My entry is kind of on the long side also.
For this challenge I chose to create an indoor/outdoor exhibit complex focusing on three major areas: Mangroves, Coral Reef, and Northern Waters. This exhibit complex features approximately 585 individual animals of 86 species. It might seem like I went over the number of species we could use but I just chose species which I could use in multiple exhibits. The main exhibit building here can be entered at either end but for this write-up we will run through it entering from the left side.
The first thing visitors see when approaching the Coastal Exhibit Building is the Whale’s Tale Water Play Area. This area features life-size replicas of various cetaceans including a Humpback Whale, an Orca, three Pilot Whales, two Bottlenose Dolphins, and four Commerson’s Dolphins. In addition to giving kids a fun area to cool off educational graphics discuss while whales are in trouble around the globe as well as the beaching phenomenon. Just past the water play area are two exhibits which welcome guests into the courtyard area created by the main exhibit building. A lush wetland habitat is home to a large breeding group of American Flamingos (8.8+offspring). Guests can learn about how flamingos gather food and construct their nests while also learning about the specific type of habitat that they require to thrive. To the left there is a large outdoor touch exhibit which features animals from the Indo-Pacific region. Visitors are instructed by staff on how they can properly touch White-spotted Bamboo Sharks (0.12), Epaulette Sharks (0.6), Leopard Whiprays (0.0.4), and Eastern Fiddler Rays (2.4).
As guests enter the building on the left they are transported into a Bornean mangrove forest, a unique coastal environment. Small gallery exhibits here introduce guests to some of the smaller inhabitants of the mangroves. The L-shaped hallway is designed to resemble a boardwalk through the mangrove forest. Exhibits here are all behind full-wall acrylic panels with replicas of mangroves in the exhibits extending out into the visitor space blocking views of the ceiling overhead. The gallery starts off with two mixed-species exhibits for a group of Banded Archerfish (0.0.6) with a Green Puffer (0.0.1) and a Mangrove Snake (0.0.1) with a pair of Malaysian Black Mud Turtle (1.1). A large corner exhibit features Gold-spotted Mudskippers (0.0.8) and Orange Fiddler Crabs (0.0.6) in an exhibit which replicates the effects of tides on the mangroves. Depending on when visitors pass by this exhibit they might see high levels of water or exposed mud flats. Across the path a large exhibit is home to a Water Monitor (1.0). Here there is also a mixed-species exhibit for Mourning Geckos (3.3) and Crab-eating Frogs (0.0.4), one of the few amphibian species which can tolerate the salinity of the mangroves. Passing through a set of doors visitors still find themselves on the simulated boardwalk pathway but this time in a much larger area. A large exhibit on the left side of the path features some of the larger inhabitants of the Bornean mangrove forest: Proboscis Monkeys (1.3+offspring), Pied Imperial-Pigeons (3.3), a pair of Black-capped Kingfishers (1.1), Malaysian Painted River Turtles (2.2), and Bornean River Turtles (3.3). The monkeys are contained by a large water moat barrier which they also use for swimming. This moat is sunken down several feet from the boardwalk pathway. The birds are encouraged to stay in the exhibit space by keeping the pathway relatively dark. On the right side of the path visitors find another mixed-species exhibit which is meshed over. This exhibit contains a Binturong (1.0), a pair of Prevost’s Squirrel (1.1), and a family group of Oriental Small-clawed Otters (1.1+offspring). Graphics in this area describe the global importance of mangroves as well as the rate at which they are being destroyed.
Leaving the mangrove forests of Borneo through a set of doors visitors find themselves in a large room which features animals from Indo-Pacific coral reefs. Each set of exhibits in this gallery is designed to showcase a different threat to the world’s oceans. Two exhibits to the right focus on reef animals which are commonly overharvested for the pet trade. A smaller tank houses Common Seahorses (3.2), Pajama Cardinalfish (0.0.3), and Slate Pencil Urchin (0.0.3). A larger tank allows children to find Nemo and Dory, housing Ocellaris Clownfish (2.2), Blue Hippo Tangs (0.0.2), Three Stripe Damsels (0.0.3), Orange Spot Prawn Gobies (0.0.2), Banded Coral Shrimp (0.0.4), and a Chocolate Chip Sea Star (0.0.1). Graphics discuss techniques used to harvest reef fish as well as how to be a responsible consumer when purchasing animals for their home aquariums. A set of two exhibits to the left focuses on another issue: introduced species. While Red Lionfish (0.0.5), housed with Foxface Rabbitfish (0.0.3), and White-spotted Jellyfish (0.0.12) might be native to the Indo-Pacific region they are having a disastrous effect on the Atlantic Ocean. Graphics here discuss what an invasive species and the effects of lionfish and jellyfish in the Atlantic as well as the fact that all of these species are venomous. Back on the right side visitors can peer through a window into a behind-the-scenes area known as the Turtle Recovery Center. This area showcases the zoo’s commitment to rehabilitation of injured sea turtles. Large tanks for injured and recovering sea turtles line the front of the window. The individuals here are constantly changing, but for now it features several Green Sea Turtles and two Loggerhead Sea Turtles. Small card slots allow staff to include information specific to the individual sea turtles in each tank, giving visitors a more personal experience which is always changing. Graphics here discuss bycatch and pollution. Another set of exhibits on the left side discusses a final issue: global climate change. The first exhibit showcases a healthy reef system, housing Banggai Cardinalfish (0.0.6), a Flame Angelfish (0.0.1), Green Chromis (0.0.10), and a Green Mandarinfish (0.0.1). The next exhibit features a reef affected by coral bleaching, housing just a few Green Chromis (0.0.3) and a Crown-of-thorns Sea Star (0.0.1). Graphics here discuss the impact of global climate change on coral reefs, coral bleaching, and the effect of the Crown-of-thorns Sea Star in the Indo-Pacific region. The star of this gallery however has to be the enormous tank for various reef species, including a Loggerhead Sea Turtle (0.1), Green Sea Turtles (1.1), a Hawksbill Sea Turtle (1.0), Blacktip Reef Sharks (2.3), Zebra Sharks (1.2), Green Sawfish (1.1), Epaulette Sharks (4.0), Leopard Whiprays (0.0.5), Humphead Wrasse (0.0.3), Longfin Batfish (0.0.8), Golden Trevally (0.0.20), Blue Hippo Tangs (0.0.15), Convict Tangs (0.0.25), and Powder Blue Tangs (0.0.20). Larger inhabitants are contrasted by colorful smaller reef fish. Visitors can peer into this exhibit through multiple viewing windows of different types: large acrylic panel windows, small porthole windows, and finally the largest window of all which features amphitheatre seating. Here visitors are encouraged to sit and absorb the beauty of the Indo-Pacific Reef. Periodically dive shows are conducted in which a staff member talks to SCUBA divers inside the tank, educating visitors about the reef’s inhabitants, the SCUBA equipment, and the importance and fragility of the coral reef ecosystem.
Exiting the building visitors leaving the Indo-Pacific and find themselves along the Pacific coast of North America. Large coniferous trees, rockwork, and the sounds of crashing waves and seabirds set the tone for this area. A large planted mesh aviary features a flighted pair of Bald Eagles (1.1). Diagonally across from this aviary is a coastal exhibit for a trio of Southern Sea Otters (3.0). Continuing on visitors see another large rocky coast exhibit, this time housing California Sea Lions (1.3) and Harbor Seals (0.2). Across the path is an exhibit for a group of rehabilitated Brown Pelicans (0.0.7). Next visitors view the first of the Polar Bear exhibits, this one housing a breeding pair (1.1) in a large exhibit which replicates the tundra habitat with lots of grass, rocks, and water features. In the foreground is an exhibit for Tundra Swans (1.1) and King Eiders (1.2), typical waterfowl found on the tundra. On the right side of the path is another Polar Bear exhibit, housing two females (0.2). This exhibit is much rockier than the first but does still provide areas of dirt and grass so the bears can dig. Throughout this entire outdoor area keeper talks and enrichment demonstrations occur frequently, allowing visitors to ask questions and learn more about the coastal inhabitants of the Pacific coast.
Next visitors re-enter the main building where they can get underwater views of the coastal animals they just saw outside. On the right side visitors first see underwater viewing from the second Polar Bear habitat. A cylindrical tank across from the viewing window houses a school of Pacific Sardines (0.0.50) with graphics discussing overfishing. A large exhibit features northern coastal birds including Tufted Puffins (8.8), Rhinoceros Auklets (5.5), Pigeon Guillemots (4.4), Common Murres (3.3), Black-legged Kittiwakes (0.3), and a Surf Scoter (1.0). Graphics here discuss global climate change and tie into the underwater viewing windows for the polar bear habitat. Moving past the bears visitors can now see into the seal and sea lion pool. Across from this window is a dark exhibit featuring a Giant Pacific Octopus (0.0.1). Sharing a home with the octopus are also Gigantic Metridium Anemones (0.0.8), Leather Sea Stars (0.0.8), Blunt-armed Sea Stars (0.0.12), and Ochre Sea Stars (0.0.6). Moving along visitors can now see into the sea otter pool. A smaller exhibit resembling the underside of a dock appears to be part of the otter pool but is separate. This exhibit contains Giant Green Anemones (0.0.5), Ochre Sea Stars (0.0.8), Purple Sea Urchins (0.0.20), Coralline Sculpin (0.0.3), and Heart Crabs (0.0.3). A mesh-fronted rocky beach habitat features shorebirds from the Pacific coast, including Black-necked Stilts (0.2), a Black Oystercatcher (0.0.1), a Dunlin (0.1), a Ruddy Turnstone (0.1), and Sanderlings (1.2). Graphics here discuss how each of these birds came to the zoo, as each was injured or for some reason cannot be released into the wild. Rounding out this exhibit gallery is a large touch tank showcasing animals from a Pacific tide pool. Staff encourages guests to look for each of the tide pool’s inhabitants as many can be hard to see. Residents of this touch tank include Ochre Sea Stars (0.0.12), Blunt-armed Sea Stars (0.0.15), Leather Sea Stars (0.0.6), Rose Sea Stars (0.0.4), California Sea Cucumbers (0.0.5), Giant Green Anemones (0.0.8), Giant Gumboot Chitons (0.0.3), Black Turban Snails (0.0.8), Black-eyed Hermit Crabs (0.0.10), a Heart Crab (0.0.1), Pacific Spotted Shrimp (0.0.12), Coralline Sculpin (0.0.3), and Crescent Gunnel (0.0.2), all of which are safe to touch. Exiting the building here visitors find themselves in the courtyard area which they started.
Map Key
1. Whale’s Tail Water Play Area
2. American Flamingo
3. Shark & Ray Touch Tank (White-spotted Bamboo Shark/Epaulette Shark/Leopard Whipray/Eastern Fiddler Ray)
4. Banded Archerfish/Green Puffer
5. Mangrove Snake/Malaysian Black Mud Turtle
6. Gold-spotted Mudskipper/Orange Fiddler Crab
7. Water Monitor
8. Mourning Gecko/Crab-eating Frog
9. Proboscis Monkey/Pied Imperial-Pigeon/Black-capped Kingfisher/Malaysian Painted River Turtle/Bornean River Turtle
10. Binturong/Prevost’s Squirrel/Oriental Small-clawed Otter
11. Common Seahorse/Pajama Cardinalfish/Slate Pencil Urchin
12. Ocellaris Clownfish/Blue Hippo Tang/Three Stripe Damsel/Orange Spot Prawn Goby/Banded Coral Shrimp/Chocolate Chip Sea Star
13. Red Lionfish/Foxface Rabbitfish
14. White-spotted Jellyfish
15. Turtle Recovery Center (Green Sea Turtle/Loggerhead Sea Turtle)
16. Banggai Cardinalfish/Flame Angelfish/Green Chromis/Green Mandarinfish
17. Green Chromis/Crown-of-thorns Sea Star
18. Loggerhead Sea Turtle/Green Sea Turtle/Hawksbill Sea Turtle/Blacktip Reef Shark/Zebra Shark/Green Sawfish/Epaulette Shark/Leopard Whipray/Humphead Wrasse/Longfin Batfish/Golden Trevally/Blue Hippo Tang/Convict Tang/Powder Blue Tang
19. Bald Eagle
20. Southern Sea Otter
21. California Sea Lion/Harbor Seal
22. Brown Pelican
23. Polar Bear (Yard I)
24. Tundra Swan/King Eider
25. Polar Bear (Yard II)
26. Pacific Sardine
27. Tufted Puffin/Rhinoceros Auklet/Pigeon Guillemot/Common Murre/Black-legged Kittiwake/Surf Scoter
28. Giant Pacific Octopus/Gigantic Anemone/Leather Sea Star/Blunt-armed Sea Star/Ochre Sea Star
29. Giant Green Anemone/Ochre Sea Star/Purple Sea Urchin/Coralline Sculpin/Heart Crab
30. Black-necked Stilt/Black Oystercatcher/Dunlin/Ruddy Turnstone/Sanderling
31. Ochre Sea Star/Blunt-armed Sea Star/Leather Sea Star/Rose Sea Star/California Sea Cucumber/Giant Green Anemone/Giant Gumboot Chiton/Black Turban Snail/Black-eyed Hermit Crab/Heart Crab/Pacific Spotted Shrimp/Coralline Sculpin/Crescent Gunnel
Totals
Mammals – 8/12
Birds – 18/18
Herps – 10/10
Fish – 30/30
Invert – 20/20