Reimagining the Bronx Zoo
- Thread starter tigris115
- Start date
That's something zoos really have to think about, though
Philly, for example, has a huge domestic rat exhibit. They use rats that mostly aren't agouti colored so don't look wild, have a set up of clear tubes and spaces rather than a wild-looking area, and do daily shows demonstrating how intelligent they are. It could use a lot more signage, in my opinion. But it's a decent start at teaching kids that rats aren't horrible.
Maybe a little rat playground with several little toys and tubes that showcase the different abilities rats have. I'd pick tank 22 as the house mouse would be the least devastating animal to switch out
Tbh, I haven't been to the Mouse House in a while as I don't like how noisy it gets. So I can't really comment on much else in terms of fixing perceptions on rodents.
Tbh, I haven't been to the Mouse House in a while as I don't like how noisy it gets. So I can't really comment on much else in terms of fixing perceptions on rodents.
The tanks in the mouse House are much smaller than I'd want to build a truly great Rat exhibit, unless you're suggesting replacing either the bushbabies or agouti with Rats. @TinoPup gave you one example of a great rat exhibit, but another is the Rat Maze at the Boston Museum of Science. It's essentially a maze constructed out of four, very differently themed habitats, each of which would've been more than adequate in its own right. The surrounding area is themed to "Mazes and Mind Games" (no other live animals, however), and the rat component focuses on both their history of use in mazes and their impressive cognitive abilities.
Yeah I REALLY don't wanna compromise any of the other collection. I can always find space for such a concept elsewhere. In fact, I feel the Prospect Park Zoo would be the best for this of the space is there.
Or have some trained brown rats as ambassador animals. You could have a program like London Zoo had for spiders to get people to warm up to realize rats aren't all bad.
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I just read through the whole thread. I can't really be helpful as I've not visited the Bronx and only know things by osmosis, which isn't a great way to make recommendations.
Are you still thinking about adding aye-aye to Madagascar and what species might be crowded out in doing so?
Here's a thought: why don't you make a list of everything you think the zoo is 'missing' first? I did this last year for Brookfield and to my surprise, it included a lot of animals I hadn't otherwise thought about (toucans, owls, flamingo) and also helped me realize some of the animals I wanted could easily mix. I think it might help you target what developments you need/want the most.
Are you still thinking about adding aye-aye to Madagascar and what species might be crowded out in doing so?
Here's a thought: why don't you make a list of everything you think the zoo is 'missing' first? I did this last year for Brookfield and to my surprise, it included a lot of animals I hadn't otherwise thought about (toucans, owls, flamingo) and also helped me realize some of the animals I wanted could easily mix. I think it might help you target what developments you need/want the most.
Go there first at opening. I'm usually done by the time anyone else starts to come in.
Brayden Delashmutt
Well-Known Member
@tigris115 can we request things in the document?
Sure, knock yourself out.
Just try to make them reasonable and don't go nuts with spamming
Brayden Delashmutt
Well-Known Member
Alright, thanks!
Ok so I'm resurrecting this thread from the dead to ask if anyone here knows themselves anything about plants, especially native NY plants.
Rn, me and San are putting most of our creative energy in the monorail revamp and we agreed that good horticulture can make a world of difference.
My two big things are the following
Bring in as many native grasses and sedges and possible, especially stuff with really deep roots to prevent erosion and absorbing rain.
Get rid of the many colonies of creepers and ivy as they grow like mad over a lot of stuff such as fences and even infrastructure.
I assume @Zooplantman would be my go to but I want other opinions too
Rn, me and San are putting most of our creative energy in the monorail revamp and we agreed that good horticulture can make a world of difference.
My two big things are the following
Bring in as many native grasses and sedges and possible, especially stuff with really deep roots to prevent erosion and absorbing rain.
Get rid of the many colonies of creepers and ivy as they grow like mad over a lot of stuff such as fences and even infrastructure.
I assume @Zooplantman would be my go to but I want other opinions too