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A botanic garden with a zoological twist

Discussion in 'Speculative Zoo Design and Planning' started by Hyak_II, 2 Jul 2016.

  1. Hyak_II

    Hyak_II Well-Known Member 10+ year member

    Joined:
    19 Jan 2014
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    Location:
    Canada
    This is a concept I have been thinking more and more about lately, and it is something I don't see being discussed to often, so I figured it would be fun to post about it here.

    Alright, to set the scene...

    Located in Alberta, Canada. The zoo situation here is limited, with only 2 large, noteworthy facilities. There are a further 2 smaller privately owned places, and a single small, dingy aquarium in the bottom of a mall. Aggressive snow and temperatures regularly down to -30 Celsius (-22 for you americans ;) ) persist from October to April. The rest of the year is mild, rarely reaching above 25 Celsius except for the hottest weeks of summer.

    This facility would be located just outside a major city, far enough to produce affordable land space, yet close enough for full city utilities and keep it a reasonable trip for city folk (read, main customer base), think 10-15 minutes out of city limits, more or less.

    The gardens are divided into 3 main sections, a pair of large greenhouses, with attached buildings serving several purposes, a large outdoor garden, and a smaller south american feature that is viewed from the outdoors, but contains a fairly appreciable indoor, staff only component as well.


    The first area to greet guests would be the main visitor center. Nestled inside an alcove near the entrance is the first exhibit. A small netted over aviary containing a pond utilises the walls of the building, along with large rocks and netting to present a pleasant feature to greet guests to the facility. The species housed within vary, however waterfowl, pheasants, and waders can be expected. Once inside, guests are presented with a ticket booth, and to the left and right a small cafe and gift shop, respectively. These are able to be accessed without paying admission.

    Moving along past the admissions desk, you enter a main hallway wth several options. To the right are a pair of large greenhouses featuring the first main attractions. The first greenhouse is a tropical house, featuring a lush, temperature controlled jungle with a waterfall and several small ponds. Emphasis is placed on flowering trees and plants. Additionally, growing along the support girders of the greenhouse are a number of woody vines. Residing within there is also an array of smaller inhabitants. Hummingbirds flit overhead, going from flower to flower. Butterflies are also a notable feature, with several species present in large numbers. Tanagers, Ringed Teals, and other small south american birds also also present in smaller numbers. In a small room sharing a wall with the greenhouse, a window looks in, enabling guests to look into the "Bug Propagation Room". Within guests can view butterfly chrysalids. There are also rearing bins for caterpillars, as well as a pair of tanks housing pink-toed tarantulas; the silk from them is used to supply the hummingbirds with nesting material. On that same note, the woody shrubs growing in the greenhouse serve for food to feed caterpillars bred in house.


    Alright, this ending up quite long winded, I shall continue on in further posts, but feel free to comment and criticise!
     
  2. Nikola Chavkosk

    Nikola Chavkosk Well-Known Member

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    Location:
    Prilep, R. Macedonia
    Interesting concept. But I would love tropical botanical garden with small tropical birds, smaller reptiles (including snakes, lizards), and frogs (of corse!, because frogs can benefit a lot from such concept - botanical garden - a lot of space for ex situ conservation of frogs (like dart frogs for example, or mantelas). It would be relatively cheap to run. Other possible animals would be small primates, rodents, bats, possums, etc.
     
  3. TeaLovingDave

    TeaLovingDave Moderator Staff Member 10+ year member

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    Location:
    Wilds of Northumberland
    If you want a little inspiration, there *is* at least one zoological collection which is just as much a botanical garden as it is a zoo; Wilhelma in Stuttgart, Germany. I recently wrote a comprehensive walkthrough of this collection, including full accounts of the botanical aspect, which can be found from this point onward:

    https://www.zoochat.com/community/posts/949620
     
    Last edited by a moderator: 21 Oct 2016
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  4. Falanouc

    Falanouc Well-Known Member

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    Location:
    England
    This is very good so far.
     
  5. Zooplantman

    Zooplantman Well-Known Member

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    23 Jan 2008
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    Location:
    New York, USA
    Also Brookgreen Garden in the USA.
    Welcome to Brookgreen Gardens | Attractions Myrtle Beach
     
    Last edited by a moderator: 21 Oct 2016