how do you define a good exhibit for the animal

Z

zoomania18

Well-Known Member
hi i just wanted to know how do you all define whether the exhibit is good and naturalistic for the animal . is it by the size of the exhibit or other thing ???
 
A good enclosure offers an animal the opportunity to engage in all the natural behaviours that are necessary for its mental and physical well being. For me size isn't the main thing, a smaller enclosure can still provide an animal with all it needs but is probably more labour intensive for the keeper, i.e. an animal that spends a lot of time browsing might get enough opportunity to browse in a larger enclosure but would need browse replenishing regularly in a small one.
 
Size is not the only factor. Some enclosures may be very large but can be bare, with no shade or enrichment.
 
I would like to point out that "good" does not always = naturalistic. A cage (a completley artificial enrionment) can make fantastic exhibits for some species.
 
You will get a lot of answers on this. A lot of the opinion derives on where the person is from. A good exhibit, in my opinion, needs to be a balance between what is good for the animal and what is good for the visitor. If the visitor cannot find the animal no matter how hard they try, then it fails as an exhibit. Conversely, if the animal's needs are not met then it fails as an exhibit. A great exhibit needs to balance both.

For my view, an exhibit that does this is the new Giants of the Savanna exhibit at the Dallas Zoo (I know, I am a little biased here). From the visitors perspective it is a great immersion experience with semi-realistic landscapes and loads of interactive experiences. For the animals it is even better. The size of the exhibits are for the most part huge and varied. There is loads of enrichment and exercise. Even mixed species with hoofstock and elephants which is enriching for the animals and the guests. The animals are always (almost) visible and they are more then happy and there is a ton of stuff for the guests and animals to do. A win-win for everyone.
 
imo , a good exhibit is a exhibit which have a acceptable or large enclosure , and got lot of climbing opportunities , fake rock , stream or waterfall . how do you think
 
zoomania18 said:
imo , a good exhibit is a exhibit which have a acceptable or large enclosure , and got lot of climbing opportunities , fake rock , stream or waterfall . how do you think
Click to expand...

Depends on the animal. I doubt elephants need climbing structures or for that matter manatees, hippos, or belugas. Why is fake rock better than real rock?
 
edit !!! climbing opportunities , fake rock , stream or waterfall + lot of ground foliage and foliage , log that make a exhibit good or epic
 
Why fake rock?

Not all of that is necessary. I would think that shade structures would be more important because that would benefit more types of animals. Not everything climbs. Also not every exhibit needs lots of thick foliage because not every habitat in the world is like that.
 
I'll add a couple:
  • the exhibit must be easy and safe for the staff to clean and service
  • the exhibit must allow the public opportunities for good viewing of the animal(s)
  • the exhibit must allow the animal(s) to move out of the view of the public
Alan
 
gentle lemur said:
I'll add a couple:
  • the exhibit must be easy and safe for the staff to clean and service
  • the exhibit must allow the public opportunities for good viewing of the animal(s)
  • the exhibit must allow the animal(s) to move out of the view of the public
Alan
Click to expand...

I'll agree with those. And of course, an exhibit must NEVER exhibit fake rock...but seriously i cant stand the stuff, splash a bit of extra cash and get some proper boulders :D

Also cant stand unecesary and overused waterfalls..they look pretty and some even provide a role for the species but when used in every exhibit they become somewhat cliche
 
As stated above, the definition of a good exhibit depends 100% on what animal it is holding. While an eland might just want a grassy plain, a colobus monkey would prefer some trees, and otters might want a pool. And, as jbnbsn99 pointed out, it needs to be a good mix of what both animals and guests need and want. Prettymuch any world-class exhibit has that. CGF, ARoL, Giants of the Svannah, and a few other world-class exhibits in the U.S. have these traits.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top