Hello all, I am new to the forums so if this is in the wrong place i apologize! I am planning out a zoo currently, set in Maine. I am currently working on the species list and could use some help. Right now i am working on a section based on Bhutanese wildlife, tentatively called "Bhutanese Bluffs." I have done some cursory research and this is what I have so far.
Feel free to suggest any changes possible, I have only researched what species live in Bhutan, everyone here knows way more than me about what are actually held in zoos. I know a little bit, and my goal for this zoo is to have semi-realistic but also rare species. For example, I don't care if this would be the only zoo in North America to hold the species, but I would prefer it to have some sort of presence in zoos/aquariums worldwide. Anyways, here is a rough layout with the species that I currently have listed (all are open to change):
The main entrance is through a large Himalayan-style archway, which leads to a small plaza. The paths branch off from the plaza forming a large loop around a huge, hilly habitat for Bhutan Takin (Budorcas taxicolor whitei). There are several paths branching off to the other exhibits in the area. For the sake of this, we will be taking the path to the right, which gives a view into the takin habitat. After this viewing area, the path curves away from the takin habitat and branches off again.
This path leads to a building (yet to be named, suggestions welcome) which serves as a viewing into the main aviary for the area, as well as featuring some small reptile and amphibian exhibits. The aviary is a large netted structure with a rock wall in the back. Currently I am planning to house Rufous-Necked Hornbill (Aceros nipalensis), Satyr Tragopan (Tragopan satyra), Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis), Yellow-Billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa flavirostris), and Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus) in the aviary. It will have a large stream as a water feature, which leads to a small pond. If you go downstairs in the building, there is an underwater viewing into the pond, where there are Kashmir Catfish (Glyptothorax kashmirensis), Common Snowtrout (Schizothorax richardsonii), and Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora) swimming about. One one wall of the room, there is a paludarium with Emerald Dwarf Rasbora (Boraras maculatus) in the water and Himalayan Toad (Bufo himalayanus) living above the surface. On the adjacent wall, there is a door leading to the reptile hall.
In the reptile room, there will be terrariums for Himalayan Pit Viper (Gloydius himalayanus), Khasi Hills Bent-Toed Gecko (Cyrtodactylus khasiensis), and Sikkim Ground Skink (Scincella reevesii). I am open to adding more species here, as i don't feel like three is enough.
After you exit the building, you rejoin the main path, with another view into the takin habitat, this time across a small pond as a barrier. Continuing on, we get to the viewing building for the Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia). Next along the path is a small aviary for Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops), followed by a larger one for Himalayan Griffon Vulture (Gyps himalayensis). The path then loops back to another viewing area for the takins.
Continuing on, the path branches off to a small area with exhibits for Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) and Assam Macaque (Macaca assamensis). Back on the main path, the last exhibit before returning to the entry plaza is a small hillside habitat for Himalayan Marmot (Marmota himalayana). There is then a large seating area and a few food options overlooking the takin yard, before you descend down a ramp back to the plaza.
Feel free to suggest any changes possible, I have only researched what species live in Bhutan, everyone here knows way more than me about what are actually held in zoos. I know a little bit, and my goal for this zoo is to have semi-realistic but also rare species. For example, I don't care if this would be the only zoo in North America to hold the species, but I would prefer it to have some sort of presence in zoos/aquariums worldwide. Anyways, here is a rough layout with the species that I currently have listed (all are open to change):
The main entrance is through a large Himalayan-style archway, which leads to a small plaza. The paths branch off from the plaza forming a large loop around a huge, hilly habitat for Bhutan Takin (Budorcas taxicolor whitei). There are several paths branching off to the other exhibits in the area. For the sake of this, we will be taking the path to the right, which gives a view into the takin habitat. After this viewing area, the path curves away from the takin habitat and branches off again.
This path leads to a building (yet to be named, suggestions welcome) which serves as a viewing into the main aviary for the area, as well as featuring some small reptile and amphibian exhibits. The aviary is a large netted structure with a rock wall in the back. Currently I am planning to house Rufous-Necked Hornbill (Aceros nipalensis), Satyr Tragopan (Tragopan satyra), Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis), Yellow-Billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa flavirostris), and Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus) in the aviary. It will have a large stream as a water feature, which leads to a small pond. If you go downstairs in the building, there is an underwater viewing into the pond, where there are Kashmir Catfish (Glyptothorax kashmirensis), Common Snowtrout (Schizothorax richardsonii), and Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora) swimming about. One one wall of the room, there is a paludarium with Emerald Dwarf Rasbora (Boraras maculatus) in the water and Himalayan Toad (Bufo himalayanus) living above the surface. On the adjacent wall, there is a door leading to the reptile hall.
In the reptile room, there will be terrariums for Himalayan Pit Viper (Gloydius himalayanus), Khasi Hills Bent-Toed Gecko (Cyrtodactylus khasiensis), and Sikkim Ground Skink (Scincella reevesii). I am open to adding more species here, as i don't feel like three is enough.
After you exit the building, you rejoin the main path, with another view into the takin habitat, this time across a small pond as a barrier. Continuing on, we get to the viewing building for the Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia). Next along the path is a small aviary for Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops), followed by a larger one for Himalayan Griffon Vulture (Gyps himalayensis). The path then loops back to another viewing area for the takins.
Continuing on, the path branches off to a small area with exhibits for Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) and Assam Macaque (Macaca assamensis). Back on the main path, the last exhibit before returning to the entry plaza is a small hillside habitat for Himalayan Marmot (Marmota himalayana). There is then a large seating area and a few food options overlooking the takin yard, before you descend down a ramp back to the plaza.
Last edited:
.
