Masterplan of my "absolute" Zoo - 2022 version

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

today I describe new stages of the Tropical Marine Area of the Aquarium.

The Coral Reef section concludes with a small, 200-liter tank (66), filled with rocks and seaweed, where we can see two quite rare species :

• Cleaner Mimic Aspidontus taeniatus (0.0.1), unique in Europe
• Smooth Box Crab Calappa calappa (0.0.1), new species for the Zoo

As the Cleaner Mimic has a near-parasitic behaviour (it deceives other fish mimicking the True Cleaner Fish and bites the client fish), it couldn't be maintained with other fish species.

Cleaner Mimic (not displayed with other fish species here) :

(Credits : Hix)

After this tank, we come in the largest glass tunnel of the building, in a huge tank for various shark and turtle species, that swim in a very large volume of water (67).
At the bottom of the tank, there's mainly sand, and a few flat, smooth rocks to avoid the animals (that are fast swimmers) to be wounded.
An off-exhibit sandy beach (20 m²) completes the tank, it's used as a resting space for the turtles.

The following species are displayed :

• Atlantic Nurse Shark Ginglymostoma cirratum (2.2)
• Sand Tiger Shark Carcharias taurus (1.0)
• Grey Reef Shark Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos (3.1), new species for the Zoo
  
• Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata (4.3)

The Zoo get rid of its Tasselled Wobbegong pair in 2021, while it imported 0.2 Atlantic Nurse Shark to replace 2.0 individuals of the same species.
Consecutively it has obtained its first shark pups (24.4 Atlantic Nurse Sharks) in 2021. Some of the pups can still be seen in the Animal Nursery described earlier.
The Zoo has also managed to breed the Hawskbill Turtles, one female laid in the off-exhibit sandy beach in summer 2021. The eggs have been incubated in artificial hatchers, producing 15.1 baby Turtles, that can also be seen in a special tank of the Animal Nursery (close to the Crocodiles and other reptiles).

Shark and Turtle tank :

(Credits : KevinB)

Atlantic Nurse Sharks :

(Credits : KevinB)

Sand Tiger Shark :

(Credits : RatioTile)

Grey Reef Shark :

(Credits : westcoastperson)

Hawksbill Turtle :

(Credits : Ding Lingwei)

Every day, the visitors can see the feeding sessions of the sharks and turtles.

Along the visit path (inside the tunnel) there's finally a lot of information about the evolutionary biology and behaviour of sharks and turtles, about the role they play in the cultural beliefs of many nations, and the conservation programs supported by the Zoo in French Polynesia, and a new monitoring and environmental education project led in Cabo Verde in favour of Loggerhead Turtles.

The Zoo supports many marine conservation programs across the world, and the visit of the Aquarium offers much information about them, sometimes with playful activities for children.

I'll describe the last exhibits of the tropical marine section (dedicated to mangroves and atolls) in the following days, before leaving the seas for good.

I let you post your comments about the exhibits I've described, especially the Coral Reef section and the Shark and Turtle Tunnel.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

here's the final part of the Tropical Marine Aquarium, dedicated to the mangroves and atolls.
In this section there's a mix of fishes and other animals (herps, invertebrates), creating a more various and comprehensive display, themed on these tropical coastal habitats and on their conservation.

The former large square tank has been destroyed in late 2021, leaving place to two new exhibits.
They are enclosures with very shallow pools (<50 cm deep), muddy areas and sandy beaches.
It's possible to see the animals in the water with glass panels (underwater vision).

The first tank (68) is larger (20 m²) and American-themed, here we can see the following species :

• Atlantic Horseshoe Crab Limulus polyphemus (0.0.4), new species for the Zoo
• Diamondback Terrapin Malaclemys terrapin (9.13), new species for the Zoo ; all these turtles are young born from breeding pairs newly housed in the Vivarium (see later)

There's information about the physiological interest of the Horseshoe Crabs (whose blood is close to the human one, inspiring medical research), and more broadly to the importance of biodiversity in pharmaceutical uses.

Horseshoe Crab and Terrapin pool :

(Credits : KevinB)

Diamondback Terrapin :

(Credits : SusScrofa)

Atlantic Horseshoe Crab :

(Credits : Enzothephotographer)

The second tank (69) is smaller (10 m²) and dedicated to Indo-Malayan species, already displayed in 2020.

We see here three fish species :

• Spotted Scat Scatophagus argus (0.0.10)
• Sumatran Halfbeak Dermogenys sumatrana (0.0.56)
• Mudskipper Periophthalmus sp. (0.0.32)

0.0.4 Mudskippers arrived in 2021, while the Silver Moonies have been transferred in other facilities.

The Zoo supports programs of tidal habitat conservation in Malaysian part of Borneo and in Mayotte.
Interactive touchscreens explain these programs and their importance for nature and human lives, as well as all the marine conservation projects describes earlier.

Indo-malayan mangrove tank :

(Credits : KevinB)

Spotted Scat :

(Credits : Ungulatenerd92)

Mudskipper :

(Credits : Zooish)

We are now in front of the very last exhibit of the Aquarium (70), that's actually a 5 m² enclosure with a glassy fence.
This exhibits mimics a tropical atoll, with a sandy soil, coral blocks and even driftwood for the layout. Two heating lamps provide heat and light for its dwellers, the Vulnerable Wright's Skinks Trachylepis wrightii (1.3), a new species for the Zoo, also unique in European collections.

The Zoo is involved in a research program for marine turtles and ground reptiles in the îles Eparses, uninhabited French Islets in the middle of the Canal du Mozambique.
A panel gives more information about this program.

That's the end of the Aquarium !

I'll be very concise for the Farm Zone (G), that's nothing but a petting zoo.
But as this zone is small, it isn't detrimental to the consistency of the entire Zoo.

As this zone is tiny, and with no changes since 2020, I'll display the 2020 version of the map :

As you can see, it's made of only two enclosures, with barns in the middle and rustic wooden fences.

The first enclosure (1) has a 1.885 m² surface, and it's possible to come into.

Domestic Goats Capra aegagrus f. hircus (3.4) of common (mixed) breeds live in this enclosure.

1.1 Goats have been brought in the enclosure to increase the herd.
But the Domestic Chickens, that have been displayed for long, have left the Zoo.

Domestic Goat enclosure :

(Credits : German Zoo World)

Domestic Goat :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

The second enclosure (2) is slightly larger (1.170 m²). It's the home of Domestic Donkeys Equus africanus f. asinus (2.2).
The two males already displayed (CACHOU and CADICHON) have been joined by two young females (CELIA and CALISSON).
Their main enclosure is completed by small paddocks around the barn.

Domestic Donkey exhibit :

(Credits : Dhole dude)

Domestic Donkey :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

In the next days we'll go to North America, I'll describe you a lot of new exhibits that are representative of the biodiversity of this vast continent.

Before that, I let now you comment the aquarium and the petting zoo sections.

Stay in touch !

 

[Van Beal]

Hello,

here's the final part of the Tropical Marine Aquarium, dedicated to the mangroves and atolls.
In this section there's a mix of fishes and other animals (herps, invertebrates), creating a more various and comprehensive display, themed on these tropical coastal habitats and on their conservation.

The former large square tank has been destroyed in late 2021, leaving place to two new exhibits.
They are enclosures with very shallow pools (<50 cm deep), muddy areas and sandy beaches.
It's possible to see the animals in the water with glass panels (underwater vision).

The first tank (68) is larger (20 m²) and American-themed, here we can see the following species :

• Atlantic Horseshoe Crab Limulus polyphemus (0.0.4), new species for the Zoo
• Diamondback Terrapin Malaclemys terrapin (9.13), new species for the Zoo ; all these turtles are young born from breeding pairs newly housed in the Vivarium (see later)

There's information about the physiological interest of the Horseshoe Crabs (whose blood is close to the human one, inspiring medical research), and more broadly to the importance of biodiversity in pharmaceutical uses.

Horseshoe Crab and Terrapin pool :

(Credits : KevinB)

Diamondback Terrapin :

(Credits : SusScrofa)

Atlantic Horseshoe Crab :

(Credits : Enzothephotographer)

The second tank (69) is smaller (10 m²) and dedicated to Indo-Malayan species, already displayed in 2020.

We see here three fish species :

• Spotted Scat Scatophagus argus (0.0.10)
• Sumatran Halfbeak Dermogenys sumatrana (0.0.56)
• Mudskipper Periophthalmus sp. (0.0.32)

0.0.4 Mudskippers arrived in 2021, while the Silver Moonies have been transferred in other facilities.

The Zoo supports programs of tidal habitat conservation in Malaysian part of Borneo and in Mayotte.
Interactive touchscreens explain these programs and their importance for nature and human lives, as well as all the marine conservation projects describes earlier.

Indo-malayan mangrove tank :

(Credits : KevinB)

Spotted Scat :

(Credits : Ungulatenerd92)

Mudskipper :

(Credits : Zooish)

We are now in front of the very last exhibit of the Aquarium (70), that's actually a 5 m² enclosure with a glassy fence.
This exhibits mimics a tropical atoll, with a sandy soil, coral blocks and even driftwood for the layout. Two heating lamps provide heat and light for its dwellers, the Vulnerable Wright's Skinks Trachylepis wrightii (1.3), a new species for the Zoo, also unique in European collections.

The Zoo is involved in a research program for marine turtles and ground reptiles in the îles Eparses, uninhabited French Islets in the middle of the Canal du Mozambique.
A panel gives more information about this program.

That's the end of the Aquarium !

I'll be very concise for the Farm Zone (G), that's nothing but a petting zoo.
But as this zone is small, it isn't detrimental to the consistency of the entire Zoo.

As this zone is tiny, and with no changes since 2020, I'll display the 2020 version of the map :

As you can see, it's made of only two enclosures, with barns in the middle and rustic wooden fences.

The first enclosure (1) has a 1.885 m² surface, and it's possible to come into.

Domestic Goats Capra aegagrus f. hircus (3.4) of common (mixed) breeds live in this enclosure.

1.1 Goats have been brought in the enclosure to increase the herd.
But the Domestic Chickens, that have been displayed for long, have left the Zoo.

Domestic Goat enclosure :

(Credits : German Zoo World)

Domestic Goat :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

The second enclosure (2) is slightly larger (1.170 m²). It's the home of Domestic Donkeys Equus africanus f. asinus (2.2).
The two males already displayed (CACHOU and CADICHON) have been joined by two young females (CELIA and CALISSON).
Their main enclosure is completed by small paddocks around the barn.

Domestic Donkey exhibit :

(Credits : Dhole dude)

Domestic Donkey :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

In the next days we'll go to North America, I'll describe you a lot of new exhibits that are representative of the biodiversity of this vast continent.

Before that, I let now you comment the aquarium and the petting zoo sections.

Stay in touch !

Really excited for the North American zone. As a Canadian I’m super interested to see what this has in store!

 

[Haliaeetus]

Really excited for the North American zone. As a Canadian I’m super interested to see what this has in store!

I can tell you that Canada will be well-represented.

 

[Van Beal]

I can tell you that Canada will be well-represented.

I’m glad. Seeing the variety you’ve used in other sections I can guess lots of birds can be anticipated.

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

today I launch the description of the North American Zone. This zone displays several large enclosures that represent the major biomes of this magnificent continent.
Many changes have happened since the last version (that represented the Zoo in 2020).

General map of the North American Zone :

We begin with the barren landscapes of the Great North (Canada, Alaska and even Greenland), with several enclosures displaying typical tundra species.

The first enclosure (1) is a natural-like 2.320 m² plain with short grass and a pond in the middle, designed for Arctic geese.
A viewing hut have been built in 2021 to see the birds without disturbing them.

We can see two species for now :

• Ross's Goose Anser rossii (5.6), new species for the Zoo
• Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus (5.5).

The Snow Geese formerly displayed have left the collection, while 5.1 Pink-footed Geese arrived in 2021.
The trio of beautiful Ross's Geese (1.2) recently imported have started to breed quickly, as 4.4 chicks fledged in 2021, few months after the arrival of the adults.

Arctic Geese pond and lawn :

(Credits : Macaw16)

Ross's Goose :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Pink-footed Goose :

(Credits : Dormitator)

The next enclosure (2) is a smaller (1.355 m²) and dedicated to Northern Ducks.
It has also a natural-like layout with a pond (and another viewing hut built in 2021), and displays for now two species :

• Bufflehead Bucephala albeola (0.1)
• Atlantic Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus (4.13)

The large flock of Harlequin Ducks includes many juveniles that hatched in 2020. Some of them would be exported before the end of 2022.
The Hooded Mergansers aren't no longer displayed and have left the collection.

Bufflehead :

(Credits : Therabu)

Atlantic Harlequin Duck :

(Credits : evilmonkey239)

The third enclosure (3) is the largest tundra plain (3.900 m²) that displays the first mammal of the North American collection, the Musk Ox Ovibos moschatus (1.2) in a rocky, dry landscape.
1.3 Musk Oxen (including a young female born in 2019 and her mother) have left the Zoo to other collections in Europe. We hope our remaining trio will breed again.
There's a pavilion to shelter the oxen when the weather is wet, and small off-exhibit paddocks behind the main enclosure, so we can randomly see all the animals, only 1 or 2 or none depending of the weather.

The enclosure is also the home of a noisy flock of Canada Geese Branta canadensis (4.8).
The five females already present have been joined by 2 males in the early spring, and (just like the Ross's Geese) the birds have been good breeders, producing 2.3 fledglings in the summer 2021.
A part of the enclosure is maintained in grass, it's fenced for the rest of the geese, to prevent them for disturbing or stamping by the ungulates.

Musk Ox exhibit :

(Credits : snwoleopard)

Musk Ox :

(Credits : KevinB)

Canada Goose :

(Credits : PossumRoach)

In the next days I'll describe the last enclosures of the cold part of the continent, with large mammal exhibits and changes to notice since 2020/21.

I let you comment the beginning of this North American section and maybe give me some suggestions for the next versions of the Zoo.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

we have just left the flat tundras for the more contrasted lansdcapes of the Northern Rockies (Alaska, Yukon and British Columbia), with several enclosures typical of this biome.

First, there's a large, forested enclosure (4) of 4.525 m² with gentle slopes, that results from the lumping of the two former Wolverine enclosures. The former caves, stumps and other hides have been removed to form a brand new exhibit. Together they form an habitat for a new species, the Eurasian Elk Alces alces as a proxy for its sister species the American Moose (4.1). The latter, even if it's an emblem of Canada and Alaska, is practically unavailable in Europe. So they have been replaced by a small herd of Eurasians.
The group of Eurasian Elks is formed of five young, non-breeding animals, the males RYSZARD, SVEN, TROMSO and URAL, and the female VERONICA.

Eurasian Elk :

(Credits : Therabu)

Eurasian Elk (formerly Wolverine) enclosure :

(Credits : Daniel Sörensen)

The next exhibit (5) is even larger (7.900 m²) and the home of the sole ursine species currently kept in the Zoo, the Kodiak Bear Ursus arctos middendorffi (2.0).
These two 10-year brothers, CHUKTCHI and YUKON, are among the most popular characters of this North American Zone, and even of the whole Zoo.
They can be seen roaming in a large natural-like enclosure with trees, grassy slopes and a large pond where they enjoy to refresh themselves in the hotter days.
Nonetheless they spend the winters in their den, so they cannot be seen between November and March.
Panels are disposed in an observation tower to explain the biology of the Brown Bears, and their place in the European, Asian and North American cultures from the Prehistory to current times.

Kodiak Bear :

(Credits : KevinB)

Kodiak Bear Habitat :

(Credits : KevinB)

Next the former River Otters exhibits have been completely dried up, then lumped to form a new enclosure (6) of 1.505 m² for another new species, also unique in Europe, the Hoary Marmot Marmota caligata (2.4).
1.1 Hoary Marmots were born in 2021, a few weeks after the arrival of the 1.3 adults.
This small family group lives in a grassy enclosure, separated from the visiting path by a moat.
The enclosures itself includes a grassy slope with rock blocks, then a large plateau.
Like the Bears, they cannot be seen by the visitors in the winter months, between late October and early April.

Hoary Marmot :

(Credits : Zoological Point)

Hoary Marmot enclosure :

(Credits : Ituri)

We leave the northernmost regions of North America for milder regions of temperate forests, with a row of exhibits disposed around a rotunda for birds and small mammals.
Wood poles mask the functional building that includes the night quarters of these animals.

The three first exhibits (7-8-9) are designed for owls.

The first one (7) has in a 280 m² surface. Some shrubs, a shelter disposed in the corner and a grotto provide some shade.
It's the home of Snowy Owls Bubo scandiacus (1.1). Only the male HAGRID and a female called ELSA remain in the aviary, with the departure of the second female HEDWIGE for another facility.

Snowy Owl :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Snowy Owl aviary :

(Credits : Mr.Weasel)

The second exhibit (8) is smaller (115 m²) and dedicated to one of the smallest owls in the world, the Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus (2.1), a species unique in European collections for now.
Unless the more popular Snowy Owls, this species is very discreet and it can be hard to see the birds in the dense vegetation of coniferes in this aviary.

Northern Saw-whet Owl :

(Credits : ThylacineAlive)

The next exhibit (9) displays finally an owl species that is really widespread in the Americas because it can be encountered from Alaska to Northern Argentina, the Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus (2.1).

Great Horned Owl :

(Credits : Therabu)

Great Horned Owl aviary :

(Credits : RonBurrgundy)

The second part of the rotunda (10-11-12) is designed for various birds and small mammals.

The first of these aviaries (10) is small (85 m²) with some reeds and trees, it hosts now two American bird species :

• Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus (0.1), unique in Europe
• Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythrophthalmus (0.1), new species for the Zoo and also unique in Europe

Red-winged Blackbird :

(Credits : Arizona Docent)

Black-billed Cuckoo :

(Credits : birdsandbats)

The second and the third aviaries have been built on empty space in 2020/2021.

The second aviary (11) is the largest (235 m²), filled with large trunks and large nest boxes.
It's the home of a family group of Pileated Woodpeckers Dryocopus pileatus (4.2), a new species for the Zoo, also unique in Europe.
2.1 Pileated Woodpeckers fledged in 2021, first breeding success for this species in the Zoo.

Pileated Woodpecker :

(Credits : Ding Lingwei)

Pileated Woodpecker exhibit :

(Credits : snowleopard)

The last aviary (13) is circular, with a 190 m² surface, and hosts the sole mammal species of the complex, the Fox Squirrel Sciurus niger (2.4).
The squirrels can have access to many trees and other climbing structures, as like as the Eurasian Red Squirrels described in the European Zone.

Fow Squirrel :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Near this area, a Canadian-themed restaurant and café, called "La Cabane du Trappeur", is open daily to offer meals and snacks to the guests.

We turn back now, to see a large aquatic complex representative of the Pacific Coasts (13), that results from the lumping of the two former Sea Otter exhibits.
The new enclosure has a 1.995 surface, it looks like two large bays surrounded of mock rocks and linked together by a strait, offering many moving possibilities to the animals.
The mock rocks hide the night quarters of the animals, located in two separate buildings, one for the males and one for the females.
Large glass panels offer underwater vision.

They are now the home of a new species, the Northern Fur Seal Callorhinus ursinus (5.4).

To house the seals, the pools have been deepened to 5 m (from 1,5 to 2 m at the time when the otters were present).

Northern Fur Seal :

(Credits : Westcoastperson)

Northern Fur Seal exhibit :

(Credits : snowleopard)

The nearby small Auklet aviary, that didn't matched the current husbandry standards, has been demolished.

Before entering drier, hotter landscapes, I let you post your comments about these exhibits and make me some suggestions for the next version of my Zoo.

Stay in touch !

 

[evilmonkey239]

I’m glad to see several of my photos utilized for this thread

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

we have just left the Pacific shores for the arid landscapes of the South-Western USA and Northern Mexico.

First we cross a canyon (14-15), made of two rocky exhibits of 3.050 and 1.300 m², that house now Cougars Puma concolor (2.4). The path makes a loop between the two enclosures, at the bottom of them. Large glass panels or harp wire offer panoramic views to the enclosures, the cats can be seen roaming on the floor, perching on rocks or decidouous or conifer trees, or even bathing in the waterfalls. The enclosures are covered of wire nets.
Yucca and cacti planted in the enclosures or even along the path complete the layout.
The night quarters of the cats are carved in grottoes, there are 3 boxes per enclosure, that can house a pair and their litter.

In the first enclosure there are 2.2 Cougars : one breeding pair and 1.1 young (PURIMUY and PACHAMAMA) born in 2021.
The second houses 0.2 Cougars : an adult female and her 1 year-old daughter.

Most of the Cougars born in 2020 (1.2 + 0.1) have left the Zoo to other collections, as 1.0 adult animal.

Cougar canyon :

(Credits : Moebelle)

Other view of the Cougar canyon :

(Credits : DevinL)

Cougar cub :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

There are plans to replace one of the Cougar pairs by Bobcats, but they aren't realized for now.

The following 1230 m² aviary (16) has experiences some changes, to be fit for an unusual mixed-species exhibit.
This aviary looks now like a mini-greenhouse with a dry desert landscape, planted of cacti, agaves and yuccas.

We can see here two bird species :

• Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia (1.1)
• Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri (2.3), new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe.

One female Burrowing Owl arrived in 2021, she replaces one of the two males that has been transferred in another facility. The newly formed pair should breed in the following years.

About the Hummingbirds, the Zoo had already some experience of them, with the display of Ruby Topaz Hummingbirds in the Amazonian pavilion (see later, in the South American Zone).
It has imported 1.2 Black-chinned Hummingbirds in 2021.
These birds have nectar feeders and shrubs.
One clutch of 1.1 birds has fledged in 2021.

American desert aviary :

(Credits : Coelacanth18)

Burrowing Owl :

(Credits : hjkr)

Black-chinned Hummingbird :

(Credits : Milwaukee Man)

There's a project to create a large desert greenhouse with animal exhibits that would encompass this aviary and the former vulture aviary that has been put down, replaced by a temporary steakhouse with "western-style" scenery called "Arizona Dream" (B).

We see now the last exhibit of the North American Zone, that's a swamp-like aviary designed for the birds of the warm marshes of Louisiana and Florida (17).
It has a 1.155 m² surface and hosts many birds that animate the large trees and lush vegetation above the central pond. A small waterfall completes the landscape.
The top of the aviary is netted. The remainder of fencing is made of thin wire and wood. Thick vegetation planted along the path offers a tropical-like landscape.

For now (early 2021), we can see the following bird species :

• Anhinga Anhinga anhinga (2.1), unique in Europe
  
• Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens (3.4), new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe
• Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja (3.4)
• Clapper Rail Rallus crepitans (3.4), new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe

Some species have left the Zoo : Tricolored Herons, Little Blue Herons, Snail Kites and Purple Gallinules.

The Florida aviary :

(Credits : AndyJ08)

Other view of the Florida aviary :

(Credits : okapipr)

Anhinga :

(Credits : Andrew_NZP)

Reddish Egret :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Roseate Spoonbill :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Clapper Rail :

(Credits : BerdNerd)

Near this aviary there's a toilet block (C), and it's the end of the North American Zone.

Next step : the very large and impressive South American Zone !

I let you post your comments and suggestions about the North American Zone, its exhibits and animals.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

welcome to the South American Zone of my zoo !

In the next posts I'll describe many exhibits with a lot of species, some of them are very common and popular in zoos, other are much rarer.
They represent many biomes of the Neotropical zone, from the Caribbean to the Tierra del Fuego.

General map of the South American Zone :

The zone begins with a 680 m² netted aviary with lush vegetation and a pond in the middle (1), symetric of the Florida aviary I've just described.
It's dedicated to a single species, unique in Europe, the Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi (1.1).
This pair comes from the Aviario Nacional de Colombia, they arrived in the Zoo in 2019.

The Scarlet Ibises have recently left this aviary, we'll meet them sooner.

Cocoi Heron :

(Credits : Therabu)

The Cocoi Heron aviary :

(Credits : Gil)

Immediately after, we see a 845 m² sandy plain (2) with a few trees to provide shade to the animals, and areas with mud, clay and mulch to make them wallow.

Like in 2020/21, this exhibit displays a small troop of Collared Peccary Pecari tajacu (4.2), a common species in zoos.
It includes 2.2 adults and 2.0 young born in 2020, waiting for their departure.

This animal isn't especially rare, but it remains popular among the visitors, and it's the only "pig" species displayed now in the Zoo.

Collared Peccaries :

(Credits : Mo Hassan)

Collared Peccary enclosure :

(Credits : Robaque)

The next complex (3-4) is a masterpiece of the South American Zone, dedicated to the (perhaps) more charismatic species of the Neotropical Zone : the Jaguar Panthera onca (1.1).
The female LIDIA lives in the first enclosure (3) of 2.385 m² surrounded by several large glass windows, the male MACHO in the second one (4), a bit smaller (2.210 m²) but more hidden from the visitors' sight (only a single windows offers a view on his enclosure).

Both enclosures have rich vegetation, wooden climbing structures and pools where they can bathe and even catch living fish, that are given to them in daily feeding sessions (they can be seen by the visitors).

Panels about the study and conservation work led in Brazil and Argentina (Iguaçu National Park) by the Zoo are put around the enclosures.

Jaguar :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Jaguar enclosure :

(Credits : ralph)

The Jaguar house (A) has a surface of 500 m² and the shape of a Mayan pyramid, here we can see the night quarters of the cats (4 boxes that can support one pair and their litter), but a few windows offer additional views on their main enclosures.
Moreover, there's a permanent exhibit about the symbolic of this animal in Mesoamerica, and more broadly on the animal figures revered in Precolumbian civilizations.
Some special events are organized sometimes, like today (Dia de los Muertos in Mexico) : the visitable part of the house is darkened with skulls and skeletons of various animals (Jaguar, Crocodile, Snake, Eagle...) completed by information about the skills of these species and the role they used to play in the Mesoamerican myths.

Window on the Jaguar exhibit :

(Credits : toto9)

I'll soon describe the next exhibits of this South American Zone.

You can now post your comments about these first exhibits (Cocoi Herons, Peccaries and Jaguars), and further suggestions.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

here's the following part of the South American Zone.

When the visitor turns back from the Jaguar House to the main path, it's possible to see a 155 m² and 3 m high aviary (5), with mesh fencing, dedicated to Owls.
The species displayed here is the Spectacled Owl Pulsatrix perspicillata (0.2).
The two females live in lush vegetation, there are also perches and holes carved in the rock at the bottom of the aviary.

Spectacled Owl :

(Credits : DannySG)

Spectacled Owl aviary :

(Credits : KevinB)

We are now in front of the Amazonian Ark, a large building designed to house a lot of species.
It has experienced some changes since 2021, I'll explain them soon.

The whole building is covered by various vines (I'll make the full description in a later version of the map), and is surrounded by a lot of aviaries and enclosures.
I've described earlier the Cocoi Heron aviary, and the Peccary enclosure (the night shelters of the pigs are boxes located in the building, but used only in night or when the weather is very unclement : frost, storms...).

For now I present a row of aviaries of various sizes, that display many species, some of them are common and popular (macaws, tamarins...), other are extremely rare or unique in European zoos.
The Zoo benefits from cooperation with Latin American institutes (Brazil, Cuba, Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia... and French Guiana).
All the aviaries are filled with vegetation, except when the dwellers are too destructive or have specific needs (flight...).
The animals can either stay in the outdoor aviaries or (more commonly in winter) in indoor exhibits inside the building.
Nest boxes complete the layout for some species.

Here's the complete list of the exhibits and of the species that live there :

• 6) 75 m² - Yellow-crowned Amazon Amazona ochrocephala (5.1)
  
• 7) 75 m² - White-faced Saki Pithecia pithecia (1.1), new species for the Zoo
  
• 8) 80 m² - Brazilian Porcupine Coendou prehensilis (1.2) ; Cotton-top Tamarin Saguinus oedipus (1.2)
  
• 9) 75 m² - Turquoise-fronted Amazon Amazona aestiva (4.4), new species for the Zoo
  
• 10) 75 m² - Black Curassow Crax alector (1.1) ; Black-headed Parrot Pionites melanocephalus (0.3)
  
• 11) 85 m² - Bald Uakari Cacajao calvus (1.0), unique in Europe
  
• 12) 90 m² - Red-backed Squirrel Monkey Saimiri oerstedii (6.6), new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe
  
• 13) 90 m² - Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Rupicola peruvianus (2.2) ; Black Agouti Dasyprocta fuliginosa (3.2), new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe
  
• 14) 100 m² - Hoatzin Opisthocomus hoazin (2.3), unique in Europe
  
• 15) 90 m² - Pileated Parrot Pionopsitta pileata (4.4)
  
• 16) 90 m² - Blue-and-yellow Macaw Ara ararauna (3.0), new species for the Zoo
  
• 17) 215 m² - Scarlet Macaw Ara macao (8.9)

A clutch of 1.3 Hoatzins has hatched in 2021, it's a rare success for the breeding and husbandry of this species. Now 1.3 adults of this species are present in the aviary, plus 1.0 fledgling.

Some species have left the collection : Callimicos, Emperor Tamarins, Purple-backed Jays, Orange-breasted Buntings, White-throated Toucans and Common Green Iguana.
There have been departures : 0.3 Cotton-top Tamarins (adult females ; one breeding pair remains, with their young daughter born in 2020), 0.2 Bald Uakaris (they have been brought back to Brazil ; only a single male remains) and 0.3 Hoatzins (hatched in the Zoo).
Some arrivals have happened, mainly to form breeding pairs : 1.0 Andean Cock-of-the-Rock and 4.0 Pileated Parrots.

Finally there's a project of bridge above the path for the Squirrel Monkeys, between their aviary to the n° 20 aviary (now occupied by birds, see later).
It would greatly increase the habitat of the monkeys.
I may describe it next year...

Gallery of pictures :

Yellow-crowned Amazons :

(Credits : David Matos Mendes)

White-faced Saki :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Saki outdoor aviary :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Brazilian Porcupine :

(Credits : Therabu)

Cotton-top Tamarins :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Turquoise-fronted Amazon :

(Credits : Ding Lingwei)

Black Curassow :

(Credits : gulogulogulo)

Black Curassow and Black-headed Parrot :

(Credits : Mr.Weasel)

Bald Uakari :

(Credits : Therabu)

Uakari enclosure :

(Credits : David Matos Mendes)

Red-backed Squirrel Monkey :

(Credits : devilfish)

Peruvian Cock-of-the-Rock :

(Credits : devilfish)

Black Agouti :

(Credits : Kakapo)

Cock-of-the-Rock and Agouti aviary :

(Credits : snowleopard)

Pileated Parrot :

(Credits : Zooish)

Blue-and-yellow Macaws :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Blue-and-yellow Macaw aviary :

(Credits : MagpieGoose)

Scarlet Macaw :

(Credits : washaw)

I've finished the description of the first row of aviaries.
I let now you post your comments about the exhibits, the species and the projects that I've just described.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

here's the description of the Amazonian Ark, one of the most impressive buildings of the Zoo.

Map of the Amazonian Ark pavilion :

The building has experienced major changes since last year, being closed since late November 2021 to mid-April, for a large refurbishment of all the inner parts.

First the small mammals aviaries located at the entrance have been demolished and replaced by two enclosures of 80 m² each (1-2) designed for terrestrial animals, with mulch, rotting leaves, hides on the ground, that animals can burrow.

The animals displayed belong to the following species :

• 1) Jamaican Hutia Geocapromys browni (5.4), new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe
• 2) Large Hairy Armadillo Chaetophractus villosus (0.2)

The Silvery Marmosets, Red Acouchys, Golden Lion Tamarins and Cuban Solenodons have all left the collection. The Cotton-top Tamarins have been transferred in the outdoor aviaries previously described.

Large Hairy Armadillo :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Armadillo enclosure :

(Credits : felis silvestris)

We are now in front of a very large aquaterrarium of 115 m² (3).
Some glass panels offer an underwater vision.
Branches are emerging from the water and various plants live on a bank, offering perching opportunities to its dwellers.

Here we can see the Common Anaconda Eunectes murinus (0.1).
A single (and very large) female is present, while the other one died last winter.

The Mata-matas formerly displayed have been removed from the exhibit ; and the young Anacondas born in 2020 have definitely left our collection to other facilities.

Common Anaconda :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Anaconda aquaterrarium (without the inscriptions in Spanish, useless in France...) :

(Credits : David Matos Mendes)

After the Anaconda terrarium, we can see the row of aviaries of 25 m² each (4-9) filled with tropical vegetation.

These aviaries display now the following species :

• 4) Plate-billed Mountain Toucan Andigena laminirostris (2.0)
  
• 5) Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis (3.4)
  
• 6) Sooty-capped Puffbird Bucco noanamae (0.1), new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe
  
• 7) Collared Trogon Trogon collaris (1.3), new species for the Zoo
  
• 8) Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno (1.2), unique in Europe
  
• 9) Black Inca Coeligena prunellei (2.5), new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe

0.2 Collared Trogons hatched in 2021, they live with their parents.

The Toucan Barbets, Blue-crowned Motmots and Ruby Topazes has all left the collection, as well as all the non-bird species (except the Great Hairy Armadillos that have a new exhibit).

(the lovely) Plate-billed Mountain Toucan :

(Credits : Ding Lingwei)

Possible look of the Mountain Toucans aviary :

(Credits : dhole dude)

Orange-chinned Parakeets :

(Credits : Newzooboy)

Collared Trogon :

(Credits : amur leopard)

Collared Trogon aviary :

(Credits : MagpieGoose)

Resplendent Quetzal :

(Credits : Newzooboy)

The main change in the Amazonian Ark has happened in the central part of the building, that has turned into a real walkthrough exhibit (10) with birds in free-flight (suggestion of @Bengal Tiger ).

Many tropical vegetation has been planted, with indications about the species displayed (I don't describe it now, perhaps in a later version...) .
A pond has been created.
Feeders have been disposed in the pavilion to make the sighting of birds easier (especially for the smallest species).

The former Boa constrictor exhibit at the bottom of the pavilion has been demolished.

The panels about conservation actions supported by the Zoo in some of the richest ecological regions of Latin America (reforestation of the Brazilian Mata Atlantica [Atlantic Forest], communitarian bird sanctuaries in Colombian and Equatorian Andes) have been displaced around all the building.

Finally the pavilion has been filled with half a dozen bird species (but not any parrot nor parakeet).
We cas see now the following species :

• Scarlet Ibis Eudocimus ruber (3.4)
• Brazilian Teal Amazonetta brasiliensis (0.1), new species for the Zoo
• Sunbittern Eurypyga helias (2.3)
• Inca Dove Columbina inca (4.5), unique in Europe
• Ultramarine Grosbeak Cyanoloxia brissonii (8.4)
• Red-crested Cardinal Paroaria coronata (5.5), new species for the Zoo

4.0 Ultramarine Grosbeaks and 0.3 Red-crested Cardinals hatched and fledged in 2021, they can be seen in the free-flight exhibit with the adults.

The Zoo has welcomed 1.4 Scarlet Ibises and 0.1 Sunbittern that are displayed in this exhibit since early 2022, while 1.0 Sunbittern has been transferred in another Zoo.

A short glimpse into the Amazonian greenhouse :

(Credits : lintworm)

Scarlet Ibis :

(Credits : hmb_zoo)

Brazilian Teal :

(Credits : David Matos Mendes)

Sunbittern :

(Credits : Casuarius_casuarius)

Inca Dove :

(Credits : MagicYoung)

Ultramarine Grosbeak :

(Credits : Therabu)

Red-crested Cardinal :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

There are further projects for the central part of this pavilion, as a real inside enclosure for Brazilian Porcupines and even a pool for Caimans. I would give you more information about that next year...

I'll describe the last part of the Amazonian Ark (indoor exhibits for small mammals and birds) in the coming days.

For now I let you post your comments about these exhibits and animals, and send me some suggestions for the next year.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

we are now on the way back to the exit of the Amazonian Ark.
We go now along the night/winter quarters of the birds and small mammals described earlier (11-21), it's a row of medium-sized aviaries that can be seen by the public.
Some of them are planted but there are heavy constraints because some of the animals could damage the plants. In some cases (aviaries for monkeys and parrots), the real plants are replaced by climbing or perching structures made of wood.
The ground is made of mulch and wood wool ("vrillon").
The primates have special feeders in order to find the nuts, fruits and insects they eat.
The fencing is made of wire (11 to 13) or glass panels (14 to 21).
All these exhibits haven't changed since 2021.

We can retain the following surfaces for the animals displayed :

• 11) 50 m² - Blue-and-yellow Macaws
  
• 12) 40 m² - Pileated Parrots
  
• 13) 50 m² - Hoatzins
  
• 14) 50 m² - Andean Cocks-of-the-Rock, Black Agoutis
  
• 15) 25 m² - Red-backed Squirrel Monkeys
  
• 16) 35 m² - Bald Uakari
  
• 17) 35 m² - Black Curassows, Black-headed Parrots
  
• 18) 35 m² - Turquoise-fronted Amazons
  
• 19) 25 m² - Brazilian Porcupines, Cotton-top Tamarins
  
• 20) 50 m² - White-faced Sakis
  
• 21) 40 m² - Yellow-crowned Amazons

The information about conservation work led in French Guiana has been displaced near the Hoatzin inside aviary, it has been completed by extra information about the general biodiversity of this piece of French Amazonia.

Hoatzin :

(Credits : RatioTile)

Black-headed Parrot :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Cock-of-the-Rock and Agouti aviary :

(Credits : KevinB)

Brazilian Porcupine and Cotton-top Tamarin enclosure :

(Credits : BovidBabe)

White-faced Saki aviary :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Indoor Amazon Parrot aviary :

(Credits : Dhole dude)

We can now leave the Amazonian Ark, to see a complex of aviaries for medium and large birds, that I'll describe in the following days.

I let now you comment this (small) description of the indoor enclosures, and give me some suggestions for the future versions of the Zoo.

See you later !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

after the Amazonian Ark the visitor can see now a complex of aviaries for birds, especially from the Andean subregion lato sensu (18-23).
Many species appear there, they are displayed in large aviaries around a central building that contains nesting holes and shelters for night or unclement weather (the need for it depends of the ecological requirements of each species).
The fencing is made of mesh.

In the first aviary (18) of 605 m², the space is mainly open with logs and perches for the birds, and even a clay cliff on the rear wall of the aviary, now represented by a sole species : the Green-winged Macaw Ara chloropterus (3.3).
This small colony breeds sometimes, but it hasn't been the case in 2020 nor in 2021.
The Razor-billed Curassows previously displayed have left the Zoo.

There's a panel about the behaviour of this parrot species, and about the project of reintroduction in Northern Argentina, supported by the Zoo.

Green-winged Macaw :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Green-winged Macaw aviary :

(Credits : zoo_enthusiast)

Immediately after, a densely forested, 750 m² aviary (19), used to display Harpy Eagles in the past, but now it displays a much smaller but unique in Europe (and of course now for the Zoo) species, the Tiny Hawk Microspizias superciliosus (2.3).
It's a family group that includes one breeding pair that arrived in early 2021, and 1.2 fledglings that hatched in the same year, quickly after the arrival of their parents. The young birds, that are the only birds of prey that hatched last year (in 2020 too only one raptor species bred : the White-tailed Eagle in the European Zone) should be transferred elsewhere in the near future.
These birds hide easily in the lush vegetation and can be difficult to see except when fed on poles and logs disposed on the ground of the aviary.

Bird of prey aviary :

(Credits : lintworm)

The third aviary (20) has a 375 m² surface and displays a true rarity : the Galapagos Hawk Buteo galapagoensis (2.0) unique in Europe and sent by a rescuing centre of the Galapagos National Park. These birds have been found injured in the park (respectively after a storm and a gunshot) and aren't able to fly correctly, so unable to be reintroduced in the nature.
The layout of the aviary is more barren and arid, with rocks and a few cold-resistent palms (it was too hazardous to plant cacti in the Val de Loire climate, mostly fresh and moist in the winter).

The fourth aviary (21) of 330 m² presents a semi-aquatic habitat, with a 75-cm deep pool, a beach of pebbles and a rocky landscape above. Once it displayed Blue-footed Boobies. Now we can see a new species for the Zoo (but not much rare in Europe) : the Inca Tern Larosterna inca (5.3).
1.0 Inca Tern hatched and fledged in 2021, representing the first breeding of the species in the Zoo.

Inca Tern :

(Credits : RatioTile)

Inca Tern aviary :

(Credits : 16217)

The following aviary (22) has a 460 m² surface and is mostly forested (as the Tiny Hawk aviary previously described).

We can see there the following species :

• King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa (2.1)
• Crested Caracara Caracara plancus (1.0)

The Caracara has been moved from the recently demolished Vulture aviary in the North American Zone.

King Vulture :

(Credits : Therabu)

Crested Caracara :

(Credits : Semioptera)

King Vulture and Caracara aviary :

(Credits : Nix)

In the next days I'll describe other South American exhibits that display many species, highlighting the conservation programs supported by the Zoo.

I let you now comment my post.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

we see now the last aviary of the Andean-Pacific complex (23), 570 m² large with a barren and sandy setting, a rockpile in the middle and a cliff in the bottom. One or two pines complete the landscape.
The aviary is surrounded with two wiphala flags (emblem of the native people of the Andes), it is dedicated to the most iconic bird of this part of the world, the Andean Condor Vultur gryphus (0.2). The two females are called FRANCIA and FALBALA.
The Zoo supports a program of Condor reintroduction in Argentinian Patagonia, without yet (in the absence of a breeding pair) have sent birds to South America. It may be planned in the future.
Some panels and talks explain the symbolic role played by the Condors in South American folklore.

I add there's a project of a large aviary that would house several American Vultures, Caracaras and perhaps other species, that would replace the current complex (except one part that would be dedicated to the Squirrel Monkeys).

Andean Condor :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Andean Condor aviary :

(Credits : MagpieGoose)

We leave now (temporarily) the Andes for the warm lowlands of the Eastern fringe of the continents of the Guianas, Brazil and Northern Argentina, represented by a row of enclosures (24-26).

The first one (24) is 1.335 m² large, with a large pool, sandy banks and lush vegetation of lawn, bushes and even trees for the Giant Otter Pteronura brasiliensis (0.1). A replica of traditional fishing boat completes the layout of the enclosure. There are night quarters (boxes) in the Amazonian Pavilion, plus a wooden shelter inside the enclosure.
The female who lives there, called CHIQUITA, remains alone on the advice of the EEP, it isn't planned to import a male for genetic reasons.
However, she remains an emblem of the biodiversity of the South American rivers, and the ambassador of the reintroduction program of the species supported by the Zoo in Northern Argentina.

The sighting of the otter is improved by large glass panels that offer an underwater view.

Giant Otter :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Giant Otter exhibit :

(Credits : snowleopard)

The former Black-necked Swan exhibit (25) located immediately after has been revamped, this 2.035 m² enclosure presents an unusual mix in an enclosure that includes large lawns, bushy areas and a few trees linked by rope bridges. The former pond has been dried, replaced by a grassy moat (that can stock rainwater in autumn and winter months).
Here we can see two mammal species :

• Giant Anteater Myrmecophaga tridactyla (2.1), trio that is composed of the males ZOOM and ZULU and the female ZELIE
  
• Red Howler Monkey Alouatta seniculus (1.1), with the young pair IGOR and ILONA

Both are new species for the Zoo.

I add that all these animals have night shelters in (off-exhibit) boxes inside the Amazonian Pavilion. The access to the monkeys' shelters is possible by doors placed 3 m high (so out of the claws of the Anteaters) to prevent accidents.

There's a project to divide the enclosure in two parts, the rear part being off-exhibit and able to house 1 or 2 Anteaters, the other(s) being in the other part. The Anteaters would rotate between the two enclosures, while the Monkeys could have permanent access to all the enclosures.

Giant Anteater :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Giant Anteater enclosure :

(Credits : wstefan)

The next enclosure (26) is a 2.115 grassy plain with a pond in the middle, home of a few species of common and peaceful mammals and birds :

• Capybara Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (2.6)
• Brazilian Teal Amazonetta brasiliensis (1.4), new species for the Zoo
• Rosy-billed Pochard Netta peposaca (2.1)

The Capybara have successfully bred in 2021, with the birth of 1.2 young, the male AZUCAR and the females CLARA and CARIOCA.

Young Capybaras :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Rosy-billed Pochard :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Capybara and Duck enclosure :

(Credits : MagpieGoose)

We see now two new enclosures for small mammals typical from Argentina and rarely displayed in European zoos.
The first (27) is a 590 m² enclosure built on the model of the former River Otter exhibits with a long (but muddy) pool, a concrete beach and grassy banks.
Here we can see a new species for the Zoo and also unique in Europe (but apparently frequent in Latin American collections), the Neotropical Otter Lontra longicaudis (1.0).
For now the male, called YURI, is alone, but we hope to find him a female to start a breeding program, in cooperation with South American institutions.

Neotropical Otter :

(Credits : David Matos Mendes)

Neotropical Otter exhibit :

(Credits : David Matos Mendes)

The next enclosure (28) is much smaller (195 m²) and barren.
It's filled with loose soil that the animals can burrow. There's also a wooden shelter to protect them against the summer sun.
It's the home of another rarity, new for the Zoo and unique in Europe, the Southern Mountain Cavy Microcavia australis (5.5).

Southern Mountain Cavy :

(Credits : devilfish)

Cavy enclosure :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

A small building separates the two exhibits. It includes the night/winter quarters of both species, in two separate rooms to prevent the stress among the animals.

We see now the last exhibit of this lowland section (29). This 2.845 m² enclosure is made of a large, shallow pond with muddy islets in the middle. It is surrounded with riparian vegetation and lawns.

Here we can see some birds of South American temperate wetlands :

• Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis (8.3)
• Black-necked Swan Cygnus melancoryphus (1.4)
• Crested Duck Lophonetta specularioides (1.2), new species for the Zoo
• Rosy-billed Pochard Netta peposaca (3.3)

The Black-necked Swan have been displaced from their former exhibit (now dedicated to the Anteaters and Howler Monkeys), while 1.2 Rosy-billed Pochards have integrated the collection of the Zoo in 2021.

Chilean Flamingo :

(Credits : hjkr)

Chilean Flamingo enclosure :

(Credits : MagpieGoose)

Black-necked Swan :

(Credits : Dianamonkey)

Crested Duck :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

In the next days I'll describe the last enclosures of the South American Zone, dedicated to the cold part of the continent : Patagonia, the highest Andes and even the subantarctic shores.

I let you now comment the exhibits and species, and post me some suggestions for further versions of the Zoo.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

we see now the last exhibits of the South American Zone.

We begin with a 680 m² netted aviary (30) without much vegetation, except grass and a few bamboo brush (the remainder of the aviary remains barren, with only gravel), where lives a Red-legged Seriema Cariama cristata (0.1).

This aviary should be revamped in the near future, to host other birds, for example a small flock of Andean/Puna Flamingos if available.

Red-legged Seriema :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Red-legged Seriema aviary :

(Credits : Coelacanth18)

Immediately after there's a brand new enclosure (31) of 2.100 m² with a rocky landscape and a shelter protected from the possible predators but without extra heat for a new species for the Zoo, an Andean deer vulnerable in the wild and unique in Europe, the North Andean Huemul Hippocamelus antisensis (1.4).
This small herd, coming from the Parque Zoologico Huachipa and the Parque de las Leyendas (both in Peru), represents the South American deer that are (with the exception of the Chilean Pudu) extremely rare in European zoos.
The Zoo supports a monitoring program of this poorly known species in the mountains and valleys of Peru.

North Andean Huemul :

(Credits : Giant Eland)

The extra space remaining behind this enclosure may be used to house new species in the future, for example South American camelids, viscachas or even Mountain Tapirs.

Immediately after there's a large enclosure of 2.590 m² (32) with a pool, rocky islands and a beach, overhung with a rocky cliff where indoor quarters (used by night or for health/behaviour needs) are carved.
This enclosure is nearly divided in two parts linked by a narrow pass : both parts can be separated for husbandry needs.
Like for most of the aquatic/marine species, there are large glass panels along the pool that offer underwater vision.
As these animals are very hardy, they can be seen outdoor everyday.

It houses a common, ABC-species, that is obviously more popular than much rarities displayed before (but that contributes to attract the general public towards them !) : the South American Sea Lion Otaria byronia (2.3).
The group includes the two males PABLO and QUITO, two adult females PLATA and QUECHUA, and a recently arrived young female called OCTAVIA.
Feeding and medical training sessions of the Sea Lions (that have replaced the former circus-like show displayed until 2020) occur daily and are heavily attended.

South American Sea Lion :

(Credits : Gil)

South American Sea Lion enclosure, in the fog :

(Credits : SivatheriumGuy)

The next enclosure (33) is smaller (1.050 m²) but made on the same model with a large pool, glass panels along them, a steep slope and some burrows for nesting.
It displays another ABC popular species, the Humboldt Penguin Spheniscus humboldti (8.10).

As well as the Sea Lions, the Penguins are fed daily in sessions that the public can attend.
During these sessions there's information about the threats on this species in the wild, and about the conservation actions supported by the Zoo (development of coastal comunities in Punta San Juan [Peru], based on sustainable guano harvesting and ecotourism, and patrolling to deter poaching, pollution and illegal fishing, and to combat invasive species). At the end of the sessions, the keepers invite the visitors to discover the other species of the South American Zone, especially the less-known species of the Andean and Patagonian sectors !

There are also panels that display the place of penguins in popular culture and the general confusion (in French language) between the penguins of the Southern hemisphere ("manchots" in French) and the auk and puffin family of the Northern hemisphere (called "pingouins" in French, this word doesn't apply to the penguins !).

Humboldt Penguin :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Humboldt Penguin pool :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Near the Penguin pool there's a café and eatery called El Costeño (C) with a marine harbor layout.

A large picnic area (D) extends behind it, to the newly opened Otter and Cavy complex (27-28, see in the previous post). There are also toilet blocks (E).

Before coming into the Antarctic Zone that I'll describe in next days, I have to present two last animal exhibits (34-35) built in 2020 next to the El Costeño eatery.
Both have a 175 m² surface each, a pool, a rocky bank and a beach, and are dedicated to a new species for the Zoo, also unique in Europe for now (even if it had been quite frequent in the past) : the Falkland Steamerduck Tachyeres brachypterus (1.1).
Because of the territorial and aggressive behaviour of this species, it had be necessary to keep the male in one enclosure and the female in the second (it had be planned to mix them with the Penguins but the idea has been driven out).
It isn't clear if these enclosures will be maintained in the long term, and if one or both of them would be used to isolate other birds (for example clutches of other duck species) instead of the Steamerducks.

Falkland Steamerduck :

(Credits : Tomek)

The South American Zone ends here.

In the following days I'll present the Antarctic Zone (and the changes that have happened there since 2021), before the Vivarium that will conclude the 2022 version of my Absolute Zoo.

For now I let you post your comments about the South American Zone, and especially its last exhibits.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

today I describe the Antarctic Zone, comprised of a single building painted in white-bluish to look like an ice block.

General map of the Antarctic Pavilion :

The visitors enter the pavilion after the Humboldt Penguin pool (these penguins have quarters inside this building, they are used for health or behaviour purposes, as these birds are cold- [and heat-] tolerant and don't need to be kept inside).

They walk along a path inside a false cave painted in white.
Before the animal exhibits there's a lobby with information (based on panels and even a 10-minute documentary) about the Antarctic ecosystems, and the conservation programs supported by the Zoo in the Terre Adélie and Kerguelen Islands (dependencies of the Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises) for the Emperor Penguins, Seals, Whales and Crustacean life.

Then, they can see a very large (1.800 m²) refrigerated indoor exhibit (1). It includes a 5 m deep pool with bays, channels and islands, and steep rocky zones, up to 4 m high, that the birds can even climb. More flat zones are present, offering a breeding ground for the animals.
The temperature of the air in the enclosure is 4°C, it's a bit more (14°C) in the visitor part.
Large windows offer a view on the pool (underwater vision), on the islands and on the rocks.

Here we can see 4 penguin species :

• Emperor Penguin Aptenodytes forsteri (2.3), unique in Europe
• Gentoo Penguin Pygoscelis papua (8.8)
• Adelie Penguin Pygoscelis adeliae (9.8)
• Macaroni Penguin Eudyptes chrysolophus (0.10), new species for the Zoo

In 2021 the Zoo has welcomed the hatching of 0.1 Gentoo Penguin and 2.0 Adelie Penguins.

2.1 Gentoo Penguins and 0.4 Adelie Penguins arrived in the Pavilion in 2021, while 1.0 Adelie Penguin has been transferred to another facility and 2.0 Adelie Penguins died.

Antarctic Penguin exhibit :

(Credits : @FunkyGibbon)

Emperor Penguin :

(Credits : @RatioTile )

Gentoo Penguin and chick :

(Credits : @felis silvestris )

Adelie Penguin :

(Credits : @TheGerenuk )

Macaroni Penguin :

(Credits : @evilmonkey239 )

A new, smaller exhibit (190 m²) has been built in 2021-2022 winter in an empty sector of the Pavilion near the exit (2).
It's much more rocky with only a small pool, on the model of the large Penguin pool previsously described.

It displays a new species for the Zoo, also unique in Europe for now even if it has been displayed in the past : the Pale-faced Sheathbill Chionis alba (4.0).
The arrival of females may happen in the near future.

We are now outside of the Antarctic Pavilion (Zone) and we'll soon go to the last part of the Zoo : the Vivarium, that I will describe in the last weeks of this year.

Before that, I let you now comment this Antarctic Zone, its exhibits and the birds displayed.

See you later !

 

[Van Beal]

I’m looking at your map and I’m kinda curious as to how you shape out the whole zoo area. I understand that the individual zones kinda form their own shape, but how do you shape out the whole zoo? And shaping out the exhibits is something I’m curious about to. Sorry to ask so much I’m just trying to figure out how to make my own spec zoo well designed.

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

today I begin to describe the 2022 edition of the Vivarium, the largest building of the Zoo and the last zone to be described.

Most exhibits are located indoor, but a few outdoor enclosures offer space to reptiles and even a small amount of birds.
The building hosts a large majority of the reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates housed in the Zoo.
It is circular and half-buried, the top is planted with grasses and melliferous plants.
A lot of exhibits are lighted with natural light, except for the venomous snakes. Natural enlightment is completed with lamps in winter or dark days.

Map of the Vivarium (indoor part) :

The exhibits have experiences minor changes since 2021 (creation or removal of a few terraria), as the general distribution of the sections, represented here with colours :

• light blue (1-3) : freshwater invertebrates
• yellowish green (4-11) : native land invertebrates
• dark green (12-15) : tropical land invertebrates
• light green (16-24) : European amphibians and reptiles
• turquoise (25-34) : tropical amphibians
• emerald green (35-43) : tropical forest reptiles
• dark blue (44-52) : wetlands and coastal habitats
• orange-yellow (53-63) : savanna, bush and desert reptiles
• red (64-75) : venomous snakes
• purple (76-77) : crocodile lagoons

Many changes have occurred, therefore, in the species collection, especially along the invertebrates that are "rotating" quite frequently.

Most of these invertebrates occupy the first rows of exhibits.
I add that there are weekly animations to make the visitors discover these animals and their ecological role. A few specimen are even taken out of their terraria and directly shown or even touched by the visitors (I'll explain more about that in the further text).

In the entrance lobby, two small aquaterraria have been removed.
Several (aqua)terraria remain, three of them (1-3) are dedicated to water invertebrates.

In early 2022, we can see the following species :

• 1) Lesser Water Boatman Corixa punctata (0.0.60)
• 2) Brine Shrimp Artemia salina (0.0.750)
• 3) Pond Slater Asellus aquaticus (0.0.102)

The Brine Shrimp tank is outfit with a magnifying glass in order to see better these small crustaceans.
A panel explains the lifecycle of this species, and its role in the wetland ecology, especially in the most salty environments and as the main food source for Flamingos.

In 2021 there has been the hatching of 0.0.60 Brine Shrimps.
There has been also the arrival of 0.0.578 Brine Shrimps and the loss of 0.0.28 Lesser Water Boatmen, as well as the departure of the European Medicinal Leeches, Aquatic Bugs, Diving Beetles, Freshwater Copepods and Water Flee.

Brine Shrimp display :

(Credits : Arizona Docent)

Pond Slater :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

At the opposite side of the lobby, a gallery displays some species of land invertebrates.

There's first a row of five terraria (4-8) where various species are presented :

• 4) House Centipede Scutigera coleoptrata (0.0.7), new species for the Zoo
  
• 5) Scarlet Lily Beetle Lilioceris lilii (0.0.24), new species for the Zoo
  
• 6) Rose Chafer Cetonia aurata (0.0.100), new species for the Zoo
  
• 7) Saddle-backed Bush Cricket Ephippiger ephippiger (0.0.10), new species for the Zoo
  
• 8) Small Wood-scorpion Euscorpius italicus (0.0.1), new species for the Zoo

All the species have rotated since 2021 (departure of the Predatory Bush-crickets and European Mantises).
Some of the species are difficult to see as they are hidden in the vegetation, under the leaves, logs and rocks, or even in the soil.
The best way to see them is to attend to the animations, when the centipedes and the scorpion are fed and come out of their burrows.
Given to the lifecycle of the two beetle species, they remain at the stage of larvae in most of the year, it's possible to see during the animation the Chafer larvae in the pile of compost placed in a corner of their exhibits. The terraria are also filled with lily and rose plants that are used by the insects in summer time.
Only the crickets are easy to see year-round.
Panels are displayed on the glass panels of the terraria to explain that these species can be difficult to see in parts of the year or when there aren't animations.
It's a deliberate choice to display a few indigenous species instead of the exotics that are more spectacular and/or easily to see (but these species can be seen in further exhibits).

In 2021, 25 Saddle-backed Bush Crickets have hatched (but only a fraction of the colony has survived to the autumn and to the winter).

The arthropod gallery :

(Credits : LegoOwl)

Centipede exhibit :

(Credits : Moebelle)

Rose Chafer :

(Credits : Kakapo)

Rose Chafer exhibit :

(Credits : Najade)

Cricket exhibit :

(Credits : Hvedekorn)

Scorpion exhibit :

(Credits : EsserWarrior)

The two nearby twin terraria (9) display two insect species common in our houses but not especially loved by most people.

Their layout mimics a cupboard with newspapers and food (flour, breakfast cereals...).

The animators talk about these unusual dwellers of human-made habitats, how they have adapted themselves to such environments.
Even the utility of these species often perceived as "pests" (for example, eliminating the rubbish) is explained.

In early 2022 we can see the following species :

• Silverfish Lepisma sp. (0.0.96)
• Yellow Mealworm Beetle Tenebrio molitor (0.0.807), new species for the Zoo

The Bottleflies and Bumblebees have left our collection, as well as we have received 0.0.38 Silverfishes (a species that remains quite discreet and tricky to spot, while very common).

For 2023 we consider the arrival of new species, e.g. Cockroaches, that would be excellent species to display.

House insects exhibits :

(Credits : Fishapod)

Immediately after, there's a large exhibit (10) used as a colony for Red Wood Ants Formica rufa (0.0.37000).
The size of the colony has remained roughly stable since 2021 (estimate of - 2.000 individuals since the last counting).

This exhibit consists in a large circular mound of conifer needles, grass and twigs used as the nest of the ants, plus some "food stores" in separate rooms linked by glass tubes.
A glass panels shows the ant galleries.

It's easy to see the activity of the ants during the whole year.

The former nearby Carpenter Ant exhibit has been removed, and replaced by panels about the ecological role played by ants worldwide, the niches écologiques that they occupy, and their physiological and ethologicals adaptations.
Even a panel explaining the symbolics of ants in the myths and popular culture, with items that represent these animals. Popular tales like La Fontaine's La Cigale et la Fourmi are also displayed as posters.

Red Wood Ants :

(Credits : zoogiraffe)

Red Wood Ants' exhibit (partial view) :

(Credits : Batto)

At the opposite side of the corridor, a small complex of terraria (11) called Arachnophilia (humorous reference to the movie "Arachnophobia", and to a common and widespread phobia) presents a few spider species.
Two of them are European, one is exotic (but very interesting).
Indeed, the complex is made of several small terraria, where we can see :

• Jorō spider Trichonephila clavata (5.3)
• Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi (5.0), new species for the Zoo
• Mediterranean Black Widow Latrodectus tredecimguttatus (4.4)

The European Garden Spiders have left the collection, as well as most of the young Mediterranean Black Widows that hatched in 2020 (except a single female).
3.2 Jorō spiders came into the collection in 2021, increasing the group already present.

All these spiders are easy to see year-round.

The panels and the talks emphasize on the ecological adaptations of the spider class, as well as their place in the cultures (from the Greek legend of Arachne to Spiderman and to the African myth of Anansi, symbol of wisdom !).

Some of the spider exhibits :

(Credits : ZooElephantsMan)

Wasp Spider :

(Credits : Kakapo)

In the following days I'll show you the tropical invertebrates' exhibits.

I let you now comment this posts, the general layout and the first species displayed in the Vivarium.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

I’m looking at your map and I’m kinda curious as to how you shape out the whole zoo area. I understand that the individual zones kinda form their own shape, but how do you shape out the whole zoo? And shaping out the exhibits is something I’m curious about to. Sorry to ask so much I’m just trying to figure out how to make my own spec zoo well designed.

To answer to your question I draw the maps on paper, I scan them and I fill the colours and legends using the programs Inkscape and Paint.
I inspire myself on a mix of French as Vincennes and Beauval (and urban zoos like the Jardin des Plantes de Paris for the vivarium), plus many other zoos worldwide (San Diego, Singapore, Berlin, London, Antwerp, Pairi Daiza, Barcelona...) for single exhibits or the general layout.
The Aquarium is inspired on medium-sized French collections (La Rochelle, Le Croisic, Lyon, La Porte Dorée in Paris...) and international ones (Lisboa, Monterey...) for the largest or specific exhibits (e.g. for deepwater fauna).