Rainforest Refuge Part II
The pygmy hippos northern neighbour will be the zoo’s African Spotted Necked Otters. The zoo will keep a pair and if they breed their offspring. At first if young are born in successive years the zoo will try to keep the group together to the older siblings can see and practice rearing. However thats not always possible. A huge exhibit compared to other zoos might allow it to work though. If they can't stay with mom and dad because they are rejected they will be removed and sent to the health unit to await a new home. The main viewing wall will be to the north. On the land they will have a rocky shore with dirt and woodchips down for the otters to dig in and groom with. On the shore there will be piles of logs and rocks, hollow logs, tree stumps, a tree to provide shade that has tall routes. Towards the back there will be a modest hill with tunnels in it so the otters feel they have a burrow but it will lead straight back to their holdings. Atop the hill will be some plants but I would like a glass wall so people could see back to the hippos creating more of a natural setting. In the southeast corner there will be a rock feature with a waterfall and small sloped stream the otters can use to slide into the water. The otters could climb the waterfall if they wanted. But there will be other spots where they can dive in from a higher height and other spots that are so gradual into the water older animals or young will have no problem getting in and out. There will be several grooved spots in the rocky shore that the otters cal uses as slides to make their day more fun. The water will rise about two feet above the ground so people can watch the otters dive but because an underwater view is available it doesn't need to be high. The walls and depths will vary throughout the underwater viewing space to create complexity. Rocks, fallen logs, other objects and lots of aquatic plants will help to add to that complexity and hopefully help them avoid stereotypical behaviours. Also adding to the exhibit would be a current generator so that the otters will have to work harder to swim. The currents can be adjusted and turned off to add to an unpredictable element for the otters. And like my other otter they will be given live prey at least once a day to make them hunt but it wont be a scheduled feeding. Randomness is good.
East of the otters will be the West African Dwarf Crocodile. They may be relegated to restricted breeding in favour of more endangered species but the zoo currently has them and they could live on a good long while. The zoo’s current pair would stay but no breeding will be allowed so that we are following the rules. Their exhibit space will look almost like a mirror of the otters minus the slopes. They could afford to have more plantings all over and a slightly larger stream running down from the waterfall. There will also need to be a bigger haul out space simply because they are bigger but its the same idea. The idea if the exhibits are similar the crocs and otters can occasionally switch exhibits to provide new sites and smells. If the otters are outside on a given day the crocs will be given access to the exhibit so they can have more space and something new to do.
Straight to the north of you lies another massive primate exhibit. It will house the bachelor troop of gorillas half of the time. The other half of the time it will be home to the zoos troop of Bonobos or Chimpanzees. I would prefer the more docile and rarer bonobos but getting my hands on them might be too hard so if I have to I will take easier to acquire chimpanzees. If its chimps then serious consideration must be made about how to best handle male aggression. But for argument sake the zoo will get a troop of bonobos, 3 males, 5 females and young. A troop this size should be manageable and with only a few males hopefully aggression will be kept to a minimal.
Like the gorillas their exhibit will feature giant glass walls through which guest can observe their bonobos and netting higher up to allow the chimps to enjoy vertical height as well. Its a win win. guests get to be close up and the bonobos get a lot of freedom of movement. Their exhibit will have several big fruit trees that will bear fruit the bonobos will like at different times of the year to encourage natural foraging. There will be flowers, bamboo and other plants tucked into planters on the rock wall at the back of the exhibit. The rock wall will also have a couple of big ledges where multiple bonobos can sit together. Obviously at the center of the exhibit will be a giant climbing structure designed to look like multiple fallen trees and branches. This will give plenty of climbing opportunities but I also want it to have lots of smaller spaces where young can take refuge from family squabbles and where keepers can provide the little ones with opportunities to feed without competition. Other logs will be placed around the exhibit to lead the bonobos up to platforms by the observation deck. There will also be ropes or firehoses painted green to be look like the vines all over the exhibit. Since males like to shake trees to show their strength there will be strong flexible posts added around the exhibit so they can display properly. Might be good to help the young male gorillas get their aggression out too. Spread around the exhibit there will be hammocks, nesting platforms, cargo nets, puzzle feeders, logs, rocks (mostly too big to light and throw but some to be used as nut crushers) burlap sacks, and other things to enrich their day. Daily they will be provide with big palm leaves to rip up or mate nests with. Srtaw will be around also for nesting and general fun. Another feature of the exhibit will be three termite mounds. I want the bonobos to show off their tool using abilities. Live termites will be added to the hills on a random basis and other sticky things at other times. Two termite mounds will be back from the guests but one will be right up against the glass and cut in half. This will allow guests to watch how they use the tools. I think the cut away mound will be a really cool feature. There will also be a couple fake beehives which will have treats occasionally. Misters will be added to the elevated platforms outside the observation deck and the bonobos will be able to turn them on themselves. They will have all kinds of toys as well and be a part to the IPads for apes program running with the gorillas and orangs. And as mentioned before they will get a keeper talk on the days they are on display and will have a webcam.
Outside they will have access to the flexible exhibit as well as an display exhibit. The display exhibit will be viewable over a moat along the main pathway leading to the center of the zoo. Given the chances of a creative bonobo trying to escape there is no chance anything will be close to the walls and that anything not anchored down in the exhibit will be way too heavy for them to lift. I don't want boring concrete walls but at the same time I cant risk a rockwall they might be able to climb. A mural will have to be used to create a natural look. I would love a couple of trees but I won't risk them being able to break the tree and escape. The whole exhibit will feature fake trees instead. Not as natural but some of the trees can have green shade structures on top of the trees to look more like a tree's canopy. Creating a climbing structure with all kinds of fake trees and fallen trees and tons of winding ropes will provide lots of play opportunities. The terrain will be multi leveled with boulders of various sizes strewn about. Outside they will also have termite mounds and beehives to enjoy. Keepers will have to keep an eye out for nesting wildlife because nothing would be worse than the bonobos killing animals in front of guests. Might not be able to totally avoid it but I would like it kept to a minimum.
Beside the bonobos will be a wonderful mixed primate exhibit. In this enclosure you will find Mandrills, Patas Monkeys, and De Brazza’s Monkeys. This could be a very exciting and always lively exhibit. The mandrills would be kept in two hordes. There would be a family group consisting of an male, 6-8 females and their young. The male is only thrown in here because I always want one impressive male on display or why have mandrills? The second group would be a bachelor male troop of 5 or so males, with no access to the females unless they are being paired for breeding. By doing this the zoo can pair appropriate mates during breeding season. Plus we can handle some surplus males. If the males can be held without going nuts near females then they will rotate with the family horde. If not then they can chill in the breeding center. The patas monkeys will live in a similar arrangement. The family troop consisting of a male, 6-8 females and young. Living with the bachelor male mandrills would be bachelor male patas monkeys. Lastly the De Brazza will have a small family group consisting of an adult male and 2 adult females and young. THey are the least social species of the group which is why their troop is so small. They will live with the family groups of patas and mandrills. However if the staff believed the De Brazza will do better alone than a small portion of the exhibit will be severed for them.
Their exhibit will be a lot like the gorilla and bonobo exhibits just scaled down a little because the animals are smaller. Lots of big fruit trees to avoid too much competition for food and provide cover for those who want privacy. There will also be bushes and big boulders to provide privacy. Stands of bamboo will dot the landscape. There will be a huge climbing structure made out of fake trees and fake fallen trees with lots of hiding places and foraging spots. The trees in the climbing structure there will be planters with big leafy plants to make it look like full trees. Rope vines will stretch all over the place. They will also have hammocks, cargo nets, puzzle feeders, rotting logs full of bugs to forage for, a termite mound and other toys. Logs will lead up to platforms outside of the observation deck. Outside the eastern exit the pavilion along the eastern wall there will be an outdoor exhibit. They will have a big exhibit with glass walls. I considered a moat but then people are further away. If the glass is done will it won't be bad. They will have a couple of threes scattered about well back of the rock walls angled in so they cannot climb them. There will be a climbing structure, ropes, hammocks, cargo nets, platforms, boulders, a stream, long grasses, puzzle feeders, and rotting logs.
All of the primates outdoor yards and indoor exhibits will be designed to provide flexibility. Just because I have laid out my descriptions of the exhibits the way I have doesnt mean thats necessarily where you will find everyone on a given day. They will be able to rotate through each others exhibits to provide a sense of space to the primates and to give them new and varied experiences every day. With 3 troops of gorillas, a troop of bonobos, and two groups with mandrills, patas monkeys and De Brazza's monkeys (well only one group with them) the zoo will need lots of flexibility.
Turning south guests will be sort of leaving the rainforest and heading into the wetlands. Again I just didn't want to build a second pavilion for them. I would like all of the birds you are about to discover to have clipped flight feathers so that guests can just view them over moats and not through netting. However if they need to be enclosed then that is what will be done.
Across the pathway from the crocs and monkeys will be a large exhibit that will house a breeding pair of Shoebills. I love these birds and they are a must even if I have to import from Africa. Now a big problem for me is that they allow their second (and sometimes third) chick to be killed by its older sibling. That won't be allowed. The staff will have to pull one of the eggs after laying and hand rear the second chick. The chick being hand reared will definitely be a featured animal in the health units nursery. They are so unique with those big bills that people will be fascinated to watch them grow and it would be a chance for keepers to explain a cruel fact of nature. At least one of the chicks would be would be trained to be an educational animal for the zoo. The exhibit will have to be very carefully designed if breeding is to be successful. I would like some parent reared chicks, however keepers can take over for abandoned eggs or nestlings. To help make the parents feel secure the northern and southern walls of the exhibit will be tall rock walls to create privacy. They will have a couple of large trees on the land portion of the exhibit surrounded by bamboo and large rocks to give them cover if they want. Reeds and other aquatic plants will line the entry into the pool to create the marsh look. Along the waters edge there will be a shallow entry point perfect for wading birds who stalk their prey. Several logs and rocks will be around in the water if they choose to stand on them. The depth of the water can be decided by pros. There will need to be several sections that are big and deep enough to allow for the construction of their floating nests. In the water there will be lots of rocks and twigs and debris for their food to hide in and around. Live fish will be brought in daily. Outside they will rotate on exhibit with the other birds. The exhibit will be along the eastern wall of the pavilion across from the mandrills. To satisfy all of the birds needs it will be designed as a marsh exhibit. Guests can view the animals over a moat that will be lower than the pathway. The marsh will have tons of tall grasses, reeds, aquatic plants and boulders. Branches will form a roosting structure for the ibises. Live prey will also be introduced here.
Beside the shoebill exhibit will mixed Wattled Crane exhibit. The zoo will keep a small flock of 3 breeding pairs and their young. Should two eggs be laid keepers will have to watch carefully to make sure both chicks are being cared for since rarely do the parent rear both chicks. Given the ideal conditions they should be able to rear both. However keepers will pull the second chicks for hand rearing if the parents don't provide proper care. If the AZA wants a breeding flock can be established in the breeding center. Its not a bad idea since all second chicks from a breeding season could be hand reared together in a nursery flock. During the winter they will be joined by both species of crowned crane and because I would like to be able to rotate the cranes and the shoebills from time to time to provide enrichment the exhibit needs to be similar. The land area in this exhibit will be slightly larger though to help accommodate the crowned cranes during the winter. It will sport a single tree, bamboo, flowers, waterlilies and other aquatic plants. Because they like to eat waterlilies lots will need to be planted. The water area will be varied heights and fish will be added to allow them to hunt. They will also have access to the shoebill outdoor exhibit.
Back inside the pavilion across the pathway to the west of the shoebills will be the Nile Soft Shelled Turtles. The zoo currently has one turtle but I would add a second just so there is more activity for guest to hopefully watch. It would likely be another male. Babies aren't needed and there are no females to squabble over. At the back of the exhibit there will be a glass wall so you can see into the pygmy hippo exhibit. The exhibit would feature a soft sandy beach with a concrete lip keeping the dirt mostly out of the pool. Toward the back would be various grasses but little else. A deep clear pool with toys in it to keep the turtle interested. If some food could be added to the pool in the form of fish that would enrich the turtles day. They won't get underwater viewing.
South of the turtles will be the zoos flock of flamingos I don't care if they are Greater or Lesser Flamingos. It doesn't matter one bit. Most wouldn't know the difference anyway. It would be a large flock of 40 or so birds with as equal a split in gender as possible. They would have the biggest of the bird enclosures because they are the most numerous. Their land area would feature a class wall at the back so you can see the Red River Hogs to the west. They will have various grasses and reeds growing but the land will mostly be soft clay they could build their nests out of. Keepers will pay attention to the grounds quality to make sure they aren't standing in mud all of the time. The big part of the exhibit though will be all of the water for them to wade and swim in. A few logs will give them perches but the exhibit stays pretty simple. Along the southern wall of the pavilion there will be a similarly decorated outdoor exhibit backing on to the hippo/hog/ otter outdoor exhibit. Again everything should be visible from both sides.
Lastly in the southeast corner of the pavilion will be a mixed exhibit for Sacred Ibis, Egyptian Geese, Cape Shelducks, Saddle Billed Storks, and African Spoonbills. There will be 10 pairs of ibises. The spoonbills will would have a two mating pairs and a pair each of storks,geese and shelducks. During the summer the geese and ducks will be move out into the wetlands hoofed stock exhibit so they have more room to roam. The exhibit will feature a couple of big trees which have tons of branches and are lighter on the leaves so guests can see the ibises while they are perched in the tree. Also in the exhibit will be lots of grasses, bamboo, shrubs, rocks, waterlilies, reeds, and other aquatic plants. The water will be relatively shallow but still allow the bigger birds to wade into the water to hunt the fish.
Near the southern exit here there will be a ramp leading up the the observation deck. Originally I wanted to have really natural rocky ledge looking observation deck that was open and vine covered to really capture the rainforest feel. However upon second thought I just don't trust people not to put their kids on the ledges. Instead for the protection of kids, and zoo animals (from falling objects) guests will be fully enclosed in the observation deck. It will still look like a rocky ledge with fake plants growing in and on the walls. The wall of the pavilion will rotate between rock and huge glass windows looking out onto the various outdoor yards letting light in while providing impressive views. Along the inside walls there will be glass paneling angled out over the exhibits. A metal railing will keep people back but the angled glass will allow them to peer down into the exhibits below. I think it sounds like a decent idea. No dropping stuff, no falling kids, everyone is safe but they get great views. The observation deck will run along the eastern wall and northern walls of the pavilion and then stretch over the eastern walls of the gorilla and bongo exhibits. A ramp leading down to the main floor will come out around the bongos.
Another really cool feature I would love to add to the observation deck would be a rope and plank bridge spanning across the middle of the wetland exhibits over the cranes, turtles and hippo exhibit. It should look like a rustic bridge with a little give when people step. However again because I don't trust people the whole bridge would be surrounded by a thin netting keeping people and their objects safe. Kids should love the bridge.
As you go around the observation deck where there is rock walls on the outside of the pavilion there will be be a number of reptile and bug exhibits. Up here you will find Taxi Cab Beetles, Jade Headed Buffalo Beetles, Giant African Millipedes, Emperor Scorpions, Gaboon Vipers, Ball Pythons, Monitor Lizards, Green Mambas, Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agamas, Leopard Tortoises, Speke's Hinge-back Tortoises, Home's Hinge-back Tortoises, and African Helmeted Turtles.Now I know I have added a couple venomous snakes and if the staff don't want them then we wont house them. The species kept up here could also be augmented by animals received during the exotic amnesty days.
Also up here there will be a chameleon nursery much like the zoos current one. There will be individual exhibits for single Veiled Chameleons, Jackson’s Chameleons, Bearded Leaf Chameleons, Spectacled Pygmy Chameleons, and Rosette-Nosed Chameleons. The exhibits will be large and have tons of climbing opportunities on branches and other plants. Guests will be able to look into the nursery just like the current one but it will not be as sterile looking. A nice mural wrapping around the room will do a lot to brighten things up. In the big window there will be baby chameleons and eggs incubating. It would be cool if people had a chance to see them hatch every now and then.
Overlooking the bonobo and gorilla exhibits there will be family trees with photos so that guests can learn about the individual animals at the zoo. There will also be the IPads for ape stations and the TV screens playing what the apes are doing. There will also be puzzle feeders up there you can watch them manipulate and maybe help them with.
Up here there will also be a conservation station providing guests with info on issues relating to African rainforest animals. There will be info on the bushmeat trade, deforestation, the illegal pet trade, poaching and war. For the kids there will also be the customary touch table.
After taking a look at the bongo exhibit from above you will head down the ramp leaving behind the observation deck. You’re not done with the pavilion yet though. Around here there will be ramps leading down to the underwater viewing called the Lakes. Is the area strictly rainforest species? Nope, not really but we are shifting from rainforest to wetlands simply to make construction easier. Heading down the stairs pointing south along the western wall will be some amphibians to the who will fit in better here than upstairs with the reptiles and bugs. African Dwarf Frogs, African Clawless Frogs, Goliath Frogs, Rusty Tree Frog and anything else an expert suggests. They need the water near by so why not put them in the Lakes area. They will have exhibits which feature on land and underwater viewing. The land areas will be lush with grasses, flowers, plants, rocks, branches, dirt, and wood chip. Under the water there will be aquatic plants, any bugs they may eat, and fallen logs and rocks.
Beside the amphibians will individual tanks for specific fish species. Individuals would include Aba Abas, African Lung Fish, African Bonytongues, Electric Catfish, Chocolate Chip Squeaker Catfish, Leopard Climbing Perch, Ngege, and anything else the expert say need to be isolated to avoid predation upon other fish. If any could be mixed in with other species thats fine. With the exception of the lungfish all of the exhibit will be floor to ceiling giving the fish maximum space to live and breed. The tanks will be set will have aquatic plants, rocks, fallen trees and branches and plant debris. The lungfish would get a an exhibit much like the amphibians so that people can see its unique adaption.
Another species I would love to add here provided there is the space and ability to keep them is the Nile Perch. I would want their exhibit to be the biggest of the individual tanks because we are talking about massive fish. Three to five individuals would inhabit the tank. I dont care if they breed. I want them next to the cichlid tanks to the north so that the zoo has an opportunity to teach guests about the devastating impact this alien species has had on cichlid populations in the lakes it has been introduced to. Its a good way to remind people of the negative impact the release on non natives species can have on an ecosystem. Its not the last time this will be brought up but its a good reminder.
On the eastern wall will be the hippos. North of the hippos will be the otters underwater exhibit and to the east the crocs.
Across the pathway there will be a huge, or several huge tanks holding the cichlids. There will be some combination of Freshwater Puffer, Congo Tetra, Azureus Cichlid, Piceata, Two Stripe White Lip, Florida Red, Mbenji, Ruben Red Peacock, African Butterfly Peacock, Electric Yellow Labido, Kenyi Cichlid, Red Zebra, Bumblebee Mouthbrooder, Blue Daktari, Demanson's Cichlid, Pseudotropheus Ice Blue, Red Cheek, Electric Blue Johanni, Dogtooth Cichlid, Trewavas Red-Finned Cichlid, Aulonocara Blue Gold, Aulonocara Fort Maguire, Flavescent Peacock, Nkhomo Benga Peacock, Brevis Shelldweller, Sunshine Peacock, Blue Moorii, Electric Blue Hap, Venustus, Livingstoni, Blue Neon Cichlid, Compressed Cichlid, Convict Julie, Cylinder Cichlid, Daffodil Cichlid, Dickfeld's Julie, Fairy Cichlid, Frontosa Cichlid, Lemon Cichlid, Checkered Julie, Tanganyikan Butterfly, White Tailed Brichardi, Blunthead Cichlid, and Tropheus Cichlid. Again a more informed person needs to make the final calls on the species, combinations and numbers of tanks. All of the fish tanks will be designed to best stimulate their natural environment with rocks, aquatic plants, and various debris.
After passing the crocs guest will return to the main level and exit by the mandrills through the eastern exit. Heading passed the mandrill and shoebill exhibits guest will head southeast towards the Wonderful Watering Hole.
