zooboy28
Well-Known Member
Today, Zoos South Australia has released its masterplan for both Adelaide and Monarto Zoos. And its fairly impressive (and all still very hypothetical of course).
It can be downloaded as a PDF here: Zoos SA Master Plan - Zoos SA
There is also a section on that page that allows feedback to be given.
The Masterplan calls for significant changes to the zoo, including a new main entrance located up near the African carnivore exhibits. The masterplan suggests four precincts and a range of new species:
1. African Savannah
This is the new entry area of the zoo, and includes the African carnivore, white rhino, giraffe and some antelope exhibits, around the Boma, Waterhole and Windana bus stops. These will remain, although new exhibits will be added and changes will be made to each. A freeflight bird show will be added near the new visitors centre. Meerkats and servals will be added to Windana, and a new "predator experience" built into the lion exhibit, where a tunnel takes visitors into a cage, from where they can see lions around and above them. Fennec fox, colobus, ostrich, nyala and chameleon to the Waterhole. Boma will see white rhino and cheetah mixed together, and an African aviary added.
2. Back from the Brink
The pre-exisitng visitors centre and surrounding exhibits, including chimpanzee, barbary sheep, addax, oryx, Przewalski's horse, bison and black rhino, this area will focus on the zoos international conservation efforts. New species may include gorilla, maned wolf and plains zebra, exhibited around a new "black rhino" stop. The existing visitors centre to be renovated into a "primate central" stop, for the chimps, and new arrivals such as hamadryas baboon and lemurs. This area will be designed more for walking visitors.
3. Outback Australia
A completey new precinct, built around the Bretag Homestead. Exhibits for a range of native animals, including dingo, Tasmanian devil, echidna, wallabies, reptiles and birds. A children's zoo is also planned for here.
4. Wild Africa
Totally new extension into undeveloped areas. Will feature a number of additional "paid" experiences, including accommodation, a walk-through Madagascan exhibit for ring-tailed lemurs, and a large new savannah exhibit, with small group tours through herds of giraffe, eland, bongo, nyala, white rhino, oryx, addax, Barbary sheep, zebra, ostrich and potentially (and unlikely) African elephants.
Overall, a number of smaller species will be added, boosting the species list somewhat, and making the zoo into an all-day attraction. It looks like they have looked closely at San Diego Zoo Safari Park (and elsewhere) for inspiration. It does look good though, and I hope it works well. Interesting to see no indication of even considering Asian elephants out there, but perhaps the open, hot and dry environment might not make this the best location for this species.
It can be downloaded as a PDF here: Zoos SA Master Plan - Zoos SA
There is also a section on that page that allows feedback to be given.
The Masterplan calls for significant changes to the zoo, including a new main entrance located up near the African carnivore exhibits. The masterplan suggests four precincts and a range of new species:
1. African Savannah
This is the new entry area of the zoo, and includes the African carnivore, white rhino, giraffe and some antelope exhibits, around the Boma, Waterhole and Windana bus stops. These will remain, although new exhibits will be added and changes will be made to each. A freeflight bird show will be added near the new visitors centre. Meerkats and servals will be added to Windana, and a new "predator experience" built into the lion exhibit, where a tunnel takes visitors into a cage, from where they can see lions around and above them. Fennec fox, colobus, ostrich, nyala and chameleon to the Waterhole. Boma will see white rhino and cheetah mixed together, and an African aviary added.
2. Back from the Brink
The pre-exisitng visitors centre and surrounding exhibits, including chimpanzee, barbary sheep, addax, oryx, Przewalski's horse, bison and black rhino, this area will focus on the zoos international conservation efforts. New species may include gorilla, maned wolf and plains zebra, exhibited around a new "black rhino" stop. The existing visitors centre to be renovated into a "primate central" stop, for the chimps, and new arrivals such as hamadryas baboon and lemurs. This area will be designed more for walking visitors.
3. Outback Australia
A completey new precinct, built around the Bretag Homestead. Exhibits for a range of native animals, including dingo, Tasmanian devil, echidna, wallabies, reptiles and birds. A children's zoo is also planned for here.
4. Wild Africa
Totally new extension into undeveloped areas. Will feature a number of additional "paid" experiences, including accommodation, a walk-through Madagascan exhibit for ring-tailed lemurs, and a large new savannah exhibit, with small group tours through herds of giraffe, eland, bongo, nyala, white rhino, oryx, addax, Barbary sheep, zebra, ostrich and potentially (and unlikely) African elephants.
Overall, a number of smaller species will be added, boosting the species list somewhat, and making the zoo into an all-day attraction. It looks like they have looked closely at San Diego Zoo Safari Park (and elsewhere) for inspiration. It does look good though, and I hope it works well. Interesting to see no indication of even considering Asian elephants out there, but perhaps the open, hot and dry environment might not make this the best location for this species.
