This is a tour of one of the exhibits I created for a city centre zoo a few months ago. I didn't do the whole zoo because it is massive! I hope you enjoy! We start outside, on the approach we pass enclosures for Okapi (okapia Johnstoni) and a mixed exhibit for Pygmy Hippopotamus (choeropsis liberiensis) and Red River Hogs (potamochoerus porcus), although these aren't part of the exhibit. We come across the entrance, a basic building attached to a large glass dome. As we enter we pass toilets and a first aid point. Upstairs is a conference room. As well as these the is a museum about rainforest species and geography, people who live in them and the pressure they face. It contains artefacts and interactive displays. Next we enter the dome through hanging plastic strips (unsure on their name) we enter into a mock Southeast Asian Town. In the many buildings you can find, a Café, shop, jewellery stall and pretend houses. In the village in an avairy Domestic Chickens (gallus gallus domesticus) can be found; it is made to blend in with the rest of the 'town'. Now you have two options to get the boat or explore on foot. Because the town is over water you get the boat from here. The boats go around the vast water ways and drop you off where you get on. The boats are free to all guests and they can go around as many times as you wish. Your skipper guides you around and points pit the many animals you see. I will guide you on foot as that shows you every where. The paths are mud and thin because you are meant to feel you are definitely exploring a real rainforest. You leave the town over a bridge and enter the first island. This is where the free roaming Green Iguanas (iguana iguana) are most commonly found. Carrying along down the path you come across a pool for Broad-snouted Caiman (caiman latirostris) the exhibit is covered by fine netting which is difficult to see but keeps the birds out. Passing over another bridge, you come across an island with Linnaeus' Two-toed Sloth (choloepus didactylus), Southern Tamamdua (tamandua tetradactyla) and Six-banded Armadillo (euphractus sexcinctus). Going up hill you cross onto a high suspension bridge, which passes over the densely vegetated Drill (mandrillus leucophaeus) enclosure. This is an individual island which means they can't get to visitor areas. Now you pass over rocks into a building which features a large vivarium for Green Anaconda (eunectes murinus), it features underwater viewing. You pass the multistorey pump room. Exiting the building you come on to a narrow ledge which guides you onto large steps which curve round, this leads you onto a rock ledge which passes behind a large waterfall. Next you enter onto a springy bridge which carries you onto the next island South American monkeys. The species are White-faced Saki (pithecia pithecia), Golden Lion Tamarins (leontopithecus rosalia) and Red Titi (callicebus cupreus). Passing onto the next island we come across another island with monkeys, the species are Blue Monkeys (cercopithecus mitis) and Red-tailed Monkey (cercopithecus ascanius). The island also features a pond for Central American River Turtles (dermatemys mawii). Passing onto the final island you see a pretend Bornean tribal hut. Finally you reach the exit! Another island features Golden Pheasant (chrysolophus pictus), Great Hornbill (buceros bicornis) and Malayan Tapir (tapirus indicus); these are encouraged to stay on this island although they can swim to the others. Free flying birds include several species of macaw, Sunbittern (eurypyga helias) and Scarlet Ibis (eudocimus riber). Species in the river include many large species of fish including Piranah, Stingray, Arapaima, Catfish and Arowana; these are reared in their separate aquarium until they are large enough to not be a prey target from the birds. One of their best loved animals in here are their two Amazonian Manatees (trichechus inunguis). All the islands are heavily planted with shrubs and trees. Thank you for reading this and I hope you enjoyed!
