zoo’s African Spotted Necked Otters. The zoo will keep a pair and if they breed their offspring. At first if young are born in successive years the zoo will try to keep the group together to the older siblings can see and practice rearing. However thats not always possible. A huge exhibit compared to other zoos might allow it to work though. If they can't stay with mom and dad because they are rejected they will be removed and sent to the health unit to await a new home. The main viewing wall will be to the north. On the land they will have a rocky shore with dirt and woodchips down for the otters to dig in and groom with. On the shore there will be piles of logs and rocks, hollow logs, tree stumps, a tree to provide shade that has tall routes. Towards the back there will be a modest hill with tunnels in it so the otters feel they have a burrow but it will lead straight back to their holdings. Atop the hill will be some plants but I would like a glass wall so people could see back to the hippos creating more of a natural setting. In the southeast corner there will be a rock feature with a waterfall and small sloped stream the otters can use to slide into the water. The otters could climb the waterfall if they wanted. But there will be other spots where they can dive in from a higher height and other spots that are so gradual into the water older animals or young will have no problem getting in and out. There will be several grooved spots in the rocky shore that the otters cal uses as slides to make their day more fun. The water will rise about two feet above the ground so people can watch the otters dive but because an underwater view is available it doesn't need to be high. The walls and depths will vary throughout the underwater viewing space to create complexity. Rocks, fallen logs, other objects and lots of aquatic plants will help to add to that complexity and hopefully help them avoid stereotypical behaviours. Also adding to the exhibit would be a current generator so that the otters will have to work harder to swim. The currents can be adjusted and turned off to add to an unpredictable element for the otters. And like my other otter they will be given live prey at least once a day to make them hunt but it wont be a scheduled feeding. Randomness is good.

    East of the otters will be the West African Dwarf Crocodile. They may be relegated to restricted breeding in favour of more endangered species but the zoo currently has them and they could live on a good long while. The zoo’s current pair would stay but no breeding will be allowed so that we are following the rules. Their exhibit space will look almost like a mirror of the otters minus the slopes. They could afford to have more plantings all over and a slightly larger stream running down from the waterfall. There will also need to be a bigger haul out space simply because they are bigger but its the same idea. The idea if the exhibits are similar the crocs and otters can occasionally switch exhibits to provide new sites and smells. If the otters are outside on a given day the crocs will be given access to the exhibit so they can have more space and something new to do.

    Straight to the north of you lies another massive primate exhibit. It will house the bachelor troop of gorillas half of the time. The other half of the time it will be home to the zoos troop of Bonobos or Chimpanzees. I would prefer the more docile and rarer bonobos but getting my hands on them might be too hard so if I have to I will take easier to acquire chimpanzees. If its chimps then serious consideration must be made about how to best handle male aggression. But for argument sake the zoo will get a troop of bonobos, 3 males, 5 females and young. A troop this size should be manageable and with only a few males hopefully aggression will be kept to a minimal.

    Like the gorillas their exhibit will feature giant glass walls through which guest can observe their bonobos and netting higher up to allow the chimps to enjoy vertical height as well. Its a win win. guests get to be close up and the bonobos get a lot of freedom of movement. Their exhibit will have several big fruit trees that will bear fruit the bonobos will like at different times of the year to encourage natural foraging. There will be flowers, bamboo and other plants tucked into planters on the rock wall at the back of the exhibit. The rock wall will also have a couple of big ledges where multiple bonobos can sit together. Obviously at the center of the exhibit will be a giant climbing structure designed to look like multiple fallen trees and branches. This will give plenty of climbing opportunities but I also want it to have lots of smaller spaces where young can take refuge from family squabbles and where keepers can provide the little ones with opportunities to feed without competition. Other logs will be placed around the exhibit to lead the bonobos up to platforms by the observation deck. There will also be ropes or firehoses painted green to be look like the vines all over the exhibit. Since males like to shake trees to show their strength there will be strong flexible posts added around the exhibit so they can display properly. Might be good to help the young male gorillas get their aggression out too. Spread around the exhibit there will be hammocks, nesting platforms, cargo nets, puzzle feeders, logs, rocks (mostly too big to light and throw but some to be used as nut crushers) burlap sacks, and other things to enrich their day. Daily they will be provide with big palm leaves to rip up or mate nests with. Srtaw will be around also for nesting and general fun. Another feature of the exhibit will be three termite mounds. I want the bonobos to show off their tool using abilities. Live termites will be added to the hills on a random basis and other sticky things at other times. Two termite mounds will be back from the guests but one will be right up against the glass and cut in half. This will allow guests to watch how they use the tools. I think the cut away mound will be a really cool feature. There will also be a couple fake beehives which will have treats occasionally. Misters will be added to the elevated platforms outside the observation deck and the bonobos will be able to turn them on themselves. They will have all kinds of toys as well and be a part to the IPads for apes program running with the gorillas and orangs. And as mentioned before they will get a keeper talk on the days they are on display and will have a webcam.

    Outside they will have access to the flexible exhibit as well as an display exhibit. The display exhibit will be viewable over a moat along the main pathway leading to the center of the zoo. Given the chances of a creative bonobo trying to escape there is no chance anything will be close to the walls and that anything not anchored down in the exhibit will be way too heavy for them to lift. I don't want boring concrete walls but at the same time I cant risk a rockwall they might be able to climb. A mural will have to be used to create a natural look. I would love a couple of trees but I won't risk them being able to break the tree and escape. The whole exhibit will feature fake trees instead. Not as natural but some of the trees can have green shade structures on top of the trees to look more like a tree's canopy. Creating a climbing structure with all kinds of fake trees and fallen trees and tons of winding ropes will provide lots of play opportunities. The terrain will be multi leveled with boulders of various sizes strewn about. Outside they will also have termite mounds and beehives to enjoy. Keepers will have to keep an eye out for nesting wildlife because nothing would be worse than the bonobos killing animals in front of guests. Might not be able to totally avoid it but I would like it kept to a minimum.

    Beside the bonobos will be a wonderful mixed primate exhibit. In this enclosure you will find Mandrills, Patas Monkeys, and De Brazza’s Monkeys. This could be a very exciting and always lively exhibit. The mandrills would be kept in two hordes. There would be a family group consisting of an male, 6-8 females and their young. The male is only thrown in here because I always want one impressive male on display or why have mandrills? The second group would be a bachelor male troop of 5 or so males, with no access to the females unless they are being paired for breeding. By doing this the zoo can pair appropriate mates during breeding season. Plus we can handle some surplus males. If the males can be held without going nuts near females then they will rotate with the family horde. If not then they can chill in the breeding center. The patas monkeys will live in a similar arrangement. The family troop consisting of a male, 6-8 females and young. Living with the bachelor male mandrills would be bachelor male patas monkeys. Lastly the De Brazza will have a small family group consisting of an adult male and 2 adult females and young. THey are the least social species of the group which is why their troop is so small. They will live with the family groups of patas and mandrills. However if the staff believed the De Brazza will do better alone than a small portion of the exhibit will be severed for them.

    Their exhibit will be a lot like the gorilla and bonobo exhibits just scaled down a little because the animals are smaller. Lots of big fruit trees to avoid too much competition for food and provide cover for those who want privacy. There will also be bushes and big boulders to provide privacy. Stands of bamboo will dot the landscape. There will be a huge climbing structure made out of fake trees and fake fallen trees with lots of hiding places and foraging spots. The trees in the climbing structure there will be planters with big leafy plants to make it look like full trees. Rope vines will stretch all over the place. They will also have hammocks, cargo nets, puzzle feeders, rotting logs full of bugs to forage for, a termite mound and other toys. Logs will lead up to platforms outside of the observation deck. Outside the eastern exit the pavilion along the eastern wall there will be an outdoor exhibit. They will have a big exhibit with glass walls. I considered a moat but then people are further away. If the glass is done will it won't be bad. They will have a couple of threes scattered about well back of the rock walls angled in so they cannot climb them. There will be a climbing structure, ropes, hammocks, cargo nets, platforms, boulders, a stream, long grasses, puzzle feeders, and rotting logs.

    All of the primates outdoor yards and indoor exhibits will be designed to provide flexibility. Just because I have laid out my descriptions of the exhibits the way I have doesnt mean thats necessarily where you will find everyone on a given day. They will be able to rotate through each others exhibits to provide a sense of space to the primates and to give them new and varied experiences every day. With 3 troops of gorillas, a troop of bonobos, and two groups with mandrills, patas monkeys and De Brazza's monkeys (well only one group with them) the zoo will need lots of flexibility.

    Turning south guests will be sort of leaving the rainforest and heading into the wetlands. Again I just didn't want to build a second pavilion for them. I would like all of the birds you are about to discover to have clipped flight feathers so that guests can just view them over moats and not through netting. However if they need to be enclosed then that is what will be done.

    Across the pathway from the crocs and monkeys will be a large exhibit that will house a breeding pair of Shoebills. I love these birds and they are a must even if I have to import from Africa. Now a big problem for me is that they allow their second (and sometimes third) chick to be killed by its older sibling. That won't be allowed. The staff will have to pull one of the eggs after laying and hand rear the second chick. The chick being hand reared will definitely be a featured animal in the health units nursery. They are so unique with those big bills that people will be fascinated to watch them grow and it would be a chance for keepers to explain a cruel fact of nature. At least one of the chicks would be would be trained to be an educational animal for the zoo. The exhibit will have to be very carefully designed if breeding is to be successful. I would like some parent reared chicks, however keepers can take over for abandoned eggs or nestlings. To help make the parents feel secure the northern and southern walls of the exhibit will be tall rock walls to create privacy. They will have a couple of large trees on the land portion of the exhibit surrounded by bamboo and large rocks to give them cover if they want. Reeds and other aquatic plants will line the entry into the pool to create the marsh look. Along the waters edge there will be a shallow entry point perfect for wading birds who stalk their prey. Several logs and rocks will be around in the water if they choose to stand on them. The depth of the water can be decided by pros. There will need to be several sections that are big and deep enough to allow for the construction of their floating nests. In the water there will be lots of rocks and twigs and debris for their food to hide in and around. Live fish will be brought in daily. Outside they will rotate on exhibit with the other birds. The exhibit will be along the eastern wall of the pavilion across from the mandrills. To satisfy all of the birds needs it will be designed as a marsh exhibit. Guests can view the animals over a moat that will be lower than the pathway. The marsh will have tons of tall grasses, reeds, aquatic plants and boulders. Branches will form a roosting structure for the ibises. Live prey will also be introduced here.

    Beside the shoebill exhibit will mixed Wattled Crane exhibit. The zoo will keep a small flock of 3 breeding pairs and their young. Should two eggs be laid keepers will have to watch carefully to make sure both chicks are being cared for since rarely do the parent rear both chicks. Given the ideal conditions they should be able to rear both. However keepers will pull the second chicks for hand rearing if the parents don't provide proper care. If the AZA wants a breeding flock can be established in the breeding center. Its not a bad idea since all second chicks from a breeding season could be hand reared together in a nursery flock. During the winter they will be joined by both species of crowned crane and because I would like to be able to rotate the cranes and the shoebills from time to time to provide enrichment the exhibit needs to be similar. The land area in this exhibit will be slightly larger though to help accommodate the crowned cranes during the winter. It will sport a single tree, bamboo, flowers, waterlilies and other aquatic plants. Because they like to eat waterlilies lots will need to be planted. The water area will be varied heights and fish will be added to allow them to hunt. They will also have access to the shoebill outdoor exhibit.

    Back inside the pavilion across the pathway to the west of the shoebills will be the Nile Soft Shelled Turtles. The zoo currently has one turtle but I would add a second just so there is more activity for guest to hopefully watch. It would likely be another male. Babies aren't needed and there are no females to squabble over. At the back of the exhibit there will be a glass wall so you can see into the pygmy hippo exhibit. The exhibit would feature a soft sandy beach with a concrete lip keeping the dirt mostly out of the pool. Toward the back would be various grasses but little else. A deep clear pool with toys in it to keep the turtle interested. If some food could be added to the pool in the form of fish that would enrich the turtles day. They won't get underwater viewing.

    South of the turtles will be the zoos flock of flamingos I don't care if they are Greater or Lesser Flamingos. It doesn't matter one bit. Most wouldn't know the difference anyway. It would be a large flock of 40 or so birds with as equal a split in gender as possible. They would have the biggest of the bird enclosures because they are the most numerous. Their land area would feature a class wall at the back so you can see the Red River Hogs to the west. They will have various grasses and reeds growing but the land will mostly be soft clay they could build their nests out of. Keepers will pay attention to the grounds quality to make sure they aren't standing in mud all of the time. The big part of the exhibit though will be all of the water for them to wade and swim in. A few logs will give them perches but the exhibit stays pretty simple. Along the southern wall of the pavilion there will be a similarly decorated outdoor exhibit backing on to the hippo/hog/ otter outdoor exhibit. Again everything should be visible from both sides.

    Lastly in the southeast corner of the pavilion will be a mixed exhibit for Sacred Ibis, Egyptian Geese, Cape Shelducks, Saddle Billed Storks, and African Spoonbills. There will be 10 pairs of ibises. The spoonbills will would have a two mating pairs and a pair each of storks,geese and shelducks. During the summer the geese and ducks will be move out into the wetlands hoofed stock exhibit so they have more room to roam. The exhibit will feature a couple of big trees which have tons of branches and are lighter on the leaves so guests can see the ibises while they are perched in the tree. Also in the exhibit will be lots of grasses, bamboo, shrubs, rocks, waterlilies, reeds, and other aquatic plants. The water will be relatively shallow but still allow the bigger birds to wade into the water to hunt the fish.

    Near the southern exit here there will be a ramp leading up the the observation deck. Originally I wanted to have really natural rocky ledge looking observation deck that was open and vine covered to really capture the rainforest feel. However upon second thought I just don't trust people not to put their kids on the ledges. Instead for the protection of kids, and zoo animals (from falling objects) guests will be fully enclosed in the observation deck. It will still look like a rocky ledge with fake plants growing in and on the walls. The wall of the pavilion will rotate between rock and huge glass windows looking out onto the various outdoor yards letting light in while providing impressive views. Along the inside walls there will be glass paneling angled out over the exhibits. A metal railing will keep people back but the angled glass will allow them to peer down into the exhibits below. I think it sounds like a decent idea. No dropping stuff, no falling kids, everyone is safe but they get great views. The observation deck will run along the eastern wall and northern walls of the pavilion and then stretch over the eastern walls of the gorilla and bongo exhibits. A ramp leading down to the main floor will come out around the bongos.

    Another really cool feature I would love to add to the observation deck would be a rope and plank bridge spanning across the middle of the wetland exhibits over the cranes, turtles and hippo exhibit. It should look like a rustic bridge with a little give when people step. However again because I don't trust people the whole bridge would be surrounded by a thin netting keeping people and their objects safe. Kids should love the bridge.

    As you go around the observation deck where there is rock walls on the outside of the pavilion there will be be a number of reptile and bug exhibits. Up here you will find Taxi Cab Beetles, Jade Headed Buffalo Beetles, Giant African Millipedes, Emperor Scorpions, Gaboon Vipers, Ball Pythons, Monitor Lizards, Green Mambas, Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agamas, Leopard Tortoises, Speke's Hinge-back Tortoises, Home's Hinge-back Tortoises, and African Helmeted Turtles.Now I know I have added a couple venomous snakes and if the staff don't want them then we wont house them. The species kept up here could also be augmented by animals received during the exotic amnesty days.

    Also up here there will be a chameleon nursery much like the zoos current one. There will be individual exhibits for single Veiled Chameleons, Jackson’s Chameleons, Bearded Leaf Chameleons, Spectacled Pygmy Chameleons, and Rosette-Nosed Chameleons. The exhibits will be large and have tons of climbing opportunities on branches and other plants. Guests will be able to look into the nursery just like the current one but it will not be as sterile looking. A nice mural wrapping around the room will do a lot to brighten things up. In the big window there will be baby chameleons and eggs incubating. It would be cool if people had a chance to see them hatch every now and then.

    Overlooking the bonobo and gorilla exhibits there will be family trees with photos so that guests can learn about the individual animals at the zoo. There will also be the IPads for ape stations and the TV screens playing what the apes are doing. There will also be puzzle feeders up there you can watch them manipulate and maybe help them with.

    Up here there will also be a conservation station providing guests with info on issues relating to African rainforest animals. There will be info on the bushmeat trade, deforestation, the illegal pet trade, poaching and war. For the kids there will also be the customary touch table.
    After taking a look at the bongo exhibit from above you will head down the ramp leaving behind the observation deck. You’re not done with the pavilion yet though. Around here there will be ramps leading down to the underwater viewing called the Lakes. Is the area strictly rainforest species? Nope, not really but we are shifting from rainforest to wetlands simply to make construction easier. Heading down the stairs pointing south along the western wall will be some amphibians to the who will fit in better here than upstairs with the reptiles and bugs. African Dwarf Frogs, African Clawless Frogs, Goliath Frogs, Rusty Tree Frog and anything else an expert suggests. They need the water near by so why not put them in the Lakes area. They will have exhibits which feature on land and underwater viewing. The land areas will be lush with grasses, flowers, plants, rocks, branches, dirt, and wood chip. Under the water there will be aquatic plants, any bugs they may eat, and fallen logs and rocks.

    Beside the amphibians will individual tanks for specific fish species. Individuals would include Aba Abas, African Lung Fish, African Bonytongues, Electric Catfish, Chocolate Chip Squeaker Catfish, Leopard Climbing Perch, Ngege, and anything else the expert say need to be isolated to avoid predation upon other fish. If any could be mixed in with other species thats fine. With the exception of the lungfish all of the exhibit will be floor to ceiling giving the fish maximum space to live and breed. The tanks will be set will have aquatic plants, rocks, fallen trees and branches and plant debris. The lungfish would get a an exhibit much like the amphibians so that people can see its unique adaption.

    Another species I would love to add here provided there is the space and ability to keep them is the Nile Perch. I would want their exhibit to be the biggest of the individual tanks because we are talking about massive fish. Three to five individuals would inhabit the tank. I dont care if they breed. I want them next to the cichlid tanks to the north so that the zoo has an opportunity to teach guests about the devastating impact this alien species has had on cichlid populations in the lakes it has been introduced to. Its a good way to remind people of the negative impact the release on non natives species can have on an ecosystem. Its not the last time this will be brought up but its a good reminder.

    On the eastern wall will be the hippos. North of the hippos will be the otters underwater exhibit and to the east the crocs.

    Across the pathway there will be a huge, or several huge tanks holding the cichlids. There will be some combination of Freshwater Puffer, Congo Tetra, Azureus Cichlid, Piceata, Two Stripe White Lip, Florida Red, Mbenji, Ruben Red Peacock, African Butterfly Peacock, Electric Yellow Labido, Kenyi Cichlid, Red Zebra, Bumblebee Mouthbrooder, Blue Daktari, Demanson's Cichlid, Pseudotropheus Ice Blue, Red Cheek, Electric Blue Johanni, Dogtooth Cichlid, Trewavas Red-Finned Cichlid, Aulonocara Blue Gold, Aulonocara Fort Maguire, Flavescent Peacock, Nkhomo Benga Peacock, Brevis Shelldweller, Sunshine Peacock, Blue Moorii, Electric Blue Hap, Venustus, Livingstoni, Blue Neon Cichlid, Compressed Cichlid, Convict Julie, Cylinder Cichlid, Daffodil Cichlid, Dickfeld's Julie, Fairy Cichlid, Frontosa Cichlid, Lemon Cichlid, Checkered Julie, Tanganyikan Butterfly, White Tailed Brichardi, Blunthead Cichlid, and Tropheus Cichlid. Again a more informed person needs to make the final calls on the species, combinations and numbers of tanks. All of the fish tanks will be designed to best stimulate their natural environment with rocks, aquatic plants, and various debris.
    After passing the crocs guest will return to the main level and exit by the mandrills through the eastern exit. Heading passed the mandrill and shoebill exhibits guest will head southeast towards the Wonderful Watering Hole.
     
  4. arcticwolf

    arcticwolf Well-Known Member

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    As always, your ideas are great TZFan! I think it was a smart idea to combine the rainforest and wetland areas because there probably aren't enough species to create a separate wetlands section.

    Something that I forgot to include in my Canadian Wilderness area is that I want to have a few displays about Canada's First Nations. There would be three displays focusing on the different First Nations groups in Canada. They would be a very realistic tipi next to the bison exhibit, a birch bark canoe close to the moose pond and a totem pole near the grizzly bear underwater viewing area. Each display would have signs explaining how each artifact was made and what their purpose was. There would also be other information about how different First Nations groups interacted with the animals in their regions.
     
  5. TZFan

    TZFan Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Wonderful Watering Hole
    The Wonderful Watering Hole is an area of the zoo devoted to animals found around Africa’s waterways. Now because many of the birds I would have included in the watering hole exhibits are actually in the pavilion so I didn't need to build a second one. Because of this there will be far less animals in the area despite the amount of land being given to it.

    After heading southeast from the shoebills you will come up on the first watering hole exhibit, African Slender Snouted Crocodiles. I don't actually want the slender snouts. I would prefer Nile Crocodile but the AZA wants the shift to the rarer species. While I could just skip having them all together if I can't get what I want, a watering hole exhibit just wouldn't make sense without crocodiles so they will join the zoo. They are less social than other species so the zoo will only keep a single breeding pair and offspring. Ideally I will be able to keep the male and female together but they do lead solitary lives in the wild so they may need to be separated which wouldn't be so back because breeding can be more strictly controlled. Since they are smaller than Nile crocs the exhibit can be smaller. Their exhibit will feature a modest land area. Big enough to move around, have two or three shade trees, rock resting spots, dirt, sand and woodchip. Along the waters edge reeds and other water plants will be placed. The water portion of the exhibit will be larger with varied depths including a beach. Under the water they will have fallen logs, rocks, aquatic plants and feeder fish.

    Naturally given the cold winters the crocs cannot stay outside year round so they will have an exhibit inside the hippo house. There they will have a lush exhibit with lots of trees at the back, bamboo, reeds, grasses, flowers and aquatic plants. There will also be logs and rocks in their pool along with fish. This water won't be as deep as their outdoor pool but will keep them far from guests. Beside this pool will be a large tank in the wall where baby crocs can live after they have hatched. Naturally not many will be allowed to hatch but there might be a couple in there from time to time. The tank will house extra african turtles the rest of the time. The tank will be very much like the adult exhibits but it will have underwater viewing as well as terrestrial views.

    Along the northern edge of the outdoor exhibit you will have noticed a ramp leading down below the pathway. This will be where underwater viewing will be offered during the warmer weather. During the winter months it will be blocked off because there will be nothing there. The underwater viewing gallery will have a wonderful bright watering hole mural. Here guests can watch the crocs swimming and hunting. Further to the south they will be able to view the hippos swimming in their pool. I wanted to build a underwater tunnel for them like the polar bears and walruses but the hippos are so dirty in their water it would involve a lot of maintenance for keepers. A long glass wall will do and people will be able to still appreciate the size of the hippos. Massive filtration will run so this pool stays as clear as possible as much as possible. The pool will be 15-20 feet deep at its deepest parts. As you exit the viewing gallery you would be at the southern edge of the hippo exhibit.

    Clearly the next spot on your marathon journey through the zoo is the River Hippo complex. This is by far the largest portion of the watering hole, fitting for the third largest land mammal. The zoo will be housing two large herds of hippos. There will be a bachelor herd of 4-6 adult and sub adult males as well as a cow herd with 6 females and their young of varying ages. The bulls will only be introduced to the cow he is selected to breed with when a calf is needed. The rest of the time the bulls will be relegated to the bull yard. In the cow herd young males will be pulled by their third birthday to prevent unplanned pregnancies but the female calves can stay until the SSP picks a new zoo for her. The cows will have access to two yards, their regular yard and a special maternity and breeding yard that is off exhibit. It will be a quiet place for mother and calf bonding for the first couple weeks of a calf's life and a controlled space where keepers can observe breeding. If there are no young calves the zoo can use the space to isolate individuals or increase space.

    Arriving at the hippo exhibit after visiting the crocs you will see a small pathway to the west that will lead into the hippo barn. This will be closed during good weather since all of the hippos and crocs will be outside. If you were visiting in the winter you would find the croc exhibits in the north east corner of the building while the rest of the viewing gallery would be taken up by exhibit space. There will be off exhibit holdings for the group not on display. The indoor enclosure will feature a massive deep pool with several shallow exit points for the hippos. There will be some toys in the water to manipulate like floating logs. There will be some aquatic plants and tons of cichlids in an attempt to keep the exhibit water clean. In the land space they will have mostly sandy space with some grassy areas, reeds, non toxic flowers, a tree or two, fallen logs and rocks to rub against. They will also have a big communal mud wallow that could house 4 or so adults at the time. A cool feature at the far southeast corner of the house will be a training station. At least once a day I would like keepers to try and coax one of the hippos over to the interaction wall for routine training. Guests will be behind a fence separating them from the keeper and another barrier between the hippo and keeper. Due to how many of the hippo training walls appear to be constructed I think that while training is not going on a huge sliding door will come out and lock into place preventing guests from even seeing the hippos there. At the end of a good training session the hippo will be able to have a big water melon to crush which no doubt will be a crowd pleaser. The hippos will get a scheduled keepers talk. Training though will be random and if a guest just happens to catch it great for them.

    Outside of the hippo barn obviously there will be three yards. The first you would come across is the gigantic cow yard south of the crocs. To the west of that would be the maternity yard that is off exhibit, providing privacy and quiet for bonding. And west of that would be a sizable bull yard. Along the southern edge of both the bull and maternity yard will be a hoofstock exhibit. Though the three yards have different purposes they will all be decorated similarly. Each of the exhibits will split the land and water space in half. On land several big, huge, sturdy trees will serve as shade structures. Bushes will serve as the backdrop of the exhibit. Attempts will be made to ensure plenty of grass is available to browse on… somehow I just don't see it working well no matter how fast the grass grows with so many eating machines around. Boulders and fallen trees will provide scratching places and objects the young bulls can test their strength on. There will be sand beaches for them to nap on while basking in the sun. Each exhibit will also sport several large mud wallows to help the hippos protect their skin from the drying effects of the sun. Along the waters edge I would like to see reeds, waterlilies (if they can survive the hippos) and any other aquatic plants that can be added to help filter the water. The amount of poo so many hippos can turn out a day means no trick can't be attempted to keep the water clean. If adding native species of fish to the hippos pool would help that option could be explored too. I could add the cichlids but as always I refuse to take the risk of introducing any invasive species to the environment. Though adding them might reduce the number of times I can get the pool cleaned. Clearly another ask the expert moment. While I have set up each of the yards as specifically for the males or females that doesn't mean they won't rotate from time to time. Naturally guests will want to watch babies from every angle possible so having them in the exhibit with underwater viewing much of the summer is ideal. However the big guys should move in here too so people can marvel at their size and agility underwater. Plus rotating them will provide stimulation to their days. With 3 outdoor exhibits, one big indoor exhibit and off exhibit holding there should be more than enough room to keep the hippos happy and manageable.

    However at this point I think I will take you off into the breeding center for a moment. With the sear number of big land mammals the zoo has part of the breeding center will have to be devoted to a large mammal holding and quarantine facility. It needs to be able to house bull elephants (really strong), giraffes, hippos and rhinos. I dont know how to best design it but since animals will have to come in and go out of the zoo this would be a good place to house them. It can also offer the zoo back up facilities in case social problems become too much. Yes I will be holding bachelor herds of elephants, giraffes and hippos but not all of the males will be able to get along with the others. Some will be rejected and they will need holdings while what is best for them is decided. The quarantine center will be located off the southwest corner of the zoo. You will understand the placement later.

    South of the hippo exhibits will be the two big mixed species exhibits I mentioned earlier which will be the home of animals that like to gather around watering holes. Here you will find Nyala, Thomson's Gazelle, Impalas, Sitatungas, Springboks, Nile Lechwes, Common Waterbucks, Maccoa Ducks, Cape Shelducks, Ruddy Shelducks, and Egyptian Geese. Not all are strictly wetland and watering hole type animals but they were grouped based on mixed compatibility recommendations and everyone needs to drink right? Each of the hoofstock will be kept in separate female and male herds. The male herds of one species will mix with the male and females herds of the other species but not their own species. For example the male Nyalas will not be on exhibit with the female nyalas but may be on exhibit with the male impalas, gazelles and sitatungas and female springboks, lechwes and waterbucks. By mixing and matching like this the zoo can keep firm control on breeding without having to resort to contraception yet still be able to display the males who are very different looking than their female counterparts. However if keepers think this is stupid then the zoo will resort to contraception and display in a single exhibit each of the species with a single male and 6 females plus young, while the bachelors await their turn as dominant bulls in the breeding center in a group of 5-10. The ducks and geese will be kept as single pairs.

    For the exhibits a large deep moat will keep the hoofstock in the exhibit. As the water gets closer to land it will be come more gradual and marshy. lots of aquatic plants and reeds will obscure the shoreline. This will give the animals a good space for wading and nest building. The ducks and geese will surely enjoy the deeper waters. The large land section will be covered in quick growing grasses that are on the higher side. This will provide lots of browse for the hoofstock and hiding places for their newborns. Several big trees and bushes will provide shade and fallen logs and rocks will provide obstacles and hiding places should aggression break out between the males.

    As you round the southwest corner of the hoofstock exhibit you will get your first look at the African Market Place. Hate to be rude but you're going to skip this temporarily and come back for it when you're exploring the savanna. Just across the pathway from the hoofstock to the west and south of the pygmy hippos and flamingos, there will be the last official watering hole species the African Fish Eagle. Too cool to just pass up. There will be a breeding pair in a large flight pen with a smaller feeding pen in the back so that keeper can check on chicks and replace or remove eggs as necessary without stressing the parents. Like the other eagle exhibits this will be a towering flight pen. They will have several trees to perching in and two false threes with big starter nests. On the ground there would be lower perches on fallen branches, bushes and grass. In the center of the exhibit there will be a big pool with tons of fish for the parents to hunt displaying their impressive abilities. And because the chicks won't be visible to guests until they are nearly grown a camera will stream live videos down to monitors on the ground. Guests will then be able to watch the little ones as they develop and if someone is really lucky even hatch. This can be done with this species because siblicide is rare.

    The eagle exhibit brings us to the end of the Wonderful Watering Hole.

    Safari Lodge
    Now I do want to encourage people to spend multiple days at the zoo and to make it a travel destination for those who don't live in Toronto. What better idea is there than to offer our own Safari Lodge, especially when there are few hotels in the area where I have put the new zoo site. This will hopefully encourage people from out of town to visit.

    The lodge will be positioned across the pathway from the hippo’s cow exhibit. Placing the hotel here will offer some amazing views for guests. Eastern exhibits will have fantastic views of the hippos, mixed hoofstock and perhaps beyond to the giraffe’s mixed exhibit. Rooms to the north will be able to look out onto the orang exhibit and perhaps beyond into the Asian elephant exhibit. To the east rooms will look out to the orang and tiger exhibits. While to the south Guests will be able to look out onto the lion exhibit, watering hole splash pad and maybe cheetahs. It is some impressive views.

    The lodge itself will be a about three stories and designed to look like a rustic safari lodge. Everything should look natural. There will be mud like stucco, a false thatched roof, stone floors, wrap around balconies (divided up for individuals suites), ect. Lush gardens will surround the lodge to provide privacy and atmosphere for the guests.
    All zoo guests will be able to enjoy many of the facilities on the first floor of the lodge. Why you ask? Good question. The first floor would be like free advertising for the lodge. Guest could see what it was like to stay at the lodge on their next visit and hopefully be enticed to come stay. There would be the modest sized lobby that will be decorated with African artifacts and decor and comfortable furniture. It will be open to the second floor with walk ways overlooking the lobby that guests could use. The concierge desk will be strictly for hotel guests unless someone would like to book a room for a later time A gift shop with the traditional gift shop things and more African themed gifts will also be in the lodge. Along the southern wall of the lodge there will be an African themed restaurant. It will be serving both American and African cuisine. A wonderful feature of the restaurant will be floor to ceiling windows looking out into the lion exhibit. you could in theory dine with a full grown African lion watching you. Although as I think about it maybe its cruel to eat in front of the lions. Perhaps a one way mirror would be better than glass so the lions can see people eating and won't feel overly watched. Also on the first floor but sectioned off and only accessible using ones key card will be a bar and lounge strictly for hotel guests.

    Guest rooms would occupy the remaining floors. I would guess there would be between 50-100 rooms. There would be a mix of room types. Some rooms would be done for couples, others for singles or friends and some for families with bunk beds for the kids. Bigger rooms will be nice suites with a living room, dining area, and one to two bedrooms. The suites would be fewer and on the top floor. Every room will have a balcony with furniture so that guest can enjoy the impressive views. Each of the rooms would be competitively priced to encourage people to stay.
    However not all guest will want to stay in a room. So for those who want to pay less or rough it (kind of) there will be 10-15 safari tents to the north of the hotel. Its part of the same complex and guest will be given nice cots, linens, a table and chairs just outside. The tents will house 2-6 guests allowing for couples and families.

    To the west there will be the pool area. A modest zero entry pool made to look like a watering hole with a waterfall flowing over into it. It should look quite nice. I did want to have the pool area border an exhibit or two so guest could watch animals as they swam. however when I drew up the plans the lodge didn't end up next to a mixed species exhibit so I think Im content with in isolate pool which will be made to feel like a small oasis. There will be a pool bar, cabanas, and lounge chairs around the pool. Around the waterfall there will be a slide that looks like part of the rockwork.

    The lodge will feature numerous perks in order to pull guests from other hotels. Anyone staying at the lodge will have free access to the zoo for the entire length of their stay (I’m guessing in most cases a night or two). Being kind they will also be given free zoomobile and sky tram passes. At the concierge desk guest can book private safari tours throughout the zoo for various fees which may or may not involve behind the scene looks and animal feedings. They can also book their behind the scenes tours here the same as any other guest but it cannot be the same day as booking. Private in room spa services will also be offered though I would guess this wont be used a lot. They could also arrange to have a staff photographer follow them around for the day to take photos.

    Lastly because my guests will have to travel quite a ways into the zoo to reach the lodge any guest who shows up at the front gates with confirmation of their reservation can start their perks. Guests can either check their bags at guest services and meet up with their luggage at the lodge on check in. These guests can get a start on their day and worry about check in later. On the other hand for those who want to check in first guest services will provide a complementary lift in and out. They can get to the lodge check in, probably have to check their luggage if their room isn't ready, then head out for some fun. Either way guest wont be forced to drag their luggage with them.

    Wild Waters
    Wild Waters is a second water park. I figured with the massive space the zoo has just one water park will not do. It has been a long time since you last cooled off and after the hike you have made since then you have probably worked up quite a sweat. Time to cool off again.

    Wild Waters will be themed around a watering hole. Fitting since it is a gathering place. Like the other splash pad it will be surrounded by a lazy river, and have water slides for the bigger kids.

    The splash pad itself will feature African animals gathered around a water hole or really just a blue pad. Life sized elephants will be shooting water out of their trunks into the air. A baby elephant will join them to create a herd feel. A couple of giraffes will be holding tip buckets. Atop trees swiveling monkeys that spit water out of their mouths. Hippos emerging from the water with water shooting out their noses and spray out their backs. An arch with streaming water that looks like an open croc mouth and body along the side. A group of zebras spitting water on an angle at the ends to form a tent shape. Spinning groups of 4 flamingos will dot the splash pad gently spraying around water. A tall rock waterfall with a lion on top will pour water down on to people. Rocky outcrops will allow kids to slide down gentle slides… meant more for the toddler and preschool set. Other animal sculptures will be around not spraying water but adding colour and flare.

    Inside the lazy river there will also be crocodile benches for mom and dad, animals holding up picnic tables and Safari lodge which serves food. Change rooms are off to the side.

    What's up next? Prideland Passage... I will let you wonder what thats all about.
     
  6. TZFan

    TZFan Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Prideland Passage
    To the east of Wild Water nestled in and around the oceans pavilion will be Prideland Passage. When designing the savanna I found it harder to tuck the predators in without obstructing views of the giant field exhibits. That left me with one option isolate many of them in their own area. Just worked out that there was space there.

    First up after exiting the your refreshing time on the lazy river in Wild Water. You will see the first of two prides of lions to the northeast. This pride will be the white lion pride. Currently the zoo has white lions so I will be keeping them and allowing breeding only if homes are already decided on for the litters at fully accredited zoos. No homes no breeding. At the end of their lives they will not be replaced by more white lions. Instead the zoo will completely switch to normal tawny lions. As the current pride sits at a male and two females that is what will be kept plus the most recent young. The pride will have a very large exhibit where the lions will be viewable over a dry moat and through glass at ground level. This will offer the best of both worlds providing unobstructed views and up close views. At the center of the exhibit will be a large kopje with caves, resting spots and climbing opportunities. The lions home will be hidden behind this. They will be able to peer out over their domain, giving those impressive shots of a lion everyone will love. The climbing will not be so steep as to pose a risk of cubs but just enough to give the adults a break from the cubs until they are bigger.The exhibit will also have logs, rocks, trees, bushes and tall grasses to enjoy. Since lions tend not to like water there will be no massive water feature. if the pride likes a little bit of water a small pool will be built that could sit empty if they don't care for it and just be a shallow resting spot. The lions will feature a keeper talk and feeding. And while they won't get a year round webcam both prides of lions will be given a cub cam while newborn cubs remain in the den with mom. The cub cams will be online and played on monitors outside the exhibit.

    At the southeast corner of the exhibit there will be the entrance to the the oceans pavilion. You’re not headed in there yet.

    Opposite that will be a huge field exhibit for the Cheetahs. The exhibit will be home to two bachelor coalitions and their companion dogs.The display coalitions kept will all have been hand reared and specially trained as outreach animals. I can hear you now what no breed? Yes breeding but due to the difficulty of breeding females and additional locations will be held in the breeding center. If cubs are born one or both of the coalitions will go off exhibit when the cubs are old enough to go on display. The cheetah exhibit will feature a rock wall at the back, a cave or two with heating, flat rocks up close to the visitors with heating and cooling pads, a couple of trees, a few hilly areas to serve as out looks and a giant termite mound (well a fake one). Closer to the guest there will be a large flat sandy area which will be used for cheetah runs. Because the cheetahs have are tame keepers can go onto the exhibit to set the lures and one by one the boys can chase the lure to demonstrate the power and speed of cheetahs.

    You will now pass by the back of the boma, we will be coming back to it don't worry, and head around the south west corner of the cheetah exhibit, rounding the ocean pavilion. Here there will be more of the predator exhibits plus one hoofstock I couldn't fit in elsewhere. It is this hoofed animal we will visit first.

    The Sable Antelope will live in two separate herds. Since in zoos they can be more aggressive with males of other species it is probably wise to keep them separate from the other hoofstock. However if keeper would like to try them in one of the field exhibits that is fine by me. Their space could be given over to their neighbours. As I said there will be two herds. A family herd with a male, 10 females and their calves as well as a bachelor herd with 10 males. The males could be paired with a female during breeding season to produce the most genetically sound calves. Or the zoo will swap the breeding male every two years to maintain diversity. There would be display exhibit where the family usually lives and a rear off display exhibit that is smaller but the boys will have access to the barns big day room too. The exhibit yard will be simple. Varied terrain, a few boulders, trees and bushes, but mostly grassy spaces where they can run and graze. A moat will separate the sables from guests while providing a watering hole feel.

    You could continue south now but if you do you will miss out on the other predators. Heading along the northern edge of the sable exhibit you will encounter the Ratel exhibit. I would like the zoo to have two ratels but I'm not sure if I want breeding. I don't think there is the need. If I could get a pair of brothers that we could try to house together that would be fantastic. But if the boys can't be held together then I would be more interested in the breeding pair. The breeders would at least have cubs from time to time to liven things up. If they cannot live together they absolutely cannot see each other the rest of the year. Here I would have one of the ratels living in the cheetah house while the other lives in the small carnivore house. While one is on display the other will be in their holdings. Their exhibit needs to be as tough as the wolverines was. All fencing needs to be double thickness, barriers carefully construct, a concrete bottom under the whole exhibit space and a roof added to the exhibit. While everything is ratel tough guest will get good views of the ratels though windows.. Even dressing the exhibit great care will have to be taken. Ratel are clever and use tools to help escape. A smaller tree or two wrapped in a protective steel skirt will provide shade but keepers will have to be vigilant for fallen or damaged branches. There will be bushes and rocks to provide privacy. The rest of the exhibit will be grassy with varied terrain and man made tunnels leading a keeper area where if the ratels refuse to transfer off exhibit they can at least be boxed into their den for the night. It is possible they will dig their own tunnels, hence the concrete base, and if thats the case every spring the tunnels will be torn up so they have something new to do. Giant rotting logs will be provided for them to tear up and eat the bugs from. Rocks will also provide a searching place for tasty treats. A termite mound would be great but they will just destroy it so a concrete one will be built but no bugs will be added. It will just be for decor. Every once in a while enrichment bee hives will be added. Given their love of honey a beehive would be ideal but I don't want real bees either taken from their hard worked for nest or angered by a ratel and stinging guests. Instead some kind of man made beehive shaped feeder will do. It will be strong to force the ratel to work for its food. And the hive will be placed in convenient spots to further increase the work needed to get a tasty treat. Because of the ferocity keepers should regard them with the same level of caution as a lion or tiger.

    Next to the ratel will be the Caracals. Again I would like to display a surplus male sibling set. A breeding pair would be fine if thats what the SSP but they can't be held together much of the time or I would have to put the female on contraceptives. It is much simpler to have a pair or trio of brothers plus I would be doing the SSP a favour by taking unneeded males. Thankfully they can be kept as a group provided no social problems occur. However if this were to happen there is the space for independent living. Special care will also have to be taken with their exhibit but for less destructive reasons then the ratels. They are expert jumpers so great care will need to be taken in constructing an exhibit that allows them to utilize this ability while ensuring they don't get out. A roof on the exhibit likely isn't necessary just sufficiently high and well designed barriers should do. Guests will view them through glass windows again. As caracals sometimes enjoy hiding prey and napping in trees they will have one good sizes old tree with thick branches the caracal can use. The tree will be nowhere near a boundary to ensure the caracal cannot jump out. They will also get a nice cave with a temperature controlled pad in the floor, a nice man made tunnel leading back to the holdings, and a hollowed out old tree to provide resting places. There will be fallen logs they can climb on and jump over. A couple of fake owls will be installed around the exhibit to discourage wild birds from taking up residence or visiting the exhibit to avoid the caracal killing birds in front of guests. While cool I dont want to listen to complaints.

    Further to the west will be the small carnivore barn. This is the night and winter homes of the ratel, caracal and serval. Guests will be allowed in here where three exhibits will hold one of each species in the winter and during the summer it will hold whatever is not on exhibit outside (minus the ratel who lives in the cheetah house). If there is spare room inside the spare exhibit will be opened up for another species use.

    Beside the barn would be an exhibit for the Serval however due to the nocturnal nature of the serval odds are based on individual behaviour they may be indoors a fair bit. It keepers tell me that Im better off keeping them indoors most of the time so that i can control lighting and thus activity then the barn will be massively expanded into the serval exhibit and just a small portion will remain just so they can get some fresh air but it will be off display. The zoo will keep a breeding pair and one to two male outreach servals. The exhibit animals will have a unique indoor exhibit. The exhibit will be normal in that it will have lots of plant life, rocks, a climbing opportunities, a small pool with live fish for hunting, a cave and tunnels. However the unique feature will be under the ground. Under the whole exhibit would be a series of locked panels which can be unlocked and opened exposing the exhibits soil. The keeper would then insert some food in the soil and relock the panel. A speaker would then be placed underneath playing the sounds of rodents scurrying through tunnels. With luck this would provoke a predatory response from the serval who would then display its hunting prowess. As the servals learn how to do the activity sounds will be played where there is not food as well to increase hunting activity. The sounds would be timed to go off at different points so the the serval is not overwhelmed and more guests will be able to watch them over the course of the day. I think if this works its quite an innovative idea I have come up with just now. It could be used for other rodent predators like the foxes if it worked. Keepers would just have to repack the holes every day. If they will be active enough outdoors the exhibit will be similar to the caracals.

    At this point you could continue east into the oceans pavilion or turn south to Antarctica or Australia. Unfortunately at this point though I need you to retrace your steps. Its something I have tried very hard to avoid but in this case I can't. You need to walk back to the west past the sables and head south for a second.

    Below the sable will be the zoos pack of African Wild Dogs. Yes I have achieved my life long dream of returning them to the zoo. Whoever decided to give away my African Wild Dogs before I was even born sucks. Well now that I'm in charge they are back. I dont even care if I have to import them from Africa. I will pay any price to get them. Obviously I will start off with a breeding pair. Any sons that aren't needed to breed elsewhere will be welcomed to stay for several litters to life. If a second pack is started with solely males thats fine. They could rotate. Female pups will be sent away when they reach maturity to prevent challenges to the alpha female and unwanted breeding. The exhibit itself will be large with the idea that at any time the zoo could hold 20-30 wild dogs. Ideally this wont happen but it is possible when litters can reach 17 in size, plus the parents and older siblings. If this were to happen hopefully I have allotted enough space to prevent conflict. The older siblings will probably have to be pulled once the pups start to get bigger but they can stay in the breeding center until rehomed if thats the case. Guests will be able to view the wild dogs through glass panels. The walls of their exhibit will be tall angled in rock walls. Tucked into the walls will be speakers which will randomly play the sounds of other animals. This will be done to get reactions out of the dogs. Come to think of it I want to add that feature to every single predator exhibit throughout the zoo. Part of their northern wall will be done in glass so that they can see the sables. This should provide them with some mental stimulation. Three pre dug dens will be available and all will lead back to the barn so that if the female decides to give birth on exhibit the cubs will really be contained in the barn where keepers will have access to them. However they do like to dig so a concrete base will need to be added to the exhibit to prevent escape. Careful consideration will be needed to provide subordinate animals relief from dominant animals corners will be avoided, lots of trees, bushes, fallen logs, large rocks, hills, and stands of tall grasses will provide cover from both the dominant dogs and guests. They will also be given a pool big enough that several of them can play in it or lounge. It wont be deep just enough to get wet and cool off. An important feature of the exhibit will be a lure just like the cheetahs. Its an experiment at other zoos but it would be interesting to see how it works with the wild dogs because their hunting method is so different. They would be rewarded for every chase however keepers wouldn't be able to go in the exhibit so some other method would need to be explored for setting the lure. From time to time cow carcasses would be offered to the dogs so people can watch their communal feeding.

    Now it would be interesting if elevated pathways could allow the lions, cheetahs and wild dogs to rotate through each others exhibits from time to time. It would mean the guests would get to see a wider range of activities from these species as they explore the sights and scents of the different exhibits.

    After viewing the wild dogs you will have reached the end of Prideland Predators. I know you’re thinking what about hyenas, vultures, that second lion pride? Dont worry I was able to work those species in on the savanna.

    The Boma
    Heading to the west you will pass by the desert exhibit as you come upon the Boma. This is a unique little area that will be a simulated African farm. It wont be a replica of any particular region or ethnic group. It will be a blend of different ideas and cultures. And unlike other areas where I try to visually separate it from the other zones with trees and gardens, this area needs to look like it belongs to all of the other African areas. The space will be surrounded by a typical branch stockade around three of the four sides.

    In the southernmost portion of the space actually doesn't fit in with this theme. There will be a small meet and greet area. Here guests will be able to experience some of the zoos outreach animals. At any given time you might get to see cheetahs and their companion dogs, African wild dogs (provided this is a good idea), servals, goats, lemurs, baby crocs, aardvarks, hedgehogs, meerkats, warthogs, red river hogs, various birds, snakes and turtles all native to Africa. Guest will not touch the animals but can see them up close. No meet and greet areas have been included in other sections so it is possible other animals will pop up here from time to time.

    Inside the boma the ideas is that you feel like you’re in African on a small farm. At the center of the space will be a small hut. It will be dressed to look like a simple farming family lives inside of it. Beyond the simple home will be the livestock and poultry exhibits. Now before discussing the animals I want to try to arrange the same loan type deal I want to work out with livestock elsewhere in the zoo. We will borrow animals from spring to fall and then return them to their owner. This will prevent me from having to build larger winter housing.

    Traveling around the home counter clockwise you will find West African Dwarf Sheep (or any other type of African sheep because I'm not fussy), Nigerian Dwarf Goats, chickens, Zebu and Watusi. The sheeps and goats will be together while the zebu and watusi are together. The exhibits will be simple fields with a tree or two for shade and a few rocks here and there. The chickens, not sure what species would be available, will like in a normal coop.

    An important feature of the boma is that the cheetahs and wild dogs need to be to see into them and there be the chance people in the boma can see the predators.This will show the problems of Africans with livestock and predators, close proximity. This problem will be discussed in the Ranger Station so more on that later.

    This will be a good stop for school groups to learn about what farming is like in Africa. If a school group booked a tour they kids could learn how hard it is to run an African farm. They will be able to have to draw water from the well (a very deep well). The water will be dirt filled like it should be in Africa and kids will be shown how to boil water. Kids will have to carry water around the exhibit so they get a sense of what it is like for African kids have to go through every day just to drink. hopefully they walk away a little more thankful for the plumbing they have. They will also be shown how to make traditional dishes from scratch, care for livestock (though not actually in the pens with the big guys), plant and tend crops and anything else that needs to be done. They will be given facts like how far the well or school is from the home in terms they can understand. Its a great educational stop.

    Heading out of the boma its now time to enjoy the savanna and its amazingly huge exhibits.

    Ranger Station
    Just north of the Boma will be the Ranger Station. This will be the home of an African Educational center. The building’s goal will be to teach guests about ecotourism, conservation programs, game preserves, the job of a ranger, and how they can help.

    Outside of the safari post there will be the equipment used by rangers on display. A bush plane, helicopter, jeep, lory and transport crates will be on hand for guest to explore. They can climb in and see what these things are like. I would like the transport crates to be of various sizes so kids can get a perspective of how big various animals are. Inside there will be a display discussing the evolving attitudes toward African wildlife. From the excessive trophy hunting days in the first half of the 20th century to today's modern safari where people travel just to see the animals in their natural habitat. It will be explained how conservationist are trying to show locals that the animals they have been killing because they are competition with their livestock can actually be beneficial by bringing in tourists. There will also be discussion on the role of game reserves and how they are trying to protect wildlife from poachers and the dangers the game warden's face from poachers. Lastly there will be information on programs being enacted to attempt to lessen wildlife and human conflicts. Programs like the one discouraging elephants from trampling crops by scaring them away with bees or giving ranchers Anatolian Shepherds to keep predators at bay. These two programs would be important to discuss with the boma nearby. This is why I want the zoos predators to be able to see the flock so people can see the danger they pose and the use of the dogs. Under each program description and video screen I would like to add donation boxes. If they want to help fund those kinds of programs then that is awesome.

    There will obviously be games in here too for the kids, especially since the second story will have classrooms. At a tablet gaming center guest could play a variety of games like; Bee Gone Elephant where you have to tap beehives to scare away elephants from your crop; Ranger Tracker, where using foot prints guests will have to find the animal they are supposed to be tracking; Researcher will be a game where guests have to first dart an animal then do blood draws, health checks, measurements ect before the animal wakes up; Poacher Patrol would have people searching for signs of a poacher, including traps, snares, camps, lookouts, ect; Photo Safari would teach that is more fun to take photos of animals then kill them; and other games could be devised too. A cool little activity will be a game where guests will put on headsets and use a tracking device to listen to the pings an animals radio collar emits. Around the room there would be photos of animals and pingers would be stuck to the back of them. People would be given a card with a number and have to try to track down that animal. Speaking of audio devices it would be cool to have listening stations where guest could listen to an animals call and try to identify it.

    Ok now my next idea is out there. It might be interesting for guests, particularly kids who like gross stuff to, to try an activity called zoo poo. Researchers can learn tons from poo so why not teach kids the basics. A poo will be placed in a glass boss with heavy duty gloves poking through the arm holes. Guests can dissect the poo to try and discover who and the poo. Outside the box they could select their guess and see if they can identify who made the zoo poo. It would be neat I don't know if it would be sanitary or even allowed but it would be cool to investigate. On the less gross level it would be wise to also add in here some animal athletes the kids can compare themselves too. Maybe a spot where a kid can run as fast as they can past a radar, be able to try to leap as far as a lemur, hold on to a bar as long as a chimp, lift with their arms what an elephant can lift with its trunk, compare their hand gripping power with the force of a crocs jaws (I would do their own bite power but thats germy), hold their breath as long as a hippo, tackle a dummy with the force of a full grown lion, kick as hard as a giraffe, ect. It will be a interesting and informative learning center for the kids.

    Up next the savanna. Better get cracking on the desert Im two posts away from running out of material again.
     
  7. arcticwolf

    arcticwolf Well-Known Member

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    Great plans as always. Your zoo is beginning to feel more like a destination with the addition of a safari lodge.

    The Prideland Passage has a great variety of African predators and I'm glad you're including more in the savanna. I do have one suggestion for you though. I think it would be a good idea to have a few predatory birds or even reptiles in addition to the mammals to show that predators aren't just dogs and cats. One species that would fit in great (although I'm not sure if it will be used elsewhere in the savanna) is the secretary bird.

    I also love all the interactive games in the ranger station.

    For my plans, I will be splitting the North American Pavilion into different sections so I can post them sooner. The Deserts area should be ready in the next few days.
     
  8. TZFan

    TZFan Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Oh dont worry Arcticwolf more predators are being included in the savanna and desert. Hyenas, vultures, more of the snakes, monitors, owls. I tried to spread things out but I will admit Im an unashamed mammal lover, I like birds, and the rest Im either mildly interested in or completely indifferent to. The fact I have included as many non birds and mammals as I have astounds me. I am sitting at 861 different species at the moment with two more sections untouched.
     
  9. arcticwolf

    arcticwolf Well-Known Member

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    It's good to know that more predators will be in other sections. The fact that you have 861 species is incredible! I doubt my zoo will have that many species.
     
  10. TZFan

    TZFan Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Well when you have the largest zoo in the world by several times you need tons of species to fill it. Im interested to see what number I finally hit when Australia and South America is done. Probably up over a thousand.
     
  11. arcticwolf

    arcticwolf Well-Known Member

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    I just wanted to give a quick update on my North American Pavilion since I haven't posted any plans in a while. I've been really tired the past few days so I didn't get to work on my zoo very much. I have the species list completed for the deserts section and will start typing up the plans either tonight or tomorrow. Hopefully I can post them in the next couple days.
     
  12. TZFan

    TZFan Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Savanna Safari
    In Savanna Safari you will find the most popular zoo animals as well as several very unique species mixed into several large field exhibits with massive barns capable of displaying all of the savanna animals all winter. The barns will be bigger than any of the pavilions in North America ensuring high quality indoor exhibits.

    First up on your journey after leaving the boma will be the Olive Baboons. Currently the species is on phase out so all males will be castrated if it hasn’t already been done. Eventually the switch will be made to Hamadryas Baboons when numbers drop low enough. The remaining olives would be transferred to the breeding center at the that point. Im not sure how this will work but I think the zoo will have three family groups consisting of a male, his 5 females and their immature young. This would build a clan and once the families are formed hopefully the males wont battle each other for females. However I will listen to keepers on the numbers being kept. Maybe a single family with 10 females is wiser. Mature offspring will be separated. Females will go to new zoos and males will go as well or be kept in a bachelor group in the breeding center. I’m willing to hang on to surplus males, just not on exhibit in case they are more volatile.

    The exhibits will need to be complex to prevent boredom and aggression while keeping them inside the exhibit. Guests will be able to view them either over a moat along the south or through grass to the east. The barrier design will have to be careful given their climbing abilities. Along the back wall of the exhibit though the baboons will be able to climb the wall a little to utilize ledges and higher entrance points to the barn. At all times several of the doors leading to holdings will be left open but only so much so that smaller baboons can get in. Great care will be taken to keep things safe. In the exhibit I would love to give them trees and plants but will not waste the resources. Baboons are exceptionally hard on plant life so instead a variety of fast growing grasses will be offered along with wood chip and pebbled areas to give them places to forage. Browse will definitely be brought in and distributed throughout the exhibit in a variety of manners. Instead of the trees like the orangs in their outdoor exhibit false trees with green metal platforms looking like leaves will be added instead. this will give them shade, a climbing opportunity, places to observe the land from above, and places for keepers to place food. Hammocks and swings will hand from the trees to make them more useful. They will have rotting logs so they can forage for food. The logs will be too big to pick up but rotten enough that they can be ripped apart with some work. Other logs will be around for siting on and as visual barriers, some that have been cored out to make small tunnels. A fallen log climbing structure will be built with lots of little spots for smaller baboons to seek refuge in. The structure will aso have cargo nets and vines all over it to ensure there is lots to do. To continue the stimulation there will be speakers playing various bird sounds, feathers and fur from other animals will be hidden away in the exhibit, and puzzle feeders added.

    Inside their barn guests will be able to view the baboons year round. Each day the baboons will be able to decide if they want to be inside or out. However in the winter those decisions will be made by keepers. Guest will be able to see them behind glass with all of the features their outdoor exhibit sports. The glass wall will be huge and at least two stories tall. Inside they will also have two shallow pools to play in.

    An added feature to the barn will be a couple of exhibits in the eastern wall. In the first exhibit will be a Savanna Monitor. We don't need two. The monitor will have a huge terrarium. It will have a floor which will be covered in a mix of sand, woodchip and grass. There will also be a shallow pool for drinking and cooking off. Small fallen trees and rocks will provide climbing opportunities. The back of the exhibit will feature a savanna mural.

    On the opposite wall there will be an exhibit for Red-and-yellow Barbets and Fire Tufted Barbets. Their modest little exhibit will offer viewing through mesh. They will have small trees, plenty of plants and lots of material to build nests with.

    At this point you will head north to the first of two large hoofstock barns. The barn will have an indoor exhibit which will be nothing fancy. Viewing over a moat and a large grassy area for them to exercise on. Hopefully the whole group will be able to be out together. If not then it will be subdivided groups which will rotate throughout the day. Its really the outdoor exhibit you want to view. Along the eastern wall though you will find several more smaller exhibits.

    To the north of the door will be a series of reasonable sized parrot exhibits. Provided these kinds of parrots are turned in or adopted from a rescue group there will be Meyer’s Parrots, Red Bellied Parrots, Ruppell’s Parrots, and Senegal Parrots living in 4 separate exhibits. None of the species are in need of conservation so breeding won't be allowed and if possible a single sexed pair will be sourced. However if that's not wise a male and female can be allowed and the eggs will just be replaced with dummies. All four exhibits will be similar. They will have a variety of trees, shrubs, flowers and other plants. Several fake trees will provide nesting sites in hollowed out cavity. The birds could also be released in the barn for flight time provided a keeper is on hand to monitor them and call them back. This would give them good stimulation and exercise.
    South of the doorway will be a Northern White-faced Owl for no other reason than I think they are amazing to look at. They can be acquired through the AZA so thats what will be done. The zoo will get a breeding pair… though breeding isn’t necessary. The pair will live in a good sized exhibit that will allow flights. It will be dimmed so that they are more likely to be active. They will have trees, shrubs, flowers and nesting boxes.

    Heading back outside you will encounter the massive field exhibit serving as home to Common Elands, Reticulated Giraffes, White Rhinos, Greater Kudus, Gnu, Grevy’s Zebras, Bontebok, Topi, Grey Crowned Cranes, Marabou Storks, Red Necked Ostriches, Vulturine Guineafowl, and Abyssinian Ground Hornbills. All of the hoofstock will live in groups consisting of a male, 5 females and young. In the breeding center they will have additional herds (both family groups and bachelor groups to allow for rotation of breeding males) of zebras, topi and bontebok. The zebras will get additional breeding because they are endangered while the topis and bonteboks will be done only if the animals can be sourced to help boost the emerging populations in the AZA. If the AZA isn’t worried about pushing breeding those two would only have bachelor herds for breeding purposes. The rhinos will live in a smaller crash with a male, 3-4 females and young. They will need to be carefully monitored in the exhibit. The male might be moved to the breeding center when hes not needed if he’s aggressive with the other animals. If the females are aggressive too they might need to be moved to one of the black rhino exhibits. The safety of everyone will come first.

    When it comes to the birds the groupings will vary more. The cranes will be kept as 3 breeding pairs plus young. While the marabou storks will be kept as a pair plus their young. The storks will need to be separated from the other birds when the other species have young chicks. Odds are during breeding season the other birds will be kept inside to protect their young not just from the marabou but also wild predators. If something happens then how the birds are held will need to be reexamined. There will be two males and 6 females, plus young for the ostriches. Because the AZA is trying to introduce the red necks if I could get my hands on lots of eggs from the wild I would get way more then necessary and become the AZA’s red necked ostrich center. We would loan out most of the ostriches and keep a few back at the breeding center for more controlled breeding. A flock of 10 breeding pairs of guinea fowls will be kept and breeding will be allowed based on recommendations. Lastly the hornbills will be kept as a pair with their young. In this species only one of two or three eggs will live so keepers will always pull surplus eggs to hand rear. Its not ideal but if the nest is on exhibit keepers will have a harder time monitoring the chick so trying to get the parents to rear all of them and perhaps supplementing them may be harder. It would be up to the keepers discretion.

    As I have already mentioned the exhibit is huge, just barely smaller than the African pavilion. This should provide all of the species with plenty of space to separate if they need to. The exhibit will be surrounded by a moat to give great sight lines while also providing every animal an opportunity to drink without others competition. The exhibit will be mostly grassy areas with several sand spots for dust baths and dirt along the edge of the water so that animals will feel safer drinking. To satisfy the rhinos there will be two big mud wallows. Hopefully they will enjoy resting in it more then causing trouble for the others. Speaking of troublesome rhinos there will be a number of rocky outcrops in the exhibit which will have slots in them where animals can run in and take refuge from a charging rhino. The main concern would be the calves, foals, and birds. The exhibit will also have lots of bushes where animals that hide their babies can store them for safe keeping until they are stronger. I wish real trees were a good idea but the giraffes will probably strip them of all their leaves. Instead fake trees which will be covered daily in tons of fresh browse will be available. Inside the tree there will be elevators so keepers can get to the top with tons of browse without extra effort. These trees will provide shade as well as possible nesting sites for the storks and hornbills. The cranes will be given more wetland like nesting sites along the moat. Their sites will be protected by well placed rocks just to deter the others from walking into the area. The adults however will be able to leave the nests. To make the males of the antelope species happy termite mounds and taller hills will be provided so the males can survey their domain from. At the back near the building will be a boma where keepers can isolate newborns and their mothers, new arrivals to the zoo, testy males or sick animals.

    The most interesting feature of the eh exhibit will be the feeding station in the southeast corner of the exhibit right beside the barn. There will be a two tiered feeding stand. On the upper level you will come eye to eye with the giraffes. It will be a big deck that will hang far over the lower deck. The reason for the overhang is to keep the giraffes back so on the lower deck the other animals can be fed as well. Im not sure if all of the species would be candidates for hand feeding (zebras are bite risks and horns might be issues for others) so a fence may need to be added to allow just rhinos and giraffes in for small spells. The giraffes and rhinos would be my top priority to be at the feeding station.

    Along the northern edge of the exhibit between the watering hole mixed exhibit and the African Fish Eagles will be the Masai Market. It will be an area filled with shopping opportunities. There will be a big traditional gift shop with all normal items. There will also be little vendor stalls where guests can find more traditional African items like jewelry, carvings, artwork, clothing, and maybe some ethnic food stands too. It would also be interesting to sell some of the artwork that is being created out of recycled materials like sandals that others zoos are getting into selling. All of the stuff being sold here must come from African artisans either locally thus supporting local businesses or be imported from Africa and hand crafted by their artisans thus supporting industries that would decrease someone's desire to be a poacher. The gift shop items are a different story. At the center of the market there will be a festival space where different groups can come in over the course of the summer to put on dances, play music, tell stories, do art, demonstrate a sport anything really.

    As you walk along the perimeter of the exhibit you will notice a restaurant in the northwest corner of the exhibit. I would love to convince Rainforest Cafe to place a franchise there with two major changes to their design; large floor to ceiling windows would give dinners spectacular views of the exhibit and upstairs will be a dining deck with more impressive views. Animals will be kept back by the water so people cannot touch or feed them. It would a cool restaurant to have there even though its a little more jungly then what would be ideal but I can live with that for the atmosphere. If they won't come then we will build the Rhino Rift Restaurant would be a simple fast food restaurant for the family that will be set into the exhibit. It will still have the windows and upper deck. The building will be decorated with an African feel. Animatronic animals will be placed around the restaurant and perhaps some cichlid fish tanks.
    Heading slightly north from the restaurant, west of the African Fish Eagles will be another huge barn for the second mixed species exhibit. Like the other barn it will have a huge exhibit space inside with grasses and false trees where the hoofstock will live. There will also be an exhibit indoor exhibit for the monkeys to be discussed shortly. An indoor feeding station will be provided but it will just be for the giraffes. At least Im letting you feed a giraffe year round here. The barn happens to be closed the day you visit.

    Outside the barn you will come across the Vervet Monkey exhibit. The exhibit will be home to a troop of 15 monkeys, five males and 10 females with eventual young. With an indoor exhibit the zoo will be able to separate the young males from the troop at maturity house them in the opposite exhibit to their family until their new home is ready. Outside they will be an exhibit with glass walls and netting higher up so they can enjoy vertical height. The back wall will be a rock wall with a number of doors leading either to holdings or the indoor exhibit (when bachelor malese aren't onsite) that will be left open giving the monkeys choices in where they spend their day. Im going to steal my inspiration for this exhibit from the Columbus Zoo’s new African exhibits. The vervets will be living in an exhibit that will look like a safari camp that the monkeys have taken over. There will be a concrete or steel tent (because they would just destroy fabric) with bunks, chests, and other items inside providing things to explore and play with. The chests can have burlap in them dyed to look like clothing. There can also be various toys in there they can play with. To the side of the tent would be a table and chairs set out for the guess meals. Plates and glasses would be welded to the table and keeper could put snacks on it for the monkeys but to look like a meal interrupted for the people staying at the camp. There would be other items on the table the vervets could knock around and play with. Metal canteens could be left out filled with water or juice or ice to give them something different to explore. The exhibit will have grass, dirt, woodchip and pebble on the ground to give lots of places for keepers to throw out seed and fruits for foraging. There will be bushes and trees to give cover and climbing opportunities. A fallen log climbing structure with little hidden puzzle feeders tucked away inside it. They will also be given ropes all over the place for travel, hammocks and cargo nets for climbing and resting in, a log swing. A small pool will provide water. Inside the barn there will be a long narrow exhibit which will serve as their winter home. Here they will have all of the same amenities as their outdoor exhibit has. The only differences will be the trees and other plants which would naturally be African species and the camp will be excluded to give the monkeys a totally natural type setting.

    South of the monkeys will be a larger exhibit housing Marabou Storks, Egyptian Vultures, White Backed Vultures and Lappet Faced Vultures. Yes the marabous are getting another home. With young taking a size able amount of time to mature it gives the marabous another space for young. Whichever young are kept in here will be about to show off their rule in scavenging with the vultures. Each of the vulture species will be kept as breeding pairs with their most recent young. Because each species chosen is endangered if the AZA would like I would house more in the breeding center. For all I care surplus males could be on exhibit. Indoors the vultures and marabous will be allowed to mix with the hoofstock. This will give them amazing flying room. All of the species could be trained for flight runs in the barn so they can stretch their wings. Free flight time would be monitored by a keeper so they dont scoot out the door with guests. Outside they will have a good sized multi storied exhibit that would allow them to fly but not soar. The back wall of the exhibit will resemble a rocky cliff face. There will be ledges for nesting and roosting with access doors so keepers can check on chicks and eggs while also letting the adults inside. Elsewhere in the exhibit there will be a number of tall trees appropriate for nesting. Unfortunately these nests can only be checked with the parents having shifted off exhibit. They will have a small watering hole, some large boulders and bushes to perch in and on. The most interesting feature of the exhibit will be the vulture feeding which will happen on once a week. A whole carcass will be brought in for them. It will be skinned so that the animal becomes just a generic dead animal in people minds and then fed to the vultures. They will be allowed to naturally sort out their pecking order and consume the carcass the way they naturally would. However to respect guests rights to see or not see things they may find disturbing a hedge will divide the pathway in front of the vulture exhibit so that guests can bypass the feeding if they choose. There will be signs and perhaps gates with the warning right on them which will be closed during the feeding so if a person walks in and sees something they don't like they can't blame the zoo. They would have had to touch the sign and if they can't be bothered to read thats than their problem.

    Passing by the vultures on your way south you will come across the second field exhibit to the west of you. Here you will find another impressive mix of savanna animals. Impressing guests will be Southern Gerenuks, Masai Giraffes, Hartmann’s Zebras, Ugandan Kobs, Generic Ostriches, Southern Ground Hornbills, Crested Guineafowl, Yellow Billed Storks, and Black Crowned Cranes. Each of the hoofstock species will live in family groups with a male, 6 females and their young. If the AZA wished I would keep additional herds of all of the species in the breeding center, both family and bachelor herds. The generic ostriches would be kept in the group the zoo currently has 1 male and 2 females, with breeding being prevented. Ideally they would be phased out in favour of the red necked ostriches. However if the red necks couldn't be sourced then the zoo would keep a second flock of ostriches the same sized as the other field exhibit. The hornbills would live in a family group with a breeding pair and all of their young under 10 years old. This will provide the natural family group and increase breeding success in future generations. The parents and older siblings can then rear the youngest chick for three years while the two older siblings get two chicks to practice rearing. Because the hornbill chick practice siblicide the keepers will pull the oldest siblings and try getting them to rear their younger siblings. A third chick would have to be reared by keepers and would be considered for the role of an educational bird if it cant be returned to the family when its ready to be a helper. The guineafowl will be kept as a flock of about 20. There will be three breeding pairs of both the storks and cranes. All of the birds will have their flight feathers clipped to prevent escape.

    The exhibit will be very interesting because it will slope up to the rear exhibits. The slope will be gradual but the idea is that by the time you reach the back of the exhibits it will look like the savanna just goes on and on. Guests will view the animals over a moat. To the rear of the main exhibit there will be a secondary exhibit which can be used to break up the groups and if necessary house surplus animals. The boundaries between the exhibits will be hidden helping to create the look of an endless savanna. There will be more of the fake trees like in the other mixed exhibit. There will be big rocks, dusty patches, bushes, rolling hills, and lots of places for feeding. Beside the barn there will be an outdoor feeding station for the giraffes.

    Behind two thirds of the exhibit will be an elephant yard. This will create the illusion that the elephants are in the same space as the other animals while keeping the others safe. If current attempts to create mixed species exhibits with elephants go well then I would seriously consider opening the whole space up for all of the animals (except the warthogs).

    In the pathway between both field exhibits will be a podium for keepers to hold keeper talks from. They can discuss the animals in both field exhibits in an informative talk.

    Smack dab in the middle of the field exhibit will be a much smaller exhibit simulating a watering hole. Here guests will find the zoos family of Warthogs. A male, three females and their offspring will live together in this centrally located exhibit. The exhibit will slope down a little below the main exhibit to create the look of descending down to the watering hole. Around the edges separating them from the other animals would be a rocky ledge that kind of looks like the bank of a dried up river. It would hide the warthog house. Small slits will exist in this river bed exhibit so that the birds (minus the ostriches) can descend into the exhibit to get away from the bigger animals. Tiny gates would be installed and closed when piglets were in the exhibit but they wouldn’t be so high as to keep the birds out if they jumped or flew a little. I would have loved to add entrances for the hoofstock but the risk of broken legs thanks to the warthogs digging was enough to make me reconsider. The exhibit will have deep grass for the warthogs to forage in, dirt patches for rolling in and digging up, fallen trees and rocks around which the keepers can hide food, trees and bushes to provide shade and cover, mud wallows and of course the watering hole. Plenty of spaces will be given for the birds to nests in safely away from the warthogs who might accidentally ruin a nest.

    East of the field exhibit will be the second African Lion exhibit. There would be an pride of two males and four females all imported from Africa. It would be great if the pride consisted of all unrelated animals but that highly unlikely. Unrelated animals would be great because then the females could mate with either or both males and produce genetically different cubs meaning the pride could have cubs far more often. Viewing would be offered through glass so that the lions can come right up against the glass impressing people with their size. A small pool would be up near the glass. Nothing deep just something to provide them with water and a place to cool off if one of them happens to like the water. Rocks, trees, shrubs and fallen logs will provide cover. In the center of the exhibit there will be a kopje with dens built in, temperature controlled resting spots, places cubs cant reach until they are older giving the adults peace, and providing the lions with impressive views of both field exhibits to help stimulate them. They would have a wide variety of toys and their exhibit will be sprayed with different scents and furs, feathers, antlers, and other things will be brought into add enrichment. Further enrichment would be provided by some sort of invisible barrier between them and the mixed exhibit to the north. I dont know what kind would be employed but I want the lions to be able to see and smell the other animals and for guests to see them as though they are in the same space. It would create a very natural exhibit. To the south there will be a second barrier with the hyena exhibit. I want the lions and hyenas to be able to see each other but not all of the time. There would probably be a glass or mesh barrier here with a sliding panel in between both exhibits so that when cubs of either species are present the panel can be closed to prevent stressing the adults and young. When there are not cubs for either species allowing them to view each other briefly would likely cause different behaviours. The lions would get a webcam, cubcam and keeper talk.

    Clearly their southern neighbour clearly will be Spotted Hyenas. The clan will consist of 2-4 males and 2 females plus cubs. Its a large exhibit so hopefully the females will do well together and not kill each others cubs. If they are a threat to the other ones cub then the clan will be subdivided until the cub is big enough and then reintroduced to each other. The two halves of the clan will always have access to each other just not physical access to protect the cub and the males could be rotated as only the other female would pose a threat to the cubs. Like the lions next door they will be viewable through glass. They will also have the viewing to the lions exhibit and to the south an invisible barrier so they can watch the rhinos. Because they are great diggers the exhibit will need a concrete base. I would like to provide them with tunnels to suit their love of them but that could lead to a subordinate animal being cornered and serious injuries could occur so they will only be added if experts give the ok. Dens will instead be several caves capable of holding two or three sleeping hyenas. The dens will be headed as well as various resting platforms throughout the exhibit. There will be boulders and fallen trees to provide cover. They will get a pool to splash around in should they feel the urge. They will be provided the the same sorts of enrichment as the lions. Occasionally a carcass will be brought in so they can show off their natural feeding behaviours provided they are a gentle group. At the back of the exhibit There will be a transfer shoot so the lions and hyenas can switch exhibits every now and then to mix up their lives.

    Further to the south again will be two large Black Rhino exhibits. The zoo will house a breeding pair and their young. The male will live separately from the female and their calves. Its a lot of space to dedicate to just 3-4 animals but black rhinos are not as social as white rhinos are. I do not want other animals hurt by them. However as I mentioned before if my white rhinos or even just the male are not working out in their mixed exhibit they will be moved to one of the two black rhino yards and each animal can rotate on exhibit. They will get a good size barn but the barn will be off exhibit so no winter viewing of the black rhinos. I dont feel its too hard on guest who can see the Indians and Whites year round. Their exhibits will be viewable over a good sized moat providing both a barrier and wallowing spot. Wallows will also be throughout the exhibit to provide more opportunities to cool off or get a good mud coat on. There will be some rocks and fallen logs strategically placed to protect the exhibits trees. Other than that the exhibit will just be a hilly, grassy field. Simple.
    To the west of the rhinos brings us back to the baboons who we started our safari with.

    Immediately across from the southwest corner of the rhino exhibit would be a poachers camp. In this area I want to show people the effects of poaching and it will be one of the most frank and honest areas of the zoo. Because I am willing to be so graphic here to prove a point I will have high hedges around the site and warning signs will be posted at the entrances. It’s probably not for small children. Maybe there will be one entrance and exit with a staff member posted to warn parents as well. No one should have to see it if they do not wish to.

    The camp will be a simple set up. There will be tents, cages, packing crates, guns (model ones sunk into the concrete), hatchets, machetes, and other tools of the poaching game. By the tent there will also be fake poaching goods. I want to show people what they are killing for… tusks (both big from ancient bulls to small from calves who haven't even hit puberty yet), horns, skins (like leopards and lions), and other products.

    Added to this area will be a number of traps used by poachers. I want to show how cruel a demise some of these animals face. There will be models of different snare traps. There will be the snare set up (naturally a dummy), a snare trap that has sprung and a model of the unfortunate animal trapped in it as it rips their flash as they struggle to free themselves, and lastly one thats a demo model. The demo model wont be dangerous to people and will be operable by a volunteer. I want the guests to be able to experience the feeling of being caught, not being able to escape and the tightening grasp on them. If this doesnt create empathy I dont know what would. There will also be camouflaged pits, both with and without spikes. The spikeless ones will be one where an animal has fallen in and clearly starved to death while the second will be one people can climb into and try to get out on their own. The spiked one will be behind a fence for safety reasons and all tips would be dulled, but an impaled animal would be at the bottom. Other traps would also be included.

    Since two of the biggest poaching problems in Africa are the rhino and elephant there will be two life sized sculptures of an elephant and a rhino who have been killed by poachers. The sculptures will be life like so the impact of their demise simply for their tusks and horns will be very strong. Artists will paint blood on. They will have been shot multiple times. Guest will see where they were hacked apart to acquire the tusks and horns. I want to shock and horrify. To help add to this next to the elephant I would like to add a small terrified calf. Inside the body of the calf will be playing a track of the anguished cries of a real baby elephant who is discovered next to its killed mother. I want people to hear and see the pain of the calf. Thats something that calf would never forget if its lucky enough to be found and live. The rhino carcass will be older. I want to show that they just hack up the animal for its “valuable” parts and leave the rest to rot.

    To one corner there will be a hut which will serve as an education center. In here I want graphic photos of poaching. Butchered animals, rhinos with their horns cruelly hacked off while they are still alive, whole families of elephants slaughtered young and old alike, the effects of snare traps, and shots from orphanages trying to rear the orphans lucky enough to be found before they die too. The center will also display the products of poaching. I want people to see what those body parts are used for and how stupid it is to kill innocent animals for those reasons. I want people to really rethink what they might be involved in. A donations box will be here and if people have been shocked and horrified enough hopefully they will donate to help fight poaching around the world.

    Hopefully this will be a sobering area that will really force people to think. They will have just toured the savanna and fallen in love with the animals in it so with any luck this area will convince them to take action on behalf of the animals they love.

    West of poaching camp will be the camel rides. With the desert to the west and south it will be a quick walk for the camels on duty. All of the zoos Dromedary Camels will be trained to serve as ride animals hopefully allowing them lots of time off to just be camels. The camels will walk around a central oasis on a soft dirt path. In the center of the oasis will be a small pond with a rocky waterfall. There will be fake palm trees, keeping with my policy of no non native plants outside of buildings policy. They can have nice material for their leaves because Im not worried about the animals eating them. Along the ground there will be ferns and other tropical looking plants. Guests will pay a small fee to ride one of the camels working at the time. Kids will really enjoy the trip and the circuit would be much longer than before. The ride should take a few minutes and will be guided by a staff member.

    The play area, south of the camels, while part of the savanna will also have a lot of desert things going on with it because it is right next to the desert pavilion. Might as well tie it all in right? By being next to the camels the guests with children too small to ride or kids too afraid to ride can hang out at the playground while waiting for the rest of the group. It will be geared to the under twelve crowd. The basis of the playground will be a safari lodge. It just gives the bests simple shapes to start. Walls can be cut away from the structure to allow better visual access for parents. In some places their will be leopards climbing rocks that will serve as stairs. Vines will serve as cargo nets and climbing ropes. A monkey will be watching over the monkey bars. There would be a bouncy bridge between various second levels. A herd of various sized elephants will serve as slides. Kids can climb their backs and slide down their trunks. Giraffes will hold fire poles in their mouths off the edge of the lodge. To the side two types of swings will be suspended from trees. The first will be for the babies and toddlers who will fly in various African parrots. The older kids can swing on the back of snakes. Special needs swings will be monkeys with their arms able to wrap around the child. In a fake river section their will be dugout canoes slightly suspended over the ground so that the boats can rock from side to side ever so gently. To the sides of the canoes will be hippo and croc sculptures investigating the boats. Out front of the lodge would be a couple of small jeeps the little ones can sit in and pretend to drive. Kids could ride bouncy lions, cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs. Small spinning tortoises with a small seat in its shell would help the kids get plenty dizzy. In the north of the playground will be a large enclosed space. Its essentially a large sandbox with a huge termite mound in the center the kids can climb on. Nothing too steep or dangerous just light climbing. In several places their will be meerkats on guard. Beneath will be meerkats tunnels they can crawl through. There will be lots of holes they can climb in and out of in case anyone panics. Also in the tunnel will be paintings of meerkats in their tunnels, cleaning, nesting, sleeping, with pups as well as their predators, and other animals who use the meerkat tunnels as homes. To prevent raccoons and other animals from using the sand pit as their litter box at the end of the day a tarp will cover it. I'm sure more could be added to the playground but Im getting stumped after creating 5 playgrounds.

    There will be hippo benches for mom and dad and tortoise picnic tables in this area too. A few snack food stands and gift carts will be around to fill out the area.

    I will leave the next area a mystery.
     
  13. arcticwolf

    arcticwolf Well-Known Member

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    I love the amount of detail you put into this area. I actually felt like I was walking through your savanna exhibit! The animal choices for the mixed species exhibits were great and I especially liked that you included more than one type of giraffe and zebras. The poachers camp is a really unique idea and even though it may be disturbing for some visitors, it can also be extremely educational and teach people about what a serious problem poaching is.

    Before I post the first part of my plans for the North American Pavilion, I wanted to make one small change to my Backyard Wildlife section. Instead of having washrooms in the house, I would rather include kitchen and washroom displays that would feature live house flies and German cockroaches. They would be used to teach visitors about "pest" animals and also how to be environmentally friendly in those rooms of the house. The reason why I removed the washrooms is because I realized that there would also be some in the Cougar Cafe which is very close by.
     
  14. arcticwolf

    arcticwolf Well-Known Member

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    North American Pavilion Part 1: Deserts

    The North American Pavilion would be the new name of the Americas Pavilion. It would be renovated to have 5 different sections home to species from across the continent.

    The first section would be home to desert species. It would be located in the space that currently includes the outdoor pheasant exhibit, indoor walk through aviary, and the spectacled owl, tanager and boa exhibits. Before actually entering the pavilion, there would be an exhibit for Harris hawks. The hawk exhibit would include multiple perches made to look like cacti, along with sand and large boulders on the ground. Zookeepers would often take the hawks out on walks around the zoo to meet visitors.

    Inside the pavilion, visitors would first encounter the desert walk through area. On one side of them would be a large rocky cliff and on the other side would be a mixed species exhibit. Free flying around this area would be a variety of birds such as white winged doves, lesser goldfinches, house finches, gila woodpeckers and Gambel’s quails. The mixed species exhibit would be separated from the visitors by a medium height glass wall. Species in this exhibit would include desert cottontail rabbits, desert tortoises, collared lizards, chuckwallas, desert iguanas, desert grassland whiptail lizards and Colorado River toads. The exhibit would be covered in sand with some large rocks, shrubs and small cacti to make it feel more like a desert. There would be a couple larger cacti (either real or artificial) for the birds to perch on.

    On the cliff side of this area would be invertebrate exhibits. Each exhibit would actually be built into the artificial rock. They would be fairly basic with some sand, rocks and possibly even a few plants. Species here would include western black widow spiders, desert hairy scorpions and Sonoran Desert centipedes. Honeypot ants would be given two exhibits. One would look very similar to the other invertebrate habitats, but the other would include long glass tunnels for the ants so visitors can see them crawling around.

    After exiting the walk through, visitors would be in the main desert room. Here would be two large bird exhibits that would both look very similar to the mixed species exhibit. They would have rocks and sand on the ground with cacti and possibly other trees to perch on. The first exhibit would be home to thick-billed parrots and greater roadrunners. I know that thick-billed parrots are technically found in pine forests, but since they’re one of my favourite kinds of parrot I had to include them. The second exhibit would have black chinned and broad billed hummingbirds. This exhibit would include nectar feeders to show visitors how hummingbirds eat. Other exhibits in this area would be for reptiles that couldn’t be mixed with the ones in the walk through. Like the invertebrate exhibits, these enclosures would also be built into the side of a cliff to make everything seem like it’s connected. All of the exhibits would include sand, rocks and small plants to make them appear more natural. Gila monsters, Arizona ridge nosed rattlesnakes, California king snakes, desert rosy boas and Mojave sidewinders would be the species featured here. One final desert exhibit would be an aquarium home to desert pupfish. After that, visitors enter the Great Lakes.
     
  15. TZFan

    TZFan Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Thanks for the complements on my savanna. I like how I was able to build so many winter barns with the kind of space available to rival many other zoos outdoor exhibits. When you have unlimited funds and more space than you know what to do with it gives you the chance to create exhibits that could easily keep people coming to the zoo year round. Very few of my species would ever be off exhibit for the winter.

    Switching gears, I love your desert section. I can really see what you are talking about in that area. Its mostly light and bright so a desert exhibit would go in there perfectly. Nice selection of animals. I think the majority could easily be sourced. Little short on mammals but it can be hard to pick out enough North American desert mammals, especially for a space that tight. Other then some small rodents there really wouldnt be much room there for anything bigger then the rabbits.

    Looking forward to the Great Lakes. Don't feel rushed though.
     
  16. TZFan

    TZFan Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Elephant Expedition
    Now turning to the southwest you will see Elephant Expedition. Well to be honest you have already seen the elephants… how could you have missed them behind the western field exhibit? This will be your formal introduction to the space.

    In the southwest corner of the zoo there will be the huge elephant barn. Before you can go inside and take a look you notice a huge water area blocking your access to the barn. The idea behind it is to create the idea of a big watering hole that stretches into both the northern cow yard and the southern cow yard. The big water area will feature three islands guests would have to cross to get into the barn. All of the islands will be connected with bridges almost down in the water.

    The northwestern island will feature the base station for Safari Air, a zip line much like the current zoo’s Tundra Air. It will run along the main north south pathway. The end point will be just south of the African Fish Eagles exhibit. There will be three different zip lines to make sure people don't have to wait as long. Guests will zip past the elephants, rhinos, hyenas, lions, warthogs, both mixed exhibits, vultures and at the end the eagles before cruising back by everything on the way back to the station. The island will be big enough to hold a long line on a summer day.

    The southeastern island will feature a small hut with touch tables.

    The central island will be the largest and feature life sized sculptures of the zoos original elephants, Tantor, Patsy, Tequila, Tessa, Tara, Iringa, Toka, and Juanita as well as Thika the first African calf born at the zoo as well as one of the old zoo’s last three elephants. Their stories will be told on a small plaque below each elephants sculpture. Gardens will surround them. From here guests can cross a southwest bridge towards the barn.

    The barn will be the main winter home to the zoo’s herd of African Elephants. The zoo will import a wild born herd who is scheduled to be culled thus bringing in fantastic genetics for the North American population. Ideally it would be great if the females could come pregnant further adding to the genetic diversity by adding at as many completely unrepresented wild bulls as possible. The herd would consist of 4 bachelor bulls, 6 cows and then their calves. I know that by importing pregnant cows the zoo will go from 10 to 16 elephants in just two short years but we are talking about the largest elephant habitat at any zoo. Im also realistic enough to know by year 4-6 that number will rise into the 20’s but the goal is to start out with a diverse herd mix and match some in following births and then subdivide the herd when necessary. When the herd gets too big we can loan out a couple of cows and their calves. The idea is to get them breeding and flooding the population with fresh genetics while always keeping enough breeding cows to keep people coming to us to see young calves. You know what while Im importing I might pick up some spare bulls and loan them out immediately. Why not help with even more unrepresented DNA plus ownership of half of their calves whose male calves might do well at my zoo in time. The four bulls Im keeping will all be trained for AI but if sperm cant cross the border then the AZA will just have to wait for one of my bulls. I could loan them out but I wont know if they are all fertile for awhile and I wont risk giving up a breeder if the others turn out to be duds.

    Heading inside the main cow barn you will immediately note its truly massive size. There will be two exhibits for them inside the building. But before discussing the exhibit I want to cover what the guests will enjoy. Guests will view the herd from multiple angles like you could with the Asians. On the ground level you will view them over a moat which will also serve as their indoor 20 feet deep pool. There will be a zero entry slope leading in and out of the pool so calves can manage it and still play in the shallows. There will be a ramp leading both up to an observation deck and down into underground viewing of the pool. The observation deck will Be a big glass gallery where guests can view the elephants from above. It can be sectioned off to allow for functions to be held there. Perhaps a small restaurant added. The restaurant could back on to one of the yards so the elephants can be viewed inside and out. In the observation deck, since I have already dealt with poaching and conservation elsewhere, the deck would teach the story of the new elephants at the zoo. There would be family trees, bios, identifying tips. Also in there would be models of the different subspecies of elephant. There would be models for the Africans (bush and forest) and Asians (Indian, Sri Lankan, Sumatran and Bornean) as well as their long dead relatives the Woolly Mammoth and the Mastodon. While underground guests will be able to watch the elephants as they swim. The cool thing about doing this inside is that they will be viewable year round… well when they are inside but a big herd like this could always have someone inside.

    Of the two exhibits one will be off exhibit but it might be still possible to see parts of the adults in it from time to time. The on display exhibit will be the larger of the two. Ideally it will be able to hold all of the cows and calves but there is the second yard to provide more space plus their stalls ect. The barn will be light and bright. Even in winter tons of light will poor in. The massive exhibit will be designed to enrich every element of the elephants day since they will have to spend most of the winter in here. The ground will be deep sand to ease the potential wear on their joints. It will be tilled several times a year and completely replaced when necessary. While providing them with health benefits the sand will also give them opportunities to do normal things like have dust baths. There will be a couple of large mud wallows for all to enjoy. Large fake trees will dot the exhibit. Several of them will have keeper walkways out to them so the keepers can restock the trees throughout the day with fresh browse. The walkways will be taller than the bulls so they can walk under and be made of glass and sort of be hidden from view to not ruin guests views. Keepers could also use the pathways to exercise the elephants as they encourage the elephants to follow them around the perimeter of the exhibit. There would be a couple of big rocks and logs to provide obstacles and rubbing places. Tons of enrichment items would be provided including balls, tire swings, branches, puzzle feeders, elephant controlled showers, tires, and tether balls.

    To the side of the exhibit will be a training wall where guests can watch keepers conduct normal training. It will be pure luck that allows guests to watch a training session from behind a safety barrier. Keepers can answer questions then if they choose but don't have to because the session should be about the animal and not entertaining guests. A completely separate keeper talk will be available for that. When training is not in session a door will cover the wall for safety reasons.

    Adding some activity to the exhibit will be a flock of 50-60 Weaver Birds. I would ideally like them to free fly in the barns two exhibit areas with little access to the outside world. I dont know how keeping them inside the building when the elephants are transferring to rear areas and outside would work. That might mean they will need their own separate space inside the building so they cannot escape. I would leave that decision up to my experts. The elephant exhibit space would be great because they would have tons of space to spread their wings and fly, forage normally, interact with the elephants and build as many and as big a nests as they want. However the contained exhibit would allow people to have closer looks at their unique nests. In the smaller exhibit scenario the flocks size would drop to twenty.

    Outside the elephants would have at least 5 years. To the north of the barn would be a massive field exhibit for the cows. It would stretch from the barn to the south all the way north to the mixed field exhibit and then loop halfway behind it. As I mentioned before this would give the illusion of the elephants occupying the same space as the others. If I mixed the elephants with their neighbours it would be a case where the other species can visit the elephants but the elephants wont be able to access their exhibit thus providing a refuge for the smaller animals. Mimicking the landscape of the mixed exhibit the yard will gradually rise towards the west this creating the illusion of continuing space. Hills and valleys will exist to provide the elephants with more exercise. Everything possible will be done to encourage the grass to grow. Horticulture will plant the hardiest fastest growing grass available to hopefully create a lush grass. However every couple of years it will all need to be ripped up and the ground tilled to keep it soft enough for the elephants. Perhaps the grass on top can be salvaged though. The exhibit will have several big mature trees protected from over feeding by the elephants by rock retaining walls. This will give them a chance to try and browse on fresh leaves but it will also prose a challenge to stimulate the elephants both mentally and physically. The trees can also provide a little shade. A couple of gigantic rock structures will also provide shade as well as privacy. Adding more shade will be fake trees with internal lifts so keepers can take browse up high. Shade panels that look like leafs will be at the top will help provide shade while several will also be equipped with sprinkler systems the elephants can trigger themselves to create showers. To make things random for them keepers will be able to control which of the trees showers will operate at any given time. They might have to try three or four trees to find their shower. It would encourage more movement and mental stimulation. In the southeast corner of the exhibit there will be an absolutely huge pool that will appear to connect to the watering hole in front of the barn. The pool will be 20 feet deep at its deepest point to allow for true swimming. There will be levels though so that an elephant only has to be as immersed as it wants to be. Feeding the pool will be a long winding river that runs through the exhibit which will provide constant clean water to the elephants. Also providing wet fun will be several large mud wallows capable of holding several cows and their calves. All of the enrichment items provided inside will be provided outside.

    Outside the exhibit itself will be several water cannons the guests can pay to operate like they did with the Asian Elephants.

    To the west of the barn will be a mostly covered, off exhibit cow yard used primarily for transfer purposes and to provide an observation spot for cows and newborn calves. In the winter it can be kept mostly clear and allow staff to put some elephants out on a rotational basis. The cow yard would be connected to the breeding centers large mammal quarantine center this providing even more space if necessary for the elephants.

    East of the barn would be the second large elephant exhibit. This one could be used by the cows and the bulls. It allows for more flexibility with groupings thus creating a richer more stimulating day for the elephants. At this point in the zoo I would like to begin the shift from the savanna to the desert so this exhibit will have more of a scrub feel. It will have all of the elements of the northern exhibit except the river and fewer trees. There will be less emphasis on growing grasses and there will be more dirt and sand. The elephants will be drawn to the front of the exhibit by its large pool containing a waterfall along the barn wall. Also in the north west corner there will be a feeding tower. It would be a tall observation tower with a platform at roughly trunk level so people could feed the elephants. The base would keep the elephants back sufficiently to prevent damage to the tower. A ticketing station will be at the base of the tower and a limited number of people will get tickets to feed the elephants each day during feeding times. The ticket will clearly tell the guest when to show back up and if they dont well tough luck, more food for others to give the elephants.

    East of this yard will be the bulls primary yard. It will be tucked in behind the deserts mixed species exhibit. By this point the exhibit is officially part of the desert and will be dressed accordingly. It will be a fully sand and dirt exhibit. Because this is now the desert there will be no trees or tree shade structures. There will be more rock based shade structures instead. These structures will instead be equipped with sprinkler systems because the elephants still deserve to be cooled off at their own whim. In the center of the exhibit there would be a deep enough pool that the could get fully wet and there will be two mud wallows. All of the other enrichment items would be included. Like the cow yard the bulls could be visited by the desert animals to the south if keepers are willing to try the mix. Its not necessary but it would create more dynamic exhibits. I would be a little more concerned about this possible mixing because we are talking about bulls who could be more aggressive.

    Off exhibit would be the specially constructed bull barn and off exhibit bull yard capable of holding at least two bulls in full musth. If all of the bulls went at once for some bizarre reason the most compliant ones could be transferred to the quarantine barn which would be set up for more raging bulls. The barn would be a smaller bull tough version of the cow barn minus guest viewing. The bull yard would also be a covered yard allowing them outside in the winter more often.

    That brings us to the end of Elephant Expedition. The whole elephant complex could be as much as 60 acres of space making it the biggest exhibit at the zoo and unrivaled in the world of North American elephant exhibits. Their indoor space would be roughly 10-15 acres bigger than the biggest outdoor exhibits now. Even though the north isnt the best spot for elephants my zoo would be providing the best possible care for them given the tough environment.

    Now that you have reached the end of the elephant exhibit you have also reached the end of the savanna. It’s time to switch gears and explore the desert.
     
  17. arcticwolf

    arcticwolf Well-Known Member

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    That is an excellent elephant exhibit! It is exactly what I would have wanted back when the zoo was thinking about building a new elephant area. All of the details are amazing and it would be great to see two species of elephants in one zoo!

    I'm glad you liked my desert section. Selecting species for it was very difficult and I originally planned on having more mammals. Some of them are now in other parts of the zoo, while others I just had to leave out. I originally planned on having another species of mammal in either the hummingbird or parrot/roadrunner exhibit, but I really like all of those bird species so I chose them instead.

    Overall, the North American Pavilion will have 7 mammal species and I carefully selected all of them. I wanted this pavilion to have a stronger focus on smaller animals like reptiles, fish and invertebrates. Most species will be fairly easy to find in captivity, but I did put in a few species that aren't as common that I really wanted (like the hummingbirds).
     
  18. TZFan

    TZFan Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    I figured if I have the biggest zoo why not have two kinds of elephants? If you have the space why choose? There is the space there to have the biggest elephant exhibits on the planet and more then enough room for two of them. Only a handful of zoos have both and the vast majority of those have mixed exhibits which are being phased out. This would definitely create tons of buzz about the zoo. And with two species thats twice the births pulling in those massive newborn numbers.

    Your pavilion plan makes sense. When it comes to North America most of the mammals can easily live outside so why waste precious pavilion space on those species. Pick the ones who need to be kept inside or just couldnt be displayed well outside (like little rodents).

    I might be slower getting to the desert. Im done the outdoor but am still working on the last third of the pavilion.
     
  19. arcticwolf

    arcticwolf Well-Known Member

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    When I visited Zoo Miami last year, I got to see African and Asian elephants in separate exhibits and it was really interesting to be able to compare the two species.

    Take as much time as you need with your desert. I'm sure in the end, it will be great!
     
  20. TZFan

    TZFan Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Miami.. I knew a zoo in Florida had both. Totally forgot which one. Its rare but would be really cool.

    Down to two species so it will be up in a day or so. Then it will be off to Australia so the speed which I can update will slow significantly. Once thats done it will speed right back up when we hit Antarctica and the ocean which is already written up.