Spec. Zoo Design questions

Would Fiordland penguins be feasible for a Californian zoo?

No. There are no Fiordlands outside Oceania.

Keep in mind my exhibit also features species from New Mexico, as it’s more so meant to be a representation of Central America as a whole.

Though in fact all species you list are native to Mexico, assuming you mean Northern Tamandua.

California Condor (there have been over 20 spottings in Mexico)

They were/are native to Mexico and have been reintroduced to Baja California.
 
Thoughts on an “islands” themed exhibit? I was thinking along the lines of an exhibit featuring species from various islands around the world (Australian islands, Indonesia, Papa New Guinea, Komodo, Galapagos, Madagascar, etc.), utilizing water moat barriers and vegetation to give the impression of multiple connected islands. The closest I could find were Nashville’s Galapagos exhibit and DAK’s “Oasis,” though the latter seems more like a filler area for species that didn’t fit in with their Africa and Asia exhibits. I was thinking that the following may work:
- Red Kangaroo
- Yellow-Footed Rock Wallaby
- Koala
- Cassowary
- Humboldt Penguin
- Aldabra Tortoise
- Komodo Dragon
- Little Blue Penguin
- Various Lemur species
- Tomistoma
- Saltwater Crocodile
- California Sea Lion
Red kangaroos, yellow-footed rock wallabies and koalas don't live on islands.
 
Thoughts on an “islands” themed exhibit? I was thinking along the lines of an exhibit featuring species from various islands around the world (Australian islands, Indonesia, Papa New Guinea, Komodo, Galapagos, Madagascar, etc.), utilizing water moat barriers and vegetation to give the impression of multiple connected islands. The closest I could find were Nashville’s Galapagos exhibit and DAK’s “Oasis,” though the latter seems more like a filler area for species that didn’t fit in with their Africa and Asia exhibits. I was thinking that the following may work:
- Red Kangaroo
- Yellow-Footed Rock Wallaby
- Koala
- Cassowary
- Humboldt Penguin
- Aldabra Tortoise
- Komodo Dragon
- Little Blue Penguin
- Various Lemur species
- Tomistoma
- Saltwater Crocodile
- California Sea Lion
I'd try to flesh this out a little more. Most don't consider Australia an island any more, though I see in this case you are including a number of Australian animals. There are, however, a lot more areas you could look to find some great options for island species. Assuming this is a US zoo, some ideas to consider are:
  • Japanese macaques
  • Galapagos giant tortoises
  • Northern Sulawesi babirusa (Sulawesi)
  • Visayan warty pigs (Philippines)
  • Binturong (Indonesia and the Philippines)
  • Matschie's tree kangaroo (New Guinea)
  • multiple options for iguana species (Caribbean)
There are also A LOT of options for birds that can be included, so I'd definitely look into adding a walk-through aviary or something of the like. There are a lot of Asian columbiform species that'd be great choices for this, and also a number of waterfowl (e.g., Madagascar teal, nene, Philippine duck), amongst other species. Herps is another area you can get a lot of island endemic species, particularly smaller ones.

I'm assuming you are using Humboldt penguins and California sea lions as stand-ins for other species? Neither are commonly associated with islands.
 
Actually I am also planning island exhibits. I also have a whole list of questions. But first I will answer yours.
Thoughts on an “islands” themed exhibit? I was thinking along the lines of an exhibit featuring species from various islands around the world (Australian islands, Indonesia, Papa New Guinea, Komodo, Galapagos, Madagascar, etc.), utilizing water moat barriers and vegetation to give the impression of multiple connected islands. The closest I could find were Nashville’s Galapagos exhibit and DAK’s “Oasis,” though the latter seems more like a filler area for species that didn’t fit in with their Africa and Asia exhibits. I was thinking that the following may work:
- Red Kangaroo
- Yellow-Footed Rock Wallaby
- Koala
- Cassowary
- Humboldt Penguin
- Aldabra Tortoise
- Komodo Dragon
- Little Blue Penguin
- Various Lemur species
- Tomistoma
- Saltwater Crocodile
- California Sea Lion
I would take my inspiration from zoos also with only one of these islands as an exhibit too. Then you blend it together smoothly giving you creative freedom.(Just like your moat Idea!) I would also research the island intensely. Lots of plants from the asian area are possible to add to your foiliage(indoors if temparate climate). Look at the animal in its natural habitat and try to add that area somewhere in the exhibits. Island are meant to be secluded with endemic species. Southeast asia specifically has mist and humid rainforest while Australia has hotter and temperate climates with a mix of a lot of different envoirments. One big important thing to mention is that islands are sorrounded by water that is under growing pressure don't let that go to waste. Something I try to incorparate is improvisation. When you have animal that is unacquirable or there is a threat you want to highlight. Make animal models or statues like a bamboo shark caught in a net.(maybe add some glaze for the wet feeling). This something I always enjoy including.
I hope this is helpful!

Now here is all of my questions
1. Would adding Malaysia or Fiji give any value to a Southeast Asia exhibit?
2.How do I make a impressive native snake exhibit? I made mine good for the animal but not interesting to the visitors.
3. What are the least geographically represented areas? Why so?
4. (Unrelated) Would adding pictures of the species being exhibited on my thread do anything? Would it add any value?
5. How do I teach visitors without using signage most don't read?
 
1. Would adding Malaysia or Fiji give any value to a Southeast Asia exhibit?

Malaysia is classic Southeast Asia? Fiji not really for an Asian themed area.

2.How do I make a impressive native snake exhibit? I made mine good for the animal but not interesting to the visitors.

Well, depends on the habits of the species involved (arboreal, terrestrial, etc) - ideally, it should be sizable with options for climbing and hiding for a start.

4. (Unrelated) Would adding pictures of the species being exhibited on my thread do anything? Would it add any value?

Yes, it's a regular practice in speculative threads. Pulling from the Zoochat gallery is the recommended way to go about this.
 
I'd try to flesh this out a little more. Most don't consider Australia an island any more, though I see in this case you are including a number of Australian animals. There are, however, a lot more areas you could look to find some great options for island species. Assuming this is a US zoo, some ideas to consider are:
  • Japanese macaques
  • Galapagos giant tortoises
  • Northern Sulawesi babirusa (Sulawesi)
  • Visayan warty pigs (Philippines)
  • Binturong (Indonesia and the Philippines)
  • Matschie's tree kangaroo (New Guinea)
  • multiple options for iguana species (Caribbean)
There are also A LOT of options for birds that can be included, so I'd definitely look into adding a walk-through aviary or something of the like. There are a lot of Asian columbiform species that'd be great choices for this, and also a number of waterfowl (e.g., Madagascar teal, nene, Philippine duck), amongst other species. Herps is another area you can get a lot of island endemic species, particularly smaller ones.

I'm assuming you are using Humboldt penguins and California sea lions as stand-ins for other species? Neither are commonly associated with islands.
Thanks Neil, yeah the Humboldts and sea lions were meant to be stand in for their Galapagos and Pantogonian counterparts.

The Australian species were meant to be representative of species found within Australia’s Magnetic Island. I love the Indonesian and Phillipine species you mentioned. My idea was more of a tropical themed island exhibit, specifically for a Southern zoo, the the Macaques might not fit in as well but for a Northern zoo they would certainly be a fantastic option
 
Actually I am also planning island exhibits. I also have a whole list of questions. But first I will answer yours.

I would take my inspiration from zoos also with only one of these islands as an exhibit too. Then you blend it together smoothly giving you creative freedom.(Just like your moat Idea!) I would also research the island intensely. Lots of plants from the asian area are possible to add to your foiliage(indoors if temparate climate). Look at the animal in its natural habitat and try to add that area somewhere in the exhibits. Island are meant to be secluded with endemic species. Southeast asia specifically has mist and humid rainforest while Australia has hotter and temperate climates with a mix of a lot of different envoirments. One big important thing to mention is that islands are sorrounded by water that is under growing pressure don't let that go to waste. Something I try to incorparate is improvisation. When you have animal that is unacquirable or there is a threat you want to highlight. Make animal models or statues like a bamboo shark caught in a net.(maybe add some glaze for the wet feeling). This something I always enjoy including.
I hope this is helpful!

Now here is all of my questions
1. Would adding Malaysia or Fiji give any value to a Southeast Asia exhibit?
2.How do I make a impressive native snake exhibit? I made mine good for the animal but not interesting to the visitors.
3. What are the least geographically represented areas? Why so?
4. (Unrelated) Would adding pictures of the species being exhibited on my thread do anything? Would it add any value?
5. How do I teach visitors without using signage most don't read?

I can’t answer your questions, but thanks for the advice some amazing ideas on how to make an islands themed exhibit work! I would definitely implement all this.
 
They were meant to represent Australian species from the Magnetic islands
It is just Magnetic Island, singular. Koalas are introduced. Red kangaroos would be at least 100 miles away, over the Dividing Range. Admittedly there is a species of rock wallaby on the island, which got trapped there after the last ice age, not surprisingly as Magnetic Island is only 5 miles off the coast. The trouble with the yellow-footed rock wallaby is that it is by far and away the most dramatically marked rock wallaby, and are closely associated with the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. Anybody who knows the species will know instantly it is not an island species.

If you are interested in this theme, look at some of the New Guinea marsupials.
 
It is just Magnetic Island, singular. Koalas are introduced. Red kangaroos would be at least 100 miles away, over the Dividing Range. Admittedly there is a species of rock wallaby on the island, which got trapped there after the last ice age, not surprisingly as Magnetic Island is only 5 miles off the coast. The trouble with the yellow-footed rock wallaby is that it is by far and away the most dramatically marked rock wallaby, and are closely associated with the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. Anybody who knows the species will know instantly it is not an island species.

If you are interested in this theme, look at some of the New Guinea marsupials.
Huh weird, I was 100% certain there were Yellow wallabies on the island as I remember seeing them in a YT vid from a vlog a few months ago, they were featured on the thumbnail and everything. It must have been a mistake on the thumbnail though plus most likely the video featured a zoo experience.
 
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Huh weird, I was 100% certain there were Yellow wallabies on the island as I remember seeing them in a YT vid from a vlog a few months ago, they were featured on the thumbnail and everything. It must have been a mistake on the thumbnail though plus most likely the video featured a zoo experience.
There is a zoo on the island and if it had rock wallabies they would most likely be yellow footed. Also looking at photos of the allied rock wallaby on the net, some appear quite yellow, while some appear grey. May be the light.
 
Or possibly Tasmania as well.
Even Tasmania has only been separated for a short time. Both thylacines and devils were found on the mainland. The arrival of dingoes did them in, and devils were potentially still on the mainland as recently as 500 years ago. There are 12 endemic bird species, but none of them are spectacularly different. Australian islands are not that different from the mainland, just fewer species.
 
I wanted to repeat Van Beal's question he asked earlier in the thread but never got an answer to, is there a list or resource listing every species from within Cceania that would be realistic to feature outside the region like America or Europe? I'm working on making a spec Oceania exhibit for a theoretical Californian zoo and want a complete list of possible mammals, birds, and possibly some fish and herps.
 
I am planning two Oceania areas too currently. Are any southeast-asian birds that are not pheasant or pigeons acquirable for Canadian zoo?


As for Australia. I don't think so. Maybe a list could be done on zoochat. But the sheer number of marsupial present in the U.S!

But here's some advice: Find a species that you want and is likely available to your zoo do some reaseach and ask on zoochat and you may have an answer.

If you want a species thats not in North America. Look to Europe, if they have more the 10 holders they could be transported theoretically. Reaserch what happens when they get transported. By now this proves you reallly want the species and by then if its available you can acquire it just like how a real zoo preassure itself for its most wanted species. To be honest for most animals (except beloved turacos) I usually end at if it's not in the country.

The same is said for theoretical European zoos. Though if the country is a challenge like Canada then I recomend looking for holders in the country then the continent. Its deffinitly harder.

Speaking of turacos would Great blue turacos be available for a Canadian zoo?
 
I wanted to repeat Van Beal's question he asked earlier in the thread but never got an answer to, is there a list or resource listing every species from within Cceania that would be realistic to feature outside the region like America or Europe? I'm working on making a spec Oceania exhibit for a theoretical Californian zoo and want a complete list of possible mammals, birds, and possibly some fish and herps.
The short answer is no. You would have to compile your own list.

If you were to compile such a list it would comprise the following:
  • Animals that are in species management programs within a zoo association. Join your regional zoo association, inform them that you have X number of spaces for such a species, and eventually they will turn up.
  • Animals that are not managed but are freely available through other zoos.
  • Animals that can be imported from range countries. Rules vary from country to country but for Australian animals they must be born in captivity. There are several smaller Australian zoos that seem happy to breed for export, but I imagine they would want other animals in return.
  • Animals that are in private hands. You would need to assure yourself they are not smuggled or from illegal sources. Or maybe not.
 
I am planning two Oceania areas too currently. Are any southeast-asian birds that are not pheasant or pigeons acquirable for Canadian zoo?
I'd assume bali mynas are. Multiple Canadian zoos have kept them historically and there's a healthy population in the United States. They are on CITES though, so importing could be difficult.

Eclectus parrots are likely an option as well, and I
know Toronto has wrinkled hornbills, another Southeast Asian species that other (AZA) zoos could likely acquire. While I'm not an expert on import rules, I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the other species available in the United States are fair game also, at least for the credible zoos willing to go through the long, legal process of importing them.
 
Would it be theoretically possible to have an African golden cat in a U.K Zoo. I was thinking that this would have to be an individual seized by border control? Another (more unlikely) way I thought of this species being imported was via the CTC Conservation Center as I believe they have at least 10 individuals and hope to breed?


EDIT: The number they have now is 11 Individuals.
 
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