Islands problem areas - the space for the tapirs

jde7582 said:

Along with the non existent Tapir enclosure, you also have the area set aside for the second tiger enclosure, so quite a large area to walk through without much to see, the original plans also have a hornbill exhibit just past the tiger water window.

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The 2nd tiger enclosure could be replaced with an exhibit for an alternative species that fits into the Island theme. There is also space behind the Coral Sands market stalls which could quite easily be expanded into. I think the Philippine spotted deer and Visayan tarictic hornbills are an obvious choice for this space. And of course there is still the area earmarked for the Komodo dragon house.....there is so much potential to expand and develop in the coming years.....all quite exciting I think!

Yes it does give the zoo a few years of new smaller exhibits to advertise.

Maybe the Sun Bears moving to the zoo is a sign they move over to Islands.

Komodo's definitely need to move and redevelop dragons in danger as the the Charles Darwin Galapagos building

ChesterZooFan said:

Perhaps they are not used to having this option and so have steered clear? Not sure in which collections the banteng were previously kept and whether they are used to large wallow pools?

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Quite possibly. Habits take time to break, even if they involve what would normally be natural behaviours. I would think they will start to use it over time. Sometimes they need some encouragement e.g. vegetable food of some sort scattered on the area to encourage them if they continue not to use it.

jde7582 said:

Yes it does give the zoo a few years of new smaller exhibits to advertise.

Maybe the Sun Bears moving to the zoo is a sign they move over to Islands.

Komodo's definitely need to move and redevelop dragons in danger as the the Charles Darwin Galapagos building

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Totally agree with all your suggestions. Sun bears are an obvious possibility an would make Islands an even more exciting exhibit. Dragons in Danger would easily transition to a South American Islands zone (Galapagos and Carribbean). This would then link into the Carribbean and Chilean flamingoes near by. We know the zoo are to develop geographical zoning so this could be an option

ChesterZooFan said:

Totally agree with all your suggestions. Sun bears are an obvious possibility an would make Islands an even more exciting exhibit. Dragons in Danger would easily transition to a South American Islands zone (Galapagos and Carribbean). This would then link into the Carribbean and Chilean flamingoes near by. We know the zoo are to develop geographical zoning so this could be an option

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There could also be potential to link it to lemur island nearby, and create a Madagascar House.

ChesterZooFan said:

Totally agree with all your suggestions. Sun bears are an obvious possibility an would make Islands an even more exciting exhibit. Dragons in Danger would easily transition to a South American Islands zone (Galapagos and Carribbean). This would then link into the Carribbean and Chilean flamingoes near by. We know the zoo are to develop geographical zoning so this could be an option

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Slight flaw to your plan in that 1 of the species of Flamingo is leaving to be replaced by a flock of Greaters!