Exhibit Designing Competition #2

Sorry whats British times short form?

 

British time would be better known as GMT to you!

 

Thanks zoogiraffe

 

I think at the moment Britain is GMT+1. What time zone is EST (as in GMT +/-, I know it's a minus...)?

 

The Congo River Trail
The visitor enters the Congo River Trail by passing through a small information centre. Here, they can see terrariums for Goliath frogs (0.0.2), Shaba bush vipers (0.0.3) and Hissing cockroaches (0.0.30). Also, in this centre, there’s plenty of information about the endangered species in the Tropical Africa, and there’s lots of focus on the endangered Goliath frogs in this house.

Passing through a pair of doors, the visitor comes to a small river bank, with the netted exhibit for African Golden cats (1.1). This is a big exhibit with plenty of off-show exhibits and tropical plants, so the visitors will feel like they really are in the jungle now. Also you can see the cats from a small viewing hut, where there’s information about the cats.

The next exhibit is the big African forest exhibit. Here live Giant forest hogs (1.2), Yellow-backed duikers (1.1) and a group of Bongos (1.4). The visitors look out over the exhibit from a smaller bridge, where there are small viewing huts along the bridge. The visitors can also see the forest hogs in their indoor exhibits through some glass windows at the end of the bridge. The exhibit is mostly green, and has plenty of trees, but there are also seperation and off-show exhibits for all the animals, if they want to be alone.

The visitors are following the path along a small river, and the river flows through the exhibit for Slender-snouted crocodiles (1.1). These are very rare, and they have a big information centre, where the visitors can also donate money to help them in the wild. The crocodiles can be seen from above, and also under water through big glass windows in the information centre. Here is also a small aviary for African pygmy geese (1.1) and White-fronted Bee-eaters (2.3).

The river ends in another big exhibit; this is the exhibit for Pygmy hippos (1.1). In the river the visitors can also see some Malawi cichlids (0.0.8). This is a very big exhibit with lots of water for the hippos. Their stables are off-show and they have some seperation exhibits for their good as well. They can also be seen under water through glass windows. Also here, there’s a small display about the hippos situation in the nature, and what we can do to help them.

The next exhibit is the big walk-through aviary, which is based on birds from the Tropical Africa. The visitors enter the aviary through a pair of doors and first they come to a small interactive display, where the visitors can learn about habitat destruction in the rainforests. Here are also small exhibits for Rock pythons (0.1) and Goliath beetles (0.0.6). After passing through some new doors, the visitors come into the aviary. In the aviary lives African pitta (1.1), Marungu Sunbird (1.2), Thyolo Alethe (1.1), Golden oriole (1.1) and Blue-bellied roller (1.2). The aviary has lots of viewing huts, and a big waterfall is located in the middle of the exhibit, and the visitors can stand under the waterfall, looking out on the aviary. Going down from this lookout, the visitors come into a small nocturnal area. Here’s a big bat cave, with free-flying Straw-coloured Fruit bats (5.7) and a small exhibit for a pair of Pottos (1.1).

After the cave, the visitors move on to see a big building. That is the big breeding centre for African apes. The visitors enter the building through a pair of doors, and suddenly they find themselves in a small tropical hall. Here’s a big netted exhibit for Mantled guerezas (2.3). They can’t be seen outdoor, but their indoor exhibit is very big, and filled with platforms and high trees. Free-flying birds in the hall are Hamerkops (1.1), speckled mousebird (2.2) and crested barbet (1.1). In the middle of the hall, there’s a small exhibition with information about rainforests, and some terrariums for Jackson’s Chameleons (1.1) and Tropical Spiny agamas (1.1). Here is also some fun for the kids, so they can learn about animals in an interesting way. The visitors are passing through a new pair of doors, and they come a new tropical hall. Here are no free-flying birds, but two big indoor exhibits. The first exhibit is for Common chimpanzees (2.3). They have two indoor exhibits, and one off-show exhibit and also seperation exhibits, where they can be if they want to be alone. The other exhibit here is for Bonobos (2.3). Their indoor exhibit is much like the chimpanzees, and they also have off-show and seperation exhibits. These indoor exhibits are very big, and some parts are surrounded by glass. And in the exhibits, there are lots of plants, and in the house, there’s hot, so you will get a jungle feeling walking in here. Their outdoor exhibits are also very big and green, with lots of platforms, high trees and rocks. The exhibits locations are very nice, with lots of trees both inside and around the exhibit. Also here, the apes are seen behind glass, but they have lots of hiding places in their outdoor exhibit as well. Here are also interactive displays with exhibitions about the apes situation in the nature, and how we can help them, and you can also donate money to help the apes. In the end of this hall there's also a small aviary for Trumpeter hornbills (1.1).

The last part of the breeding centre is the very big exhibits for a group of Mountain Gorillas (2.3). They have their own house with three indoor exhibits, where you see the gorillas behind glass. One of the exhibit is a seperation exhibit, if the group needs to be separated. One exhibit is also for the babies with mothers, so the visitors can see the gorilla babies without disturbing them too much. Also there are two off-show exhibit, and another separate exhibit, which the visitors can’t see. Here’s also a big exhibition with information about the gorillas in zoos, in the wild and also about how their habitat is destructed. The visitors can also here donated money to help the mountain gorillas. They also have two big outdoor exhibits. Same here, one is also for babies and their mothers. Also here, the exhibits are surrounded by glass, but without disturbing the gorillas too much.

List of endangered species
Common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
Bonobo (Pan paniscus)
Pygmy hippo (Hexaprotodon liberiensis)
Marungu sunbird (Nectarinia prigoginei)
Thyolo Alethe (Alethe choloensis)
Slender-snouted crocodile (Crocodylus cataphractus)
Goliath Frog (Conraua goliath)

This took a long time to write, I think I have everything. If there's something wrong, please tell me if so.

 

Just checked SZF, and yup you've got everything nailed . Might have to keep this open another day to see if there is any more interest. New deadline is 8pm Tuesday (10 August) GMT.

 

The max number of animals, does that mean species or individuals?

 

Species .

 

Whew! I'm writing an exhibit up, and I thought I was gonna have to go back and reduce the number of animals... oh man I would've flipped out. Thanks

 

Hehe, no problem

 

This is gonna be fun!! I love stuff like this
I'm not a mammal guy, so bear with me, haha

Congo River trail

As you first walk in, you are greeted by the sounds of the Congo: Rushing water, the calls of birds, and a subtle tribal music. On either side are 3-D wall designs featuring realistic tree trunks. In the middle of the room is an artificial tree trunk with a plaque, informing visitors about the destruction of the rainforest and it's crucial role on the earth.

Vistitors are greeted with a sign: "AFRICAN RIFT VALLEY". The first enclosure in the building is a large, brightly lit aquarium with heavy rockwork and a colony of Melanochromis auratus (3.10), and Synodontis multipunctatus (0.0.5). The tank is a large cylindar, floor to ceiling, and 10 feet across. Above the tank hangs a plaque discussing the ecology of Africa's Rift Lakes and the threats to them.

As you walk along further you come to a large exhibit with the all-important Gorilla (2.3.0). The room is dark, except lights in the enclosure. There is a sign saying "GORILLA HUT". The enclosure features a large waterfall with an ebb area where the Gorillas can bathe. It also has areas of tall grass, rock piles for climbing, and an area where the roof of the exhibit is made of non-UV inhibiting glass so the Gorillas can be exposed to sunlight. At the back of the enclosure is a chain link gate from where keepers can feed and interact with the enclosure’s inhabitants. There are several play balls in the enclosure for enrichment, and ropes hang from the ceiling for the Gorillas to rip up, climb, or whatever they please. Beneath the exhibit is a huge holding room for the Gorillas to stay at night, with a retractable middle wall for isolation if needed. Between the Gorillas and the public is 2 inch-thick glass, and in front of that, a bar to keep the public's antics from bothering the Gorillas.

A little further down the trail is a very large tank, adorned with a sign "CAUTION: RAPIDS AHEAD". holding 0.0.3 large Goliath Tiger Fish . The tank features a wave makers which churn the water and create a whitewater water surface, just like the tight bends of the Congo River where these fish hail from. All around on the walls are red river rocks, like the shores of the Congo. The tank itself if 25 feet long, and 10 feet wide. Above the tank is a big plaque, which talks about riverbank development and overfishing, threatening the fish of the Congo.

Further yet is a darkened area, with a very subtle blueish light similar to that of a moonlit night. At first, as the vistitors’ eyes adjust to the dark, the room appears empty. But as they look closer, they begin to notice things. A large enclosure off to one side, with several trees, many of which have fruit. On a large platform in the back lay several fruit skins, hollowed out with surgical precision. Then appears two large, buggy, orange eyes. Then another pair. And another. These are Aye-Ayes , 1.3.0. (ENDANGERED) Their enrichment is in the forum of treatballs with pieces of apple in them. Shown under a subtle spotlight is a metal plaque detailing the threats to Madagascar. These Lemurs stay in an off-exhibit enclsoure at night, which is almost twice as large as their exhibit.

Further down the trail, it begins to lighten. A huge, wide open enclosure can be seen. It has tall grasses, rockpiles to climb on, and a stream. It houses 1.2.0 African Wild Dogs. (ENDANGERED) Off to one side of the enclosure is a plaque discussing the dangers to these Wild Dogs, and their competition with farmers in their home areas. This enclosure is expansive, nearly 45 feet long and 20 feet wide. Some of the enclosure is hidden from public view, behind rock piles, so the dogs feel secure. Their enrichments are things like thawed mice in a treatball, Kong toys, and rope toys. These dogs also stay behind the exhibit in a large holding area at night, almost as big as the actual enclosure, and with places for the dogs to sleep.

The next enclosure is through beaded curtains. On the trail is a half-land-half-water exhibit. It has a large pool with several sunken and floating logs. The land area has a large hide box and some stacked logs for climbing. It houses 1.1 Cameroon Clawless Otters. (ENDANGERED) The Otters are enriched also with ropes and kongs, as well as fish that are sometimes placed in their pool for them to chase down. This exhibit is raised up, so people can see when the Otters on land or on the surface of the water. Go down a flight of stairs, and you can see the underwater part of the enclosure. Also downstairs is a huge aviary. THIS exhibit is called "VULTURE SKYROOM". The ceiling is raised 20 feet higher than the rest of the building. With seemingly sky high perches and platforms on every wall, this room seems majestic, as are the inhabitants. In it are 1.1 Egyptian Vulture. (ENDANGERED) The media separating the public from the enclosure is glass, so the view of the ceiling is not obstructed.

Back up stairs, and a bit farther down the trail is a 15 foot wide circular aviary, also 15 foot high. It features natural sunlight and a large leafless tree. It houses a rehabbed Eurasian Peregrine Falcon , 0.1. (ENDANGERED) A large television screen discusses the affects of pesticides on birds of prey, and a large plaque informs visitors about rehab programs for wild Birds of Prey. All the Birds of Prey, including the Egyptian Vulture and the Raptorium, stay in their cages at night, and are enriched with rope toys.

A bit further down comes something that’s a bit more my speed… a huge palidarium, with a land area and a waterfall. Visitors may notice that this part of the trail gets very hot… its inhabitants like it that way. In the palidarium are 1.3.0 Nile Monitors. The roof is made of non-UV inhibiting glass, as all basking diurnal Lizards need huge amounts of the stuff. In the water portion are various fish (not listed here because they are enrichment for the Monitors, not exhibit fish). This exhibit is situated lower than the trail, and a short boardwalk is used as a trail over the enclosure.

On the opposite wall from the Monitors is the "SAVANNAH ROCK PASS" room. It is a medium sized vivarium, holding an endangered Reptile: A large female Pancake Tortoise. (ENDANGERED) The exhibit features rock piles which she can climb or hide in, if she feels it’s fit. This exhibit's creature comforts to make the creature comfortable are incandescent lights on one side of the enclosure, and a UV/UVB bar spanning the lid of the enclosure. Next to the enclosure is a plaque, discussing the discerning needs of the Tortoise and the destruction of rock bluffs that make up their habitat.

Further down is a large walk-through aviary, the PARROT PLAYPEN, housing 3.8.0 African Grey Parrots, “Congo” subspecies , 2.3.0 Dwarf Timneh Grey Parrots, , 15.24.0 Golden Weaver Finches . The outgoing Parrots are visitor favorites, as they will sit on visitors' shoulders and interact with them. This room also features a TV presentation about the collecting of birds for the pet trade, and how it hurts wild populations. They are enriched with millet sticks and carboard boxes.

Further down is a Bird of Prey room, called "THE RAPTORIUM", with large separate aviaries for a male African Fishing Eagle , a female Pale Chanting Goshawk , a Tawny Eagle , and a small male African Scops-Owl . The aviaries are glass on all sides except the back, which is wall material adorned with ivy and 3-D rock background, and the front, which is chain link.

Further down is a large wetland exhibit, featuring 3.4.0 Marabou Storks . Also included is a plaque featuring info about the destruction of wetlands. This exhibit is huge, rivaling the Gorilla Hut and the Wild Dog enclosure as the biggest on the trail. It is 37 feet long and 18 feet wide. It is also 20 feet tall, with perches for the birds. It has a small pond in it, with small Minnow-like fish for the Storks to snack on.

A bit down the trail is a small area, not for the squeamish! In one tank is a large African Chocolate Milipede. In the next tank over are 0.0.13 Hissing Cockroaches.

The next room is called "CRITTER CORNER". The room is darkened, with very subtle moon-like lighting.
In the Critter Corner room is a very small enclosure featuring 0.0.2 Elephant Shrew. The exhibit features soft soil for the Shrews to burrow in.

Opposite the Shrew is a forest floor biotope, housing 2.3.0 African Ground Squirrel. There is an info card discussing how development can destroy their forest floor habitat.

In the next room is an enclosure with 4.2.0 Gambian Pouched Rat, in a large enclosure, with logs, small shrubs, and a palidarium-style pool. Above the enclosure an info plaque talking about this Rodent as an invasive in Florida, compared to their ecological role in their native Africa.

Opposite the Rat is a much-welcomed change of pace from small Insectivores and Rodents: A large enclosure with tree limbs, rock piles, and a waterfall housing 2.3.0 African Serval Cat . The exhibit has subtle yellowish lighting, while the pathway is darkened to make the exhibit and its inhabitants stand out. The Servals get daily enrichment in the form of ropes, cardboard boxes, and treatballs.

Next room over: MADAGASCAN SUN ROOM: a medium sized enclosure with rockpile climbing structures and a small water feature. It houses one small female Fossa. Enrichment is prominent here, in the form of climbing ropes and treatballs.

Opposite them is a very endangered snake: 2.3.0 Round Island Ground Boa. (ENDANGERED) These declining-in-population snakes are kept in a breeding setting: The substrate is moist soil, and the enclosure is furnished with tree bark, rocks, and branches to make the snakes comfortable. In the branches above the endangered snakes are another endangered Reptile sharing the same habitat as the Boas: Round Island Day Geckos. (ENDANGERED) Next to the tank is a sign with information about the threats to the creatures endemic to Round Island, and the already extinct Round Island Burrowing Boa. (Not an animal here, but listen on the info card)

The second to last exhibit is a large tank. The water is swampy and there are few plants. On the bottom, strange, snake-like fish crawl around on their bony pectoral fins. These fish are Congo Bichir , Polypterus endlicheri congicus. These airbreathing, cannibalistic fish are the largest of their family, the largest individuals measuring almost 40".

This exhibit finishes with a bang: a mammoth-sized pool, Off to one side is an ominous makeshift wooden sign that says "CAUTION: LARGE REPTILES". The pond has one large female Nile Crocodile! This particular exhibit brings home what exploring the actual Congo would be like. River reeds are growing all around, and the only way to get over the exhibit is a wooden footbrige. This enslosure also has some fish in it, much like the Nile Monitors, they are simply enrichment for the Croc.

Volunteers and employees walk throughout the exhibit, handling animals like Reptiles, small mammals and birds that relate to the exhibit. People, especially kids, are encouraged to touch the animals as the volunteers speak about them. The volunteers talk about conservation and ecology.

 

I can't believe I typed the whole thing!!
I need a shower and a nap... LOL

I notated what is endangered, I'm not sure if I was supposed to or not. Oh well.

 

That is fine, it makes my life easier when checking

 

Haha! Sure. When's the competition over?

 

8pm 10th August (GMT - British time)

 

I'll be working on mine later today.
So animals from Madagascar and other islands can also be included if using the African theme?

 

Sorry for asking, but since I'm living in Sweden, I don't know when the deadline is in my time zone...

 

I never thought of that when designing this competition, but yes I have decided to allow it if you need it. The two names have changed to being 'African Forest Trail' and 'Asian Forest Trail' to accomodate this (nobody needs to change anything).

SZF: I don't know the time differance between Britain and Sweden, but I assume it isn't too much of a difference, maybe an hour either side? Somebody else may be able to say for sure

 

I'm guessing that they will all be judged after the deadline is over? Mine might still need some tweaks.

 

Yup, I will read through all of them and check after the deadline, so feel free to change anything if you feel the need to