This thread was inspired by @tigris115 thread about reimagining the Bronx Zoo, and it made me want to do a post about my favorite zoo (which doesn't seem to popular on here), but anyways, here's some changes I'd like to see, or if I had the ability, make myself for DAK. Anyone can comment, whether they agree, disagree, or want to add their input on the park.
Make some way for at least one of the Kilimanjaro Safari's savannas to be viewable on foot. For those that haven't been, the park has a very immersive and amazing safari ride where you view popular African wildlife like elephants, lions, hyenas, etc. However, the only way to see those animals is if you get on the ride, and other than early in the morning or before closing, the wait to get on lasts hours. I would love if maybe there was a pathway made on the gorilla trail that flows with the theming that allows guests to see into the safari, likely the first savanna yard where the eland, sable antelope, Hartmann's mountain zebras, etc reside.
Add another great ape species, preferably orangutans on the jungle trek in the Asia section, as this would add some more primate diversity and could represent a popular Disney character, King Louie from The Jungle Book.
Bring bears to the park. As much as I would love some kind of brown bear, since I have never seen any kind of brown bear and it could bring attention to one of Disney's greatest yet most underrated films, Brother Bear, the Florida climate would be a bit harsh for them, and black bears are way common in US zoos, so maybe sun or sloth bears could work, likely sloth since they could also represent another Jungle Book character, Baloo.
More canid species. Apparently, there's a fennec fox that's an ambassador, so other than possibly seeing it at the right time, all they have representing canids are their African wild dogs. I think bat-eared foxes could thrive well in this park, or if there were more available in the US, bush dogs. Perhaps red wolves would suit them since the species was once in Florida and could use more help.
Tear down the dinosaur carnival section and retheme it to South America. Either move the giant anteater from Oasis there or add another anteater species like a tamandua. This would also be the perfect opportunity to bring more cats into the park like jaguars or ocelots, as well as some more reptiles considering the Amazon has some impressive species like the green anaconda or a caiman of some sort.
Speaking of the dino section, keep the area that fits the more "educational" theme. For those who've been, you may know what I mean. This section already includes a fossil digging area, a few live animals like an American crocodile, storks, and tortoise, and the Dinosaur ride. However, maybe add a large saltwater tank or touch tank featuring ancient species like smaller sharks (bonnethead, bamboo), rays, and horseshoe crabs.
Get some venomous snakes. Of the few snakes the park does have that I've seen, none are venomous. A king cobra or another Asian cobra species could easily fit in the jungle trek, and a gaboon viper or puff adder in the research building on the gorilla trail. Some smaller venomous snakes like a coral snake, pygmy rattlesnake, or another native pit viper species could go well in the Conservation Station at Rafiki's Planet Watch.
Get lemurs again. If I remember correctly, someone on here who visited the park not too long ago shared that all of the lemurs passed away, or maybe it was just all of the ring-tailed lemurs. Either way, they could bring in some younger ring-taileds and mix them in with younger individuals of another species, perhaps blue-eyed black lemurs.
Add some Himalayan species near the Everest coaster, obviously not too close as to not stress the animals, but separate from the jungle trek since that trail represents more tropical species. In the Himalayan area, they can add markhor, red pandas, musk deer, etc. I'm not too sure how these animals would fare in Florida, so feel free to let me know if this could work.
Speaking of deer, I believe the park is down to one Eld's deer, who is also very old. A while after she passes, they could either bring in some young Eld's deer, or another small group of an Asian deer like Indian hog deer or barasingha.
This is all I could think of. If I can think of anything else I'll add it.
Make some way for at least one of the Kilimanjaro Safari's savannas to be viewable on foot. For those that haven't been, the park has a very immersive and amazing safari ride where you view popular African wildlife like elephants, lions, hyenas, etc. However, the only way to see those animals is if you get on the ride, and other than early in the morning or before closing, the wait to get on lasts hours. I would love if maybe there was a pathway made on the gorilla trail that flows with the theming that allows guests to see into the safari, likely the first savanna yard where the eland, sable antelope, Hartmann's mountain zebras, etc reside.
Add another great ape species, preferably orangutans on the jungle trek in the Asia section, as this would add some more primate diversity and could represent a popular Disney character, King Louie from The Jungle Book.
Bring bears to the park. As much as I would love some kind of brown bear, since I have never seen any kind of brown bear and it could bring attention to one of Disney's greatest yet most underrated films, Brother Bear, the Florida climate would be a bit harsh for them, and black bears are way common in US zoos, so maybe sun or sloth bears could work, likely sloth since they could also represent another Jungle Book character, Baloo.
More canid species. Apparently, there's a fennec fox that's an ambassador, so other than possibly seeing it at the right time, all they have representing canids are their African wild dogs. I think bat-eared foxes could thrive well in this park, or if there were more available in the US, bush dogs. Perhaps red wolves would suit them since the species was once in Florida and could use more help.
Tear down the dinosaur carnival section and retheme it to South America. Either move the giant anteater from Oasis there or add another anteater species like a tamandua. This would also be the perfect opportunity to bring more cats into the park like jaguars or ocelots, as well as some more reptiles considering the Amazon has some impressive species like the green anaconda or a caiman of some sort.
Speaking of the dino section, keep the area that fits the more "educational" theme. For those who've been, you may know what I mean. This section already includes a fossil digging area, a few live animals like an American crocodile, storks, and tortoise, and the Dinosaur ride. However, maybe add a large saltwater tank or touch tank featuring ancient species like smaller sharks (bonnethead, bamboo), rays, and horseshoe crabs.
Get some venomous snakes. Of the few snakes the park does have that I've seen, none are venomous. A king cobra or another Asian cobra species could easily fit in the jungle trek, and a gaboon viper or puff adder in the research building on the gorilla trail. Some smaller venomous snakes like a coral snake, pygmy rattlesnake, or another native pit viper species could go well in the Conservation Station at Rafiki's Planet Watch.
Get lemurs again. If I remember correctly, someone on here who visited the park not too long ago shared that all of the lemurs passed away, or maybe it was just all of the ring-tailed lemurs. Either way, they could bring in some younger ring-taileds and mix them in with younger individuals of another species, perhaps blue-eyed black lemurs.
Add some Himalayan species near the Everest coaster, obviously not too close as to not stress the animals, but separate from the jungle trek since that trail represents more tropical species. In the Himalayan area, they can add markhor, red pandas, musk deer, etc. I'm not too sure how these animals would fare in Florida, so feel free to let me know if this could work.
Speaking of deer, I believe the park is down to one Eld's deer, who is also very old. A while after she passes, they could either bring in some young Eld's deer, or another small group of an Asian deer like Indian hog deer or barasingha.
This is all I could think of. If I can think of anything else I'll add it.
