A slightly different twist in arrangements.

elefante

elefante

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Hi everyone, it's been a minute since I've done a thread like this and this is my first on the new speculative zoo design and planning. I have a little bit of a different idea of a zoo arrangement. Moderators, delete if this isn't allowed under the new rules.


This zoo showcases the eight biogeographic realms on Planet Earth; Palearctic, Nearctic, Neotropical, Afrotropical, Indomalayan, Australiasian, Oceanic, and Antarctic. This zoo would be located in the Inland Empire region of California. At the entrance to each realm there are a great deal of signs illustrating the threats, the successes, and how the different species have influenced the cultures of the vast regions. Since this is a North American zoo the AZA guidelines will be followed as much as possible. Most of these exhibits will not feature a specific country, but rather, a certain biome and certain regional similarity (exceptions will occur). Most of the animals mixed are species that would be found together in the wild, although some license will be taken.

Nearctic Realm

The first exhibit displays species of the Nearctic Realm. The visitor first sees a description of the Nearctic Realm and the habitats present. The largest part of the exhibit is on the left hand side. It is dedicated to the grasslands of the region. An aviary resembling the Prairie Pothole region houses mourning doves, canvasback ducks, redhead ducks, cinnamon teals, blue winged teals, tundra swans, Ross’s geese, and snow geese. Many of these birds are rescues and non-releasable. The latter three are noted as being visitors to the region on their flights south. This aviary can be entered. A separate area houses sandhill cranes that are non-releasable and is off limits. A prairie dog town is the next section of the grassland area. A netted enclosure houses black-tailed prairie dogs and burrowing owls. This exhibit can be seen from below as well. Instead of the typical bubbles, the prairie dogs can be viewed in windows placed in artificial shrubs and rocks. This area underneath also has terrariums for prairie rattlesnake, tiger salamander, black footed ferret, Great Plains toads, and ornate box turtles. American badgers are housed next to the prairie dogs and are visible below ground as well. The remainder of the grassland exhibit is a large paddock containing bison, pronghorn, and mule deer. Numerous decks are provided for visitors to view the ungulates.


The right hand side of the grassland exhibit is dedicated to temperate forests from throughout North America. White-tailed deer, elk, and red wolves are displayed in wooded enclosures. A walk-through aviary houses wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, and wood ducks. A building in this area contains terrariums with painted turtles and common snapping turtles. The visitor then enters a nocturnal area. This contains a loop with raccoons, striped skunks, Virginia opossums, leopard frogs, American bullfrogs, American toads, porcupines, and great-horned owls. These surround a central pond with beavers. The owls are non-releasable. As with the outdoor areas, this one resembles a forest.


After leaving the temperate forest area, the visitor then enters an exhibit dedicated to the boreal forests. These animals are able to enter large air-conditioned enclosures if needed. This area is planted with evergreen trees. Canada lynx, fisher, black bears, and river otters make their homes here. The boreal forest exhibit transitions to an exhibit resembling the Rocky Mountains. Mountain goats and Dall sheep live here. Like the other species, they have access to cooler indoor enclosures should the need arise.

A drastic change in scenery occurs after the boreal forest exhibit. This is the desert exhibit, containing species from various deserts in North America. A barren, rocky exhibit forms the centerpiece. Desert bighorn sheep are found in this exhibit. A smaller exhibit for bobcats is also present next to the bighorn sheep. The cats have ample climbing structures as well and can be viewed from a building. The building contains a walk-through aviary with scaled quail, Gambel’s quail, white-winged doves, and thick-billed parrots. Desert tortoises and desert iguanas also roam this area (although they are unable to enter the visitor path). Terrariums along the path (hidden cleverly in rocks) feature Gila monsters, Mexican beaded lizards, western diamondback rattlesnakes, western collared lizards, chuckwallas, and Mexican red-kneed tarantulas. Greater roadrunners are in a netted enclosure at the exit of the building.


The central part of these previous exhibits houses a unique mountain lion and coyote exhibit. Since these are found in all of the areas mentioned there is a central exhibit with vantage points allowing the predators views into different habitats. They are rotated to different areas. This will be a theme for predator exhibits throughout the zoo.

Finally, the last part of the exhibit is seen. This is the Pacific Coast. The main section of this immersive exhibit is a large pool for California sea lions with above and underwater viewing. A smaller section houses sea otters in a similar manner. After viewing the sea lions and sea otters, the visitor sees four aviaries. One contains tufted puffins. These birds have above and underwater viewing. Simulated sea stacks provide roosting areas. A second, similar exhibit is for brown pelicans. These are non-releasable rescue birds. Another aviary has the simulated sea stacks as well as trees. Bald eagles live here and they are also non-releasable. Finally, an exhibit resembling a coastal forest houses California condors.


Up next is a Palearctic exhibit. I’m debating however, whether to house the Sahara species in the Afro-tropical region. What do you all think? I've seen maps give slightly various interpretations of that section. Feel free to add other species that you think might fit (I really had trouble with the Rocky Mountain exhibit).
 
A transition area leads into the Palearctic section. The first section is designed to simulate a boreal forest. Animals native to the Holarctic are present here. As many of these live in colder climates, there are buildings with air conditioning where they can retreat. Four paddocks planted with evergreens as well as ample water, contain moose, caribou, brown bears, and gray wolves. Two packs of wolves in separate enclosures with clearings are present. One is a pack of Mexican wolves and the other is a pack of larger gray wolves to give the visitors a visual of the diversity of wolves. The moose and caribou exhibits are on either side of the wolf exhibit. The wolves have vantage points to see into those enclosures. A brown bear exhibit with ample water is present next to the caribou exhibit. Fish are placed in the rivers for the bears’ enrichment. This is also present in the black bears’ exhibit in the Nearctic exhibit. A wooded, smaller enclosure is next to the bears. This houses wolverines. The visitor then sees a small aviary. Ravens are housed here. A small darkened building is present next to the ravens. Non-releasable great gray owls live in this area. The visitor sees another enclosure with fewer trees and simulated cliffs. This exhibit has non-releasable golden eagles. Finally, the visitor sees an open woodland exhibit. The most common predator in the world, the red fox lives here. The next part of the transition to the Palearctic section is dedicated to wildlife of the Arctic.
 
elefante said:
Hi everyone, it's been a minute since I've done a thread like this and this is my first on the new speculative zoo design and planning. I have a little bit of a different idea of a zoo arrangement. Moderators, delete if this isn't allowed under the new rules.


This zoo showcases the eight biogeographic realms on Planet Earth; Palearctic, Nearctic, Neotropical, Afrotropical, Indomalayan, Australiasian, Oceanic, and Antarctic. This zoo would be located in the Inland Empire region of California. At the entrance to each realm there are a great deal of signs illustrating the threats, the successes, and how the different species have influenced the cultures of the vast regions. Since this is a North American zoo the AZA guidelines will be followed as much as possible. Most of these exhibits will not feature a specific country, but rather, a certain biome and certain regional similarity (exceptions will occur). Most of the animals mixed are species that would be found together in the wild, although some license will be taken.

Nearctic Realm

The first exhibit displays species of the Nearctic Realm. The visitor first sees a description of the Nearctic Realm and the habitats present. The largest part of the exhibit is on the left hand side. It is dedicated to the grasslands of the region. An aviary resembling the Prairie Pothole region houses mourning doves, canvasback ducks, redhead ducks, cinnamon teals, blue winged teals, tundra swans, Ross’s geese, and snow geese. Many of these birds are rescues and non-releasable. The latter three are noted as being visitors to the region on their flights south. This aviary can be entered. A separate area houses sandhill cranes that are non-releasable and is off limits. A prairie dog town is the next section of the grassland area. A netted enclosure houses black-tailed prairie dogs and burrowing owls. This exhibit can be seen from below as well. Instead of the typical bubbles, the prairie dogs can be viewed in windows placed in artificial shrubs and rocks. This area underneath also has terrariums for prairie rattlesnake, tiger salamander, black footed ferret, Great Plains toads, and ornate box turtles. American badgers are housed next to the prairie dogs and are visible below ground as well. The remainder of the grassland exhibit is a large paddock containing bison, pronghorn, and mule deer. Numerous decks are provided for visitors to view the ungulates.


The right hand side of the grassland exhibit is dedicated to temperate forests from throughout North America. White-tailed deer, elk, and red wolves are displayed in wooded enclosures. A walk-through aviary houses wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, and wood ducks. A building in this area contains terrariums with painted turtles and common snapping turtles. The visitor then enters a nocturnal area. This contains a loop with raccoons, striped skunks, Virginia opossums, leopard frogs, American bullfrogs, American toads, porcupines, and great-horned owls. These surround a central pond with beavers. The owls are non-releasable. As with the outdoor areas, this one resembles a forest.


After leaving the temperate forest area, the visitor then enters an exhibit dedicated to the boreal forests. These animals are able to enter large air-conditioned enclosures if needed. This area is planted with evergreen trees. Canada lynx, fisher, black bears, and river otters make their homes here. The boreal forest exhibit transitions to an exhibit resembling the Rocky Mountains. Mountain goats and Dall sheep live here. Like the other species, they have access to cooler indoor enclosures should the need arise.

A drastic change in scenery occurs after the boreal forest exhibit. This is the desert exhibit, containing species from various deserts in North America. A barren, rocky exhibit forms the centerpiece. Desert bighorn sheep are found in this exhibit. A smaller exhibit for bobcats is also present next to the bighorn sheep. The cats have ample climbing structures as well and can be viewed from a building. The building contains a walk-through aviary with scaled quail, Gambel’s quail, white-winged doves, and thick-billed parrots. Desert tortoises and desert iguanas also roam this area (although they are unable to enter the visitor path). Terrariums along the path (hidden cleverly in rocks) feature Gila monsters, Mexican beaded lizards, western diamondback rattlesnakes, western collared lizards, chuckwallas, and Mexican red-kneed tarantulas. Greater roadrunners are in a netted enclosure at the exit of the building.


The central part of these previous exhibits houses a unique mountain lion and coyote exhibit. Since these are found in all of the areas mentioned there is a central exhibit with vantage points allowing the predators views into different habitats. They are rotated to different areas. This will be a theme for predator exhibits throughout the zoo.

Finally, the last part of the exhibit is seen. This is the Pacific Coast. The main section of this immersive exhibit is a large pool for California sea lions with above and underwater viewing. A smaller section houses sea otters in a similar manner. After viewing the sea lions and sea otters, the visitor sees four aviaries. One contains tufted puffins. These birds have above and underwater viewing. Simulated sea stacks provide roosting areas. A second, similar exhibit is for brown pelicans. These are non-releasable rescue birds. Another aviary has the simulated sea stacks as well as trees. Bald eagles live here and they are also non-releasable. Finally, an exhibit resembling a coastal forest houses California condors.


Up next is a Palearctic exhibit. I’m debating however, whether to house the Sahara species in the Afro-tropical region. What do you all think? I've seen maps give slightly various interpretations of that section. Feel free to add other species that you think might fit (I really had trouble with the Rocky Mountain exhibit).
Click to expand...
Sahara may be a transition area between Palearctic and Afrotropical realms.
 
And now for the final transition to the Palearctic exhibit. This is dedicated to circumpolar species found in both the Nearctic and Palearctic realms. The visitor encounters two aviaries on either side of the path. The first is a larger one with simulated tundra and ample swimming space. Common eiders, king eiders, and long-tailec ducks are present here. The aviary on the other side is smaller and has a simulated tundra. This houses a breeding pair of snowy owls. The visitor then enters a rocky exhibit with below and above water viewing for harbor seals. This leads into the largest part of the exhibit. An area simulating tundra, pack ice, and a large pool with above and underwater viewing contains polar bears. They have a vantage point enabling them to look into the harbor seal exhibit as well as the next exhibit housing walruses. This is built on a larger scale than the harbor seals but otherwise very similar with a bit more simulated ice. Finally, the exhibit ends with a tundra exhibit housing Arctic foxes.

The Palearctic Realm is up next, after I have time to tweak my original plans.
 
It's taken me a bit longer than originally planned, but here is the next section of my still un-named Inland Empire (California) zoo dedicated to biogeographic realms. Enjoy and feel free to add constructive feedback.


Palearctic Realm

The main, central portion of the zoo represents the largest biogeographic realm on the planet, the Palearctic Realm. The first section of the Palearctic Realm is a forested area with evergreen trees. Species from the boreal forest region and temperate forests are displayed here. The first section features species native to Siberia. Amur tigers, Amur leopards, and Eurasian lynx live here. Two small aviaries housing red-fronted geese and Mandarin ducks are also present in this area.


A second forested area is dedicated to Japanese wildlife. Japanese macaques, Japanese cranes, sika deer, green pheasant, and copper pheasant.


A third forested area houses wildlife of forest regions of Europe. Bactrian deer stand in for the various red deer species found throughout Europe. Fallow deer and two aviaries housing mute swans and white storks round out this area..


The largest section of the Palearctic Realm exhibit represents the Great Steppe. Bactrian camels and Mongolian wild horses inhabit spacious paddocks representing their homelands. A netted enclosure near this exhibit houses Pallas’ cat. This exhibit overlooks an aviary housing a mixed flock of bar-headed geese, ringneck pheasant, marbled duck, and Hungarian partridge. Russian tortoises and Greek tortoises are also housed in this aviary. They have access to an indoor viewing area in the event of colder weather and are not able to approach the water feature used by the waterfowl. A separate aviary houses Dalmatian pelicans. Finally, a large aviary on the other side of the camels houses fully-flighted cinereous vultures.


The Great Steppe exhibit has two exhibits on the other side of the path. One is a Middle Eastern-themed area that transitions to the Afrotropical Realm and the other is a mountain exhibit that transitions to the Indomalayan Realm.


The first area to be described is the Middle East and Sahara Desert habitat. This area has a desert and mountain theme. A simulated mountain area with numerous cliffs serving as vantage points. Transcaspian urial are present in this habitat. Two separate desert exhibits are present just below the hillside of the urials; one for Arabian oryx and one for Persian onager. Within the urial exhibit is also an enclosed sand cat exhibit, so designed due to that species’ low tolerance for humidity. The next two exhibits also serve as a transition into and out of the Afrotropical Realm section, a loop that will be described later. One of the exhibits is a rocky exhibit similar to the urials’. Nubian ibex are present here. In another rocky area with natural substrate (separated by an unseen moat) is a home for a troop of Hamadryas baboons. Both of these animals have access to the Afrotropical Realm loop to showcase their presence in that realm as well.


A Sahara-themed area is present near the onager exhibit. This can be reached either upon completion of the Afrotropical loop or can be reached directly from the onager exhibit. A small building is the first section encountered. This building contains terrariums with Egyptian cobras, red spitting cobras, Mali uromastyx, Niger uromastyx, Egyptian uromastyx, and Egyptian tortoises. This building is surrounded by five exhibits resembling the Sahara. A rocky area with numerous climbing structures houses aoudad. Four other exhibits resembling a flatter desert area with dunes and sparse plants house addax, scimitar oryx, addra gazelles, and slender-horned gazelles.


The last part of the sprawling Palearctic Realm is dedicated to Asian highland species. In a heavily forested area are three paddocks housing Sichuan takin, tufted deer, and white-lipped deer. In addition to the deer are separate aviaries with pheasant species; Reeve’s, golden, silver and Koklass. The highland area transitions into an area resembling the Himalayas. This serves as a transition to the Indomalayan Realm section. Two of the exhibits are rocky with sparse plants. Markhors and snow leopards are housed here in a very hilly exhibit cleverly separated by moats. A more forested area is present for red pandas. These three species are also visible in the Indomalayan Realm to represent the transition between Palearctic and Indomalayan Realms.

Up next: Afrotropical Realm. Stay tuned!
 
Afrotropical Realm

The next exhibit is the Afrotropical Realm. This is set up as a loop, although there are paths leading to other areas of the zoo. The first section is designed to resemble the arid regions of Africa; the Horn of Africa, Sahel, and Namib-Kalahari deserts. The first part of this is set up as an immersive exhibit. One one side is an exhibit dedicated to wildlife from the Horn of Africa. The other side is wildlife from the Sahel. The Hamadryas baboon and Nubian ibex exhibit from the Palearctic Realm section transitions to the Horn of Africa. Two exhibits that appear to be contiguous but are separated by outcrops the ibexes and baboons can access house Grevy’s zebras and Somali wild asses. A small aviary near the wild ass exhibit resembles an oasis housing Egyptian geese. Another larger exhibit houses gerenuk, Speke’s gazelle, Soemmering’s gazelle, and lesser kudu. This resembles the drier habitat present in this part of the world. The Sahel exhibit on the other side is situated near the Sahara exhibit in the Palearctic Realm. This savanna exhibit is mostly of a dry theme but there are some water features present in the form of small ponds. Red-fronted gazelle, roan antelope and waterbuck inhabit a paddock. An aviary with hooded vultures is present on one end as is an aviary featuring black crowned cranes on the other. Sulcata tortoises are also present in this exhibit with the hoofstock. The Sahel area has direct access to the Sahara area as well and if the loop is done in its entirety, the visitor exits here.


The loop then widens. A central exhibit is a rotational one with carnivores of Africa; lions, cheetahs, painted dogs, and spotted hyenas. These animals are rotated on a daily basis and have numerous views into the various exhibits which will be described next.

After proceeding from the Horn of Africa section, the visitor encounters a large East African savanna exhibit. The first section is two large aviaries. One houses lappet-faced vultures, white-backed vultures, Ruppell’s vultures, and pink-backed pelicans and can be entered. The other is not able to be entered and houses marabou storks. Leopard tortoises share the vulture and pelican enclosure. The vulture aviary leads to a second aviary designed to look like a wetland and open savanna. Lesser flamingos, white-faced whistling ducks, spur-winged geese, saddle-billed storks, African pygmy geese, hammerkops, white breasted cormorants, vulturine guinea fowl, and helmeted guineafowl roam freely. The visitor walks on a platform and is not able to approach the birds. These exhibits are visible from the path as well should a visitor opt to not enter. A swampy section is present next to the aviaries. Warthogs inhabit a muddy wallow area and Nile crocodiles are present in an adjacent exhibit. The main part of this exhibit houses various hoofstock; plains zebras, impalas, Tomson’s gazelles, blue wildebeests, eland, and Nile lechwes roam a wide area complete with simulated termite mounds, acacia trees, waterholes, hills, and kopjes.


The largest part of the loop is a sprawling exhibit set up in a similar manner as the previously described savanna. This exhibit is set up in five cleverly separated areas that appear as one. This is dedicated to the giants of Africa. One side has a small bachelor herd of bush elephant bulls. The central area houses Maasai giraffes, white rhinos, and North African ostriches. This exhibit is intended to house the largest of the subspecies. An aviary with kori bustards is also contained within this habitat. Finally, a series of three habitats with Cape buffalo, black rhinos, and common hippos round out the giants exhibit.

In contrast to the plains and desert exhibits, the next two exhibits are dedicated to animals from the tropical region of Africa and Madagascar. The Madagascar exhibit begins with a netted enclosure with fossas. Two exhibits near the fossas, resembling dry woodlands house radiated and spider tortoises. A series of well-planted walk through exhibits with ring-tailed lemur, fossa, black and white ruffed lemur, red ruffed lemur, red fronted lemur, mongoose lemur, crowned lemur, and Coquerel’s sifaka illustrates the unique life of lemurs on this island.


The tropics exhibit is presented in three different sections. The first is an enclosed aviary containing African gray parrots, Congo peafowl, bearded barbet, blue-bellied roller, and great blue turaco. The birds are all able to approach the visitors. The second area is the primate section. This is a rotational exhibit with indoor and outdoor viewing depending on the weather. The indoor sections are closed in good weather. These have climbing structures and moats. There are three exhibits for the rotational exhibits. Gorillas, chimpanzees, and mandrills are in a different exhibit each day. The moats in these exhibits separate the bigger primates from smaller counterparts (for obvious safety reasons). These species are mantled guereza, DeBrazza’s monkey, Wolf’s guenon. The outdoor exhibits for the primates are similar to the indoor ones. The last section of the tropics region is a simulated open jungle. Okapi, bongos, pygmy hippos, black duikers, and yellow-backed duikers graze in this area within sight of different primates every day. An exhibit for red river is located nearby.

The Afrotropical Realm loop contains another desert themed exhibit near the Sahel section. In this simulated Namib/Kalahari habitat gemsbok, springbok, steenbok, and mountain zebras roam freely. In the front of this exhibit there is a meerkat habitat. The meerkats are visible underground as well. A pond with a small aviary for great white pelicans is next to the meerkats. The last exhibit in the desert area contains an unlikely desert species; the black-footed penguin. This exhibit is a rocky coastline similar to the Skeleton Coast of Namibia.

Finally, the visitor gets another view of the Sahel exhibit before looping back to the Sahara exhibit and seeing more of the Palearctic Realm (or taking a fork in the path to visit the Indomalayan Realm.

So much for keeping this simple huh?

Up next: Indomalayan Realm.
 
elefante said:
Afrotropical Realm

The next exhibit is the Afrotropical Realm. This is set up as a loop, although there are paths leading to other areas of the zoo. The first section is designed to resemble the arid regions of Africa; the Horn of Africa, Sahel, and Namib-Kalahari deserts. The first part of this is set up as an immersive exhibit. One one side is an exhibit dedicated to wildlife from the Horn of Africa. The other side is wildlife from the Sahel. The Hamadryas baboon and Nubian ibex exhibit from the Palearctic Realm section transitions to the Horn of Africa. Two exhibits that appear to be contiguous but are separated by outcrops the ibexes and baboons can access house Grevy’s zebras and Somali wild asses. A small aviary near the wild ass exhibit resembles an oasis housing Egyptian geese. Another larger exhibit houses gerenuk, Speke’s gazelle, Soemmering’s gazelle, and lesser kudu. This resembles the drier habitat present in this part of the world. The Sahel exhibit on the other side is situated near the Sahara exhibit in the Palearctic Realm. This savanna exhibit is mostly of a dry theme but there are some water features present in the form of small ponds. Red-fronted gazelle, roan antelope and waterbuck inhabit a paddock. An aviary with hooded vultures is present on one end as is an aviary featuring black crowned cranes on the other. Sulcata tortoises are also present in this exhibit with the hoofstock. The Sahel area has direct access to the Sahara area as well and if the loop is done in its entirety, the visitor exits here.


The loop then widens. A central exhibit is a rotational one with carnivores of Africa; lions, cheetahs, painted dogs, and spotted hyenas. These animals are rotated on a daily basis and have numerous views into the various exhibits which will be described next.

After proceeding from the Horn of Africa section, the visitor encounters a large East African savanna exhibit. The first section is two large aviaries. One houses lappet-faced vultures, white-backed vultures, Ruppell’s vultures, and pink-backed pelicans and can be entered. The other is not able to be entered and houses marabou storks. Leopard tortoises share the vulture and pelican enclosure. The vulture aviary leads to a second aviary designed to look like a wetland and open savanna. Lesser flamingos, white-faced whistling ducks, spur-winged geese, saddle-billed storks, African pygmy geese, hammerkops, white breasted cormorants, vulturine guinea fowl, and helmeted guineafowl roam freely. The visitor walks on a platform and is not able to approach the birds. These exhibits are visible from the path as well should a visitor opt to not enter. A swampy section is present next to the aviaries. Warthogs inhabit a muddy wallow area and Nile crocodiles are present in an adjacent exhibit. The main part of this exhibit houses various hoofstock; plains zebras, impalas, Tomson’s gazelles, blue wildebeests, eland, and Nile lechwes roam a wide area complete with simulated termite mounds, acacia trees, waterholes, hills, and kopjes.


The largest part of the loop is a sprawling exhibit set up in a similar manner as the previously described savanna. This exhibit is set up in five cleverly separated areas that appear as one. This is dedicated to the giants of Africa. One side has a small bachelor herd of bush elephant bulls. The central area houses Maasai giraffes, white rhinos, and North African ostriches. This exhibit is intended to house the largest of the subspecies. An aviary with kori bustards is also contained within this habitat. Finally, a series of three habitats with Cape buffalo, black rhinos, and common hippos round out the giants exhibit.

In contrast to the plains and desert exhibits, the next two exhibits are dedicated to animals from the tropical region of Africa and Madagascar. The Madagascar exhibit begins with a netted enclosure with fossas. Two exhibits near the fossas, resembling dry woodlands house radiated and spider tortoises. A series of well-planted walk through exhibits with ring-tailed lemur, fossa, black and white ruffed lemur, red ruffed lemur, red fronted lemur, mongoose lemur, crowned lemur, and Coquerel’s sifaka illustrates the unique life of lemurs on this island.


The tropics exhibit is presented in three different sections. The first is an enclosed aviary containing African gray parrots, Congo peafowl, bearded barbet, blue-bellied roller, and great blue turaco. The birds are all able to approach the visitors. The second area is the primate section. This is a rotational exhibit with indoor and outdoor viewing depending on the weather. The indoor sections are closed in good weather. These have climbing structures and moats. There are three exhibits for the rotational exhibits. Gorillas, chimpanzees, and mandrills are in a different exhibit each day. The moats in these exhibits separate the bigger primates from smaller counterparts (for obvious safety reasons). These species are mantled guereza, DeBrazza’s monkey, Wolf’s guenon. The outdoor exhibits for the primates are similar to the indoor ones. The last section of the tropics region is a simulated open jungle. Okapi, bongos, pygmy hippos, black duikers, and yellow-backed duikers graze in this area within sight of different primates every day. An exhibit for red river is located nearby.

The Afrotropical Realm loop contains another desert themed exhibit near the Sahel section. In this simulated Namib/Kalahari habitat gemsbok, springbok, steenbok, and mountain zebras roam freely. In the front of this exhibit there is a meerkat habitat. The meerkats are visible underground as well. A pond with a small aviary for great white pelicans is next to the meerkats. The last exhibit in the desert area contains an unlikely desert species; the black-footed penguin. This exhibit is a rocky coastline similar to the Skeleton Coast of Namibia.

Finally, the visitor gets another view of the Sahel exhibit before looping back to the Sahara exhibit and seeing more of the Palearctic Realm (or taking a fork in the path to visit the Indomalayan Realm.

So much for keeping this simple huh?

Up next: Indomalayan Realm.
Click to expand...
The antelope and lemur collection is impressive.
 
CrashMegaraptor said:
Looks interesting, but I think you accidentally put a fossa in the lemur walkthrough. That'll certainly cut the numbers down.
Click to expand...
I guess that wasn't clear. I didn't intend for the fossil to be in with the lemurs or even in a walk through. It was meant to be separate.
 
elefante said:
I guess that wasn't clear. I didn't intend for the fossil to be in with the lemurs or even in a walk through. It was meant to be separate.
Click to expand...

No, I see you have the fossa in a separate exhibit, but then you mention fossa again in the lemur walkthrough.

"The Madagascar exhibit begins with a netted enclosure with fossas. Two exhibits near the fossas, resembling dry woodlands house radiated and spider tortoises. A series of well-planted walk through exhibits with ring-tailed lemur, fossa, black and white ruffed lemur, red ruffed lemur, red fronted lemur, mongoose lemur, crowned lemur, and Coquerel’s sifaka illustrates the unique life of lemurs on this island."
 
CrashMegaraptor said:
No, I see you have the fossa in a separate exhibit, but then you mention fossa again in the lemur walkthrough.

"The Madagascar exhibit begins with a netted enclosure with fossas. Two exhibits near the fossas, resembling dry woodlands house radiated and spider tortoises. A series of well-planted walk through exhibits with ring-tailed lemur, fossa, black and white ruffed lemur, red ruffed lemur, red fronted lemur, mongoose lemur, crowned lemur, and Coquerel’s sifaka illustrates the unique life of lemurs on this island."
Click to expand...
Wierd. Too late to edit, but no, I wouldn't add a well-fed fossil. Apparently I need to proofread better.
 
Here's a little suggetion. How about you put the names of animals in bold, so it's easier to read?
 
Indomalayan Realm

The final exhibit complex to branch off of the Palearctic Realm is the Indomalayan Realm. This begins in the Himalaya section of the Palearctic Realm. The previously mentioned snow leopards, red pandas, and markhors are visible from this area as well, thus illustrating their presence in both realms. White-eared pheasants, blue-eared pheasants, brown-eared pheasants, and impeyan pheasants inhabit this side of the mountain-themed exhibit. A central area dedicated to predators from this part of the world is located within what is a hook-shaped exhibit complex. Three rotational exhibits for dhole, Malayan tiger, and clouded leopard are present. Each of these is forested and has numerous hills to enable to species to look into the prey exhibits.


The first section of the hook below what resembles the Himalayan foothills is dedicated to giants of the Indomalayan realm. These are three separate, forested paddocks with ample water (that have the appearance of one) housing Indian rhinos, a small bachelor herd of Asian elephants, and gaur. An aviary containing the world’s tallest flying bird, the saurus crane is also present. Signage indicates there are other critically endangered rhinos not found in captivity; the Javan and Sumatran. A second aviary resembling a forested, marshy area is up next and can be entered by the visitor. Blue peafowl, red jungle fowl, greater flamingo, Indian spot-billed duck, Indian pygmy geese, and demoiselle cranes inhabit this section. The visitor then sees a sprawling paddock with light forest cover dedicated to wildlife of India. Blackbuck, axis deer, barsinga, sambar deer, water buffalo, and nilgai freely roam this area. Sloth bears are present as well in a cleverly moated exhibit. After walking the length of this exhibit (with several viewing areas) the visitor sees an aviary with gray jungle fowl. This is the entrance to a reptile exhibit. A hall of terrariums contains Indian cobras, monocle cobras, Indian pythons, common kraits, saw-scaled vipers, Russell’s vipers, Indian uromastyx,and star tortoises. Gharials are present in a spacious water-filled exhibit with plenty of land. They have access to an outdoor area most of the time.


The bottom part of the hook-shaped complex contains species native to Southeast Asia. A series of moated enclosures with trees and other high climbing structures is a rotational tree filled exhibit with northern white-cheeked gibbons, lar gibbons, and Francois’ langurs. These primates are able to traverse over the visitors’ heads on ropes (except during rainy or windy days). The primates are also able to enter an exhibit with lowland anoa that is spacious and forested. The anoas and primates cannot approach each other and are separated by hidden moats. Adjacent to the anoa exhibit are similar paddocks for Malayan tapirs and greater mouse deer. A building is up next and an enclosure for fishing cats (with underwater viewing) is here. The building is a climate controlled aviary/reptile exhibit with free-flying white-winged wood ducks, great argus pheasants, Edwards’ pheasants, and crested wood partridges. Ponds are present throughout that contain temple turtles, painted terrapins, four-eyed turtles, Malaysian giant turtles, Vietnamese pond turtles, southern Vietnamese box turtles, and Indochinese box turtles. Two large terrariums with Burmese pythons and king cobras are also present. Finally, this exhibit ends with an indoor/outdoor enclosure for Siamese crocodiles.


The last part of the Indomalayan Realm is an exhibit dedicated to Indonesian species. This also serves as a transition to the Australiasian Realm section. The iconic Komodo dragon is the first resident. This spacious exhibit has an indoor and outdoor component in case the weather is cold. There is ample glass present to allow unimpeded viewing. A babirusa exhibit is next. After viewing this bizarre hog species the visitor enters another building. This is an aviary with free-flying, green jungle fowl, Bali mynas, beautiful fruit doves, pink-necked fruit doves, black-naped fruit doves, and Jambu fruit doves. A pond with Roti island snake-necked turtles and Sulawesi forest turtles leads to a small nocturnal exhibit. Reticulated pythons are housed in a massive terrarium along with small flying fox bats. After exiting this exhibit, the visitor sees a similar series of ropes, trees, and climbing structures as the Southeast Asia section. This one contains Sumatran orangutans, silvery langurs, and siamangs and is identical in design. The final exhibit in the Indonesia section is two small forested paddocks; one for binturong and one with much more water (and underwater viewing) for Asian small-clawed otters.


The visitor is then on their way to the Australiasian Realm. However, I’m going to backtrack a bit and design a Neotropical Realm as I found a spot for that one.

Stay tuned for the Neotropical Realm.
 
elefante said:
Indomalayan Realm

The final exhibit complex to branch off of the Palearctic Realm is the Indomalayan Realm. This begins in the Himalaya section of the Palearctic Realm. The previously mentioned snow leopards, red pandas, and markhors are visible from this area as well, thus illustrating their presence in both realms. White-eared pheasants, blue-eared pheasants, brown-eared pheasants, and impeyan pheasants inhabit this side of the mountain-themed exhibit. A central area dedicated to predators from this part of the world is located within what is a hook-shaped exhibit complex. Three rotational exhibits for dhole, Malayan tiger, and clouded leopard are present. Each of these is forested and has numerous hills to enable to species to look into the prey exhibits.


The first section of the hook below what resembles the Himalayan foothills is dedicated to giants of the Indomalayan realm. These are three separate, forested paddocks with ample water (that have the appearance of one) housing Indian rhinos, a small bachelor herd of Asian elephants, and gaur. An aviary containing the world’s tallest flying bird, the saurus crane is also present. Signage indicates there are other critically endangered rhinos not found in captivity; the Javan and Sumatran. A second aviary resembling a forested, marshy area is up next and can be entered by the visitor. Blue peafowl, red jungle fowl, greater flamingo, Indian spot-billed duck, Indian pygmy geese, and demoiselle cranes inhabit this section. The visitor then sees a sprawling paddock with light forest cover dedicated to wildlife of India. Blackbuck, axis deer, barsinga, sambar deer, water buffalo, and nilgai freely roam this area. Sloth bears are present as well in a cleverly moated exhibit. After walking the length of this exhibit (with several viewing areas) the visitor sees an aviary with gray jungle fowl. This is the entrance to a reptile exhibit. A hall of terrariums contains Indian cobras, monocle cobras, Indian pythons, common kraits, saw-scaled vipers, Russell’s vipers, Indian uromastyx,and star tortoises. Gharials are present in a spacious water-filled exhibit with plenty of land. They have access to an outdoor area most of the time.


The bottom part of the hook-shaped complex contains species native to Southeast Asia. A series of moated enclosures with trees and other high climbing structures is a rotational tree filled exhibit with northern white-cheeked gibbons, lar gibbons, and Francois’ langurs. These primates are able to traverse over the visitors’ heads on ropes (except during rainy or windy days). The primates are also able to enter an exhibit with lowland anoa that is spacious and forested. The anoas and primates cannot approach each other and are separated by hidden moats. Adjacent to the anoa exhibit are similar paddocks for Malayan tapirs and greater mouse deer. A building is up next and an enclosure for fishing cats (with underwater viewing) is here. The building is a climate controlled aviary/reptile exhibit with free-flying white-winged wood ducks, great argus pheasants, Edwards’ pheasants, and crested wood partridges. Ponds are present throughout that contain temple turtles, painted terrapins, four-eyed turtles, Malaysian giant turtles, Vietnamese pond turtles, southern Vietnamese box turtles, and Indochinese box turtles. Two large terrariums with Burmese pythons and king cobras are also present. Finally, this exhibit ends with an indoor/outdoor enclosure for Siamese crocodiles.


The last part of the Indomalayan Realm is an exhibit dedicated to Indonesian species. This also serves as a transition to the Australiasian Realm section. The iconic Komodo dragon is the first resident. This spacious exhibit has an indoor and outdoor component in case the weather is cold. There is ample glass present to allow unimpeded viewing. A babirusa exhibit is next. After viewing this bizarre hog species the visitor enters another building. This is an aviary with free-flying, green jungle fowl, Bali mynas, beautiful fruit doves, pink-necked fruit doves, black-naped fruit doves, and Jambu fruit doves. A pond with Roti island snake-necked turtles and Sulawesi forest turtles leads to a small nocturnal exhibit. Reticulated pythons are housed in a massive terrarium along with small flying fox bats. After exiting this exhibit, the visitor sees a similar series of ropes, trees, and climbing structures as the Southeast Asia section. This one contains Sumatran orangutans, silvery langurs, and siamangs and is identical in design. The final exhibit in the Indonesia section is two small forested paddocks; one for binturong and one with much more water (and underwater viewing) for Asian small-clawed otters.


The visitor is then on their way to the Australiasian Realm. However, I’m going to backtrack a bit and design a Neotropical Realm as I found a spot for that one.

Stay tuned for the Neotropical Realm.
Click to expand...
Amazing zone. I would like to visit it !
A map of all these zones would be good too.
 
Just properly read this thread for the first time and love it! I planned a similar fantasy zoo based on zoogeographical realms earlier this year, though much less realistic than yours! Any chance this thread will continue at some point?
 
Osedax said:
Just properly read this thread for the first time and love it! I planned a similar fantasy zoo based on zoogeographical realms earlier this year, though much less realistic than yours! Any chance this thread will continue at some point?
Click to expand...
My goal is to get back to it this week. I had a Neotropical area finished but then lost everything I'd typed.
 
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