I have a long list here of some improvements I would like to see. I tried to keep it more general as in ways that these can improve and move somewhat toward the master plan concept. The master plan now is outdated for the most part, though. I did use the concepts I really enjoyed, though. I tried to stay away from just animal species I would like to see, because honestly, we could all go on and on about what we want to see until we are blue in the face because we want to see it all, honestly.
My big things are:
-No unsightly chain link fencing.
-Natural substrates
-Natural rockwork
-Make everything look more natural, honestly. It is jarring to see random unnatural things just jumping out at you when the excel at it so much.
Hoofstock Row:
-Relocate all animals on hoofstock row, demolish it and create something new. I have included what I would put there in the sections on Australia and Habitat Africa: The Savannah.
Australia:
-Firstly, where the Bactrian Camel and P Horses are, I would relocate them and that is where I would put the exhibits for Kangaroo, Wallaby and Emu.
-I would like to see the area with the Cape Barren Geese moved to across the path in front of the kangaroo statue. It’s a horrible place for it and it is just a chain link pen. You will notice that I find chain link horrible and I never like to see it anywhere.
-Since the kangaroos, wallabies and emu would be moved in front of the building, remove that section and replace it by extending the building in order to showcase more species from Australia and Oceania. I often find these species are underrepresented in a zoo and, especially in light of the catastrophe they are facing, would be a good opportunity to expand and educate people on those species, such as koalas, cassowary, multiple interesting bird, reptile and amphibian species… Right now, they are spread all over the zoo and it seems as if the current Australia house is lacking and if they consolidated, they could tell a more cohesive narrative of the wildlife of Australia.
Habitat Africa: The Savannah:
-This will link into the Pachyderm House as well, but I love the idea of expanding into the former hoofstock yards and creating a large area for African Elephants. If we ever see them again. If not, this area would be beautiful as a large multispecies savannah.
-I would find a better way to demarcate the moat for the African Wild Dogs. I don’t know whose idea it was for those pavers to be used, but it really takes away from the natural element of the area. I supremely dislike it personally.
-I love that they gave the Klipspringers outdoor access in good weather, but once we get into this area, as well as the Nyala and Red River Hog area, it’s a whole mess of chain link. These should be redone with new fencing. Hopefully something more natural looking and not like those wild dog pavers.
-Relocate the lions over to this area and build them a nice exhibit on some of that unused land.
-I would also enjoy seeing the aardvarks come back.
Habitat Africa: The Kopje:
-Add natural substrate. Those klipspringer exhibits are nothing but bare mock rock throughout.
-Speaking of the klipspringer exhibits, when they are outside due to good weather those exhibits are just completely empty, leaving the main atrium with two large exhibits with nothing in them. Find a species that could work there in the summer months would be helpful.
Habitat Africa: The Forest:
-Get rid of that chain link. OMG. That pen they built for the Red-Flanked Duikers in the warm weather is an eyesore. As are the pens around the other duikers, okapis, red river hogs…They could be replaced with a less offensive alternative or hidden better. They certainly stick out horribly.
-Natural substrates.
-I hear there were mudskippers in this area previously? Not sure what happened there or how they were incorporated but if someone knows I would love to know this.
Pachyderm House:
-Keep the black rhinos. They are doing well there. Also, the pygmy hippo. I would relocate the tapirs and anteaters elsewhere, as well as the tortoises. I will note where in the sections on Reptiles & Birds, Feathers & Scales and The Swamp. This would have been a fun location for a small kopje exhibit for the rock hyrax to display them against their cousins, the elephants, but I hear they are already relocated. It probably wouldn’t be hard to get some back, though.
-Replace the faux rock exterior with something more natural and pleasing to the eye.
-Expand the rhino enclosures out further into the sides of the mall promenade. It is just wasted space.
Great Bear Wilderness:
-I generally enjoy this location. I see that there is a small animal building in the plans that I would have loved to see. Displaying species native to North America such as salamanders, native fish, insect species…
-I would have loved to have seen the planned Raven exhibit near the Bald Eagle exhibit.
The Living Coast:
-What happened here. It is still a beautiful complex, but whatever message it is trying to send is muddled. This was initially supposed to be a South American coastline exhibit. I see they have been aiming more at just filling this with a variety of species from around the world. This is unfortunate, as this location is right in the middle of the South American Marketplace. Theming aside, the intent of this exhibit is muddled.
-Cohesive signage and a redirection back to south American coastal species would be beneficial.
Feathers & Scales:
-I see nothing wrong with this facility at the moment.
Formal Pond:
-I would relocate the white pelicans over to an area for them in Great Bear Wilderness or in Salt Creek Wilderness.
-I would keep the South American idea going on this side of the zoo as much as possible. I would love to see the formal pond rehabbed and to be able to have flamingos displayed there again.
-I would keep the section they created for the tortoises there as well, although, I may move them to a small section in the Nature Pavilion area during the appropriate weather.
Reptiles & Birds:
-I see nothing wrong with this facility at the moment.
Nature Pavilion:
-Aside from adding a seasonal South American tortoise exhibit, I think this area is fine.
The Swamp:
-For a while this area had a really cool South American animal focus until you got to the Illinois section. I would keep the Illinois section as it ties it together nicely, but I would refocus again on South American animals for the main exhibit areas.
Hamill Family Play Zoo:
-Not very familiar with this area, honestly. I have been in it maybe twice.
Tropic World:
-Natural substrates throughout.
-More natural elements throughout.
-Repainting of the entire facility and get rid of the abstract faux rock for something more natural looking.
-Create smaller exhibits along the path for different species (reptiles, amphibians, insects…) related to the continents in question.
-Outdoor exhibits for the primates. Expand into the malls. I always thought the malls were a waste of space. At least the sides of them. You can keep the central path of the mall, but those side areas are just empty. Expand the primates into that area.
Wild Encounters:
-This area is fine.
Former Bear Grottoes:
-This area needs to be redone. I would personally love to see a Himalayan theme to go along with the Asian theme they indicated on the master plan. It can be redone and could house species such as a netted aviary for Himalayan monal, some of the smaller antelope species...Possibly even as one large multispecies Asian mountain exhibit.
Seven Seas Dolphinarium:
-Could use an update visually. It is very 80s-early 90s in there. I would also love to see the tanks expanded for the dolphins as well. Honestly, if there’s to be another renovation anytime soon, a larger tank for them is always welcome with more chances for enrichment.
Pinniped Point:
-I always thought more natural substrate would really improve this area. I am sure that with anything like that, though, there would need to be an overhaul of their filtering system, in case any particles get lodged in there and screw it up.
Clouded Leopard Rainforest:
-I enjoy the idea from the master plan where this area is dedicated to Asian species. This would be a great way to open it up to that, as this is already themed to an Asian rainforest. I really enjoy this exhibit and think it needs no major overhauls.
Big Cats:
-Change the name. I like the idea of keeping the leopard, tiger and snow leopards. I would also keep the sloth bears in this area, possibly in the opposite side with rehabbed bear grottoes. I know dall sheep were kept there for a while, but they could be redone to house the sloth bears. All of those grottoes need a major overhaul, though. I know that they already had one, but they still are outdated for their purposes.
-I enjoy the idea of seeing them expand into this mall as well and adding the Bactrian Camel, P Horses and Takin.
Desert’s Edge:
-With the theme of this area being Asia, I would love to see this area rethemed again. I know when it opened it was a loosely themed general desert concept. I am one who really appreciates zoogeographical layouts. I would love to see this rethemed again as a possible Gobi Desert theme. There are so many interesting animals from that area that would tie this area together beautifully. Housing animals like sand cats and the like. Honestly, with the inclusion of a small mammal house elsewhere in the Habitat Africa area, a lot of these animals can be relocated into that area. The coati and ocelot could move elsewhere. Ocelot can possibly have a nice exhibit in The Swamp if they add some fencing. There would definitely be a lot more climbing opportunities for it. Same with the coati, honestly.
)
. This plan would affect every exhibit in the zoo in one way or another and would likely cost and astronomical amount of money and work in real life. Some of it draws inspiration from the original master plan and some of this overlaps with what some other members have posted above. I went in with the goal to maintain as much of the existing collection as possible and overall I feel it went pretty well. The only major species that would have to be removed would the sloth bears, harbor seals and tapirs (though even the latter two could still be implemented if space is there). I also wanted to add some rarities, but I tried (key word being tried) to keep it realistic. I also altered many of the non animals areas such as entrances, restaurants and plazas.
