Design a Zoo

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Jurek7 said:
Try browsing online about Ethiopia, conservation and animals in concern. This can give you fresh ideas. Although being shot at by Afar insurgents may not be the best family attraction. ;)

About additional animals, very nice resource is Wildfinder or Terrestrial Ecoregions of The World. It includes lists of species of all ecosystems of the world.
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-marveling at species list on WildFinder- :eek:

Species found in Somali Acacia-Commiphora bushlands and thickets, Species found in Ethiopian Montane Forests, it's got everything! I'm like a kid in a candy store!... I think? ;)

What candy store do you know of that sells... [looks at computer] ...dispholidus typus??? Wait, that gives me an idea! There could be a giftshop with gummy gelada lollipops! :D Just a thought. Nothing special, but a thought, nonetheless. Thanks, again, Jurek7 and KCZooFan.
 
My first exhibit is one focusing on the biodiversity of the Galapagos. It is home only to endemic species. The entrance is set up to look like a research station. It has graphics on both the wonderful species found on the islands, as well as Charles Darwin's discoverys there.

The first exhibit is the Reptile and Small Mammal House. In a long row of terreriums are these species: Barrington Leaf-toed Gecko, Baur's Leaf-toed Gecko, Darwin's Leaf-toed Gecko, Galapagos Leaf-toed Gecko, Gilbert's Leaf-toed Gecko, Microlophus albemarlensis, Microlophus bivattatus, Microlophus delanonis, Microlophus duncanensis, Galapagos Racer, Philodryas hoodensis, Antillophis slevini, Antillophis steindachneri, and Chatham Leaf-toed Gecko. At the end is a skylit circular room with two small exhibits for Fernandina and Santiago Galapagos Mice, and a larger exhibit for Galapagos Rice Rat.

Entering the rocky terrain outside, the first exhibit you will see is an open air exhibit for three lizard species: Gray's Pacific Iguana, Microlophus habelii, and Common Pacific Iguana. All three of these small lizards are kept in fairly large numbers. After this is a large flight cage for Galapagos Hawk. Surrounding the hawk cage is a Galapagos Tortoise yard. Across the path is a sunken yard Galapagos Land Iguana and Santa Fe Land Iguana.

A large, walk-through aviary houses the larger number of species in this exhibit, almost exclusivly Passerines. A path weaves around this well planted exhibit, allowing great views of the small birds, as well as a chance to view the native Galapagos plants. Species in this aviary are: Galapagos Flycatcher, San Cristobal Mockingbird, Sharp-beaked Ground-finch, Hood Mockingbird, Charles Mockingbird, Galapagos Mockingbird, Large Ground-finch, Medium Ground-finch, Small Ground-finch, Common Cactus-finch, Large Cactus-finch, Vegetarian Finch, Large Tree-finch, Medium Tree-finch, Small Tree-finch, Woodpecker Finch, Mangrove Finch, Warbler Finch, and the Galapagos dove. Due to the large amount of species, the aviary is also large, allowing for somewhat of a challenge in spotting the birds.

At last visitors reach the shore. The first exhibit is one for shorebirds. They have access to a rocky coatline, shallow tide pools, as well as a much deeper pool for diving. They are located in an aviary to give those who can, the option of flight. Species are: Dark-rumped Petrel, Flightless Cormorant, and Lava Gull. Next to this is a similar, but smaller Galapagos Rail exhibit. After this is a facinating species, the Marine Iguana. They can be viewed in their rocky exhibit from above, or underwater in a small room. The last exhibit is one for the Galapagos Penguin. They sometimes share their large exhibit with Flightless Cormorants.

As visitors leave, they are shown several posters, describing simple things they can do to help the beautiful animals of the Galapagos, as well as animals around the world. They exit through the same research station through which they entered, going back into the South American exhibit.
 
AnaheimZoo said:
There could be a giftshop with gummy gelada lollipops! :D
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Well, good bussiness idea! I never heard of zoo restaurant, confectionery etc. which sells food with shape or picture of particular animals. Although it is easily doable and could well be popular.

Cannot wait for your Ethiopian exhibit. I hope it doesn't grow to the size of entire zoo. ;)
 
Jurek7 said:
Well, good bussiness idea! I never heard of zoo restaurant, confectionery etc. which sells food with shape or picture of particular animals. Although it is easily doable and could well be popular.

Cannot wait for your Ethiopian exhibit. I hope it doesn't grow to the size of entire zoo. ;)
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It's already grown considerably in collection since you introduced me to that website, but most additions were small mammals, reptiles and/or amphibians that could be included in the terrarium tunnel. Other than that, a few ungulates and minor bird species for my aviary were the only additions! I didn't want to go overboard on the Ethiopia exhibit, I just wanted it to be something you could walk through quickly and still be able to see a lot. For animals I didn't include that would've fit in, like caracals, mongooses, etc, I only excluded them because their ranges are pretty large and they inhabit a number of different habitats, so they could be placed in any of my other exhibits, such as my kopje enclosure, East African savanna, or where ever.

But, yeah, I'll try to finish it up and post it here soon. :D

KCZooFan said:
As visitors leave, they are shown several posters, describing simple things they can do to help the beautiful animals of the Galapagos, as well as animals around the world. They exit through the same research station through which they entered, going back into the South American exhibit.
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That sounds great! I especially like how you included some of Charles Darwin's discoveries in the research center. My favorite would have to be the aviaries for the shorebirds and the free-flight aviary, not only because you decided to make the guests "search" for the birds, but because it's almost like a greenhouse when you throw in all of those endemic exotic plants! That's a first-rate idea, KCZooFan. :D Now if only Ecuador lifted the ban on Galapagos animal imports/exports... :rolleyes: *wishfully sighs*
 
AnaheimZoo said:
That sounds great! I especially like how you included some of Charles Darwin's discoveries in the research center. My favorite would have to be the aviaries for the shorebirds and the free-flight aviary, not only because you decided to make the guests "search" for the birds, but because it's almost like a greenhouse when you throw in all of those endemic exotic plants! That's a first-rate idea, KCZooFan. :D Now if only Ecuador lifted the ban on Galapagos animal imports/exports... :rolleyes: *wishfully sighs*
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Besides the tortoises, I don't think that'll happen anytime soon. The Galapagos are possibly the most protected wildlife area on the planet, and a National treaure for Ecuador. I would really like to see some of the iguanas and penguins though :)

I was thinking that in the passerine aviary would be where Darwin signage would be most useful, because of his work with them.
 
Would it be a good idea to keep all the related mockingbirds in the same aviary? Also, the rails could probably be moved in there if there was a habitat area for them. Most rails are pretty secretive so I don't think that having an individual exhibit for them would work too well as people would rarely see them.
 
Honestly, I know nothing about mockingbirds. I thought since they were small passerine they would fit in well, but if you think they would be aggressive to each other. The only reason I put the rail in a different enclosure is because they are so interesting compared to the finches, and thougt special light should be shed on them. But if you think they would fit in the aviary better, then maybe that would be for the best.

Kind of off topic, but I had always heard rails were very secretive birds, but the only one I am very familiar with (grey-necked woodrail at Topeka) seems fairly friendly and not afraid. Weird.
 
I was thinking more about the mockingbirds interbreeding. With the rails, I think it depends on the species. I have easily found wood-rails and black crakes before (although the crakes were found by sound first), but most seem to be more secretive.
 
Interbreeding could be a problem. Hmmmm...

Galapagos Rails and Black Crakes are in the same genus, so could be similar in behavior. I don't know.
 
Are you sure you aren't thinking of Black Rails being in the same genus?
And the only reason I found the Black Crake (in the Jungle exhibit at Sedgwick County Zoo, BTW) was because of the sound. I wouldn't have seen them otherwise.
 
Your right, I was thinking of the black rail. I also saw the black crake at SCZ, getting a drink of water. However, I have found wild American coots to be a little more secretive.
 
I haven't seen coots, but moorhens are pretty easy to find.

Personally I think it would be better to either move the rails to the walk-through aviary or add a few of the smaller species to the rail exhibit so visitors have a better chance of seeing something. Maybe if the rails were moved to the walk-through aviary, a wetlands area could be included in part of it with some smaller shorebirds as well although I guess they wouldn't be endemic.
 
To expand on a South American section, I would add an aviary for the Falkland Islands. It would have two species: the Falkland Flightless Steamer Duck, and Cobb's Wren. Also here would be signage and information on the extinct Falkland Islands Wolf.
 
OK, Step 1- Release a complete list of animal species. :)

ETHIOPIAN HIGHLANDS
Animals by Exhibit

Open Exhibits- On the outskirts of the reserve lies an immense plain simulating the grassy plateaus of Ethiopia's many mountain ranges.
Animal Species:
Gelada, Ethiopian Wolf, Grevy’s Zebra, Somali Soemmerring’s Gazelle, Walia Ibex, Blue-winged Goose, Yellow-billed Duck, Hottentot Teal, Southern Pochard, White-faced Whistling-duck

Inner Forest Loop- A smaller forest trail, simulating the acacia woodlands of the Horn of Africa and the xeric shrublands of Ethiopia, gives guests opportunities to see one of the largest troops of hamadryas baboons in captivity, unique gerenuks browsing, and famous vultures up-close.
Animal Species:
Hamadryas Baboon, Gerenuk, Speke’s Gazelle, Black Crowned-crane, Helmeted Guineafowl, Stone Partridge, Lammergeier, Ruppell’s Vulture, Fork-tailed Drongo

Aviary- A large aviary houses many of Ethiopia's avifauna, from seasonal migrants to year-round residents.
Animal Species:
Black-winged Lovebird, White-cheeked Turaco, Yellow-fronted Parrot, Abyssinian Roller, D’Arnaud’s Barbet, Namaqua Dove, Golden-breasted Starling, Somali Starling, White-crowned Starling, Wattled Starling, Variable Sunbird, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Abyssinian Scimitar-bill, Abyssinian Catbird

Terrarium Tunnel- After exiting the aviary, pass through an air-conditioned tunnel where the walls are lined with terrariums for a variety of rodents, reptiles and amphibians. A secretive look into the baboon den is also present.
Animal Species:
Abyssinian Grass Rat, Crested Rat, Naked Mole Rat, Slender Mongoose, African Softshell, Smith’s Leaf-toed Gecko, Taylor’s Fat-tail Gecko, Sahel Chameleon, Two-lined Chameleon, Bale Mountains Two-horned Chameleon, Blue-throated Agama, Somali Strange Agama, Boomslang, Ethiopia Viper, Common Egg-eating Snake, Common Reed Frog, Senegal Running Frog, Ethiopian Banana Frog

More is on the way! :D

AnaheimZoo
 
All the while I've been asking for help on this Ethiopian-themed exhibit, I've been conceiving a number of other ideas for zoo exhibits, from complexes centering around the endangered species of a country/region to simple side exhibits you'd pass by on your way to another part of the zoo. My most prized layout is for an exhibit called the Mafuriko Wetlands. This area of the zoo would focus on the research of the wildlife of the floodplains, marshes, swamps, etc., of East Africa, particularly (or possibly solely) those in Uganda, seeing how exhibits housing Kenyan and Tanzanian savanna animals would already exist.

There would be five (or four, I'll explain) sections in the exhibit: the Katonga Swamp Range, Mamba Bank, a conservatory grounds exhibit area (which I've had trouble finding a fitting name for :rolleyes:) the Katonga Safari Lodge and Lake Katonga.

KATONGA SWAMP RANGE
A multi-acre exhibit recreating a flat, open floodplain (for which the Mafuriko Wetlands are named; mafuriko means "flood or flooded" in Swahili) would be the first area guests would see. Small barriers (large rocks, waterways, plants or maybe hidden fences) would divide the plain into separate enclosures for East African crowned-cranes (Balearica regulorum gibbericeps), Uganda kob (Kobus kob thomasi) and sitatunga. The plain would be so huge that it would wrap around the entire left side of the Wetlands, offering guests more opportunities further down the path to view the animals. The long pathway running adjacent to the exhibit would have an extension cutting through the middle of the crowned-crane habitat, allowing closer looks at the beautiful birds.

MAMBA BANK
Mamba means "crocodile" in Swahili. Nile crocodiles would be the stars of this exhibit, which would be a riverbank clearing marked by tiny, twisting streams and waterfalls, with a large rock formation in the center. The exhibit would be moated, with a huge pool right up front and a sandy shore in the background, giving the crocs a place to sunbathe during the heat of the day. On the farthest left side of the enclosure, a rocky "spine" would cut the rest of the beach (which would be more of an orange dirt/clay rather than actual sand, like in this picture: ARKive - Egyptian plover photo - Pluvianus aegyptius - G52671) in half, creating an extension to the kob exhibit. This isolation area would normally house females and their young, while a few bachelors would rotate through the Swamp Range exhibit.

*Now, this isn't the best description of the exhibit. I'm doing this sort of recklessly, wanting to get the idea out when I'm still not finished with it... I've been editing it over and over; every single time I try to map it out, I end up changing it entirely.*

CONSERVATORY GROUNDS
I've had trouble naming this section... so it'll be known for now as just 'Conservatory Grounds.' This area would focus on Uganda's animals that are slowly disappearing, or those whose populations have been stabilized, such as hippos. A small research base camp with computers, fake animal tracking monitors and other gadgets would be here as well, with posts describing conservation efforts going on in Uganda present-day hung up all over the walls. Along with the hippo exhibit, a backtrail heading into dense jungle would be home to large, free-flight aviary exhibiting a number of tropical birds, and a separate netted exhibit for African fish eagles.

KATONGA SAFARI LODGE
The Safari Lodge would have rooms for guests to stay overnight in, with various wings (such as Hippo, Flamingo, Crocodile, Lechwe) offering a number of different style rooms to choose from. Each room would have splendid views of the surrounding wetlands, and many pools with shoebills, more crowned-cranes and other waterfowl, including lesser flamingos, would add to the picturesque environment. An exhibit called Lechwe Falls, which would only be viewable on two public paths in the zoo, would co-exhibit Nile Lechwe with Rothschild's Giraffe. If guests wanted better looks at this exhibit, they would have to purchase a backstage tour, which would be included in a 3-day Safari inside the Wetlands (similar to SDZ Safari Park's Roar-and-Snore, but with Backstage Pass of SD Zoo included :)) (also the reason for the Safari Lodge to exist).

LAKE KATONGA
The zoo's main flock of lesser flamingos, which would number anywhere from 30-60, would live on this manmade lake. I'm not sure whether to make this part of the Katonga Swamp Range or make it its own section (it may very likely be part of the KSR). Anyway, flamingos and a number of waterfowl, wading birds and storks, ibises, etc, would also inhabit the lake (and the scenic pools outside of the hotel rooms).

As I mentioned previously, this description isn't as good as it could be. I'm still working on maps of the Wetlands, as it's an ever-changing idea that keeps seeing improvements or ways it could be different. I'll release a species list soon, but for now I need to straighten the Katonga Swamp Range out, seeing how it's the most organized part of the exhibit so far. :) If you don't understand something, or if I might've missed something, feel free to say something. I typed this up real fast because I just wanted to get my idea out. I'll upload a picture of the latest Mafuriko Wetlands map I draw up. Thanks.

AnaheimZoo
 
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