Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Yes, I guess with hoofstock these are larger enclosures whereas with smaller species like the Socorro dove you can keep them within more compact areas.
Best enclosure / exhibit design in zoos for species extinct in wild.
Yes, I guess with hoofstock these are larger enclosures whereas with smaller species like the Socorro dove you can keep them within more compact areas.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
@Rayane so I've found some photos taken of these birds and their exhibit in the gallery.
Really very impressive that visitors can see the bird up close with no bars between them and appreciate its beauty.
Beautifully planted and as someone who has been to the North of Mexico many times I can definitely see that a lot of attention has been paid here to the planting with the yuccas, agave and what looks like a type of salvia.
I really like that attention has been paid to keeping to the theming and biogeographic reality of all of the bird species within this walkthrough being mexican and native to the same habitat.
The one thing that I don't like here (and perhaps I shouldn't judge to prematurely as I haven't seen the exhibit in person) is the signage which although attractive doesn't do anything to highlight the conservation status of the dove.
Photo credits to @KevinB and @Giant Panda.
Really very impressive that visitors can see the bird up close with no bars between them and appreciate its beauty.
Beautifully planted and as someone who has been to the North of Mexico many times I can definitely see that a lot of attention has been paid here to the planting with the yuccas, agave and what looks like a type of salvia.
The one thing that I don't like here (and perhaps I shouldn't judge to prematurely as I haven't seen the exhibit in person) is the signage which although attractive doesn't do anything to highlight the conservation status of the dove.
Photo credits to @KevinB and @Giant Panda.
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Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Here is an example of a species close to my heart that was extinct in the wild, has now been selectively reintroduced but is basically functionally extinct anyway, the axolotl.
This is at Chapultepec zoo which is a big player in the ex-situ conservation of the species. Not the best display enclosure in the world for the species (though there is a far better one not pictured in the reptile house of the zoo) but this endemic species has a presence and is showcased to the public.
This is a traditional art form from Mexico called the alebrije and this one placed at the zoo close to a display aquarium of axolotl (and in what was once going to be an outdoor pool enclosure for the species) commemorates and attracts attention to these animals.
Here again at one of the other three zoos of Mexico City Zoologico de los coyotes. This zoo has a very good breeding success with the genetically wild type axolotl. Not a brilliant enclosure by any means in terms of display but still the species has a presence and is showcased.
Perhaps unsuprisingly there are much better display and educational enclosures for the species in zoos outside of Mexico given greater resources available.
Prairi Daiza zoo Belgium
ZSL, UK.
Chester zoo, UK.
Photo credit to @carlos55, @twilighter, @Titus and @Javan Rhino .
This is at Chapultepec zoo which is a big player in the ex-situ conservation of the species. Not the best display enclosure in the world for the species (though there is a far better one not pictured in the reptile house of the zoo) but this endemic species has a presence and is showcased to the public.
This is a traditional art form from Mexico called the alebrije and this one placed at the zoo close to a display aquarium of axolotl (and in what was once going to be an outdoor pool enclosure for the species) commemorates and attracts attention to these animals.
Here again at one of the other three zoos of Mexico City Zoologico de los coyotes. This zoo has a very good breeding success with the genetically wild type axolotl. Not a brilliant enclosure by any means in terms of display but still the species has a presence and is showcased.
Perhaps unsuprisingly there are much better display and educational enclosures for the species in zoos outside of Mexico given greater resources available.
Prairi Daiza zoo Belgium
ZSL, UK.
Chester zoo, UK.
Photo credit to @carlos55, @twilighter, @Titus and @Javan Rhino .
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@Rayane
The one thing that I don't like here (and perhaps I shouldn't judge to prematurely as I haven't seen the exhibit in person) is the signage which although attractive doesn't do anything to highlight the conservation status of the dove.
Photo credits to @KevinB and @Giant Panda.
The story of the socorodove and its conservation status are on a seperate sign in the Burgers Desert, this is just the information to identefy the freeflying bird species.
Reading this kind of post makes me wonder why there are, espicially in europe no Mexico themed areas. It has many extremly rare animal. With the culture and history making it perfect as a theme. I love thewild life of the neotropics. But the generic south america/ amazon rainforrest theme is just overdone. If they would focus more on the endangred species (like in south east asian themed areas), I wouldn't be that mad. But it would be a nice change for once.
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Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
In terms of the generic South America theme, yes, it does seem to be a far more popular theme for zoos.
In terms of mammal biodiversity for example Mexico has far higher mammal biodiversity than any other country and also is generally far more biodiverse than many other Latin American countries too.
On that subject what I have to admit that I find a bit hilarious though is that some American zoos actually lump the Mexican theme (particularly archeological) with species endemic to South America (or even Africa and South-East Asia!) in their exhibits.
I'm not sure if this is done intentionally because of lack of space or whatever or just through a geographical ignorance but I've seen exhibits in the Zoochat gallery that have fake Olmec heads with African snakes or fake Mayan ruins with bushdogs for example. It really makes me laugh.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Ah I see, and is the sign any good in terms of educational content ?
well, it talks about how the species went extinct on socoro in1972, and how there are arround 100 birds still alive in captivity, and how the Burgers Zoo, together with other institutions work together to create a large enough population, to reinterduce the species in its home range,when he situation is accepteble fot its survival there.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Well that sounds like a brilliant sign indeed and I hope the visitors to Burger's zoo read it and appreciate the dove even more.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Best Scimitar horned oryx enclosures in your opinion guys ?
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Well since it is a smal brown dove. I don't zhink most people care that much
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
I hate to say it but I think you are probably right about that.
But even so some people might appreciate seeing these little doves and their plight and that is what matters.
It must be noted that there is also at least a couple flying around in the rest of the desert They keep multiple breeding pairs and breed on the regular.@Rayane so I've found some photos taken of these birds and their exhibit in the gallery.
Really very impressive that visitors can see the bird up close with no bars between them and appreciate its beauty.
Beautifully planted and as someone who has been to the North of Mexico many times I can definitely see that a lot of attention has been paid here to the planting with the yuccas, agave and what looks like a type of salvia.
I really like that attention has been paid to keeping to the theming and biogeographic reality of all of the bird species within this walkthrough being mexican and native to the same habitat.
The one thing that I don't like here (and perhaps I shouldn't judge to prematurely as I haven't seen the exhibit in person) is the signage which although attractive doesn't do anything to highlight the conservation status of the dove.
Photo credits to @KevinB and @Giant Panda.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
I agree that the dim light in the room really helps it stand out. There are several other terrariums like this for other dart frog species. I believe they actually also have the most species of dart frogs in the US. They have twelve species in that room.Thank you for sharing @Fignewton !
These are some great enclosures here for the Panamanian golden frogand it is great to see it is kept in so many zoos ex-situ.
Of the three of these that you have highlighted I think I prefer aesthetically (from the visitors perspective) the last one at the National Aquarium best. I guess that the dimmed lighting outside really focuses and centres the attention on the animals within the terrarium.
That said, the information signage on display looks a little underwhelming and I think a lot more could have been stated about the species being extinct in the wild.
The Maryland enclosure perhaps looks the best in terms of husbandry and it is a brilliant looking enclosure which is a lot better lighted. They must have several more terrariums for the species held behind the scenes I imagine if they hold such a large group of them.
The Elmwood Park Zoo enclosure looks great too but I must admit I'm not a fan of the frogs being mixed with others. I suppose that I just feel that the mixed species exhibitry thing detracts attention educationally away from the golden frog (the red-eyed tree frog is a stunning looking animal too afterall).
For The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, they have a small fraction of they're group on exhibit. There's probably at least 80 behind the scenes.
And I agree about the mixed species exhibit taking away from the message. They have a second enclosure, too that they mix them with 4 species of poison dart frog, but it doesn't look quite as good as the first one.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
It certainly sounds like a superb collection of anurans for sure.
Yes, I do think it detracts from the magic of those golden frogs for the visitor.
I bet another great collection that I'm sure has the Panamanian golden frog and possible other amphibian species at least perilously close to being extinct in the wild would be the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
The rails and kingfishers are in a separate area that I couldn't find a picture of. If eventually the Avian Center reopens, I'll try to get one.That is a beautiful exhibit indeed, very lush and well planted.
it looks as if it is a walkthrough containing many species (I can see what looks like a Victoria crowned pigeon), is the kingfisher and the rail kept within enclosures within this larger exhibit or are they mixed in with all the other species too ?
Found a picture of one of the Kingfishers at Philadelphia in the gallery, what a beautiful bird species they are.
Photo credit to @savethelephant.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I know, but I couldn't find a picture of it.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
So guys, we have covered some amphibians, fish and bird species but how about any mammal species ?