Try chinese zoos...
Exhibits, enclosures in a dream zoo?
- Thread starter Jurek7
- Start date
There is a bit of this in Prague (near the main entrance) - walkthrough exhibit with male group consisting of (around) 10 katas, 2 eulemur macaco macaco and 1 white headed brown lemur. The exhibit has a contact and non-contact parts and lemur shelter (glass tower) and they can move freely within an exhibit. Touching is forbidden, at least oen keeper is always there but kids are faster sometimes, so I can say from today experience that katas don't mind a soft touch. Keepers have started some voluntary exercises with lemurs performed at certain hour recently (didn't see that yet).
For better picture how the exhibit looks like, search Prague related photos in zoobeat gallery there is I think two picture of it.
Why a pavilion? I could understand it if these were tropical animals that needed protection from the elements, but these are animals which are native to your country; they should be out in the open, not stuck inside.
As a resident of a country (Australia) which has fewer and fewer species of exotic animals on display, I envy the wonderful collections of Europe and North America, but I don't envy the fact that most of those animals must be kept inside - it's decidedly unnatural.
As a resident of a country (Australia) which has fewer and fewer species of exotic animals on display, I envy the wonderful collections of Europe and North America, but I don't envy the fact that most of those animals must be kept inside - it's decidedly unnatural.
Could not agree more. Of course there are a couple of exceptions.
Masoala Rainforest in Zurich just amazing
Also Burgers Bush
It also seems that many zoos are hesitant to allow there animals aclimatize to there new enviroment. Howlettes seem to have no problems through winter!
Would be interested to hear what Pertinax says about this.
Stuart R Webster
Thonoir
Active Member
My main bugbear with walkthroughs is that people are so eager to touch... Why can't it be enough to just enjoy what is in front of you? (That was a wee bit rhetorical ^_^). I'm intruiged by the 'voluntary exercises' - do you have any idea what that might entail? Is it truly voluntary (though the concept of 'voluntary' exercise with a food reward - if this is even used - is a little... contradictory) or is it partly trained? If the latter, I find myself frowning already.
I've not had a chance to search the pictures at all yet (I'm a bit busy with my dissertation) but I will do so when I get time.
I think part of the problem is how branches are positioned.
taun
Well-Known Member
If you have walk thru enclosure people will always want to touch, I have to hold back myself! and I have quite a strong will power.
Southlakes in the UK has free roaming lemurs every where, its hard not to touch when they jump of you in some cases.
Walk thru enclosure are great but you will always get those people who take things too far.
Southlakes in the UK has free roaming lemurs every where, its hard not to touch when they jump of you in some cases.
Walk thru enclosure are great but you will always get those people who take things too far.
No, I don't know much about these exercises - a mentioned of it appered just about a week ago on the site (prague zoo has got a new web (with a spooky voyeuring chameleon at the top of the page) but still not updating english version of news unluckilly). The exercises whatever it is should be performed at certain hour - I missed it - not that I would try to catch it in time.
I don't know what it is (it was presented as a substion of sea lions performances because their place is under reconstruction). It got me bit nerous, I'm not a big fan of too much non natural training, but on the other hand, the whole post floods philosophy of the zoo makes me believe it will be ok.
Yeah, I agree it could be difficult not to touch happened to be within a reach, especially for average visitors. From my visits in the zoo I would say it is not much about lemurs not to be bothered but it is part of a prevention and care of their health (possible infections etc.). Some individuals stays more outside of visitors path some otherwise. I think it will be abot the same with the "exercises". I'm positive there won't be any issues with food (this is not a chinese zoo...)
I don't know what it is (it was presented as a substion of sea lions performances because their place is under reconstruction). It got me bit nerous, I'm not a big fan of too much non natural training, but on the other hand, the whole post floods philosophy of the zoo makes me believe it will be ok.
Yeah, I agree it could be difficult not to touch happened to be within a reach, especially for average visitors. From my visits in the zoo I would say it is not much about lemurs not to be bothered but it is part of a prevention and care of their health (possible infections etc.). Some individuals stays more outside of visitors path some otherwise. I think it will be abot the same with the "exercises". I'm positive there won't be any issues with food (this is not a chinese zoo...)
My dream enclosure - a huge asiatic black bear enclosure, that can be shared with fishing cats (not sure if this would work), the fishing cats would also have there own side cage. the enclosure has two bear houses so the enclosure could be seperated for breeeding, only one of the houses would be oopen to the public. The enclosure would be viewed partly by glass and partly by the visitors being higher than the bears (the enclosure would be hilly), the visitor side would be not quite a semi circle and they would be under a cover, on a platform made of wood with a african-looking straw roof. And i'd drape vines from the top of the fences so the visitors feel they're peering through the bush.
the actual enclosure would ahve a long huge waterfall, pool and large rocky outcrops. it would feature mature tree's non- native and lots of bushes and small tree's native to the bears.
the actual enclosure would ahve a long huge waterfall, pool and large rocky outcrops. it would feature mature tree's non- native and lots of bushes and small tree's native to the bears.
Not too sure that you would ever see the cats in an enclosure big enough for bears. Also the rule of thumb with animal exhibits is to allow the animals to be higher than the viewing public, and not exposed to more than 180 degree viewing. Not only do the animals generally feel more comfortable (and not looked down upon ie. like from a predator), but most carnivores like a good view. Elephants are one of the few species that are an exception to the 180 degree rule. An example of a very good Asiatic black bear exhibit was at the now closed Glasgow Zoo. Unfortunately I was never able to see it for myself, but it won awards and was generally considered the best exhibit in the entire zoo. Its success was due to the overall size (a basic mesh fence with overhang surrounding a large amount of land) and plenty of living trees which the bears could make nests in. There has been info on the net about it in the past. Not sure whether it is still available, however.
I saw that Himalayan bear enclosure at Glasgow. It was very good as it was the summit of a small hill and the slope on one side. I'm sure the bears liked it, but I'm not sure how popular it was with the public as the bears were not easy to see, particularly as they were quite old and they weren't very active.
Alan
Alan
Dan
Well-Known Member
Basically, I love mixed species exhibits. We have one in Sweden that I think may be pretty innovative - perhaps the only one of its kind?
At Borås Zoo, in a 7000 sguare meter enclosure - that is something like one and a half acre - they mix Cheetahs with White Rhino. The Cheetahs have access to an elevated area of 1000 square meters that the rhinos can´t reach.
That is just great!
At Borås Zoo, in a 7000 sguare meter enclosure - that is something like one and a half acre - they mix Cheetahs with White Rhino. The Cheetahs have access to an elevated area of 1000 square meters that the rhinos can´t reach.
That is just great!
I had some time today, so I just bumped up this thread. This is an exhibit which I invented:
HUMANS AND CATS – 100,000 YEARS TOGETHER
This exhibit, rebuild from fairly traditional cat house, shows all the world’s big cats and some of the small ones. Filled with replicas of world’s great art, it illustrates the cultural history of cats in human consiousness.
ALTAMIRA HALL
At first, visitors enter a dark room, with light on roof illuminating a replica of prehistoric rock paintings. Then they walk through the dark corridor, with patches of light on walls and roofs illustrating replicas of famous paintings of cave lions. There are also cave lions figurines. The information explains how human evolution was shaped by predation by big cats, and how we can deduce cave lion apperance from ancient paintings.
The restoration of saber-toothed smilodon is used to discuss if humans could wipe out ancient megafauna. A phylogenetic tree of all cats is drawn, and cat predatory adaptations are discussed.
FIRST CITIES, FIRST ZOOS
Asiatic lions have a replica of Middle Eastern subtropical savanna. This is the first exhibit, and can also be viewed from outside the house through the moat.
Then we enter the next room. It shows replicas of beautiful Assyrian sculptures showing hunting of persian lions. One amazing Assyrian relief shows a lion released from the cage, presumably for being killed on the arena. That 5000 year old sculpture shows most details still used in zoo transport boxes today. The information discusses the role of lions in ancient world and first zoos in Assyria. 4000 year old and older than most countries and cities today, lion and tiger exhibits were apparently naturalistic walled gardens.
HUNTING EACH OTHER AND TOGETHER
Cheetah and Caracal are shown in a replica of a subtropical savanna, visually continious with lion exhibit.
Third section details hunting of big cats. It details how the brave hunters outwitted man-eaters at the times when guns were less sophisticated than today. It also discusses how cheetahs and caracals were trained as hunting animals in India.
The path is double, so visitors can go along the row of glass-fronted cat exhibits, or along historical monuments, absorbing the storyline and occassionally looking at the centre of live exhibits.
CAT GODS
Jaguars have a jungle exhibit with mock ruined temple.
Pumas have home in a canyon with replica of Native American rock paintings.
The next section illustrates the role of cats in cultures on the other side of the globe. The first is jaguar in Mesoamerican art. Then there is a discussion of a role of cougar in North American native lucture.
DESTROYING
Eurasian lynx in northern coniferous forest is an example of the species which European range was grealy reduced.
Next section shows how during 19. 20. and 21. century wild cats were massively hunted and just as importantly, their habitat and food animals was anihhilated. There are maps showing shrinking ranges and mounts of extinct cat subspecies.
FASCINATION
Clouded leopards, one of most beautiful cats, are presented in a replica of partially logged Asian rainforest.
This section shows how fear of nature turned into a fascination and cat conservation appeared. There are replicas of Rousseau’s wildlife paintings and pictures of Bagheera from Jungle Book and Aslan from Narnia.
FROM CIRCUSES TO ANIMAL PARKS
Amur leopard is currently the rarest form of big cat and several times more numerous in captivity than in the wild. It is presented in the Far Eastern conifer forest.
The next section shows the history of keeping cats in captivity. Zoo visitors will be fascinated in learning all details of wild cat husbandry: how cats are kept securely, fed, maintained, trained, how zoo vet work looks like. What happens if a lion escapes. They can see a glimpse of actual backdoor exhibits and staff quarters in the house. They also learn about studbooks and breeding programs. And how zoos suport conservation in the wild.
SCIENCE AND STUDY
Snow leopard exhibit replicates Himalayan rocky outcrop amon the rhododendron shrub.
The next section shows how wild cats are studied using telemetry, observation, tracks, scat analysis etc. Artifacts include replicas of pug marks and camera traps. Visitors can hands-on examine bones and hair of tigers prey to identify them and she how telemetric equipment looks like. There is a replica of cat researcher’s primitive tent.
SAVING CATS FOR THE FUTURE
Fishing cat and lion-tailed macaques are two endangered species which benefited from creation of reserves in the Project Tiger.
Tigers in the replica of rainforest are the last exhibit. Besides the glass view, people can see tigers outside, behind water moat.
This next section shows reserves, the difficulties of warden-poacher wars, deadly trade in cat parts and problems in creating sufficently big reserves. There is also a discussion of how big cats act as umbrella species for protecting other wildlife.
THE CAT MUSEUM
To the right is another building. It shows history of domestic cat. Exhibits include Egyptian cat mummies and films from cat beauty contests. There is discussion of cat breeding and how a vet works like. This may not be very interesting to a true zoo lover, but lots of cat enthusiasts find this part of the zoo most fascinating and it draws lots of extra audience to the zoo.
HUMANS AND CATS – 100,000 YEARS TOGETHER
This exhibit, rebuild from fairly traditional cat house, shows all the world’s big cats and some of the small ones. Filled with replicas of world’s great art, it illustrates the cultural history of cats in human consiousness.
ALTAMIRA HALL
At first, visitors enter a dark room, with light on roof illuminating a replica of prehistoric rock paintings. Then they walk through the dark corridor, with patches of light on walls and roofs illustrating replicas of famous paintings of cave lions. There are also cave lions figurines. The information explains how human evolution was shaped by predation by big cats, and how we can deduce cave lion apperance from ancient paintings.
The restoration of saber-toothed smilodon is used to discuss if humans could wipe out ancient megafauna. A phylogenetic tree of all cats is drawn, and cat predatory adaptations are discussed.
FIRST CITIES, FIRST ZOOS
Asiatic lions have a replica of Middle Eastern subtropical savanna. This is the first exhibit, and can also be viewed from outside the house through the moat.
Then we enter the next room. It shows replicas of beautiful Assyrian sculptures showing hunting of persian lions. One amazing Assyrian relief shows a lion released from the cage, presumably for being killed on the arena. That 5000 year old sculpture shows most details still used in zoo transport boxes today. The information discusses the role of lions in ancient world and first zoos in Assyria. 4000 year old and older than most countries and cities today, lion and tiger exhibits were apparently naturalistic walled gardens.
HUNTING EACH OTHER AND TOGETHER
Cheetah and Caracal are shown in a replica of a subtropical savanna, visually continious with lion exhibit.
Third section details hunting of big cats. It details how the brave hunters outwitted man-eaters at the times when guns were less sophisticated than today. It also discusses how cheetahs and caracals were trained as hunting animals in India.
The path is double, so visitors can go along the row of glass-fronted cat exhibits, or along historical monuments, absorbing the storyline and occassionally looking at the centre of live exhibits.
CAT GODS
Jaguars have a jungle exhibit with mock ruined temple.
Pumas have home in a canyon with replica of Native American rock paintings.
The next section illustrates the role of cats in cultures on the other side of the globe. The first is jaguar in Mesoamerican art. Then there is a discussion of a role of cougar in North American native lucture.
DESTROYING
Eurasian lynx in northern coniferous forest is an example of the species which European range was grealy reduced.
Next section shows how during 19. 20. and 21. century wild cats were massively hunted and just as importantly, their habitat and food animals was anihhilated. There are maps showing shrinking ranges and mounts of extinct cat subspecies.
FASCINATION
Clouded leopards, one of most beautiful cats, are presented in a replica of partially logged Asian rainforest.
This section shows how fear of nature turned into a fascination and cat conservation appeared. There are replicas of Rousseau’s wildlife paintings and pictures of Bagheera from Jungle Book and Aslan from Narnia.
FROM CIRCUSES TO ANIMAL PARKS
Amur leopard is currently the rarest form of big cat and several times more numerous in captivity than in the wild. It is presented in the Far Eastern conifer forest.
The next section shows the history of keeping cats in captivity. Zoo visitors will be fascinated in learning all details of wild cat husbandry: how cats are kept securely, fed, maintained, trained, how zoo vet work looks like. What happens if a lion escapes. They can see a glimpse of actual backdoor exhibits and staff quarters in the house. They also learn about studbooks and breeding programs. And how zoos suport conservation in the wild.
SCIENCE AND STUDY
Snow leopard exhibit replicates Himalayan rocky outcrop amon the rhododendron shrub.
The next section shows how wild cats are studied using telemetry, observation, tracks, scat analysis etc. Artifacts include replicas of pug marks and camera traps. Visitors can hands-on examine bones and hair of tigers prey to identify them and she how telemetric equipment looks like. There is a replica of cat researcher’s primitive tent.
SAVING CATS FOR THE FUTURE
Fishing cat and lion-tailed macaques are two endangered species which benefited from creation of reserves in the Project Tiger.
Tigers in the replica of rainforest are the last exhibit. Besides the glass view, people can see tigers outside, behind water moat.
This next section shows reserves, the difficulties of warden-poacher wars, deadly trade in cat parts and problems in creating sufficently big reserves. There is also a discussion of how big cats act as umbrella species for protecting other wildlife.
THE CAT MUSEUM
To the right is another building. It shows history of domestic cat. Exhibits include Egyptian cat mummies and films from cat beauty contests. There is discussion of cat breeding and how a vet works like. This may not be very interesting to a true zoo lover, but lots of cat enthusiasts find this part of the zoo most fascinating and it draws lots of extra audience to the zoo.
I had some time today, so I just bumped up this thread. This is an exhibit which I invented:
HUMANS AND CATS – 100,000 YEARS TOGETHER
This exhibit, rebuild from fairly traditional cat house, shows all the world’s big cats and some of the small ones. Filled with replicas of world’s great art, it illustrates the cultural history of cats in human consiousness.
ALTAMIRA HALL
At first, visitors enter a dark room, with light on roof illuminating a replica of prehistoric rock paintings. Then they walk through the dark corridor, with patches of light on walls and roofs illustrating replicas of famous paintings of cave lions. There are also cave lions figurines. The information explains how human evolution was shaped by predation by big cats, and how we can deduce cave lion apperance from ancient paintings.
The restoration of saber-toothed smilodon is used to discuss if humans could wipe out ancient megafauna. A phylogenetic tree of all cats is drawn, and cat predatory adaptations are discussed.
FIRST CITIES, FIRST ZOOS
Asiatic lions have a replica of Middle Eastern subtropical savanna. This is the first exhibit, and can also be viewed from outside the house through the moat.
Then we enter the next room. It shows replicas of beautiful Assyrian sculptures showing hunting of persian lions. One amazing Assyrian relief shows a lion released from the cage, presumably for being killed on the arena. That 5000 year old sculpture shows most details still used in zoo transport boxes today. The information discusses the role of lions in ancient world and first zoos in Assyria. 4000 year old and older than most countries and cities today, lion and tiger exhibits were apparently naturalistic walled gardens.
HUNTING EACH OTHER AND TOGETHER
Cheetah and Caracal are shown in a replica of a subtropical savanna, visually continious with lion exhibit.
Third section details hunting of big cats. It details how the brave hunters outwitted man-eaters at the times when guns were less sophisticated than today. It also discusses how cheetahs and caracals were trained as hunting animals in India.
The path is double, so visitors can go along the row of glass-fronted cat exhibits, or along historical monuments, absorbing the storyline and occassionally looking at the centre of live exhibits.
CAT GODS
Jaguars have a jungle exhibit with mock ruined temple.
Pumas have home in a canyon with replica of Native American rock paintings.
The next section illustrates the role of cats in cultures on the other side of the globe. The first is jaguar in Mesoamerican art. Then there is a discussion of a role of cougar in North American native lucture.
DESTROYING
Eurasian lynx in northern coniferous forest is an example of the species which European range was grealy reduced.
Next section shows how during 19. 20. and 21. century wild cats were massively hunted and just as importantly, their habitat and food animals was anihhilated. There are maps showing shrinking ranges and mounts of extinct cat subspecies.
FASCINATION
Clouded leopards, one of most beautiful cats, are presented in a replica of partially logged Asian rainforest.
This section shows how fear of nature turned into a fascination and cat conservation appeared. There are replicas of Rousseau’s wildlife paintings and pictures of Bagheera from Jungle Book and Aslan from Narnia.
FROM CIRCUSES TO ANIMAL PARKS
Amur leopard is currently the rarest form of big cat and several times more numerous in captivity than in the wild. It is presented in the Far Eastern conifer forest.
The next section shows the history of keeping cats in captivity. Zoo visitors will be fascinated in learning all details of wild cat husbandry: how cats are kept securely, fed, maintained, trained, how zoo vet work looks like. What happens if a lion escapes. They can see a glimpse of actual backdoor exhibits and staff quarters in the house. They also learn about studbooks and breeding programs. And how zoos suport conservation in the wild.
SCIENCE AND STUDY
Snow leopard exhibit replicates Himalayan rocky outcrop amon the rhododendron shrub.
The next section shows how wild cats are studied using telemetry, observation, tracks, scat analysis etc. Artifacts include replicas of pug marks and camera traps. Visitors can hands-on examine bones and hair of tigers prey to identify them and she how telemetric equipment looks like. There is a replica of cat researcher’s primitive tent.
SAVING CATS FOR THE FUTURE
Fishing cat and lion-tailed macaques are two endangered species which benefited from creation of reserves in the Project Tiger.
Tigers in the replica of rainforest are the last exhibit. Besides the glass view, people can see tigers outside, behind water moat.
This next section shows reserves, the difficulties of warden-poacher wars, deadly trade in cat parts and problems in creating sufficently big reserves. There is also a discussion of how big cats act as umbrella species for protecting other wildlife.
THE CAT MUSEUM
To the right is another building. It shows history of domestic cat. Exhibits include Egyptian cat mummies and films from cat beauty contests. There is discussion of cat breeding and how a vet works like. This may not be very interesting to a true zoo lover, but lots of cat enthusiasts find this part of the zoo most fascinating and it draws lots of extra audience to the zoo.
A-Mazing! Well thought out and with some excellent themes. Really portrays are relationship with cats, almost the world's first taxonomic, historical exhibit. Good job!
Dallaspachyderm
Well-Known Member
Ghosts of the forest
A immersive rainforest enclosure for Borneo pygmy elephants (2.8.2)
The zoo has imported a breeding herd of Borneo Pygmy elephants, and aquired the female from the Portland zoo. Guests enter the Tabin wildlife preserve through large industrial gate with a unaccesable sentry station above it (to show where park rangers would be stationed). As visitors meander through a dirt road, with defined wheel impressions (to show it is traveled quite often. On either sides of the road is a tree line with some warnings of elephant crossings (complete with trails through the trees for keeper access).
The first exhbit guests come accross a Borneo Banteng (1.3.1) and Borneo Muntjak (2.5.1) enclosure, at around two acres. It is planted heavily, but not to the point where you can not see the animals. The animals have a shallow dry moat so they do not escape, but are situated on a hill so they are eyelevel with guests. The barrier from the guests to the exhibit is a three foot glass fence.
As the guests turn a curve in the path they come across a swampy island like enclosure with a mature tree lined enclosure. For Proboscis monkeys (2.12.5) and two species of leaf monkey red and silvered (1.5 each). The monkey enclosure is about an acre in size with a ton of vertical climbing space from natural trees and artificial vines, the barn/holding area is directly behind (hidden by the tree line)
On the far side of the enclosure the water area continues to another island, where the road then dips down and gives you an uderwater view of the false gharial (1.2) and numerous other Indonesian fish (well stocked). the monkey islands and False gharial islands are kept seperate by a barrier made of artificial rock and mud. The road then returns to the normal elevation and you can see the gharial island from ground level.
You then come across a WWF bunker that is quite large. around 5,000 sq feet. here you encounter a wide variety of endemic reptiles/insects/ and small mammals(tree shrew), in spacious terrariums. Through a glass back wall you can clearly see a large aviary enclosure (mesh over grown with Ivy so it seems like a forest floor) that includes borneo bearded pig (1.2.3) along with colorful pheasants and hornbills. Also in the bunker is a video monitor of the zoo's Pygmy elephants along with tracking collars and collected snairs... to show WWF's efforts to save the ecology of Borneo.
A little ways accross the road from the bunker are two medium sized aviary enclosures. On with Colugo and the other with endemic fruti bats. the back and top of the mesh is coverd with ivy to give it an over grown feel.
The last thing you come accross before encountering the elephants is an illegal logging operation just off the road and a small crop of rubber trees growing along with graphics explaining what is happening.
At last you encounter the prized pygmy elephants! From a forest clearing you can see the main paddock 4 acres. It is densely planted, but you can still see the elephants. There are life size graphics to show the size difference of pygmy elephants and their mainland realatives. The enclosure has several mature trees, vertical logs for scratching, mud wallows, grass ground cover, smaller trees and vegetation protected by hot wire, and huts that are rotting in the forest (simulated actually foraging outlets). You then follow the road to find another vantage point of the main yard! A pond with several species of Asian water fowl and cranes. And if you're lucky you may even see the elephants take a swim, the elephants are seperated by a mud bank wall (concrete) that over hangs. Here there is graphics of the entire herd along with Bios of each elephants. Also information on their wild counterparts and ways we can help save them. Again the barrier for the people is three foot high class fencing. As you leave you get a small view of the bull yard 1.5 acres.
(I would picture the San diego Wild animal park being able to do this)
A immersive rainforest enclosure for Borneo pygmy elephants (2.8.2)
The zoo has imported a breeding herd of Borneo Pygmy elephants, and aquired the female from the Portland zoo. Guests enter the Tabin wildlife preserve through large industrial gate with a unaccesable sentry station above it (to show where park rangers would be stationed). As visitors meander through a dirt road, with defined wheel impressions (to show it is traveled quite often. On either sides of the road is a tree line with some warnings of elephant crossings (complete with trails through the trees for keeper access).
The first exhbit guests come accross a Borneo Banteng (1.3.1) and Borneo Muntjak (2.5.1) enclosure, at around two acres. It is planted heavily, but not to the point where you can not see the animals. The animals have a shallow dry moat so they do not escape, but are situated on a hill so they are eyelevel with guests. The barrier from the guests to the exhibit is a three foot glass fence.
As the guests turn a curve in the path they come across a swampy island like enclosure with a mature tree lined enclosure. For Proboscis monkeys (2.12.5) and two species of leaf monkey red and silvered (1.5 each). The monkey enclosure is about an acre in size with a ton of vertical climbing space from natural trees and artificial vines, the barn/holding area is directly behind (hidden by the tree line)
On the far side of the enclosure the water area continues to another island, where the road then dips down and gives you an uderwater view of the false gharial (1.2) and numerous other Indonesian fish (well stocked). the monkey islands and False gharial islands are kept seperate by a barrier made of artificial rock and mud. The road then returns to the normal elevation and you can see the gharial island from ground level.
You then come across a WWF bunker that is quite large. around 5,000 sq feet. here you encounter a wide variety of endemic reptiles/insects/ and small mammals(tree shrew), in spacious terrariums. Through a glass back wall you can clearly see a large aviary enclosure (mesh over grown with Ivy so it seems like a forest floor) that includes borneo bearded pig (1.2.3) along with colorful pheasants and hornbills. Also in the bunker is a video monitor of the zoo's Pygmy elephants along with tracking collars and collected snairs... to show WWF's efforts to save the ecology of Borneo.
A little ways accross the road from the bunker are two medium sized aviary enclosures. On with Colugo and the other with endemic fruti bats. the back and top of the mesh is coverd with ivy to give it an over grown feel.
The last thing you come accross before encountering the elephants is an illegal logging operation just off the road and a small crop of rubber trees growing along with graphics explaining what is happening.
At last you encounter the prized pygmy elephants! From a forest clearing you can see the main paddock 4 acres. It is densely planted, but you can still see the elephants. There are life size graphics to show the size difference of pygmy elephants and their mainland realatives. The enclosure has several mature trees, vertical logs for scratching, mud wallows, grass ground cover, smaller trees and vegetation protected by hot wire, and huts that are rotting in the forest (simulated actually foraging outlets). You then follow the road to find another vantage point of the main yard! A pond with several species of Asian water fowl and cranes. And if you're lucky you may even see the elephants take a swim, the elephants are seperated by a mud bank wall (concrete) that over hangs. Here there is graphics of the entire herd along with Bios of each elephants. Also information on their wild counterparts and ways we can help save them. Again the barrier for the people is three foot high class fencing. As you leave you get a small view of the bull yard 1.5 acres.
(I would picture the San diego Wild animal park being able to do this)