I came up with this idea following the recent discussion on the Cotswolds thread on how well this collection performs, how people (including zoochatters) enjoy visiting this zoo and what good value for money it is. I simply thought... if we offered a prize for the best UK wildlife park then it would probably win. So then I thought lets expand, let’s have a zoo awards. To keep it simple I'm starting off with an example of five possible categories... So we could have.... Best Collection of none Mammals - This is for a collection that has at least one Mammal species on show as well as it's amazing other collection of the nominated taxa. Prehaps this zoo has the most amazing aquarium you have ever seen, the herps collection is beyond anything similar or you simply think the avian or amphibian collection at this zoo is the best in the world... this is flexible category and should be treated as such. Best Large Collection - To qualify for this award, the nominated zoo must have a minimum average of 500,000 visitors per annum. Anything under that will qualify for best Small Collection. Best Small Collection - Best small collection is for collections that receive under 500,000 visitors per annum on average. Best Specialist Collection - This is for a collection that primarily focuses on one taxa (although we aren't being strict, so if you want to nominate an aquarium that does have some mammals etc) then it will be allowed. Prehaps your nominated zoo is a specialist in reptiles and as such has done very well with regards to breeding... or is simply fantastic in your opinion and you want others to know it! The only other rule for this category is that the nominated collection must be open to the public. So a private collection won't count Best Animal Development or Exhibit - This category is simply for you to nominate your favourite animal exhibit or development that incorporates great animal facilaties and a great visitor experience in one. Only rules for this is that it must have been built, so something like Chester's Islands would be exempt because it doesn't exsist yet! Nominations: A thread will be started in each paticipating country for you to nominate your collection, say why you think it should win and discuss** with others why this is. This is important. Don't just say for example, Chester Zoo is the best because I go there all the time! you need to give reasons why you think your zoo should win the nominated catagory and what makes it so special from the rest Voting: My plan would be that after seven days of nominations and debate, the nominated zoo's are taken into polls that are divided into countries. So for example France would have a different poll and nominations thread to Germany or the UK. Voting will last 7 days again and be divided into catagories. So we'd have five polls per country, one for each catagory. Any zoochat member would be able to vote on any of the polls but they'd only get one vote per poll. At the end of the seven days we would have a winner for each country and they would be our overall winners... Would like opinions on this: This is just an idea at the moment and Sim will need to give feedback if able to. We can change various things if they are felt to be too complicated or not needed. Other idea that was suggested was maybe a certificate or badge on the page thread being given out the winning collections... thoughts on this again would be greatly recieved.
Best exhibit - would have to say burgers bush as its the best biome around and is now fairly old and still the best. Best large collection - Prague as not only does it have a massive and diverse collection but some pretty amazing exhibits as well and lots of money being spent upgrade the old stuff. There is also just a nice feel to the place in my opinion. Best specialist - would have to put aspinall parks for several species ( black rhino, gorillas obviously, tigers, cloudies, moloch gibbons) the list go's on but surely despite anyones personal opinions keeping lots of the same species has always been there way. Best small zoo - reepark in Denmark is not small in size maybe 120 acres or so but some world class exhibits ( cheetah, lion and the largest yellow throated marten enclosure u will ever see) and plenty more on the way.
