Spec. Zoo Design questions

Haliaeetus said:
I'm not interested on most of these species, as they are often common popular (more than birds in most cases) "filler" species as Red-necked Wallabies, Meerkats, Ring-tailed Lemurs... unless there are rarer species in interesting habitats (for example Agutis, Armadillos, Mouse Deer... in a bird house).
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For example I thought about Blue Sheep in an aviary with vultures and Red Pandas for a Himalayan area, Yellow-spotted Rock Hyrax with weavers and starlings, Vicuña, Southern Pudu and Greater Mara for a Patagonian area, Lesser Mouse Deer and Nothern Treeshrew in a South-East Asian greenhouse and Aardvark, West African Mud Turtle and African Brush-tailed Porcupine in a West African greenhouse
 
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Paul.Haerle said:
What do you think about non-birds in bird parks ?
Would you mind if you see many of them in a bird park/ Do you think there is a "maximum number" for them ?
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I think the type and arrangement of these other species is what is really important. With bird parks, your main focus is obviously on birds, so non-bird species should only be used to back up and strengthen the exhibition and showcasing of birds. Smaller species are great for this, as they can easily flesh out walkthroughs and different themed areas.

Larger species, especially those considered "ABC species" will draw the attention away from the birds, at which point the premise of a bird park is lost. Of course larger species can also be used in the same way smaller species would, but I believe it's more difficult to keep the focus on birds in these exhibits this way.
 
While I do agree with the points being made, you also have to remember that bird parks also need to appeal to the general audiences. Avifauna in the Netherlands does this great in my opinion. They have a Cerrado exhibit with Southern screamers and rheas as bird inhabitants, but also Vicunas, Giant antearers and Patagonian maras. They also have a walkthrough monkey island without birds and a Lemur walkthrough where the birds (crowned cranes, guineafowl and storks) take more of a backseat.
 
Paul.Haerle said:
@Mr Gharial, @Haliaeetus and @Platypusboy,
Thank you for your help.
I think, I would plan with about 1-3 mammals for a themed area like Patagonia or the Himalaya.
What about reptiles, amphibians, fish or butterflies?
Do you think they could be added without a "limit" ?
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If anything, these would be more difficult to add to a bird park, since they "usually" require their own, specialised place.

Freshwater fish in ponds, free-roaming tortoises or turtles, etc are fine. But reptile houses, aquariums or butterfly domes are usually fully bird-free zones.

Again using Avifauna, they have Yellow-spotted Amazon river turtles, Hairy-headed leafcutter ants and Endler's guppies in their South American tropical bird hall, where they all take "second place" in terms of where the focus lies. But almost any reptile in a terrarium would be a fully bird-free enclosure
 
Mr Gharial said:
If anything, these would be more difficult to add to a bird park, since they "usually" require their own, specialised place.

Freshwater fish in ponds, free-roaming tortoises or turtles, etc are fine. But reptile houses, aquariums or butterfly domes are usually fully bird-free zones.

Again using Avifauna, they have Yellow-spotted Amazon river turtles, Hairy-headed leafcutter ants and Endler's guppies in their South American tropical bird hall, where they all take "second place" in terms of where the focus lies. But almost any reptile in a terrarium would be a fully bird-free enclosure
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But would you mind if there are terrariums used as "fillers"?
 
Would it be possible to properly exhibit White-throated dippers (along with other Dipper species) long-term? I realize their ecology is tightly tied with fast flowing rivers and streams, with their diet primarliy consisting of aquatic invertebrates that inhabit these waters. Could these conditions and requirements be realistically replicated in a captive setting?
 
Platypusboy said:
Would it be possible to properly exhibit White-throated dippers (along with other Dipper species) long-term? I realize their ecology is tightly tied with fast flowing rivers and streams, with their diet primarliy consisting of aquatic invertebrates that inhabit these waters. Could these conditions and requirements be realistically replicated in a captive setting?
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I think it should be relatively easy, all you need is a small creek and a separate breeding tank for scuds and aquatic isopods to release occasionally
 
What is the best way for viewing into a large African hoofstock enclosure so it's possible to see most animals but isn't it just a pathway looking into the enclosure for a long time? Would the shape of the enclosure be different? Or are "safari" rides better for viewing
 
MOG2012 said:
What is the best way for viewing into a large African hoofstock enclosure so it's possible to see most animals but isn't it just a pathway looking into the enclosure for a long time? Would the shape of the enclosure be different? Or are "safari" rides better for viewing
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I think the best way is to include different levels of viewing, e.g. a boardwalk as well as a constant change in scenery like going from the traditional, wide open path, to a narrower one enclosed by some native foliage. Points of interest like streams, rock features, bridges etc can make it a lot more unique and interesting. But yeah, it's always even better if there is a safari ride:D
 
MOG2012 said:
What is the best way for viewing into a large African hoofstock enclosure so it's possible to see most animals but isn't it just a pathway looking into the enclosure for a long time? Would the shape of the enclosure be different? Or are "safari" rides better for viewing
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The best view for such an enclosure may be a sighting point (terrace, platform...) above the enclosure, ideally near a strategic place like a pond, feeding point, bunch of trees... that would attract more animals.
 
@MOG2012, based on personal experience and Haliaeetus’ description above. I would recommend looking up Busch Gardens Tampa’s Serengeti Plain, which should (mostly) meet the criteria for what you are trying to achieve.
 
What species are from South African Deserts, and the Central Outback (including Lake Eyre) which aren't found in the United States captivity but can be easily (definition can be stretched) imported? They should be ex-situ program worthy
 
Amazonia tank, thoughts on what i could add.

Yellow-spotted river turtle, Arapaima, Black Pacu, Redtail Catfish, Armored Catfish, Tiger Oscar.
 
Hello, I got a question. I’m going to include Baird’s tapirs, but my question is should I keep them in one big exhibit as a couple or do I need two separate exhibits? Because I see they live a solitary life. Or is it okay to keep them together?
 
MClaeys said:
Hello, I got a question. I’m going to include Baird’s tapirs, but my question is should I keep them in one big exhibit as a couple or do I need two separate exhibits? Because I see they live a solitary life. Or is it okay to keep them together?
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According to AZA's ungulate profiles, Baird's tapirs are actually generally housed in pairs, despite their solitary nature. So I believe keeping them together would work just fine, but including a small back up separation enclosure could still be useful.
 
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