Eco-system Exhibits

[redpanda]

Today I visited the Eden Project. What particularly interested me was the rainforest biome and it was, quite frankly, amazing. At 240m long, 110m wide, 50m high and 3.9 acres in area, it is accredited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest greenhouse.

However, being a member of Zoochat, I could not simply stand enjoying the 1,100 species of plants. This huge biome got me thinking about eco-system exhibits at zoos, successful examples include Burger's Bush in the Netherlands and the Masoala Rainforest in Switzerland. As well as new ones being planned in Chester (Heart of Africa) and Leipzig (Gondwanaland).

Personally, I have not visited any such exhibits but I can imagine their appeal. The Masoala Rainforest, for example, show-cases the work of Zurich Zoo on the Masoala Peninsula in Madagascar. And allows the zoo to demonstrate the area's beauty and diversity. Here it is on Zoolex:

ZooLex Exhibit

However, there are obvious problems with this exhibit. At 52,000,000, this was a very expensive lemur walk-through (and one, incidentally, where the lemurs are not always seen)! Furthermore, it takes a huge amount of maintenance and, for this reason, a true eco-system exhibit could not viably maintain large mammal species or dangerous carnivores.

Some collections, however, have combatted this by having certain animals confined to specific areas. For example, this exhibit at Rander's:

ZooLex Exhibit

But is this really an eco-system exhibit? Can a zoo truly create a living eco-system? And would it not be easier to build a series of planned encounters, examples of this being the Congo Gorilla Forest and Kilimanjaro Safaris.

I would be interested to hear the views of other zoochatters on this subject.

 

[Jurek7]

I greatly enjoy it! And I hope it will be more replicated.

And also extended: Hagenbeck's concept of natural exhibit has degraded now. Almost every zoo groups animals according to continents, but they are nothing but a string of paddocks, each with obvious edges, each obviously separated from the visitor area, and each not fitting the previous nor the next one.

And why houses of larger animals are nothing but pens or stalls?

 

[Meg-T]

I think this is a really interesting thread - and I really like Jurek7's comments on the lack of progress in modern zoo design since Hagenbeck. I think some 'new' thinking is needed, to continue the immersion ideas, and to create new ecosystem exhibits.

In response to redpanda - I agree that the idea of an ecosystem style exhibit is fantastic! I have also visited the Eden project, and thought how much better it would have been with animals. However as already suggested I would question the viablilty of such a project long term. The initial cost would be huge, as would the ongoing running costs. To house a whole ecosystem the exhibit would need to be enormous (compared to many exhibits). Other obvious problems include housing carnivores, and large herbivores.

A much more realistic idea (already seen in many zoos) is to create an open exhibit housing the usual small mammals and birds, with other spp. in seperate enclosures, with hidden borders.

This is an idea that is becoming more common in zoos and is certainly developing, I am excited to see how this is developed in the future.

 

[jwer]

A much more realistic idea (already seen in many zoos) is to create an open exhibit housing the usual small mammals and birds, with other spp. in seperate enclosures, with hidden borders.

This does seem to be the only viable option. Burgers' does this reasonably well, and i don't think the eco system needs a lot of attention, besides the yearly pruning/cutting of the tree's and the cleaning of the large mammal exhibits.

The only thing it could do better, is the "hiding" of the borders. They are pretty obvious, specially because of the use of (easy to clean) sand in exhibits and natural substrate for the rest of the Bush.

One of the best borders i've seen sofar was at Bioparco Valencia where they used (fake) palmtrunks "planted" closely together, just close enough to keep the dromedary in. I've also seen clear, seem-free glass used from the ground up which i also thought looked really impressive.

Zoo's could be a lot more imaginative when it comes to bordering their "immersion" exhibits.

 

[PAT]

Has anyone heard of Biosphere 2. It's an experiment that was undertaken in America to replicate an entire ecosystem where the only inputs were heat and light like Earth. I had to do an assignment on it in year 8. Here's the Wikipedia page [ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosphere_2]Biosphere 2 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

 

[^Chris^]

I'm not sure entirely what you mean by an 'ecosystem' enclosure, most big exhibits like those mentioned are accurate representations of eco-systems, but I think in all cases, they are only representations, and not replicas. I don't think it would be possible to have functioning eco-systems in a closed environment.

I think it would unfair, as people have said, and no doubt illegal, to keep predator and prey species enclosed together as they are in the wild. I'd guess there'd even be problems for herbivores finding the necessary amount of food unless in a huge area with lots of plants. As jwer mentions the area, being enclosed, would probably become soiled quickly without the attention of keepers.

I think by 'eco-system' enclosure, you are probably not meaning exactly of a fully functioning, self-sufficient ecosystem, but of largescale, immersive, and fully mixed species enclosures, still with some level of human 'interferrence'. The original example of The Eden Project is interesting though because I think an ecosystem of sorts is in place there. I may have a few details wrong on this, but I remember seeing a documentary on the project, explaining how insects have been released into the domes to act as pollinators for the plants, and then birds and lizards have been introduced to feed on the insects. That is an ecosystem really- I don't think the birds and lizards recieve much additional care. I don't think a zoo can ever take the next step though- in releasing animals that feeds on the lizards and birds.

I have found this article which mentions what I mean:BBC News | UK | Animals to enter Eden
It doesn't say whether the project was successful.

Another last example I wanted to mention was the one of the scottish rewilding, like at Alladale, which is taking part within an enclosed area. Not exactly a zoo exhibit, but it is (or will be) an enclosed, self-sufficient manmade eco-system, if the project works out as intended.

As for big, 'biome' type exhibits like Masoala and Burger's Bush, it would be great to see such ambitious projects in more zoos, as long as they are not all made from concrete (which many sadly seem to be)!

 

[Zooplantman]

The Eden Project has inspired many zoos. But the Eden Project was not intended to replicate an ecosystem so much as to inspire and teach about plants and botany.

It seems you realize that much is possible but you stop yourself because it is expensive. Why? (I can't help thinking of the threads about "European vs. US zoo design" and even the recent Howletts discussion, and .) These mega-exhibits cost less than a football stadium - certainly far less than an American football or baseball stadium! And no more than a good quality aquarium.

 

[Dan]

Has anyone heard of Biosphere 2. It's an experiment that was undertaken in America to replicate an entire ecosystem where the only inputs were heat and light like Earth. I had to do an assignment on it in year 8. Here's the Wikipedia page Biosphere 2 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It´s funny you should mention that project! I do have a distant memory of it and immideatly thought about it when I read redpanda´s original post. I had forgotten the name and when it was carried out, though.

A truly fascinating but in the end not that successful experient - one that makes you wonder about those sci fi/space research dreams about self supporting colonies on The Moon or Mars...

Nice Wikipedia page!

 

[taun]

The Eden Project has inspired many zoos. But the Eden Project was not intended to replicate an ecosystem so much as to inspire and teach about plants and botany.

It seems you realize that much is possible but you stop yourself because it is expensive. Why? (I can't help thinking of the threads about "European vs. US zoo design" and even the recent Howletts discussion, and .) These mega-exhibits cost less than a football stadium - certainly far less than an American football or baseball stadium! And no more than a good quality aquarium.

See but it comes down to that most American zoos have government funding and can spend millions of dollars on some fake rock.

 

[Zooplantman]

See but it comes down to that most American zoos have government funding and can spend millions of dollars on some fake rock.

And the Chester Zoo plans on using government funding for Heart of Africa. RZSS seems to hope for government funding for their proposed Glasgow project. Zoo Zurich is, I believe, using government funding for the new elephant exhibit. So...what's your point?

 

[taun]

And the Chester Zoo plans on using government funding for Heart of Africa. RZSS seems to hope for government funding for their proposed Glasgow project. Zoo Zurich is, I believe, using government funding for the new elephant exhibit. So...what's your point?

However these zoos are not feed money every year, unless am mistaken these will be grants that will have to submit an application for.

 

[Zooplantman]

See but it comes down to that most American zoos have government funding and can spend millions of dollars on some fake rock.

@taun, I'm not following your reasoning or your point.
These non-US zoos are, in fact, planning such exhibits and are, in fact, quoting big price tags and some that I know are, in fact, going to spend quite a bit on artificial rockwork and the like. So what does your idea of how US zoos are funded apply to this discussion?

Like other zoos, these zoos are seeking government funds/grants/whatever to build new attractions to, as they say in their press releases, attract tourists and become a major national (or even bigger!) tourist destination. It is never said to be about improved display of the animals or improved holding areas. It is about getting distant tourists to make the trip to see something amazing. Which is, I think, where @redpanda started us (with creating something amazing).

So my point (earlier) was that amazing things can be done but it does cost alot and there are zoos prepared to do it. Including your home zoo. Some Zoochatters, on the other hand, are not.

 

[redpanda]

See but it comes down to that most American zoos have government funding and can spend millions of dollars on some fake rock.

Funnily enough, it appears that these eco-system exhibits are more prevalent in Europe, rather than across the Atlantic - recent constructions in America still seem to be those with animals in specific areas. This is interesting as I often think of the States as where many of the mega ground-breaking (and very expensive) exhibits are built.

^Chris^: I believe the technical term for such exhibits is "eco-system exhibits" although I agree that zoos will probably only ever be able to create representations rather than the eco-system itself.

 

[^Chris^]

^Chris^: I believe the technical term for such exhibits is "eco-system exhibits" although I agree that zoos will probably only ever be able to create representations rather than the eco-system itself.

I assumed that was the case. It would be nice to see a zoo go some way towards having an ecosystem of sorts though, in a similar way to Eden had attempted. Perhaps a huge rainforest house could be built with free-roaming butterflies, bees and ants, then free flying birds could be added both frugivores and insectivores), as well as marmosets, agoutis, sloths, fish, iguanas etc. It would almost work- I know in the wild marmosets territories aren't usually all that big- if it was done right it might be possible to provide them with all the food they need growing 'naturally' within the enclosure. They could supplement their diet with whatever of the insects they could catch. I know there a zoos with rainforest halls like this, but perhaps not quite on the scale or with the species richness I'm envisaging.

The real problem would probably be for the visitors. It might be hard to see the species in such a vast enclosure.

 

[Meg-T]

The real problem would probably be for the visitors. It might be hard to see the species in such a vast enclosure.

I definately agree that this could prove a problem. Encouraging visitors to stand and look is the best bet, with viewing platforms, binoculars, benchs, talks, etc.

Does anyone have any links to photos where these ecosytemic halls have been used before successfully?

 

[redpanda]

I definately agree that this could prove a problem. Encouraging visitors to stand and look is the best bet, with viewing platforms, binoculars, benchs, talks, etc.

It is a problem at Zurich as I believe only half of the visitors get to see the lemurs - the "main attraction". However, this could be a good thing as it makes the whole thing seem more realistic - hardly anyone sees Jaguar in the Amazon basin yet many south american exhibits feature them (although I doubt the ordainary visitor sees it this way!). The problem could be solved by having some animals in enclosures within the hall but, as I said, is this still an eco-system exhibit?

Theoretically, it should not matter which animals the visitor does or does not see as these exhibits are supposed to be presenting how everything works together to create a functioning eco-system (again, I doubt a bored visito who doesn't see a lemur will see it this way!).

Does anyone have any links to photos where these ecosytemic halls have been used before successfully?

I put up a couple of links on my original post (and masoala is the best example I can think of), but here are a few more from Burger's Zoo in the Netherlands:

ZooLex Exhibit

http://www.zoochat.com/162/burgers-desert-landscape-50699/

And some rather exciting plans from Leipzig:

http://www.zoochat.com/443/gondwanaland-leipzig-33576/

http://www.zoochat.com/443/gondwanaland-leipzig-33573/

http://www.zoochat.com/443/gondwanaland-leipzig-33572/

 

[^Chris^]

Theoretically, it should not matter which animals the visitor does or does not see as these exhibits are supposed to be presenting how everything works together to create a functioning eco-system (again, I doubt a bored visitor who doesn't see a lemur will see it this way!).

I did think of another way of helping visitors to see animals in a big enclosure, which I think some zoos use. Have visitors viewing areas, near animal hotspots, i.e. drinking pools, fruit bearing trees, nectar feeders, or other types of feeders. That kind of thing maybe.

 

[Jurek7]

In Zurich most people come for the atmosphere. Its the different kind of entertainment. There are always some animals on view, and it suits people. Some birds, giant tortoises, fruit bats, chameleons and madagascan geckos are always visible.

I was a bit annoyed with Burger's Bush and Desert in Arnhem, Holland. It has no list of animals anywhere. I don't know if spiderhunters and praying mantises in the bush and free-living lizards in the desert are there or died out long ago. But no other visitor cares. (Larger animals are pictured).

 

[^Chris^]

In Zurich most people come for the atmosphere. Its the different kind of entertainment. There are always some animals on view, and it suits people. Some birds, giant tortoises, fruit bats, chameleons and madagascan geckos are always visible.

I was a bit annoyed with Burger's Bush and Desert in Arnhem, Holland. It has no list of animals anywhere. I don't know if spiderhunters and praying mantises in the bush and free-living lizards in the desert are there or died out long ago. But no other visitor cares. (Larger animals are pictured).

I think these two exhibits mentioned, particularly Zurich's, are probably closer to being a proper little system and not just a collection of separate enclosures, than any other. Does the main hall, as well as having lemurs and birds and tortoise also have small lizards, frogs, insects etc?

Would this be allowed in the UK? I thought that here in the UK it was illegal to feed live prey to animals unless they were invertebrates, not even fish (told this by penguin keeper at London). Surely little lizards or frogs sharing with lemurs and bigger birds, are at risk of being eaten?

 

[Jurek7]

I think I written it before somewhere... In Zurich, all animals are free-roaming. Only giant tortoises are enclosed by rocks and tree trunks.

Keepers claim that adult animals are not eaten, and they try to find and remove all the eggs laid by reptiles. I'm not sure about how effective it is. In any case, lizards have as much space and possibilities to escape as in the wild.