Mixed species exhibit ideas

As a hoofstock keeper, I am very much inclined to agree with @Great Argus. While I appreciate exhibits that try to think outside of the box and try new things -- what you are describing sounds like my own personal Hell :p Hoofstock, in general, are usually poor shifters, especially larger groups. They do not like to go where they cannot see what is ahead of them, they do not like being funneled through tight spaces, they do not like being separated from other members of their herd (some facilities will do "separation training" and try to work hoofstock as individuals, but in my professional opinion, you have to be really careful in doing this because it breaks down the natural herd dynamics at play, which can lead to a lot of behavioral and social dynamic issues. I am much more fond of managing hoofstock in and as natural social groupings. This does not mean they cannot be desensitized or trained in any way -- it is just more nuanced. You cannot apply the same ideology used in training carnivores or marine mammals or elephants because hoofstock just do not work the same way.) They are also creatures of habit. As prey animals they are very suspicious of anything novel and of any change in their routine. New spaces can be extremely stressful for these animals and that stress is usually contagious to other prey species. I do not think the animals would adapt well to a lack of routine or really understand what or where they are supposed to go or do, and in many cases, I do not think many of them would shift voluntarily. I think you would be dealing with permanently stressed and high strung animals in this sort of set up, especially with the lechwe, impala, and springbok. The majority of injuries or deaths in hoofstock in human care occur during shifting. Also, in general, the more moving parts and the more complicated a setup is, the more room there is for human error as well.

Something else that will add another level of complexity to this is the different dietary needs of the different species and how you are going to manage that. Equids really should never have free access to pellet or alfalfa. Too rich of a diet can lead to colic, and equids are known to not stop eating when they are satiated, so in a non-controlled environment they are prone to gorging themselves, which can also lead to colic or rapid weight gain. The alfalfa would mostly be a concern if mixed with the giraffe, where alfalfa would be plentifully available; however, the lesser kudu, as browsers, would also require alfalfa over grass hay, as well as a richer pellet. Impala and lechwe could also be supplemented with alfalfa -- the other species would need to be on grass hay to avoid excess weight gain and an overly rich diet. Roan antelope are prone to copper deficiencies and will require a copper enriched pellet.

As far as the mixes go, bontebok seem to, in general, not do well in mixed species habitats. They are almost always held separately. Not only are they irritable, but they are also valuable. Otherwise, some of your biggest issues are going to arise when calves are on the ground or if there is perceived competition over resources. Both Hippotragus species, both equid species, gemsbok, and wildebeest are all known baby killers, so without massive field exhibits (where even then calves are still lost), you would have to figure how you wanted to manage mothers and calves with the other species. Are you breeding on rotation and housing calving species separately during that period? How are you going to go about reintroducing them to the mixes? Even when older the calves will still be something novel and attract attention. Wildebeest and impala are already seasonal breeders. Bachelor groups are a whole other can of worms because they almost always break down at some point. You can milk them for longer in some species than others, but they will eventually be a problem.
Thanks for your hoofstock perspective. I'm not a hoofstock expert by any means, and this was more so an exhibit set-up I thought would be cool without knowing whether or not it'd be successful. I also didn't realize bontebok weren't successful in mixed-species exhibits, also good to know. If I simplify it to remove the rotational elements (and simplified the species line-up slightly), do you think the following would work:
  • Four, 0.25-acre single-species exhibits for 3.0 Grevy's zebra, 1.4 Nile lechwe, 1.2 bontebok, and 1.3 roan antelope.
  • A 2.5-acre mixed-species savanna for 0.2 ostrich, 1.5 Masai giraffe, 1.4 lesser kudu, 1.5 springbok, and 4.0 white-bearded wildebeest.
  • A 2-acre elephant exhibit with either 1.5 or 4.0 African elephants, 1.3 sable antelope, 3.0 common eland, and 1.5 impala.
  • A secondary, 1.7-acre elephant exhibit that is not mixed-species.
 
Thanks for your hoofstock perspective. I'm not a hoofstock expert by any means, and this was more so an exhibit set-up I thought would be cool without knowing whether or not it'd be successful. I also didn't realize bontebok weren't successful in mixed-species exhibits, also good to know. If I simplify it to remove the rotational elements (and simplified the species line-up slightly), do you think the following would work:
  • Four, 0.25-acre single-species exhibits for 3.0 Grevy's zebra, 1.4 Nile lechwe, 1.2 bontebok, and 1.3 roan antelope.
  • A 2.5-acre mixed-species savanna for 0.2 ostrich, 1.5 Masai giraffe, 1.4 lesser kudu, 1.5 springbok, and 4.0 white-bearded wildebeest.
  • A 2-acre elephant exhibit with either 1.5 or 4.0 African elephants, 1.3 sable antelope, 3.0 common eland, and 1.5 impala.
  • A secondary, 1.7-acre elephant exhibit that is not mixed-species.
Of course! Like I said, I appreciate wanting to think outside of the box, and it is an impressive concept in theory, but in practice it would be essentially impossible in that form.

Your reduced and simplified plan appears much more feasible, although there are a few complications I could foresee:

Firstly, the bachelor herd of Grevy's would almost certainly be a problem, eventually. I have not known bachelor groups of more than two to work out long-term in this species, and that is with the animals being placed on a hormone treatment to decrease testosterone. I would suggest either a pair of males on hormone treatments with the knowledge they still might need to be separated or a breeding or all female group of one of the equid species (Somali or Grevy's would probably be a better choice for a female group as that is a more natural social grouping for them than for Hartmann's).

I am not wholly convinced you would not have problems with the Nile lechwe in that size of an enclosure. They seem to do rather poorly in traditional zoo settings. Most traditional zoos that have tried recently have eventually gone out of them. They are extremely flighty and high strung.

I do not think that sable or common eland are the best choices for a mix with elephants. Neither species are particularly light-footed, and sable are certainly not known to back down from an altercation. The species that seem to work best in these elephant mixes are ones that are quick enough to get away and non-confrontational enough to not draw attention to themselves. Also, from a husbandry and management perspective, in general, elephant mixes are difficult because elephants are almost always (and rightfully) their own department. That would mean that a mix with elephants and hoofstock would require two separate departments that have their own separate routines and commitments to attend to to work very closely with each other and maintain accurate and effective communication to ensure that every aspect of the mix and the enclosures are ready to go because when elephants are involved the stakes are automatically so many times higher for all parties involved.
 
Would something like this work?

I expect there will be issues with the buffalo and rhinoceroses, especially. Apparently bontebok can be a problem, but that is a species I'd really like to see in the exhibit if possible.

1. giraffe panorama yard: bontebok, Grant’s gazelle, East African oryx, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, generic/Masai giraffe, — Egyptian goose, Somali ostrich, Kenyan crested guineafowl
2. rhinoceros panorama yard: lesser kudu (males), common warthog, Kenyan impala (males), blue wildebeest (males), Grant’s gazelle, southern white rhinoceros — kori bustard, Cape shelduck, Somali ostrich, marabou stork, gray crowned crane, Kenyan crested guineafowl
3. main panorama yard: African bush elephant, generic/Masai giraffe, Hartmann's mountain zebra, Cape buffalo, southern white rhinoceros, red lechwe, ellipsen waterbuck, Somali wild ass, springbok — Kenyan crested guineafowl, Somali ostrich, blue crane
4. elephant panorama yard: African bush elephant, red lechwe, ellipsen waterbuck, springbok, Somali wild ass — Kenyan crested guineafowl, Somali ostrich, blue crane
5-10. six panorama enclosures with rotating inhabitants: Cape buffalo, Hartmann's mountain zebra, sable antelope, roan antelope, Speke's gazelle, black wildebeest, harnessed bushbuck, Somali ostrich
11-12. south-central black rhinoceros, wattled crane
13. African bush elephant
 
Firstly, the bachelor herd of Grevy's would almost certainly be a problem, eventually. I have not known bachelor groups of more than two to work out long-term in this species, and that is with the animals being placed on a hormone treatment to decrease testosterone. I would suggest either a pair of males on hormone treatments with the knowledge they still might need to be separated or a breeding or all female group of one of the equid species (Somali or Grevy's would probably be a better choice for a female group as that is a more natural social grouping for them than for Hartmann's).
Interesting, I didn't realize bachelor herds in Grevy's were problematic. I switched to Grevy's from Hartmann's because if in a single-species set-up I'd rather the larger, more endangered species, but would be fine switching from 3.0 to 1.2 if that makes management easier.
I am not wholly convinced you would not have problems with the Nile lechwe in that size of an enclosure. They seem to do rather poorly in traditional zoo settings. Most traditional zoos that have tried recently have eventually gone out of them. They are extremely flighty and high strung.
Interesting, I didn't know Nile lechwe were problematic, and mainly wanted them since they're one of the more endangered ungulate species managed in US zoos. If they're unlikely to be successful in that exhibit, I would instead eliminate them from the plan and instead include 1.3 gemsbok in the fourth single-species exhibit.
I do not think that sable or common eland are the best choices for a mix with elephants. Neither species are particularly light-footed, and sable are certainly not known to back down from an altercation. The species that seem to work best in these elephant mixes are ones that are quick enough to get away and non-confrontational enough to not draw attention to themselves. Also, from a husbandry and management perspective, in general, elephant mixes are difficult because elephants are almost always (and rightfully) their own department. That would mean that a mix with elephants and hoofstock would require two separate departments that have their own separate routines and commitments to attend to to work very closely with each other and maintain accurate and effective communication to ensure that every aspect of the mix and the enclosures are ready to go because when elephants are involved the stakes are automatically so many times higher for all parties involved.
So do you think the two mixed-species exhibits would be more effective by swapping the elands and sable with the kudu and springbok? This way elephants would be mixed with lesser kudu, springbok, and impala, while giraffes would be mixed with ostrich, wildebeest, eland, and sable?
 
Would something like this work?

I expect there will be issues with the buffalo and rhinoceroses, especially. Apparently bontebok can be a problem, but that is a species I'd really like to see in the exhibit if possible.

1. giraffe panorama yard: bontebok, Grant’s gazelle, East African oryx, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, generic/Masai giraffe, — Egyptian goose, Somali ostrich, Kenyan crested guineafowl
2. rhinoceros panorama yard: lesser kudu (males), common warthog, Kenyan impala (males), blue wildebeest (males), Grant’s gazelle, southern white rhinoceros — kori bustard, Cape shelduck, Somali ostrich, marabou stork, gray crowned crane, Kenyan crested guineafowl
3. main panorama yard: African bush elephant, generic/Masai giraffe, Hartmann's mountain zebra, Cape buffalo, southern white rhinoceros, red lechwe, ellipsen waterbuck, Somali wild ass, springbok — Kenyan crested guineafowl, Somali ostrich, blue crane
4. elephant panorama yard: African bush elephant, red lechwe, ellipsen waterbuck, springbok, Somali wild ass — Kenyan crested guineafowl, Somali ostrich, blue crane
5-10. six panorama enclosures with rotating inhabitants: Cape buffalo, Hartmann's mountain zebra, sable antelope, roan antelope, Speke's gazelle, black wildebeest, harnessed bushbuck, Somali ostrich
11-12. south-central black rhinoceros, wattled crane
13. African bush elephant
I should note the elephant panorama yard and the main panorama yard could be opened up so that it is a larger space.
 
Would something like this work?

I expect there will be issues with the buffalo and rhinoceroses, especially. Apparently bontebok can be a problem, but that is a species I'd really like to see in the exhibit if possible.

1. giraffe panorama yard: bontebok, Grant’s gazelle, East African oryx, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, generic/Masai giraffe, — Egyptian goose, Somali ostrich, Kenyan crested guineafowl
2. rhinoceros panorama yard: lesser kudu (males), common warthog, Kenyan impala (males), blue wildebeest (males), Grant’s gazelle, southern white rhinoceros — kori bustard, Cape shelduck, Somali ostrich, marabou stork, gray crowned crane, Kenyan crested guineafowl
3. main panorama yard: African bush elephant, generic/Masai giraffe, Hartmann's mountain zebra, Cape buffalo, southern white rhinoceros, red lechwe, ellipsen waterbuck, Somali wild ass, springbok — Kenyan crested guineafowl, Somali ostrich, blue crane
4. elephant panorama yard: African bush elephant, red lechwe, ellipsen waterbuck, springbok, Somali wild ass — Kenyan crested guineafowl, Somali ostrich, blue crane
5-10. six panorama enclosures with rotating inhabitants: Cape buffalo, Hartmann's mountain zebra, sable antelope, roan antelope, Speke's gazelle, black wildebeest, harnessed bushbuck, Somali ostrich
11-12. south-central black rhinoceros, wattled crane
13. African bush elephant
Not only will they be a problem but also the Somali wild ass, the lechwe and waterbuck will hybridize with one another without a doubt, you will have problems with the Somali wild ass, and zebra being mixed together and not only with the hybridization risk, you will eventually lose the cranes and other birds at some point, plus mixing elephant and rhino never a good idea you're just asking for trouble with that one along with Impala and gazelle, and the rotating exhibits will have its own set of challenges
 
Would something like this work?

I expect there will be issues with the buffalo and rhinoceroses, especially. Apparently bontebok can be a problem, but that is a species I'd really like to see in the exhibit if possible.

1. giraffe panorama yard: bontebok, Grant’s gazelle, East African oryx, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, generic/Masai giraffe, — Egyptian goose, Somali ostrich, Kenyan crested guineafowl
2. rhinoceros panorama yard: lesser kudu (males), common warthog, Kenyan impala (males), blue wildebeest (males), Grant’s gazelle, southern white rhinoceros — kori bustard, Cape shelduck, Somali ostrich, marabou stork, gray crowned crane, Kenyan crested guineafowl
3. main panorama yard: African bush elephant, generic/Masai giraffe, Hartmann's mountain zebra, Cape buffalo, southern white rhinoceros, red lechwe, ellipsen waterbuck, Somali wild ass, springbok — Kenyan crested guineafowl, Somali ostrich, blue crane
4. elephant panorama yard: African bush elephant, red lechwe, ellipsen waterbuck, springbok, Somali wild ass — Kenyan crested guineafowl, Somali ostrich, blue crane
5-10. six panorama enclosures with rotating inhabitants: Cape buffalo, Hartmann's mountain zebra, sable antelope, roan antelope, Speke's gazelle, black wildebeest, harnessed bushbuck, Somali ostrich
11-12. south-central black rhinoceros, wattled crane
13. African bush elephant

I'd suggest re-reading Kudu's posts in response to Neil, a lot of the same answers apply. Most of these mixes have a high chance of turning disastrous.
 
I'd suggest re-reading Kudu's posts in response to Neil, a lot of the same answers apply. Most of these mixes have a high chance of turning disastrous.
I actually did read all of it and made some changes. For instance, only male blue wildebeest would be exhibited with other species and roan antelope were removed from the rhinoceros panorama.
 
Interesting, I didn't realize bachelor herds in Grevy's were problematic. I switched to Grevy's from Hartmann's because if in a single-species set-up I'd rather the larger, more endangered species, but would be fine switching from 3.0 to 1.2 if that makes management easier.
Equids, in general, can be pretty nasty with each other, males, especially -- even in the absence of females. There is a reason that the bachelor herd at the SDZSP dropped from five to two within the span of a year... If you want to stick with Grevy's then, yes, I would recommend managing a mixed-sex herd. It would be a lot easier with a lot less intervention and room for trouble.

Interesting, I didn't know Nile lechwe were problematic, and mainly wanted them since they're one of the more endangered ungulate species managed in US zoos. If they're unlikely to be successful in that exhibit, I would instead eliminate them from the plan and instead include 1.3 gemsbok in the fourth single-species exhibit..
They are very prone to panicking and injuring or killing themselves. It is really unfortunate because a lot of facilities have been interested in housing them due to how endangered they are and how striking their sexual dimorphism is, but their demeanor has definitely limited their spread. Hand-raised animals can be more manageable in more traditional zoo settings, but then you can sometimes run into behavioral issues, socially, and potentially dangerous males. It is not necessarily impossible, but there are inherent risks that you would have to weigh. The gemsbok should be fine.

So do you think the two mixed-species exhibits would be more effective by swapping the elands and sable with the kudu and springbok? This way elephants would be mixed with lesser kudu, springbok, and impala, while giraffes would be mixed with ostrich, wildebeest, eland, and sable?
I think that the kudu, impala, and springbok would be a much more feasible elephant mix. Whether a facility would want to risk lesser kudu with elephants in another question. They are more valuable than the impala or springbok. I think that it would definitely be necessary to be willing to shut the elephants down to the "elephant-only" exhibit while their are any calves on the ground to give them the time to grow up in their environment without the presence of the elephants. I think keeping them in holding and introducing them to the habitat later is still asking for problems. Generally, the less "new" hoofstock have to experience, the better off they are.

As far as the giraffe / wildebeest / eland / sable / ostrich mix goes, I think it should work. Most bachelor groupings of wildebeest and eland I have known have been all castrated animals, so that is just something you would have to consider. Are you content holding these castrated surplus animals for the rest of their lives? Would you risk one intact male with the group? If the others are castrated young, you should not have a problem, but if they are castrated post-sexual maturity they will likely retain some of the more territorial tendencies. The sable and any intact wildebeest males would have to be watched with any giraffe calves. Also know that ostrich casualties in mixed-species exhibits are not uncommon. That's just across the board. They are not intelligent animals and can get themselves into predicaments they cannot get themselves out of.
 
1. giraffe panorama yard: bontebok, Grant’s gazelle, East African oryx, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, generic/Masai giraffe, — Egyptian goose, Somali ostrich, Kenyan crested guineafowl

The two smaller birds will have a rough time of it. Not sure how Bontebok would play out.

2. rhinoceros panorama yard: lesser kudu (males), common warthog, Kenyan impala (males), blue wildebeest (males), Grant’s gazelle, southern white rhinoceros — kori bustard, Cape shelduck, Somali ostrich, marabou stork, gray crowned crane, Kenyan crested guineafowl

Kori Bustard would probably die nearly immediately. Other birds apart from Ostrich would also have a rough time; warthog is known to occasionally kill and eat birds kept with them. Don't think bachelor Impalas with breeding Grant’s is a good idea. Warthog's burrowing would concern me given the flighty and spindly-legged hoofstock.

3. main panorama yard: African bush elephant, generic/Masai giraffe, Hartmann's mountain zebra, Cape buffalo, southern white rhinoceros, red lechwe, ellipsen waterbuck, Somali wild ass, springbok — Kenyan crested guineafowl, Somali ostrich, blue crane

About the only way to make this worse is add river hippo. Elephant, giraffe, buffalo, rhino, and equids are going to be regularly squabbling, potentially seriously. Guineas and crane would probably get killed pretty quickly. Zebra and wild ass I think can hybridize, at the very least they're gonna be squabbling.

4. elephant panorama yard: African bush elephant, red lechwe, ellipsen waterbuck, springbok, Somali wild ass — Kenyan crested guineafowl, Somali ostrich, blue crane

Birds will get taken out, as per other mixes. Doesn't seem a great mix regardless.

5-10. six panorama enclosures with rotating inhabitants: Cape buffalo, Hartmann's mountain zebra, sable antelope, roan antelope, Speke's gazelle, black wildebeest, harnessed bushbuck, Somali ostrich

Kudu's point about rotating ungulates stands here.
 
I think that the kudu, impala, and springbok would be a much more feasible elephant mix. Whether a facility would want to risk lesser kudu with elephants in another question. They are more valuable than the impala or springbok. I think that it would definitely be necessary to be willing to shut the elephants down to the "elephant-only" exhibit while their are any calves on the ground to give them the time to grow up in their environment without the presence of the elephants. I think keeping them in holding and introducing them to the habitat later is still asking for problems. Generally, the less "new" hoofstock have to experience, the better off they are.
Separating the elephants when there are calves makes sense, however given this I'd swap the ungulates into the smaller exhibit (although 1.5-acres should still be more than enough space) and make the two-acre exhibit the "elephant-only" one (mainly due to the set-up of the barn and other features of the exhibit layout I have in mind this would feasibly make more sense.
As far as the giraffe / wildebeest / eland / sable / ostrich mix goes, I think it should work. Most bachelor groupings of wildebeest and eland I have known have been all castrated animals, so that is just something you would have to consider. Are you content holding these castrated surplus animals for the rest of their lives? Would you risk one intact male with the group? If the others are castrated young, you should not have a problem, but if they are castrated post-sexual maturity they will likely retain some of the more territorial tendencies. The sable and any intact wildebeest males would have to be watched with any giraffe calves. Also know that ostrich casualties in mixed-species exhibits are not uncommon. That's just across the board. They are not intelligent animals and can get themselves into predicaments they cannot get themselves out of.
At least with wildebeest, I expected castrated males to be what happens. I want to have wildebeest since they are a rather well-recognizable ungulate species with strong interpretive value. I did not know that about ostriches, but given some of the stories I've heard about emu it makes sense for ostriches to be similarly problematic. Risk-wise, I'd be more willing to take bigger risks with ostriches than something endangered and/or rare in zoos, but still something to take into consideration.
 
Separating the elephants when there are calves makes sense, however given this I'd swap the ungulates into the smaller exhibit (although 1.5-acres should still be more than enough space) and make the two-acre exhibit the "elephant-only" one (mainly due to the set-up of the barn and other features of the exhibit layout I have in mind this would feasibly make more sense.
That would make sense to ensure that the elephants still have enough space while separated. I just think it is important for the hoofstock to have a space that is designated as "theirs" for their management to ensure that they are not just lawn ornaments in the elephant exhibit.

At least with wildebeest, I expected castrated males to be what happens. I want to have wildebeest since they are a rather well-recognizable ungulate species with strong interpretive value. I did not know that about ostriches, but given some of the stories I've heard about emu it makes sense for ostriches to be similarly problematic. Risk-wise, I'd be more willing to take bigger risks with ostriches than something endangered and/or rare in zoos, but still something to take into consideration.
The inclusion of wildebeest makes sense. They are really interesting animals and do have a strong interpretive value. I just wanted to make sure that you were aware that with a bachelor group, they and the eland would most likely have to be castrated.

With the ostrich, most facilities are more willing to take bigger risks with ostriches, as they are very easy to replace. I just think that it is something people do not think about right away and that it is worth bringing up so that people are aware that there is a fair chance of them being lost.
 
Would this exhibit work?:
Wetland- A large 3 acre enclosure with some tree cover, some standing water with papyrus and marsh grass growing.
Sitatunga- 1.2
Red Lechwe- 2.4
Waterbuck- 1.3
Saddle-billed Stork- 1.1 (these would be moved into a separate enclosure when they decide to nest.
 
Would this exhibit work?:
Wetland- A large 3 acre enclosure with some tree cover, some standing water with papyrus and marsh grass growing.
Sitatunga- 1.2
Red Lechwe- 2.4
Waterbuck- 1.3
Saddle-billed Stork- 1.1 (these would be moved into a separate enclosure when they decide to nest.
I would avoid a mix of Lechwe and Waterbuck, they may hybridize.
About the Storks, it would be better to let them in a large aviary, alone or with the antelopes (like in Beauval hippo complex).
 
Would this exhibit work?:
Wetland- A large 3 acre enclosure with some tree cover, some standing water with papyrus and marsh grass growing.
Sitatunga- 1.2
Red Lechwe- 2.4
Waterbuck- 1.3
Saddle-billed Stork- 1.1 (these would be moved into a separate enclosure when they decide to nest.
@Haliaeetus is correct in that there would be a hybridization risk with the waterbuck and the lechwe. I also would never keep more than one intact Kobus male of the same species together with a herd of females. Saddle-billed storks should really always be kept fully flighted, otherwise they most often cannot breed. Even in a Beauval hippo aviary-style complex, I think saddle-billeds are still better suited to their own separate habitats. They are still mostly terrestrial and can be quite aggressive, so you still might run into issues between the birds and hoofstock. I think a Beauval-style aviary with the sitatunga and one of the Kobus species with some smaller birds that could more easily fly and get away could work out to be an interesting exhibit. Waterbuck are generally calmer animals than lechwe are, so they would probably work out better and would provide a nice size and color contrast with the sitatunga (For what it is worth, papyrus requires very specific growing conditions and is very difficult to grow in most parts of the world, so depending on where your theoretical zoo is based, you might not be able to grow it).
 
How would a mix of Taveta Golden Weaver, Carmine Bee-eater, Black-crowned Crane, and Kirk's Dik-dik go? Any concerns?
 
@Haliaeetus is correct in that there would be a hybridization risk with the waterbuck and the lechwe. I also would never keep more than one intact Kobus male of the same species together with a herd of females. Saddle-billed storks should really always be kept fully flighted, otherwise they most often cannot breed. Even in a Beauval hippo aviary-style complex, I think saddle-billeds are still better suited to their own separate habitats. They are still mostly terrestrial and can be quite aggressive, so you still might run into issues between the birds and hoofstock. I think a Beauval-style aviary with the sitatunga and one of the Kobus species with some smaller birds that could more easily fly and get away could work out to be an interesting exhibit. Waterbuck are generally calmer animals than lechwe are, so they would probably work out better and would provide a nice size and color contrast with the sitatunga (For what it is worth, papyrus requires very specific growing conditions and is very difficult to grow in most parts of the world, so depending on where your theoretical zoo is based, you might not be able to grow it).
Thanks! I would probably move the Lechwes to a neighboring exhibit, and the papyrus would most likely do well where I live, because the zoo in question would be planned for northern/central Florida.
 
I'm not normally a fish person, but for a spec zoo I am currently working on, there's a decent sized aquatic component. I apologize if this tank is way off base because I'm not super familiar with the philosophies behind shark mixes or their specific care parameters, but would the following work:
Southern Stingray, Cownose Stingray, Spotted Eagle Ray, Sand Tiger Shark, Sandbar Shark, Nurse Shark, Bonnethead Shark, Zebra Shark.

There's also a number of other fish mixes I'm curious about:
  • Red-tailed Catfish, Arapaima, Black Pacu, Ocellate River Stingray
  • Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed
  • American Paddlefish, Florida Gar, Brook Trout
This zoo I am working on would also have (a group I know even less about) a walk-through butterfly pavilion, and would the following work:
Karner Blue Butterfly, Monarch, Giant Swallowtail, Cabbage White, Painted Lady, Zebra Swallowtail, Tiger Swallowtail.

Also a question about dart frogs. What species can safely be mixed without an inbreeding risk? I am specifically wondering about mimic, blessed, Anthony's, and splashback poison dart frogs.
 
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