Neat idea but that would be stinky with all of those penguins. I also agree that any seabird would need to be kept separate from the penguins as they eat the chicks and penguins are horrific parents.
Anyone have any high concept exhibit ideas?
- Thread starter TheMightyOrca
- Start date
I don't know if this is "high concept" enough, but I've been mulling over a South/Central American rainforest exhibit. Similar in nature to the Bronx's Jungle World or Paris' tropical biome it would be a walk through exhibit featuring a small riverine system; at one end a waterfall spilling into a pool, that turns into a river. The river flows throughout the exhibit, but along this river would be a "free-roaming" jaguar habitat. Naturally it wouldn't be completely free roaming, but the idea is to give the illusion that the jaguar(s) could pop up anywhere at anytime; i.e., a branch that overlooks the path you walk on that the cat(s) could perch on. You would appear to be heading right for it, and then veer off at the last possible moment.
There would be a restaurant/viewing platform about three stories up that would overlook the exhibit, and you could see the various parrots and other aviculture in free flight. I haven't sorted out the rest of the species list completely, but I didn't have anything surprising except, maybe, a pair of Spix's macaws.
There would be a restaurant/viewing platform about three stories up that would overlook the exhibit, and you could see the various parrots and other aviculture in free flight. I haven't sorted out the rest of the species list completely, but I didn't have anything surprising except, maybe, a pair of Spix's macaws.
I'm not sure if I quite understand this, are there free flying birds in a dome that has a jaguar in it? Because that's not a very good idea. Also, it will be very hard to keep those Jaguars in their exhibit. For a big cat that is especially good at climbing, surrounding their exhibit with trees is a recipe for disaster.
The birds are indeed free flight, and the jaguar isn't completely free to roam where they want. Just the illusion of it. Mesh could be hidden in the canopy, but that's not the ideal situation.
For example, the exhibit would have a transfer point over the river. Either a fallen tree that's been broken in half, or two dead trees ("fire" damage?) that the cats would use to cross back and forth. They could perch here. Or swim.
Still working out details, but the thrust of the exhibit is to keep it as naturalistic as possible. Not a well-planted cage.
The exhibit would indeed work and indoor Rainforest Jaguar exhibits have been done before, however it's probably a good idea to remove the free flying birds as it just wouldn't work with the jaguars and then you don't need to mesh over the trees maybe just hot wire the odd one just to be safe. The exhibit does sound very nice though and definitely something I'd like to see.
I believe my biggest idea would be a massive 3 hectare aviary over a large East-African savanna themed area containing large exhibits for giraffes with zebra and common eland, hippo with sitatunga and lesser kudu with dikdik. This would mean there are three habitats for the birds to roam into: open plains, woodland savanna and marsh. Birds in here would include large birds like pelicans, flamingos, vultures, storks, spoonbills, ibises, egrets and cranes but also smaller species like hornbills, starling, doves and pigeons, rollers, guineafowl and thick-knee. Most would obviously be huge groups, thinking of like ± 40 pelicans, 200+ flamingos, ±30 vultures, a huge mixed flock of over 300 ibises, egrets and spoonbills, ... you get the idea.
Besides the cost the biggest difficulties would be to have light enough mesh with small enough gaps and to get the birds inside when needed, but this could be learned to most species on command inside a smaller training aviary or something like that.
Besides the cost the biggest difficulties would be to have light enough mesh with small enough gaps and to get the birds inside when needed, but this could be learned to most species on command inside a smaller training aviary or something like that.
I have an African giant aviary idea!
Giraffe Aviary
The exhibit is technically an aviary, which covers 2 hectares, and its height is 15 m.
Inhabitants are Reticulated giraffes(1.3), Blue wildebeest(3.8), Waterbuck(1.5), Impalas(3.11), Crested porcupines(2.2), Warthogs(2.4), Crowned cranes(2.2), Greater flamingoes(23.32), Shepherd herons(Bubulcus ibis, 6.13), Vulture-headed guineafowl(4.5), Striped-necked doves(Columba guinea, 8.13), Black-headed pygmy parrots(2.5) and Coracias garrulus(1.2).
You can see some bush, a lake, a grove, a savannah and a little bit of kopje in the aviary. Birds have distance places: kopje, lake and high trees.There is an elevated visitor path and some feeding places, visitor points around the aviary.
Giraffe Aviary
The exhibit is technically an aviary, which covers 2 hectares, and its height is 15 m.
Inhabitants are Reticulated giraffes(1.3), Blue wildebeest(3.8), Waterbuck(1.5), Impalas(3.11), Crested porcupines(2.2), Warthogs(2.4), Crowned cranes(2.2), Greater flamingoes(23.32), Shepherd herons(Bubulcus ibis, 6.13), Vulture-headed guineafowl(4.5), Striped-necked doves(Columba guinea, 8.13), Black-headed pygmy parrots(2.5) and Coracias garrulus(1.2).
You can see some bush, a lake, a grove, a savannah and a little bit of kopje in the aviary. Birds have distance places: kopje, lake and high trees.There is an elevated visitor path and some feeding places, visitor points around the aviary.
Haliaeetus
Well-Known Member
The first ideas that come in my mind are :
- An enormous (>100 ha) savannah habitat with tens of species : elephants, giraffes, rhinos, hippos, zebras, >10 antelope species, warthogs, hyraxes, aardvarks, aardwolves, jackals, meerkats, monkeys, ostriches, vultures, storks, flamingos, pelicans, guinea fowl, cranes, tortoises, monitors and even crocodiles in a separate pond, practically everything except the large carnivore mammals (that should have separate enclosures of 10-20 ha each). There would be a lodge in the middle of this habitat, where visitors could spend real safaris for several days.
- A polar dome of 5 ha with many (separated) refrigerated habitats for polar bears, walruses, belugas, arctic seals, musk oxen, arctic foxes, puffins...
- A marine dome of 2 ha for pelagic species like rays, sunfish, tunas, sharks, dolphins, barracudas, thousands of sardines... Obviously predators and prey species would be separated.
- A Malagasy trail in a 10-ha mountainous sector with many lemurs (20 to 30 species), 50 endemic bird species, and a greenhouse for free-ranging herps and invertebrates roaming in typical plants from this island.
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BenFoxster
Well-Known Member
Basically Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s recent Kingdoms of Asia exhibit.
Looks like you got your wish, even if it may or may not have been intentional (though they do coincidentally hold lions, meerkats, and warthogs directly next to each other as well over in African Adventure. “Hakuna matata.”
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AndyJ08
Well-Known Member
A rainforest house that’s essentially a giant walk-through, with not only birds, but also capybaras, two-toed sloths, golden lion tamarins, red-rumped agoutis, many-coloured bush anoles, and red-footed tortoises able to walk amongst the guest freely. There would also be a separated river flowing through the exhibit, containing multiple species of Amazonian fish, waterfowl, and a cave section containing vampire bats, venomous snakes, poison dart frogs, and the like. This idea is essentially Dallas World Aquarium, on steroids.
NNM.
Well-Known Member
I believe capybaras can bite.
Walk-through Capybara enclosures certainly exist - at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, for instance (where they are mixed with primates as well as maras and agoutis) - seemingly without issue.
There are a lot of them in Japan. Some even let visitors pet and feed the animals but if my memory serves me right, visitors can either feed the animals using scoops or feed animals long food items such as bamboo leaves that the capybara could “slurp” after the first bite. When I went to Nagasaki Biopark, children before primary school age weren’t allowed to enter and children up to a certain age could only enter under parental supervision. Of course every park had different rules with some allowing petting and others not.
Local_Shark
Well-Known Member
I think my basking shark tank (aka Temperate Ocean Voyager, if you will) would apply for this one lol. It would have to be well over 4 million gallons, and cost well upwards of $250 million USD given that’s what Ocean Voyager cost in 2003-2005. I know investors would likely be unconvinced that basking sharks could draw visitors on the level of whale sharks, but I believe that given time and marketing they absolutely could as a never-before-seen species. I’d also make a point of featuring other large sharks, rays, fish, etc to really present a temperate environment like Georgia does a tropical one, but with more of a pelagic bent (Mola mola/other sunfish, tuna, billfish, etc.). It would certainly take inspiration from large Japanese pelagic tanks, in a similar fashion to Georgia taking inspiration from the Kuroshio Sea at Okinawa among others. I definitely am considering putting out a speculative concept at some point or another for it.
AndyJ08
Well-Known Member
Many American zoos (particularly unaccredited ones) are now offering “animal experiences” that really rake in the money. My local zoo has a “lemur experience”, a “capybara experience”, a “sloth experience”, and even a “tapir experience”. I feel as though it would be interesting to see capybaras in a free, walk-through enclosure.
You would need plenty of staff onsight to prevent visitors from touching, feeding or even trying to steal the animals. The latter actually happened with a red-footed tortoise at Tierpark Berlin.
There are several for me, limited to the Alaska Zoo and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
Some basics would be changes in the exhibits at the Alaska Zoo to improve the viewing of just about every hoofed mammal. I have a couple of ideas about enhancing the existing exhibits with signs detailing Alaska's History through it's wildlife stories from Beringia to the present day. Even something as simple as a couple signs at the Tiger Exhibit detailing a comparison to the Amur Tiger and the Beringia Lion, just to give guests an idea of the great cat that once roamed Alaska. Another sign to show the similarities between the tiger's habitat in far east Asia and the habitat's of south-east Alaska. Another to tell the Korean fable of the Woodcutter, the Tiger, and the Magpie (wild Magpie's often can be seen in the Tiger's enclosure).
I also have a few other exhibit suggestions:
How about an immersive Mammoth Exhibit in the old Elephant House. This exhibit will tell history of elephants in Alaska. The Mammoth of the ancient days and the more recent housing of Annabelle, the Asian Elephant, and Maggie, the African Elephant. Perhaps a life sized replica of a Mammoth could be placed inside Maggie's stall...as if the zoo were displaying the creature. Signs of course and maybe a Mammoth skull and tusks displayed in the house as well. Perhaps a realistic herd of Mammoth's in the outdoor area of Maggie's old enclosure. Of all of my ideas this is perhaps the easiest to put together...although the expense of acquiring Mammoth statues, life-like replicas (think the Bell Museums' Mammoth), and a genuine Mammoth skull with attached tusks are more than I am figuring.
But I know people are not going to the zoo just to read signs.
So how about an exhibit complex that highlights the Alaska Zoo's collection of high latitude/high altitude cold weather domestic animals. The zoo already holds Yak's, Alpaca's, Bactrian Camel's and Reindeer...but misses the opportunity to explain the significance of the animals to the peoples that work with them or the similarities of the regions the animals are most commonly held. Maybe leaning into this concept the Alaska Zoo could acquire Fjord Horses/Icelandic Horses, Highland Cattle, Llamas and a breed of North Atlantic Sheep. Aside from the sheep, the horses, cattle and Llamas can all be found here in Alaska and would be easy for the zoo to acquire. Include the Muskox as a species undergoing semi-domestication in Alaska. Would our average zoo visitor appreciate the opportunity to see these species and breeds?
If we want to stick with just wild animals...lets explore an exhibit on the maritime habitats that boarder the North Pacific Ocean and the contrasts and similarities in the fauna of north-east Asia and north-west North America. Asian animals to display could include (*indicates a species already present at the Alaska Zoo): the Amur Tiger*, Wild Boar, Amur Leopard, Sika Deer, Asiatic Black Bear, Stellar Sea Eagle, and maybe Eurasian Lynx to represent Asia. The Mountain Goat*, Sitka Deer*, Canada Lynx*, Wolverine*, American Black Bear*, River Otter*, Bald Eagle* and maybe the Cougar (to contrast North America's big cat to Asia's) representing North America. Also display animals found on both sides of the Pacific: the Red Fox*, Great Gray Owl*, Golden Eagle*, Peregrine Falcon*, Common Raven*, Moose*, Brown Bear*, Harbor Seal*, Grey Wolf and Wapiti. All of the animals for this exhibit complex can be sourced in North America and as you can see many are already present at the zoo.
Imagine an Alaska Zoo with it's mission simply being the Hi Lat/Hi Alt Domestics and the "Pacific Rim" exhibit complexes. For zoo nerds I think if would a must see...for your average visitor there would be plenty of cool charismatic animals to view, and for your student an interesting and immersive experience. The zoo can keep it's Polar Bears and Arctic Foxes (and the Muskox) in an Arctic Coasts experience. Maybe the Snow Leopards and Coyotes are rehoused at different facilities.
Think of how much greater the zoo could be with a genuine Beringia Exhibit (either added to the zoo as it is...or even better to the re-imagined zoo with its Domestics, Pacific Rim, and Arctic Coasts concepts realized)! The zoo acquired a couple of acres of property to the west. It was once a horse stable....landscape the area into a grassland, with small bunches of willows) and design an exhibit complex housing Przewalski's Horse, Wapiti, Wisent (or more realistically Wood Bison)….and....Lions (preferably Asian...but African would work). Of all the possible exhibits to be added to the Alaska Zoo this concept is my favorite.
Now imagine an Alaska Zoo with those four exhibit complexes...The High Latitude/High Altitude Domestics (with details regarding their wild counterparts included), The Pacific Rim, The Arctic Coast, and Beringia. Done well...tell me that the Alaska Zoo would not become a "must see" among Zoo fans.
For the Alaska Zoo's nearby neighbor the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center...a very doable, "high" concept idea that the facility add horses...Przewalski's Horses being the dream...but Fjord Horses as a reasonable substitute with corresponding signage explaining the recent presence of wild horses in Alaska...here in the great glacial fjord of the Ice Age...and maybe something of the horses return to the region as a domestic and feral animal. The AWCC could pull this off in a year for very little cost...oh and maybe they could add Lions.
Maybe the Alaska Zoo could acquire the Campbell Tract and build the new zoo from the ground up. Let the current Alaska Zoo return to nature but keep the trails intact for the residents of the city to enjoy...although limit it's hours (like the Botanical Garden) and maintain security.
If I had Elon Musk's wealth or his ear...I'd do it all. And I think...it would be awesome.
Some basics would be changes in the exhibits at the Alaska Zoo to improve the viewing of just about every hoofed mammal. I have a couple of ideas about enhancing the existing exhibits with signs detailing Alaska's History through it's wildlife stories from Beringia to the present day. Even something as simple as a couple signs at the Tiger Exhibit detailing a comparison to the Amur Tiger and the Beringia Lion, just to give guests an idea of the great cat that once roamed Alaska. Another sign to show the similarities between the tiger's habitat in far east Asia and the habitat's of south-east Alaska. Another to tell the Korean fable of the Woodcutter, the Tiger, and the Magpie (wild Magpie's often can be seen in the Tiger's enclosure).
I also have a few other exhibit suggestions:
How about an immersive Mammoth Exhibit in the old Elephant House. This exhibit will tell history of elephants in Alaska. The Mammoth of the ancient days and the more recent housing of Annabelle, the Asian Elephant, and Maggie, the African Elephant. Perhaps a life sized replica of a Mammoth could be placed inside Maggie's stall...as if the zoo were displaying the creature. Signs of course and maybe a Mammoth skull and tusks displayed in the house as well. Perhaps a realistic herd of Mammoth's in the outdoor area of Maggie's old enclosure. Of all of my ideas this is perhaps the easiest to put together...although the expense of acquiring Mammoth statues, life-like replicas (think the Bell Museums' Mammoth), and a genuine Mammoth skull with attached tusks are more than I am figuring.
But I know people are not going to the zoo just to read signs.
So how about an exhibit complex that highlights the Alaska Zoo's collection of high latitude/high altitude cold weather domestic animals. The zoo already holds Yak's, Alpaca's, Bactrian Camel's and Reindeer...but misses the opportunity to explain the significance of the animals to the peoples that work with them or the similarities of the regions the animals are most commonly held. Maybe leaning into this concept the Alaska Zoo could acquire Fjord Horses/Icelandic Horses, Highland Cattle, Llamas and a breed of North Atlantic Sheep. Aside from the sheep, the horses, cattle and Llamas can all be found here in Alaska and would be easy for the zoo to acquire. Include the Muskox as a species undergoing semi-domestication in Alaska. Would our average zoo visitor appreciate the opportunity to see these species and breeds?
If we want to stick with just wild animals...lets explore an exhibit on the maritime habitats that boarder the North Pacific Ocean and the contrasts and similarities in the fauna of north-east Asia and north-west North America. Asian animals to display could include (*indicates a species already present at the Alaska Zoo): the Amur Tiger*, Wild Boar, Amur Leopard, Sika Deer, Asiatic Black Bear, Stellar Sea Eagle, and maybe Eurasian Lynx to represent Asia. The Mountain Goat*, Sitka Deer*, Canada Lynx*, Wolverine*, American Black Bear*, River Otter*, Bald Eagle* and maybe the Cougar (to contrast North America's big cat to Asia's) representing North America. Also display animals found on both sides of the Pacific: the Red Fox*, Great Gray Owl*, Golden Eagle*, Peregrine Falcon*, Common Raven*, Moose*, Brown Bear*, Harbor Seal*, Grey Wolf and Wapiti. All of the animals for this exhibit complex can be sourced in North America and as you can see many are already present at the zoo.
Imagine an Alaska Zoo with it's mission simply being the Hi Lat/Hi Alt Domestics and the "Pacific Rim" exhibit complexes. For zoo nerds I think if would a must see...for your average visitor there would be plenty of cool charismatic animals to view, and for your student an interesting and immersive experience. The zoo can keep it's Polar Bears and Arctic Foxes (and the Muskox) in an Arctic Coasts experience. Maybe the Snow Leopards and Coyotes are rehoused at different facilities.
Think of how much greater the zoo could be with a genuine Beringia Exhibit (either added to the zoo as it is...or even better to the re-imagined zoo with its Domestics, Pacific Rim, and Arctic Coasts concepts realized)! The zoo acquired a couple of acres of property to the west. It was once a horse stable....landscape the area into a grassland, with small bunches of willows) and design an exhibit complex housing Przewalski's Horse, Wapiti, Wisent (or more realistically Wood Bison)….and....Lions (preferably Asian...but African would work). Of all the possible exhibits to be added to the Alaska Zoo this concept is my favorite.
Now imagine an Alaska Zoo with those four exhibit complexes...The High Latitude/High Altitude Domestics (with details regarding their wild counterparts included), The Pacific Rim, The Arctic Coast, and Beringia. Done well...tell me that the Alaska Zoo would not become a "must see" among Zoo fans.
For the Alaska Zoo's nearby neighbor the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center...a very doable, "high" concept idea that the facility add horses...Przewalski's Horses being the dream...but Fjord Horses as a reasonable substitute with corresponding signage explaining the recent presence of wild horses in Alaska...here in the great glacial fjord of the Ice Age...and maybe something of the horses return to the region as a domestic and feral animal. The AWCC could pull this off in a year for very little cost...oh and maybe they could add Lions.
Maybe the Alaska Zoo could acquire the Campbell Tract and build the new zoo from the ground up. Let the current Alaska Zoo return to nature but keep the trails intact for the residents of the city to enjoy...although limit it's hours (like the Botanical Garden) and maintain security.
If I had Elon Musk's wealth or his ear...I'd do it all. And I think...it would be awesome.
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AndyJ08
Well-Known Member
That would absolutely be plausible, as there would be a hidden staff lounge within a mock-rock wall, and multiple docents scattered throughout.
Hopefully shaped like a giant vulcanic rock skull, to make it extra-obvious...