Describe your dream zoo (with budget constraints)
- Thread starter CGSwans
- Start date
unless they were constructed cheaply I would not imagine so -
"describe your dream zoo with budget constraints"
taun
Well-Known Member
unless they were constructed cheaply I would not imagine so -
"describe your dream zoo with budget constraints"
But it is still wide open, a billionaire would have different budget constraints to a millionaire. The thread needs more detail adding, however who's to say you couldn't have Giant pandas in a simple cage as eveyone would have different opinions on how much it would cost!
Very true, I never thought of that. perhaps the thread ought to have more guidlines
The concept is not to assume you're a billionaire. Let's say that, at most, you have a couple of million dollars/pounds/euros in capital per year with which to build your zoo. Enough to make a zoo a plausible operation, but not enough to make it easy.
No, Kingdoms of the Night or Lied Jungle would not be within the concept of this thread anymore than a Congo Gorilla Forest or Arctic Ring of Life would be. I said that a 'nocturnal house' would be counted as one exhibit because the capital required for an *average* nocturnal house is close to that required for a large single-species exhibit. With the exception of stock-standard nocturnal and reptile houses, a multi-species exhibit is only permissable if the animals actually share the same living space.
Basically, the concept is to see zoo visions that people on this forum could imagine being able to build, over, let's say, a period of 20 years. The figure of 30 exhibits is arbitrary but about right, on the basis of an expansion of about 1-2 exhibits per year (or a starting collection with 10 exhibits and then a new one opening each year, if you prefer to count it that way).
Meaghan Edwards
Well-Known Member
If I had a zoo with budget constraints . . .
Wilds of Canada:
Species included would be Grey Wolf, Raccoon, Coyote, Black Bear, Great-horned Owl, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Grey Fox, Red Fox, White-tailed Deer, River Otter and Beaver. Areas of forest fenced off (with enrichments such as honey filled logs for bears for example) can make a more than suitable exhibit for these native animals, with plexiglass viewing windows. There would be a pond to attract local birds and other wildlife. These native animals would be readily obtainable through rehab centers and "problem" animals which would otherwise be destroyed.
Later on I would slowly progress with more exotic species, which may include:
Heart of Africa:
Species included would be African Lion, African Leopard (these cats being able to rotate exhibits), African Wild Dog, mixed herds featuring Zebra/Wildebeest/Thomson's Gazelle, Giraffe/Ostrich/Kudu.
Amur Woods:
Boardwalk going over Amur Tiger, European Wild Boar/Musk Deer, Lynx, Amur Leopard.
South American Plains with Mara, Rhea. Maybe a walk through exhibit? Maned Wolves nearby.
Wilds of Canada:
Species included would be Grey Wolf, Raccoon, Coyote, Black Bear, Great-horned Owl, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Grey Fox, Red Fox, White-tailed Deer, River Otter and Beaver. Areas of forest fenced off (with enrichments such as honey filled logs for bears for example) can make a more than suitable exhibit for these native animals, with plexiglass viewing windows. There would be a pond to attract local birds and other wildlife. These native animals would be readily obtainable through rehab centers and "problem" animals which would otherwise be destroyed.
Later on I would slowly progress with more exotic species, which may include:
Heart of Africa:
Species included would be African Lion, African Leopard (these cats being able to rotate exhibits), African Wild Dog, mixed herds featuring Zebra/Wildebeest/Thomson's Gazelle, Giraffe/Ostrich/Kudu.
Amur Woods:
Boardwalk going over Amur Tiger, European Wild Boar/Musk Deer, Lynx, Amur Leopard.
South American Plains with Mara, Rhea. Maybe a walk through exhibit? Maned Wolves nearby.
EvilKittie
Well-Known Member
My zoo would be set-up into 3 main areas, Savannah, Wetlands, Farm
the savannah region would be made up by 3 sections, one holding a pride of African Lions, another holding a mixture of small hoof stock such as Dik-Diks, Lesser Kudu, Red Lewche and Black buck, the final enclosure will hold a herb of Grevy's Zebra.
i would start off in the wetland zone with a main aviary but these have solid side but a meshed top, it would hold Chilean Flamingos with a family of Capybaras. Further along I would have another aviary a full mesh avariy holding Greater Flamingo with Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Little Blue Heron and Cattle Egrets, this aviary will be called "Wetlands of the Caribbean". This and along with other small avairies holding birds
In the farm area, it would be setup like a farmyard holding Kune-Kune Pigs, Pygmy Goats, Alpacas and Cameroon sheep, with a contact paddock, which will have guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens and a goat in.
the savannah region would be made up by 3 sections, one holding a pride of African Lions, another holding a mixture of small hoof stock such as Dik-Diks, Lesser Kudu, Red Lewche and Black buck, the final enclosure will hold a herb of Grevy's Zebra.
i would start off in the wetland zone with a main aviary but these have solid side but a meshed top, it would hold Chilean Flamingos with a family of Capybaras. Further along I would have another aviary a full mesh avariy holding Greater Flamingo with Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Little Blue Heron and Cattle Egrets, this aviary will be called "Wetlands of the Caribbean". This and along with other small avairies holding birds
In the farm area, it would be setup like a farmyard holding Kune-Kune Pigs, Pygmy Goats, Alpacas and Cameroon sheep, with a contact paddock, which will have guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens and a goat in.
I would love to have a bird park. I love Ratites, so I would have all species of ratites including Ostrich, emu, Rheas (greater and darwin), Cassowaries (Both subspecies of dwarfs, both subspecies of single wattled, and double wattled with possibly a few subspecies), Kiwi's (possibly a few different species), and a few types of Tinamou. Besides ratites, I would love some rarer species of guineafowl, curassows, ocellated turkey's, screamers, pheasants, peafowl, toucans, hornbill's (including ground). and my list could go on and on, so i'll end there.
Take the animal collection from San Diego and Berlin, add in the brilliant exhibits from the Bronx and Woodland Park, stir in an Aussie flavour with Taronga, immerse a little of Disney's Animal Kingdom (and make Kilimanjaro Safaris an hour-long ride), and then double the size of Leipzig's Pongoland and you'd have one heck of a zoo!
you forgot some things,
- a south east asian taste with singapore
-the atmosphere and happy animals of the aspinall parks
- The funds of disney
- And a Perth zoo flavor aswell, cos we must have numbats
and then you have one hack of a zoo
mweb08
Well-Known Member
I'll give it a go, however I'm going to cheat on the species list, money spent, and probably on the mixed species, at least in terms of them being proven, I don't think any will be crazy though. So sorry about that. I will stick to the 30 part.
India!:
1. Mixed species: Asian Elephant(1.5)/Black Buck(4.4)/Hog Deer(4.6)/Axis Deer(3.5)/Swamp Deer(3.3)/Sambar Deer(3.5).
3 connected enclosures, main one 4 acres with large pool, river, marsh area, forested area. Second enclosure 2 acres for elephants with basic elephant house in between both enclosures, hidden by trees and vines, large pool, decent amount of trees. Third enclosure for deers, 1.5 acres, river continues into this exhibit. Basic dirt trail(throughout India except himalaya area which will have stone path) to on one side of this exhibit with a couple of elevated viewpoints, including one that goes far into the exhibit.
2. Mixed Species: Indian Rhino(1.2)/Gaur(2.4)/Nilgai(3.3)/Barking Deer(4.6)/Indian Wild Boar(1.2).
2 connected enclosures, main one being 3 acres with decent size pool, small river which goes from elephants exhibit to the pool, mud area, decent amount of trees. Other enclosure is 1.5 acres with decent amount of trees.
3. Bengal Tiger(1.1): 2 enclosures with both being 1.5 acres and the ability to combine them. Small waterfall in one exhibit which leads to stream through exhibit which carries into other enclosure. Tiger can view rhino mixed species exhibit from top of waterfall. Both enclosure lush with trees and foliage. Glass and open viewing in enclosure with waterfall, mesh fence in other.
4. Indian Leopard(1.!): 2 enclosures with both being 1 acre with ability to combine them. One mesh enclosure with lots of trees for climbing/shade, second with glass and open viewing with plenty of trees and lots of plants, small stream.
5. Mixed Species: Lion Tailed(3.3) and Long Tailed Macaque(3.3). .8 acre, lots of trees, heavily planted. Glass and open viewing.
6. Mixed Species: Hoolock Gibbon(2.2) and Hanuman Langur(3.3). .8 acre, lots of trees, heavily planted. Glass and open viewing.
7. Mixed species: Indian Flying Fox(4.4)/Indian Pangolin(1.1)/Indian Crested Porcupine. .3 acre, indoors, reverse day and night, glass and harp wire viewing. Lots of trees.
8. Asiatic Lion(2.3): Two enclosures, both at 1.5 acres. Forested. Glass, open, and mesh viewing.
9. Dhole(3.3): 1 acre. Forested. Glass and open viewing.
10. Reptile exhibit with more space than most reptile exhibits:
Gharial(1.1) with underwater viewing. Indian Water Monitor, Bengal Monitor, Indian rock python with underwater viewing, Reticulated python with under water viewing, King Cobra, Southern Flying Lizard, Fan-throated lizard, Rhoux forest lizard, Indian chameleon, and turtle exhibits with Asian leaf turtle, Cochin forest cane turtle, Crowned river turtle, Indian roofed turtle, Indian eyed turtle, Narrow-headed softshell turtle, Indian flapshell turtle, Indian peacock softshell turtle. Plus various other snakes and lizards.
11. Indian Striped Hyena(3.2): Two enclosures that can be combined into one, total 1.2 acres. Glass and open viewing.
12. Gee's Golden Langur(2.2): .4 acre, mesh enclosure with glass viewing section, high trees.
13. Sloth Bear(1.1): Two enclosures that can be combined into one, total 1.5 acres. Trees for climbing, stream and small pool. Glass and open viewing.
14. Himalayan Wolf(2.3): 1 acre, open and glass viewing. Rocky and hilly enclosure with decent amount of trees and a stream.
15. Snow Leopard(1.1): Two enclosures that can be combined, 1 acre each, very hilly and rocky with some trees. Glass and open viewing.
16. Red Panda(1.1) Two enclosures that can be combined, .3 acre. Lots of trees and heavily planted. Glass and open viewing.
Heart of Borneo(Rain forest and conservation theme):
17. Mixed species with Bornean Orangutan(1.4) and Agile Gibbon(2.2): 1.5 acres with lots of trees for climbing, rain forest look to exhibit. Glass and open viewing.
18. Mixed species with Proboscis monkey(2.2)/Maroon Langur(2.2)/Pig Tailed Macaque(2.2): .6 acres with glass and mesh viewing, otherwise same as above.
19. Sun Bear(1.1): Two exhibits that can be combined, 1.5 acres total. Lots of trees and well planted. Glass and open viewing.
Gabon(remote jungle theme):
20. Western Lowland Gorilla(1.4): Two exhibits that can be combined, main one being 2 acres, other being 1 acre. Lots of full grown trees and plants with a forest clearing where a stream. Glass and open viewing.
21. Chimpanzee(2.4): 2 acres, otherwise similar to above.
22. Mixed species with Hippo(1.1)/Sitatunga(2.4)/Forest Buffalo(1.2)/Red River Hog(1.1): Two enclosures that can be combined, first being 1 acre, other being .75 acre. Underwater viewing, stream leads to pool. Muddy area as well. Open viewing as well.
23. Mixed species with Mandrill(1.2) and Black Colobus monkey(2.3): .6 acre, mesh and glass viewing. Lots of trees and plants.
Everglades(elevated boardwalk pathway):
24. American Alligator(4.6): Large water area with basking spots, with boardwalk going over water, underwater viewing as well at end of exhibit. 1.5 acres. Turtles and fish also in water. Small reptile section on opposite side of underwater viewing.
25. Florida Panther(1.1): 1 acre, wetlands. Glass and open viewing.
Yellowstone:
26. Mixed species with Bison(4.7)/Elk(3.7)/Mule Deer(5.5): 3.5 acres with a stream, lots of trees, and plants. Open viewing.
27. Grey wolves(3.5): 3 acres, similar to above but more hilly and some glass viewing too.
28. Grizzly bear(1.1): 2 enclosures that can be combined, 2.5 acres total, pool with underwater viewing, stream leading to pool, fish in stream/pool. Lots of trees and plants. Open viewing as well.
29. Moose(2.4): 1.5 acres, pool with stream leading to it, north pacific rain forest type of habitat.
30. Canadian Lynx(1.1) Two enclosures each .5 acre with lots of trees and plants, some rocks and somewhat hilly terrain.
India!:
1. Mixed species: Asian Elephant(1.5)/Black Buck(4.4)/Hog Deer(4.6)/Axis Deer(3.5)/Swamp Deer(3.3)/Sambar Deer(3.5).
3 connected enclosures, main one 4 acres with large pool, river, marsh area, forested area. Second enclosure 2 acres for elephants with basic elephant house in between both enclosures, hidden by trees and vines, large pool, decent amount of trees. Third enclosure for deers, 1.5 acres, river continues into this exhibit. Basic dirt trail(throughout India except himalaya area which will have stone path) to on one side of this exhibit with a couple of elevated viewpoints, including one that goes far into the exhibit.
2. Mixed Species: Indian Rhino(1.2)/Gaur(2.4)/Nilgai(3.3)/Barking Deer(4.6)/Indian Wild Boar(1.2).
2 connected enclosures, main one being 3 acres with decent size pool, small river which goes from elephants exhibit to the pool, mud area, decent amount of trees. Other enclosure is 1.5 acres with decent amount of trees.
3. Bengal Tiger(1.1): 2 enclosures with both being 1.5 acres and the ability to combine them. Small waterfall in one exhibit which leads to stream through exhibit which carries into other enclosure. Tiger can view rhino mixed species exhibit from top of waterfall. Both enclosure lush with trees and foliage. Glass and open viewing in enclosure with waterfall, mesh fence in other.
4. Indian Leopard(1.!): 2 enclosures with both being 1 acre with ability to combine them. One mesh enclosure with lots of trees for climbing/shade, second with glass and open viewing with plenty of trees and lots of plants, small stream.
5. Mixed Species: Lion Tailed(3.3) and Long Tailed Macaque(3.3). .8 acre, lots of trees, heavily planted. Glass and open viewing.
6. Mixed Species: Hoolock Gibbon(2.2) and Hanuman Langur(3.3). .8 acre, lots of trees, heavily planted. Glass and open viewing.
7. Mixed species: Indian Flying Fox(4.4)/Indian Pangolin(1.1)/Indian Crested Porcupine. .3 acre, indoors, reverse day and night, glass and harp wire viewing. Lots of trees.
8. Asiatic Lion(2.3): Two enclosures, both at 1.5 acres. Forested. Glass, open, and mesh viewing.
9. Dhole(3.3): 1 acre. Forested. Glass and open viewing.
10. Reptile exhibit with more space than most reptile exhibits:
Gharial(1.1) with underwater viewing. Indian Water Monitor, Bengal Monitor, Indian rock python with underwater viewing, Reticulated python with under water viewing, King Cobra, Southern Flying Lizard, Fan-throated lizard, Rhoux forest lizard, Indian chameleon, and turtle exhibits with Asian leaf turtle, Cochin forest cane turtle, Crowned river turtle, Indian roofed turtle, Indian eyed turtle, Narrow-headed softshell turtle, Indian flapshell turtle, Indian peacock softshell turtle. Plus various other snakes and lizards.
11. Indian Striped Hyena(3.2): Two enclosures that can be combined into one, total 1.2 acres. Glass and open viewing.
12. Gee's Golden Langur(2.2): .4 acre, mesh enclosure with glass viewing section, high trees.
13. Sloth Bear(1.1): Two enclosures that can be combined into one, total 1.5 acres. Trees for climbing, stream and small pool. Glass and open viewing.
14. Himalayan Wolf(2.3): 1 acre, open and glass viewing. Rocky and hilly enclosure with decent amount of trees and a stream.
15. Snow Leopard(1.1): Two enclosures that can be combined, 1 acre each, very hilly and rocky with some trees. Glass and open viewing.
16. Red Panda(1.1) Two enclosures that can be combined, .3 acre. Lots of trees and heavily planted. Glass and open viewing.
Heart of Borneo(Rain forest and conservation theme):
17. Mixed species with Bornean Orangutan(1.4) and Agile Gibbon(2.2): 1.5 acres with lots of trees for climbing, rain forest look to exhibit. Glass and open viewing.
18. Mixed species with Proboscis monkey(2.2)/Maroon Langur(2.2)/Pig Tailed Macaque(2.2): .6 acres with glass and mesh viewing, otherwise same as above.
19. Sun Bear(1.1): Two exhibits that can be combined, 1.5 acres total. Lots of trees and well planted. Glass and open viewing.
Gabon(remote jungle theme):
20. Western Lowland Gorilla(1.4): Two exhibits that can be combined, main one being 2 acres, other being 1 acre. Lots of full grown trees and plants with a forest clearing where a stream. Glass and open viewing.
21. Chimpanzee(2.4): 2 acres, otherwise similar to above.
22. Mixed species with Hippo(1.1)/Sitatunga(2.4)/Forest Buffalo(1.2)/Red River Hog(1.1): Two enclosures that can be combined, first being 1 acre, other being .75 acre. Underwater viewing, stream leads to pool. Muddy area as well. Open viewing as well.
23. Mixed species with Mandrill(1.2) and Black Colobus monkey(2.3): .6 acre, mesh and glass viewing. Lots of trees and plants.
Everglades(elevated boardwalk pathway):
24. American Alligator(4.6): Large water area with basking spots, with boardwalk going over water, underwater viewing as well at end of exhibit. 1.5 acres. Turtles and fish also in water. Small reptile section on opposite side of underwater viewing.
25. Florida Panther(1.1): 1 acre, wetlands. Glass and open viewing.
Yellowstone:
26. Mixed species with Bison(4.7)/Elk(3.7)/Mule Deer(5.5): 3.5 acres with a stream, lots of trees, and plants. Open viewing.
27. Grey wolves(3.5): 3 acres, similar to above but more hilly and some glass viewing too.
28. Grizzly bear(1.1): 2 enclosures that can be combined, 2.5 acres total, pool with underwater viewing, stream leading to pool, fish in stream/pool. Lots of trees and plants. Open viewing as well.
29. Moose(2.4): 1.5 acres, pool with stream leading to it, north pacific rain forest type of habitat.
30. Canadian Lynx(1.1) Two enclosures each .5 acre with lots of trees and plants, some rocks and somewhat hilly terrain.
Rethink to my plans.
I've had a rethink about my plans for a zoo and have come up with a very achievable alternative. To start off with it would be a basic one way, circular route with the larger exhibits around the outside and smaller exhibits and a lake on the inside. I've tried to upload a (very basic) map that I made on microsoft paint but was unsuccessful so you'll just have to imagine it. I don't want it to be predominatley native species so it'll be mostly aimed at Aussies who want to see exotic animals but that means I'll have to be based in an area with a high population such as Bendigo or the Shepparton area because it won't get as many tourists as a native park would.
As you enter through the gift shop/cafe/entrance building similiar to Ky Fauna Parks you will come to an exhibit on your right which will contain african species, probably ostrichs and guineafowls to begin with and then barbary sheep and hymadryas baboons later on. (Can ostrichs be mixed with baboons? I highly doubt it so they'll have to be moved out.) And on the left will be a lawn area for picnics, presentations and maybe an outdoor night time cinema area for summer twilight movies. At one end of the lawn will be some aviaries for exotic birds such as macaws and some other parrots.
As you go straight ahead there will be a lake with two islands for birds that will eventually hold monkeys (spider monkeys, lemurs, capuchins etc). Then you'll cross a bridge with alligators eventually being held on the left in an exhibit similiar to this one in the link and views of the monkey islands on the right.
http://www.zoochat.com/597/pittsburgh-zoo-bridge-over-alligator-pool-44004/
After this the path turns right and there is a nocturnal house on the left holding a couple of native species like quolls, pythons, possums, owls and an open topped lizard exhibit. Upon exiting the nocturnal house you can go through a wallaby and emu walk-through that eventually be turned into something more exciting like a lion, tiger or sun bear exhibit when that can be achieved. And as you exit the walk-through you come to a large walk-through aviary on the inside of the path for native birds from mostly the tropics such as brush turkeys, eclectus parrots, fruit doves etc.
After you exit the walk-through aviary you turn right again and come to another mixed ungulate sort of exhibit on the left of the path, this time for Asian species with a water moat. At the start it would probably be water buffalo and sambar deer but I'd like to eventually have banteng and hog deer for their conservation messages. And on the right on the inside of the path would be some small mammal exhibits for wombats, miniature goats, guinea pigs and that sort of thing but eventually this area would be where I'd have an exhibit similiar to but smaller then Chester's miniature monkeys for some marmosets, an otter exhibit similiar to Melbournes exhibit, a red panda exhibit similiar to Melbournes and a meekat exhibit like a smaller version of werribees cafe exhibit. This path would turn right and bring you back to the start past the African exhibit again.
I've had a rethink about my plans for a zoo and have come up with a very achievable alternative. To start off with it would be a basic one way, circular route with the larger exhibits around the outside and smaller exhibits and a lake on the inside. I've tried to upload a (very basic) map that I made on microsoft paint but was unsuccessful so you'll just have to imagine it. I don't want it to be predominatley native species so it'll be mostly aimed at Aussies who want to see exotic animals but that means I'll have to be based in an area with a high population such as Bendigo or the Shepparton area because it won't get as many tourists as a native park would.
As you enter through the gift shop/cafe/entrance building similiar to Ky Fauna Parks you will come to an exhibit on your right which will contain african species, probably ostrichs and guineafowls to begin with and then barbary sheep and hymadryas baboons later on. (Can ostrichs be mixed with baboons? I highly doubt it so they'll have to be moved out.) And on the left will be a lawn area for picnics, presentations and maybe an outdoor night time cinema area for summer twilight movies. At one end of the lawn will be some aviaries for exotic birds such as macaws and some other parrots.
As you go straight ahead there will be a lake with two islands for birds that will eventually hold monkeys (spider monkeys, lemurs, capuchins etc). Then you'll cross a bridge with alligators eventually being held on the left in an exhibit similiar to this one in the link and views of the monkey islands on the right.
http://www.zoochat.com/597/pittsburgh-zoo-bridge-over-alligator-pool-44004/
After this the path turns right and there is a nocturnal house on the left holding a couple of native species like quolls, pythons, possums, owls and an open topped lizard exhibit. Upon exiting the nocturnal house you can go through a wallaby and emu walk-through that eventually be turned into something more exciting like a lion, tiger or sun bear exhibit when that can be achieved. And as you exit the walk-through you come to a large walk-through aviary on the inside of the path for native birds from mostly the tropics such as brush turkeys, eclectus parrots, fruit doves etc.
After you exit the walk-through aviary you turn right again and come to another mixed ungulate sort of exhibit on the left of the path, this time for Asian species with a water moat. At the start it would probably be water buffalo and sambar deer but I'd like to eventually have banteng and hog deer for their conservation messages. And on the right on the inside of the path would be some small mammal exhibits for wombats, miniature goats, guinea pigs and that sort of thing but eventually this area would be where I'd have an exhibit similiar to but smaller then Chester's miniature monkeys for some marmosets, an otter exhibit similiar to Melbournes exhibit, a red panda exhibit similiar to Melbournes and a meekat exhibit like a smaller version of werribees cafe exhibit. This path would turn right and bring you back to the start past the African exhibit again.