Chester Zoo If you could, how would you change Chester Zoo!

After decades of use it surely isn't beyond the wit of man to design glass-fronted enclosures which give you a view of the animals rather than of your own reflection.

I have a huge species list but really glass you can see through is the biggest issue. Applies to many zoos though.
 
I also think glass is a main issue with many zoo's but those that have tried in the past then had the problem of keeping them clean.
 
1. Tone down the commercialism (no, I don't want a photograph taken of me ...)
2. Build enclosures where the public can actually see the animals (i.e. don't block viewing areas with extraneous stuff; don't put viewing areas at dead ends - e.g. gharial)
3. After decades of use it surely isn't beyond the wit of man to design glass-fronted enclosures which give you a view of the animals rather than of your own reflection ...
4. More species. More, more ...
5. Treasure your history

6. A Guide Book. A good Guide Book.
7. Some decent stock in the Gift Shop. Like ... educational.
8. Reduce the planting in certain enclosures. We. Want. To. See. The. Animals.
 
My answer will have to come in several parts.
1: I hardly need to give any details - demolish it, recycle the steel, build a small shelter with a window looking along the bush dog enclosure and give the dogs a little extra space, perhaps with a hollow log and a sand pit.
2: Set up a small team to inspect all the paths, walkways and seats around the zoo. Find the areas that need repairs, the places where the water accumulates after rain, the choke points at busy periods (particularly where there are good viewpoints overlooking enclosures), the seats that are never used (and find out why) and the places which are a long way from the nearest seat. Then get to work!
. . . to be continued​
 
Shavington Zoo I think number 8 on your list is not taken seriously by the zoo.
 
Looking at some of your guys ideas, I noticed that a demolished Buffalo house could be a good place for Pygmy Hippos. Maybe even Lemur Island.
 
Looking at some of your guys ideas, I noticed that a demolished Buffalo house could be a good place for Pygmy Hippos. Maybe even Lemur Island.
First idea I agree with the second I do not I wouldn't keep anything on that island in honesty you can barely see a thing on it.
 
Paleomatt there isn't a zonal map. At the moment it is just proposals. Islands zone is where Islands is. grasslands zone will be most of the current west zoo. Forest zone will be most of east zoo.and Conservation in Action zone (i.e the bits that do not fit anywjere else)will be the round enclosure and adjacent exhibits, plus a new developemnt across the road from Spirit of the Jaguar.

Also proposed is a wetlands zone to the north of the elephants. All this work will take 20-30 years to complete, and the plans will probably change many times within that timeframe.
 
9. Thorough, accurate labelling. Yes, including the butterflies. What are they? Where are they from? What threats do they face?
 
One thing I regularly wish for is someway to see if certain species are sleeping while out of sight, such as the Jaguars and Andean Bears, or are they just active, but out of view. I'm sure this could be said for many zoos, but I find these two exhibits particularly frustrating in that sense.
 
Paleomatt there isn't a zonal map. At the moment it is just proposals. Islands zone is where Islands is. grasslands zone will be most of the current west zoo. Forest zone will be most of east zoo.and Conservation in Action zone (i.e the bits that do not fit anywjere else)will be the round enclosure and adjacent exhibits, plus a new developemnt across the road from Spirit of the Jaguar.

Also proposed is a wetlands zone to the north of the elephants. All this work will take 20-30 years to complete, and the plans will probably change many times within that timeframe.
Actually, there is just such a map in the planning documents for Madagascar Phase 2. It is labelled '2030 Vision' and it shows the zones as described above: note that the Forest Zone includes the Heart of Africa site (behind the Tropical House etc) and the west zoo from the Elephant House to Miniature Monkeys and the Bat Cave.
It is interesting to compare this with the Natural Vision plans from December 2009. The planned Islands and Water zone (around the Europe on the Edge aviary) and the Cheshire Experience zone (Oakfield House etc) have been scrapped, the former partly replaced by Islands (built on what was originally part of the African Savanna zone). The Conservation in Action zone is a new idea.
The lesson to be learned from this is that paper plans can change radically when circumstances change. 2030 Vision may be similarly outmoded by 2025 ;)
 
There are some grand long-term ideas on here, but I would mention that most of my list would:

a) cost very little
b) be capable of being completed in weeks
 
I also think glass is a main issue with many zoo's but those that have tried in the past then had the problem of keeping them clean.
The point here was not glass or not glass but where glass is used it should be non-reflective. I suspect the glass makers make non-reflective glass. Glass can be angled to cut down reflections but then people tend to bang their heads if it leans towards the viewer. Best solution seems to be shielding it above and behind the viewer.

But you are right, pointless using glass unless you clean it as often as needed.
 
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