Best and Worst Zoo Maps

Here's Detroit's. It's on end on the computer; the picture you see has west at the top.

At this point I hardly need it. I have lived in Detroit most of my life and have gone innumerable times. But I've asked people who are new to the zoo and they say they find the Detroit map readable and easy to follow.

https://detroitzoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/dte-2017-detroit-zoo-map.pdf

 

The Knoxville Zoo map is giving me a headache trying to figure out how to navigate the zoo. I found an older version and it was much better (but exhibit locations are now outdated). Here is the current one: Zoo Map

 

I don’t like how the text is all different sizes.

 

I really like the new Noahs Ark Zoo Farm map - it's refreshing and interesting to look at!

 

The Toronto Zoo's map used to somewhat note the topography of it and forest distribution.

http://www.mappery.com/maps/Toronto-Zoo-Map.jpg

The new map isn't to different, but now it has individually coloured sections.
http://www.torontozoo.com/ExploreTheZoo/TorontoZooMap.pdf?a

 

The best feature any zoo map can have is a suggested route. Surprisingly, few have this. For a few, they imply one if you follow the order of the key numbers.

 

Ive seen no one mention the one from burgers zoo. Its my favorite! The style is realistic and i really like that. Even tho, the newer maps seem to downgrade.

 

One of my favourites is the old Taman Safari Bogor map:
Google Image Result for https://arifh80.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/taman-safari-cisarua-bogor-map.jpg
The new one looks trash:
Google Image Result for http://bogor.tamansafari.com/media/2017/07/19/large/map-baru-l.jpg
Singapore Zoo also have a great map:
Google Image Result for https://www.wrs.com.sg/content/dam/wrs/documents/park-maps/singapore-zoo-park-map.jpg

 

It may be taking it slightly too far to have a favourite zoo map illustrator but I really like the style of the ZSL maps, both at Whipsnade (attached) and London and, after digging into it, turns out they're designed by Martin Schwartz, who also designed the LA Zoo and Planckendael Zoo maps - which again are really nice.

In terms of pet peeves, I cannot stand silhouettes of animals on maps, or actual pictures of animals - this is one is more difficult to justify but I just enjoy the creativity and art that goes into illustrating animals for zoo maps and the different styles maps can have based on how their animals are illustrated

 

I feel like with many of these maps, the path isn't distinct enough. Like I think the Woodland Park, San Diego, and Bronx maps are the best at making the paths visible.

 

I'm a big fan of old zoo maps from the 80s-00s I have them decorating my wall.

 

Is there a chance that you could scan some so we can share in your enjoyment?

 

I've found the worst zoo map. Behold the map of Shalom Wildlife Zoo:



Not only is the clip art slightly annoying, but some of the labeled exhibits have been moved to entirely different parts of the zoo and many enclosures simply aren't labeled.

It's also the wrong badger, but I'm used to that at this point.

 

This was actually one of the first places to come to mind when I first read this thread when it started. The map I have is slightly different than the one you posted, but when I visited this summer they had coyotes (I think. Not 100% sure what off the top of my head). On the map I was given it had them labelled right towards the start of the zoo, if you follow the arrows, just before the split off for the ducks. I spent a good 5-10 min walking back and forth trying to figure out where they were. I finally realized they were probably on the path above that one and I needed to walk pretty much the entire zoo to see them. It was very frustrating as many of the enclosures were this way.

 

Yes, the map I posted is a little old, but the only one I could find. For example, Cougar and Tiger are not shown on this map (the zoo got their first Cougar in 2018 and their first Tigers in 2019).

 

Cougar are on your map, in between the Dall sheep and Arctic fox.

 

In my defense the clip art used does not look like a Cougar.

 

I've been planning a trip cross country, and I have a submission for the worst.
Hillcrest Park Zoo in Clovis, New Mexico

Map of Hillcrest Park Zoo - Clovis News Journal

 

Personally this is one of the worst for a supposed major zoo that I've seen! Looks like it was designed by a 5 year old!

 

https://www.marwell.org.uk/media/other/Marwell_Zoo_Map_A4_WEB_AUG_2019.pdf
Still, at least there is a way to tell what some of the species are, while at Hillcrest there are just some vague descriptions