Masterplan of my "absolute" Zoo - 2023 version

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

it's the time to unveil the 2023 edition of my Absolute Zoo masterplan, that I will describe during all the years.

The general map is here :

Precision about the colors :

• light green : enclosures
• red : animal houses
• orange : non-animal facilities (restaurants, shops...)
• blue : water beds
• grey : empty/inoccupied enclosures
• brown : rocks
• turquoise : picnic areas
• sand : paths
• light yellow : areas without special affectation

Like in previous years this zoo (located in Central France, like the previous editions of the work) is divided in many sub-zones.

One of them (the Mini-Farm) has been removed, I chose another type of display for the few domestic animals remaining in the Zoo.

Without saying more about the changes of this year, there have been the departures of a few ABC species (Snow Leopards, Hippos) but the arrival of other ones.
Some very rare species arrived (I don't tell you more about it yet).
I will give you the rationale of the inclusion of these species in the collection for each "strange" species.

I highlight (to avoid further debates on this subject) that it's a speculative, ideal, zoo, and that some species aren't realistic in the current state of European collections.

According to the comments of some Zoochatters in this year I will make focuses on a few exhibits, describing with more details their design, the plants present in them or other interesting features.

I'll continue to describe the signage, the animations (feeding, training...) and the conservation programs supported by the Zoo worldwide.

I tell you a few words about my inspirations : I inspire my work from the zoos that I have visited (Beauval, Vincennes...), but also some current or historic models of zoos like San Diego, Berlin, Singapore or the Tierpark Hagenbeck of Hamburg, and other wildlife parks (public aquaria like Monterey, bird parks like Wasrode and Villars-les-Dombes...).
I'm also inspired on the works of Gerald Durrell that have been references in the zoo and conservation world until now.
I add another specific inspiration, the monumental Histoire des Ménageries de l'Antiquité à nos Jours by the French author Gustave Loisel (1913), that described a (very dated but interesting) masterplan of fictive zoo (that never existed but that has surely inspired many zoo designers in the last century).

But I let you post your impressions about this future thread.

The first posts will come next week...

 

[Van Beal]

Very excited to see what changes you have in store this year.

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

welcome to the 2023 edition of my project of speculative zoo !

Like in the previous years this zoo is divided in several zones, whose themes are mostly based on zoogeographical realms.

The first step is the European Zone, with a 3,12 ha surface. Even if it is quite a small area, it allows to display a large panel of species in landscaped enclosures and aviaries.
The delimitation remained quite unchanged since 2021, except for one enclosure that has been reduced (see further for more details).

This zone is also a prime place to inform the public about the biodiversity of our continent, and about the ways to protect and restore it.

General map of the European Zone :

I stress that this zone doesn't properly match with a zoogeographical realm (it's only a part of the Western Palearctic), it has a significance given that Europe is a real political and cultural notion AND that it isn't commonly associated with wildlife by most people (European or not).

One of the purposes of this zone is to display the ecological diversity of our continent, across several biome-themed complexes (wetlands, forest, mountains, Mediterranean scrubs...).

Immediately after the pay booths (A), the visitor can see a gift shop (B) and a restaurant (C), but also, before any animal exhibit, large panels (and photos taken in situ) that represent the diversity of the European eco-regions and the conservation programs that take place there, with the support of the European Union and the NGO Rewilding Europe.

Immediately after it can see the first animal exhibit (1), a 1.700 m² and 12-m high aviary, covered with a large net and themed on wetland birds.
This aviary is largely inspired from the Grande Volière of the Jardin des Plantes de Paris, except that it's (yet) impossible for the visitors to walk inside it (the access is restricted to the staff).
The structure is sustained by two metallic poles.
It includes two shallow pools (30 to 50-cm deep) and lush vegetation (trees, reedbeds and grassy areas). Some platforms have been build to ease the breeding of the Herons/Egrets/Ibises, while restricted zones (wooden boxes with mesh above and around) are designed for the land-breeding species (Ducks...).

We can see here the following species :

• Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (1.3)
• Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (8.3), new species for the Zoo
• Common Mallard Anas platyrhynchos (10.2), new species for the Zoo
• Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis (1.4), new species for the Zoo
• Western Water Rail Rallus aquaticus (0.1), new species for the Zoo

The Little Egrets, Purple Herons and Little Gulls have all left our collection, while the Black-tailed Godwits and most of the Glossy Ibises have been moved in another aviaries.
3.0 Glossy Ibises hatched and fledged in 2022, making the species one of the most successful breeders in the Zoo.

The exhibit is completed with signage about the biology of the Herons, Storks, Ibis and allies in Europe, and about the preservation of the French wetlands, especially the conservation programs supported by the Zoo in Brenne and Camargue.

European wetland aviary :

(Credits : @gulogulogulo )

Glossy Ibis :

(Credits : @KevinB )

Cattle Egret :

(Credits : @KevinB )

Common Mallard :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

Little Grebe :

(Credits : @ronnienl )

Western Water Rail :

(Credits : @vogelcommando )

The second exhibit (2) is another large aviary, albeit its surface (1.110 m²) and height (8 m) are a bit smaller, that is dedicated to the shorebirds, mainly Cormorants, Gulls and Waders.
It includes a pool with deep (up to 1,5 m depth), shallow (5 to 10 cm) and medium (50 to 70 cm) depth areas, and rocky cliffs of 3 m high.
Some places (nest boxes, holes, platforms) have been set up for breeding.
The sanitation quarters are located behind the rocks and off the sight of the public.

There's signage about the preservation of the littoral habitats in French coasts, and the care that the people must have in these places that are often very prized for the tourism.

It's possible to attend daily feeding sessions, when fish (that come from responsible sources) are given to the birds.

For now the animal collection includes the following species :

• Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo (3.4)
• Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus (4.2), new species for the Zoo
• Common Tern Sterna hirundo (4.4)
• Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla (2.1), new species for the Zoo

Several wader species (Sandpipers, Bar-tailed Godwits and Turnstones) have left the collection, while the Greenshanks have been transferred in another aviary.
0.1 Common Tern that have hatched in 2021 has been transferred in another aviary, while 0.2 other ones have been transferred in other zoos.
Conversely the Zoo has acquired 0.2 Great Cormorants and 3.0 Common Terns in order to create small breeding colonies.

Seabird Aviary :

(Credits : @gulogulogulo )

Great Cormorant :

(Credits : @MennoPebesma )

Eurasian Oystercatcher :

(Credits : @Therabu )

Common Tern :

(Credits : @TheoV )

Black-legged Kittiwake :

(Credits : @Andrew_NZP )

The next aviary (3) has a surface of 240 m² and a 2,2 m height. It used to house an Eurasian Bittern, now transferred in a wildlife refuge as we didn't manage to pair him.

Now it's the home of our flock of Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa (3.4).

The vegetation of the aviary has been cut since the departure of the Bittern, while the central pond has been revamped.

More information is provided here about the precarious situation of the species in Europe and France, and the conservation programs led (and supported by the Zoo) to increase the modest French breeding population (150 to 180 breeding pairs).

Godwit aviary (former Bittern exhibit) :

(Credits : @vogelcommando )

Black-tailed Godwit :

(Credits : @vogelcommando )

We see now a complex of two 100 m² and 2 m high aviaries (4-5) that used to display many small to medium-sized birds, especially waders, galliformes and passerines.

The first one (4) has a "wet" setting with a pond and reedbeds, it has been recently used for Common Snipes and Moustached Warblers, that have now left the collection.

We can see nowadays two species, representative of Northern peatland, taiga and moor environments :

• Willow Grouse Lagopus lagopus (1.3)
• Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia (2.1), unique in Europe.

The Zoo has acquired 0.1 Willow Grouse in order to form a small breeding group, while 1.0 Common Greenshank has been transferred to a wildlife refuge (with the single Bittern).

Dwarf coniferous trees and Sea-buckthorns have been planted in the aviary before the arrival of the birds.

"Nordic" Willow Grouse aviary :

(Credits : @Tomek )

Willow Grouse :

(Credits : @Tomek )

Common Greenshank :

(Credits : @gentle lemur )

Instead the setting of the second aviary (5) has changed, to display a dry, rocky landscape with Mediterranean scrubs.

This aviary is primarily dedicated to the Rock Partridges Alectoris graeca (5.8) represented by a family group (1.1 adults + offspring), displaced from the Marmot enclosure where they were difficult to protect from the aggression of the crows, birds of prey and other predators.

We can also see Common Starlings Sturnus vulgaris (10.5) in this aviary, an extremely abundant species in our continent but also a new species for the Zoo.

Rock Partridge aviary :

(Credits : @ralph )

Rock Partridge :

(Credits : @Daniel Sörensen )

Common Starling :

(Credits : @Therabu )

The Bohemian Waxwings and Willow Tits have left the Zoo, while the Thrush Nightingales have been transferred in another exhibit.

I'll complete the description of the European Zone - including the first mammal exhibits - in the coming days.
You can now comment the first exhibits I've described and the changes that happened since last year.

Stay in touch !

 

[Van Beal]

Even after the first few exhibits, I’m already thrilled for the possibilities of new species!!!

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

today I'll describe a few other exhibits of the European Zone.

Approaching the Small Mammal section (that I'll describe soon) the visitor sees a 400 m² and 4 m high aviary (6) that used to be a Squirrel exhibit.
The smaller branches have been removed, while the largest trees and perches have been maintained.
The soil is made of mulch, with gravel and pebbles.

It is dedicated to a new species, the Western Carrion Crow Corvus corone corone (0.1).
This single female called SHERYL is a rescued bird, and she's trained by the keepers to find food hidden in the soil or under the rocks.

There's signage about the corvid intelligence, and about all the myths, beliefs and superstitions regarding these birds.

Crow aviary :

(Credits : @Coelacanth18 )

SHERYL the Carrion Crow :

(Credits : @KevinB )

Past the Crow aviary, the visitor comes into the European Vivarium (general map below, same as the 2021 and 2022 editions) :

The first part of the building is dedicated to the small mammals, displayed in terraria and enclosures along the path.

This complex is a prime place for the discovery of the natural history and the ecology of these species often poorly known by the general public.
Special talks are organized every weekend in this building, and even training sessions for the school children take place here.

The first terraria (A-B-C) are dedicated to the smallest species : rodents and soricidae.
They have a 4 m² surface and a height of 2 m each.

For now the following species are displayed :

• A) Eurasian Harvest Mouse Micromys minutus (7.7)
• B) Alpine Shrew Sorex alpinus (2.4), new species for the Zoo and unique in European zoos
• C) Eurasian Water Shrew Neomys fodiens (3.3), new species for the Zoo and unique in European zoos

The exhibits recreate natural landscapes that represent various biotopes (countryside, mountains and rivers) where the mammals can roam and hide.

The Harvest Mice have bunches of dry grasses and reed where they build their nests, the Alpine Shrews enjoy a rocky landscape and the Water Shrews live in a real aquaterrarium with a pool, branches and sand.

While the Harvest Mice are conspicuous and easy to see, it isn't the case of both species of Shrew. Nonetheless the Alpine Shrew is NT and poorly known, the displaying of this species allow the zoo and conservation community to know more about it.

2.4 Eurasian Harvest Mice were born in 2022, increasing the local colony.

The Japanese Dormice and European Garden Dormice, once kept in these exhibits, have recently left the Zoo.

Harvest Moust enclosure :

(Credits : @gulogulogulo )

Eurasian Harvest Mouse :

(Credits : @gulogulogulo )

Water Shrew enclosure :

(Credits : @LaughingDove )

Eurasian Water Shrew :

(Credits : @Giant Eland )

We see at our right 3 terraria of 6 m² each (D-E-F) dedicated to the Common Hamsters Cricetus cricetus (1.3).
The Zoo takes part to a breeding program of this CR species and it has received 0.1 Hamster in change of 1.0 animal.

In the enclosures there are multiple hides for the animals, but we have to notice that it's possible to see the burrows of the rodents.

Signage is displayed about the various Hamster species (including the pet species, distinct from the European Hamster) and about the reintroduction program led in Alsace (Eastern France) and supported by the Zoo.

Common Hamster exhibit :

(Credits : @PeGe )

Common Hamster :

(Credits : @Najade )

The next enclosures (G-H) have a surface of 8 m² each and have experienced some changes, with the departure of the Polecat colony and the arrival of new species.

In the first enclosure (G) we can see an invasive species : the American Mink Neovison vison (1.2).
While the negative impact of the species when introduced in the wild is well-known (as a predator of potentially threatened small mammals, and a competitor of the European Mink classified as CR for some years in France and Europe), the display of thes animals is interesting to explain the problematics of the invasive species.
Nonetheless the animals of the trio are neutered to avoid indesirable breeding.

The animals have stumps and pipes to hide, and even a small pool to bathe.
Hay, mulch and rocks provide additional elements of habitat for them.

American Mink enclosure :

(Credits : @TinoPup )

American Mink :

(Credits : @Giant Eland )

In the next enclosure (H) that mimics attics, there's a newly arrived colony of Roof Rats Rattus rattus (14.23).
Here the problematics of the commensalism is explained with special signage, indicating that the Roof Rats arrived from South Asia during the Antiquity in Europe, then in nearly elsewhere in the world. The diseases transmitted by the Rats including the Black Death (with major pandemics in the Late Antiquity and at the end of the Middle Ages in Europe, and until now in other parts of the world, while not carried solely by this species), favoured by the housing and storing practices of the times, are also taken in consideration.
Interestingly the recent decline of the Roof Rats in Western Europe is also explained (in France it became a quite scarce species, that has left the urban centres under the pressure of the stronger Brown Rat).

Roof Rat enclosure :

(Credits : @gulogulogulo )

Roof Rat :

(Credits : @Giant Eland )

The last mammal enclosure (I), that has a 8 m² surface, hosts the "sister species" of the Roof Rat, the Brown Rat Rattus norvegicus (36.57).

Like the former enclosure, the layout mimics an human-made habitat, especially a kitchen.
Here the pedagogy signage is based on the adaptability and the intelligence of this species. It reflects the signage displayed near the Carrion Crow aviary, another unloved species.

14 Brown Rats (11.3) were born in 2022 ; the females remained in the native group, while the males left the Zoo. 0.6 other Brow Rats arrived last year in order to avoid uncontrolled consanguinity among this prolific species.

Brown Rat "kitchen" exhibit :

(Credits : @KevinB )

Brown Rat :

(Credits : @vogelcommando )

It's now the end of the first part of the European Vivarium.

The second one mimics a cave ; the inscriptions written in Slovenian language bring us to the Postojna Caves, realm of a mysterious species of amphibian.

It includes, in a completely dark landscape and a few spotlights, two pools of 25 m² each (J-L).
Both are dedicated to Olms Proteus anguinus.
The first pool displays 2.9 animals, the second 7.7 animals.
The glass panels offer underwater vision of these strange critters.

Rare fact, 1.0 Olm hatched in 2022, he lives now with the adults in the second pool.

A panel explains also the natural history of the Olm in France (introduced in a few caves : Grottes de Moulis, Choranche and Clamouse) and its interest for the biology, especially because the aging of its cells is very slow (feature shared with a few other species like the Naked Mole-Rat, more explanations about it will be released in the African Zone...).

Olm exhibit :

(Credits : @twilighter )

Olm :

(Credits : @Newzooboy )

The last exhibit (K), once occupied by cave invertebrates (Beetles, Centipedes) is now empty, maybe it will host other species in the future.

We leave now the European Vivarium, to see an annex enclosure of 450 m² (8) made of a clay plateau with many burrows and a few stumps. At the bottom of the enclosure there's a concrete basement to avoid the escaping of the animals.
This exhibit is dedicated to European Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus (8.10).

0.3 Rabbits arrived here in 2022.

In this enclosure there's signage about the place of the Rabbits in European folklore, including its legendary prolificacy, but also the conservation actions led to reverse the catastrophic declines that this species has experienced in last decades.
Especially a panel has been disposed to inform the public about a project supported by the Zoo, based on restocking of Rabbits in Spain, in order to provide enough food to rare species : Spanish Imperial Eagle, Iberian Lynx...

European Rabbit enclosure :

(Credits : @HungarianBison )

European Rabbit :

(Credits : @HungarianBison )

Before leaving the thread for now, I give a few explanations about a complex of off-exhibit aviaries, once used as breeding aviaries for Ferruginous Ducks and Great Bustards (9-10-11).

These aviaries are 2 m high with a net above ; they have respectively 720 m², 415 m² and 300 m².
For now they are used to isolate birds for health reasons, and before reintroduction or transfer in other zoos.

In the beginning of 2023 the following species are present there :

• 9) Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (4.3), Common Tern Sterna hirundo (0.1), all of them hatched in 2021
  
• 10) Aviary used for vaccination programs, without any permanent resident
• 11) Common Hoopoe Upupa epops (1.1), Eurasian Thick-knee Burhinus oedicnemus (1.0), all of them hatched in 2021

The further exhibits of the European Zone, that will include a walkthrough songbird aviary and the Raptor Valley, will be described in the coming days.

Stay tuned !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

today I carry on the description of the European Zone of my Zoo.

I left you with the isolation aviaries.

Today I describe the following exhibit (12), a large walkthrough aviary dedicated to passerines and near-passerines of European temperate forests, most of them being native to France.

This aviary is inspired by the songbird aviary of Gaia Zoo Kerkrade, it has a surface of 1.050 m² and a height of 5 m, it's crossed by a path in a quite dense bushy landscape, with a few fruit trees that provide seasonally food and behavioral enrichment for the birds.
In winter artificial feeders are filled with seeds, fat and insects (mealworms...).

There are signages and animations that explain to the people how their gardens and balconies can be bird-friendly.

In the beginning of 2023 the aviary displays the following species :

• Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major (7.1)
• Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus (2.2)
• Goldcrest Regulus regulus (0.2), new species for the Zoo
• Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus (1.2), new species for the Zoo
• Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia (3.0)
• Common Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus (4.4)
• Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula (1.0), new species for the Zoo

The Great Spotted Woodpeckers bred in 2022, producing 5.0 fledglings.
In 2022 the death of 1.0 Eurasian Golden Oriole occurred, while 1.0 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 0.4 Common Blue Tits arrived, and 1.0 Common Blue Tit has left the Zoo.
Some species left the Zoo : the Willow Tits, Coal Tits, Garden Warblers and Hawfinches.

European Songbird aviary :

(Credits : @KevinB )

Great Spotted Woodpecker :

(Credits : @Mr Gharial )

Eurasian Golden Oriole :

(Credits : @Daniel Sörensen )

Goldcrest :

(Credits : @TeaLovingDave )

Mistle Thrush :

(Credits : @Daniel Sörensen )

Thrush Nightingale :

(Credits : @TeaLovingDave )

Common Blue Tit :

(Credits : @LaughingDove )

Eurasian Bullfinch :

(Credits : @ronnienl )

Out of the songbird aviary, the visitor can see a row of large aviaries mainly dedicated to owls and eagles, the Vallée des Rapaces (Birds of Prey Valley).

The global setting of the aviaries hasn't changed since 2021, only changes have happened in the bird species displayed there.

The first of these aviaries (13) is the smallest (150 m²) and the lowest (2 m high), it has a triangular shape and contains a lot of vegetation.
In the shade the visitor can see the most common owl species in Europe, the Eurasian Tawny Owl Strix aluco (2.1). One of the formerly kept 3 males died in 2021, it has been replaced by a female.

Tawny Owl aviary :

(Credits : @KevinB )

Eurasian Tawny Owl :

(Credits : @Daniel Sörensen )

The second aviary (14) is larger (250 m²) and higher (up to 5 m high), it is netted and planted with large trees that offer much more space to the owl species displayed there. Large logs lay on the ground, and the paucity of the vegetation (except the pines and other trees) allows the flying behaviours of the birds.
The species displayed is inexistent in France, but typical from the Northern countries of the continent : the Great Grey Owl Strix nebulosa (5.1).

The pair of these owls has bred in 2022, producing 5.0 fledgings. It's the first successful breeding of an owl species in the Zoo for many years.
One of them has already left the park, his brothers remain with the parents for now.

Great Grey Owl aviary :

(Credits : @KevinB )

Great Grey Owl :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

Near the owl quarters, a lot of signage presents the cultural importance of owls in European cultures, from the reveration that they had in Athens (they still appear of current Greek coins) to the beliefs they suffered until a recent past.

There are animations about them every day.
In Halloween times there are even special tours dedicated to the young public (as they exist in other zoos like the Jardin des Plantes de Paris), that makes a circuit along the enclosures of the numerous animals subject to superstitions. The circuit encompasses primarily the European Zone and the Vivarium.
If you are interested I may describe in the end of the year some of the thematic visits that could be organized in the Zoo. You can send me ideas for thematic visits, it would be interesting for me to complete the pedagogic purposes of the Zoo.

The third aviary (15) has a 350 m² surface and a 5 m height ; it used to display a pair of Black-winged Kites but it is no longer the case.
Now it displays a new species for the Zoo, native from the continent but uncommon in European zoos and VU in the wild : the Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga (0.1).
Now a single female is kept but we hope for the arrival of a mate for breeding.

This bird is threatened and the Zoo supports on-field studies of this species in Poland, on the western edge of the breeding area of the species, and one of the very rare EU countries where it breeds.

Greater Spotted Eagle aviary :

(Credits : @KevinB )

Greater Spotted Eagle :

(Credits : @Maguari )

The fourth exhibit (16) is a long aviary of 495 m² and 5 m height.
The aviary is rocky with a few stumps and perches, and a wooden "table" that is used for public feeding sessions.

It's the home of a Mediterranean vulture species, recently reintroduced in Southern France : the Eurasian Black Vulture Aegypius monachus (2.1).
One male recently arrived in the aviary.
The trio represents the Eurasian species of vultures, special signage describe the fate of these birds within the continent and their ecological importance. The Zoo indicates its support to the reintroduction projects in French mountains.

Eurasian Black Vulture aviary :

(Credits : @conservationistdude )

Eurasian Black Vulture :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

The two next aviaries are dedicated to smaller but very swift and agile birds of prey, both can be seen in France albeit not in the same periods.

One of them (17) has a 250 m² surface, a 3-m height, and contains thick vegetation of trees and bushes, making the birds quite difficult to spot.
It's the home of a quite frequent breeding species in France and Central Europe (but present only in summer, though it migrates to tropical Africa in winter), the Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo (1.1).

Eurasian Hobby aviary :

(Credits : @KevinB )

Eurasian Hobby :

(Credits : @KevinB )

The second aviary (18) has a surface of 175 m² and a height of 3 m. It once displayed a single Kestrel. After the death of this bird the aviary is now occupied by a new species, not native to France but present in winter months (it breeds in the Northern part of the continent, also in Siberia, Alaska and Canada) : the Merlin Falco columbarius (0.2).

Merlin aviary :

(Credits : @KevinB )

Merlin :

(Credits : @Pleistohorse )

Near these falcon quarters the signage is focused on the history of falconry, from the Asian steppes to Europe, the respect and love they inspired to the birds (and even some of the first conservation laws and rules, back to the Middle Ages) but also the conservation issues about it, the over-harvesting of falcons (still active in Central Asia and Middle East) leading to the depletion of bird populations. The "modern" uses of falconry, for example to deter pest species like the starlings and urban pigeons from the big cities and airports, aren't forgotten.

In the coming days I'll describe the last aviaries of this Vallée des Rapaces, dedicated to the largest and most powerful species, and also the first focused description of an exhibit.

You can now comment the post and give me ideas (especially about themed visits, that may be added to the description of the Zoo).

Stay tuned !

 

[Komodo Dragon]

Good work thus far!

I add another specific inspiration, the monumental Histoire des Ménageries de l'Antiquité à nos Jours by the French author Gustave Loisel (1913), that described a (very dated but interesting) masterplan of fictive zoo (that never existed but that has surely inspired many zoo designers in the last century).

Do you know if this text has been translated to English? It sounds very interesting.

 

[Haliaeetus]

Good work thus far!




Do you know if this text has been translated to English? It sounds very interesting.

I don't really know.
Maybe with the Google translators.

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

we continue the visit of the 2023 version of the European Zone, beginning with the last aviaries of the Bird of Prey complex.
Two of them are dedicated to eagles, that remain among the most popular birds of the Zoo.

One of the aviaries (19), of 300 m² and 4 m height, displays a Lesser Spotted Eagle Clanga pomarina (1.0), following the death of the female. The Zoo searches another female for pairing and breeding, if possible.

Lesser Spotted Eagle :

(Credits : @alexkant )

The second aviary (20) is larger (360 m²) and higher (5 m).
It's the home of a large spectacular species that breeds here, the White-tailed Sea Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (2.1) : a breeding pair and an immature male, that waits for his departure.

There's signage about the reintroduction program of the species near the Lac Léman (French/Swiss border), supported by the Zoo that has already sent a young female to the center Les Aigles du Léman that leads the program.

There's also many information on panels, about the symbolism of Eagles across the world and especially in Europe, where they are common on the coats of arms, and used as the national symbols of many countries (Germany, Poland, Albania, Russia...) and regions (as the Comté de Nice in Southern France).

White-tailed Eagles' aviary :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

White-tailed Eagle :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

The last aviary of the complex (21) is larger (325 m²) and is also 5 m high, it has a very different layout as it displays an arid and rocky landscape with a cliff.
There are grassy areas and a small (3 m²), shallow pond.

It is the home of the Northern Bald Ibises Geronticus eremita (5.4).
4.1 birds arrived in 2022.

It isn't currently a genuine member of the European fauna, as the species went extinct some centuries ago, but the things may change with several reintroduction projects : in Spain, Central Europe and even Bulgaria that could make it European again.
The Zoo supports the Spanish project, waiting for the breeding of the newly formed pairs.
There's signage about it near the aviary.

Northern Bald Ibis aviary :

(Credits : @conservationistdude )

Northern Bald Ibis :

(Credits : @JamesB )

After the Vallée des Rapaces the visitor can see various aviaries that can be called the "Alpine section" of the Zoo, where live several species native from the mountains and the old-growth forests of Europe, although not strictly alpine.

First there's a large netted aviary (22) of 570 m² and 4-m high, planted with conifers with bushes and rocky areas (even if it's mainly flat).
It's for now the home of a new species, the Western Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus (0.3).
These hens have replaced the Black Grouses that were kept once.
It's planned to bring one or more males for a breeding program of this species, that's imperiled within the French territory (recently extinct from the Alps, and nearly gone from the Vosges).
Information is displayed on panels to increase awareness to this species, and the ways to protect them, for example avoiding the disturbance of these birds (one of the main threats for the species in France is caused by some leisure activities in mountain that harass the birds and can lead them to die, especially in winter when the food is scarce).

Capercaillie aviary :

(Credits : @lintworm )

Western Capercaillie hen :

(Credits : @Therabu )

Around the Capercaillie aviary there are various installations and facilities at the place of the former walkthrough Vulture aviary : an insect garden where it's possible to see various bugs, and where animations are led seasonally (D), a children playground (E) and a small café called "La Petite Suisse" (F).

We can see now the first focus of an exhibit : the Wildcat complex (23-24).

Name : Wildcat Complex.
Year of building : 2021.
Inspiration : Fasanerie Wiesbaden (cf. Zoolex).

Capacity : 1.3 or 1.1 + offspring
Surface : 2 enclosures of 240 and 315 m² + a wooden sighting shelter of 30 m² in front of each enclosure.
Height : 3 to 7 m.
Fencing : mesh (3,5 x 3,5 openings) and electric wire on the sides, and large glass windows along the sighting shelters.
A net (4 x 4 cm openings) on the top of each aviary. The topping net is fixed around an Oak, making the shape of a tent for each aviary ; it prevents the cats from escaping and predators, and offers a tridimensional space to the animals.
There are double doors for the staff on the sides of each shelter, so the keepers should have access to the whole enclosures.
Internal layout : the layout of the enclosures looks naturalistic with tree trunks, rocks, branches, platforms ; the soil is made of sand, gravel and grass. Wooden boxes hidden in the rocks (and off the sight of the visitors) provide shelter for the cats. The oak provides shade, shelter and perching space for the animals.
A drain collects the rain water.
In front of each sighting shelter there's also a shaded area of 20 m², occasionnally used as resting zones by the cats.
The animals can have "natural" behaviours with little interaction with the humans. The young cats would be ready to release in the wild if needed.
Management : the vegetation is periodically cut, the feces are removed every 2-3 days.
The cats can be captured for medical or other reasons with trap cages with bait.
The cats can rotate from one enclosure to the neighboring one.
Visitor facilities : each shelter has a capacity of 20 adults or 30 children.
There's signage about the biology of the European Wildcat (and the similarities and differences with the common House Cats), its status in Europe/France, and the conservation projects in the region.
Sustainable development : all the materials except the fences are locally sourced.

This complex is dedicated to European Wildcats Felis silvestris (1.3).
For now the first enclosure (23) hosts 1.1 cats, the second (24) 0.2 cats.
0.1 European Wildcat arrived in the Zoo in the last months of 2022.

European Wildcat enclosure :

(Credits : @gulogulogulo )

Viewing shelter in front of the Wildcat enclosure :

(Credits : @korhoen )

European Wildcat :

(Credits : @robreintjes )

The two following aviaries (25-26) are made on the model of the Wildcat aviaries, without the shelters and with a smaller height (maximum of 5 m at the top of the net).
Once they hosted Pine Martens but these animals have left the zoo.
They are dedicated to birds for now. These birds are native to the mountainous regions of Europe, including France.

The first aviary (25) has a surface of 160 m² and hosts a new species for the Zoo, the Yellow-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus (1.4).
The vegetation is a bit scarcer and lower than in the cats' enclosure, providing flying and foraging space for these corvids.

Yellow-billed (Alpine) Chough :

(Credits : @Mo Hassan )

The second aviary (26) is a bit smaller (145 m²) ; it hosts a species already kept in the Zoo in the recent past : the Eurasian Eagle-owl Bubo bubo (1.2), back in the park after one year of absence.
This species is among the most popular owl species in the Zoo, so their come back has been appreciated by the visitors.
Signage about the conservation status of the species in France is displayed near the aviary.

Eurasian Eagle-owl aviary :

(Credits : @felis silvestris )

Eurasian Eagle-owl :

(Credits : @Therabu )

The visitor concludes the "Alpine" part of the Zoo with a large steep walkthrough enclosure of 3.740 m² (27).
The crossing path is open to the public in summer.
The layout is made of rock blocks, grasses and scrubs that give a mountainous look of the enclosure.

We can see there two species :

• European Mouflon Ovis orientalis musimon (2.1), new species for the Zoo
• Alpine Marmot Marmota marmota (3.7).

The small herd of European Mouflons makes a transition towards the Mediterranean area that will be described further, while the flock of Rock Partridges, once kept in this enclosure, has been transferred in the n° 5 aviary to prevent the trampling, disturbing or predation that may happen in an open-topped enclosure (even if they could hide themselves in the vegetation).

0.2 Alpine Marmots are born in the Zoo in 2022, while 1.2 animals of this species have left the Zoo to other facilities.

Mouflon and Marmot walkthrough enclosure :

(Credits : @German Zoo World )

European Mouflon :

(Credits : @vogelcommando )

Alpine Marmot :

(Credits : @ralph )

Next week I will describe the remaining exhibits of the European Zone, beginning with the Continental Wetlands.

Stay tuned !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

today I describe a few European exhibits, beginning with the Continental Wetlands enclosure (28), that includes a large pool, islands, reedbeds and trees.

While this large exhibit (3.900 m² surface) was historically open-topped, it has been recently (autumn 2022) netted in order to prevent avian influenza, and to let the birds fly (no more need to cut feathers).
4 poles have been put in the enclosure, to make a large, 8 meter high, tent-like aviary ; such works will happen in the main wetland bird exhibit, except a few pools with common species of waterfowl.
It has been one of the most important achievements of last year in the European zone.

Currently we can see the following species in this aviary :

• Greylag Goose Anser anser (5.3)
• Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope (4.3)
• Common Mallard Anas platyrhynchos (4.4), new species for the Zoo
• Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea (3.1)
• Smew Mergellus albellus (5.5), new species for the Zoo
• Great White Egret Ardea alba (3.4)
• Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus (0.2), unique in Europe
• Arctic Loon Gavia arctica (1.2), new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe

The Dalmatian Pelicans and Grey Herons have left the collection for now.
4.3 wild-typed Greylag Geese arrived in 2022, from a private holder.

Finally the Eurasian Wigeons have bred successfully after many attempts, producing 4.3 fledglings in 2022. 2.3 young have already left the Zoo, only 2.0 young drakes remain in the aviary for now.

A panel displays information about the restoration work in the Danube Delta, supported by the Zoo with a special focus on Ukraine since 2022, because of the ongoing war that has made the thing more difficult (even if the delta isn't proprely in the warzone).

Greylag Goose :

(Credits : @KevinB )

Eurasian Wigeon :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

Smew :

(Credits : @gulogulogulo )

Great White Egret :

(Credits : @KevinB )

Horned Grebe :

(Credits : @ralph )

Arctic Loon :

(Credits : @Pleistohorse )

Next to the Continental Wetland aviary there are enclosures designated for hoofstock, but the former Red Deer park has been splitted and partially merged with the North Asian Zone (I'll talk about it later).

A small part of the former enclosure (29), encompassing only 1.520 m², remains in the European Zone.
It has been dedicated to a new species, common in its native habitat but not very frequent in zoos (at least in France), the Western Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus (2.3).

The layout of this enclosure is very simple. It's a grassy plain with a few trees, a barn and a feeder, that is sufficent for this robust native species.
Off-exhibit isolation quarters (small paddocks) may be realized if needed, for example if the species breeds there.

Roe Deer enclosure :

(Credits : @Otorongo )

Western Roe Deer :

(Credits : @alexkant )

In the next days of this week I'll describe the last exhibits of the European Zone, that are dedicated to the Mediterranean area.

Stay tuned !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

today I describe the last exhibits of the European Zone, with the Mediterranean sector.

It includes a large netted aviary of 1.120 m² and 4 m high (30), dedicated to various species of birds typical from Southern Europe.
The layout is made of barren areas with gravel, with a few bushes and nest boxes on poles.

In the beginning of 2023, we can see there the following species :

• Rosy Starling Pastor roseus (7.5), new species for the Zoo
• Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis (3.3)
• Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus (4.3)
• Common Hoopoe Upupa epops (1.2)
• Eurasian Thick-knee Burhinus oedicnemus (3.1)

In this aviary, the Rosy Starlings have bred in 2022, producing 2.4 fledglings.
The Zoo noticed the departure of 3.0 Eurasian Skylarks, 2.1 Common Hoopoes (2021 hatchlings) as well as the pair of European Rollers.

Mediterranean Aviary :

(Credits : @KevinB )

Rosy Starling :

(Credits : @Mo Hassan )

Eurasian Skylark :

(Credits : @WhistlingKite24 )

Common Hoopoe :

(Credits : @ThylacineAlive )

Eurasian Thick-knee :

(Credits : @Therabu )

The former nearby Canary Bird aviary at the corner has been dismantled, there isn't anything there now.

Immediately after the visitor sees a mesa-like enclosure dedicated to reptiles (31).
It's quite large (90 m²) for such an exhibit.

It's possible to see there, in warm months, a snake species, the Western Whip Snake Hierophis viridiflavus (0.3). They hibernate in winter, as it's the case in the wild.
There are only females since the departure of the male formerly displayed there.

Some signage provides information about the Mediterranean reptiles, and the conservation projects involving them (as the Ocellated Lizard and the Hermann's Turtle in Southern France).

Outdoor snake enclosure :

(Credits : @lintworm )

The former Turtle Pond (32) is now void of reptiles, but it is used as a pedagogical tool about the life of the ponds. Some sessions are periodically organized in spring/summer about the insects, amphibians... that live naturally in this place.

It's now the end of the European Zone.
I'll start within few days the next zone, dedicated to Northern Asia.

Stay tuned !

 

[Osedax]

Loving this thread! Hope it will continue soon.

 

[Gibbonsagainstgravity]

Loving this thread! Hope it will continue soon.

Me too!

 

[Tigeanderson]

I am also loving this as well and I can’t wait to see what other magnificent and amazing creatures you are adding into this zoo.

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

given the numerous demands for the development of the 2023 edition of my Absolute Zoo, I present you the second zone of the park, dedicated to Northern Asia.

Its map can be seen here :

This zone has a surface of 7,18 ha, it is dedicated to the species of temperate and cold parts of (Eur)Asia, with a central rock for Himalayan species and a pheasantry.
Many rare species (including new ones) are displayed in this zone.
I took my inspiration in many large zoos of Central Europe, and in the Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes that houses a lot of temperate Asian species.

Immediately after the European zone, the visitor comes on a large plaza (A) called Three Continents Square. It displays temporary exhibits.
This year the exhibit is dedicated to the senses of the animals.

The visitor sees a large netted aviary of 1.350 m². This aviary has an height of 15 m and houses the pair of Pallas' Sea Eagles Haliaeetus leucoryphus (1.1).
This bird is extremely rare among the European zoos, and its populations suffers a sharp decrease in the wild. The breeding of this species is highly hoped, so a platform has been built for them. The birds have showed signs of nest building, but without any egg laid until now.
Perches and a shallow pond (30-cm deep) complete the layout of this scenic aviary.

Pallas's Sea Eagle aviary :

(Credits : @KevinB)

The second enclosure (2) is a large plain of 2,17 ha, the largest enclosure of this zone, separated by the visitor path. It is dedicated to steppe species.
Two tunnels allow the animals to go between both parts of the enclosure. Information about the ecological corridors is displayed there, with the classical information panels but also with playing games dedicated to the children.
The plain itself includes grassy zones, a marsh with a small lake and drier, rocky parts, and also a corner of forest. The enclosure has recently been enlarged with a large part of the Red Deer enclosure (formerly in the European Zone). There are fenced areas that limit the access to the large hoofstock, preserving the life of other animals.
There's finally a birding shelter.

We can see there many mammal and bird species :

• Red Deer Cervus elaphus (1.5)
• Domestic Yak Bos mutus f. grunniens (1.3)
• Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus (3.4)
• Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus (5.3)
• Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo (0.4), back after one year of absence

Instead the flocks of Bar-headed Geese and Baikal Teals have left the Zoo for other collections.

Possible look of the Asian Plain :

(Credits : @twilighter )

Red Deer (doe) :

(Credits : @Otorongo )

Domestic Yaks :

(Credits : @Kalaw )

Whooper Swan :

(Credits : @Ding Lingwei )

Lesser White-fronted Goose :

(Credits : @Jackwow )

Demoiselle Cranes :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

I'll continue the thread soon, with many new species and exhibits.

Stay tuned !

 

[Van Beal]

Glad the thread has returned and very excited to see what new developments have been made!

 

[Haliaeetus]

Next stage of the North Asian Zone, a scenic part of the Zoo, dedicated to many species that inhabit this fascinating (albeit quite poorly known) part of the world.

After the large Eurasian plain, the visitor sees a double netted aviary (3) that was formerly a large one, now split in 2 separate exhibits of 280 and 210 m², with a height of 3 m.
Both are linked to a night shelter.
These aviaries are planted with coniferous and broadleaf trees, the ground is steep and rocky with big stones and caves, making the sight of the animals quite difficult (but plenty of hides for them).

The first one (the largest, near the n°2 and n°4 exhibits) hosts for a new time a species present for long in the Zoo, but that has briefly left the collection, the Siberian Pallas' Cat Otocolobus manul manul (1.2).
The three cats, that don't seem to be related according to DNA analysis, have been seized from private owners in late 2022.

Pallas' Cats' enclosure :

(Credits : @felis silvestris )

Pallas' Cat :

(Credits : @pendraig_milnerae )

The second one (the smallest, near the n°16 exhibit) keeps hosting the Brown Hawk Owl Ninox scutulata (3.3), a species unique in Europe. The Zoo has received 0.2 additional birds.
There isn't any clear plan for now to maintain both or one of these species (Cat + Owl) and to breed them, even if the preferred scenario is the transfer of the cats in a new enclosure (or a new facility) and the dedication of the aviaries to the sole owls in order to breed them.

Brown Hawk Owl :

(Credits : @Himimomi )

The next enclosure (4) is dedicated to another cat species, the Siberian Lynx Lynx lynx wrangeli (1.1).
This enclosure, that previously reached a surface of 3.045 m², has been split in 2 parts of 1.485 and 1.560 m², that can be linked by a trapdoor. It can host a pair of Lynxes + dependent offspring.
The female GENIA has just been joined by the healthy male ARKHANGEL, so the breeding can be expected in the future.

Name : Realm of the Lynx.
Year of building : 2007, revamped in 2022.
Inspiration : Lange Erlen Animal Park in Switzerland (cf. Zoolex).

Capacity : 1.1 + offspring
Surface : 2 enclosures of 1.485 and 1.560 m²
Height : 3 to 7 m.
Fencing : electrified steel.
Internal layout : the layout includes a creek, a 2 meters high waterfall, and a pond in each enclosure. The water flows in a closed loop.
There are trees and rotten wood as a behavioral enrichment, the ground is partly planted with grass, partly filled with gravel. Wooden platforms are used to feed the cats daily, they can be seen by the visitors.
In the bottom of the enclosures, out of the visitors' sight, there's an unit of shelters totalizing 33 m² with 2 main boxes + 1 third one dedicated to the mother and cubs. The keepers come into the shelters behind the enclosure.
Visitor facilities : there are viewing areas with large glass panels along the enclosure (the remaining part of it is fenced), with raptor silhouettes to avoid bird collision. Many information panels present the behaviour of a middle-sized predator as the Lynx, the role it plays in the ecosystems, and conservation issues about this species in Europe (France included).
Sustainable development : the plants and trees that fill the enclosure has been bought from local tree nurseries.
The food of the Lynxes is bought locally too.

Siberian Lynx enclosure :

(Credits : @Mr Gharial )

Siberian Lynx :

(Credits : @bubblywums)

I conclude today the description of the Zone with the Himalayan terraces (5), a large exhibit of 4.770 m², made of several plateaus interspersed with steeper cliffs. The lowest stage of the enclosure is grassy and flat, with evacuating sewers for the rain water, in order to maintain this place dry.
The night shelters of the animals (wild sheep and goats) are carved in the rock, and remain accessible to the keepers by an underground path, closed to the public.
The enclosure can be separated in 3 parts if needed.

In early 2023 this enclosure hosts two ungulate species :

• Mishmi Takin Budorcas taxicolor taxicolor (2.3), this herd is formed by the males ZORRO and AKHON, and by the females BATHILDA, CARINA and DANA ;
• Himalayan Blue Sheep Pseudois nayaur (3.0), this small herd is formed by the males POTALA, QING and RAJ. This wild caprine species comes back in the Zoo after one year of absence.

Himalayan terraces :

(Credits : @gulogulogulo )

Mishmi Takin :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

Himalayan Blue Sheep (Bharal) :

(Credits : @Therabu )

In the following days I'll describe other exhibits of the North Asian Zone, beginning with the impressive Tiger complex.

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

now the visitor can see the most popular exhibits of this North Asian Zone (6-7), they are two enclosures, dedicated to the Siberian Tigers Panthera tigris altaica (2.3).
Currently the first enclosure hosts the female (ANIA) plus 1.2 cubs born in 2021 (BARTOK, CLARA and DENITSA), the second the sole male ALIOCHA.

Name : Dom Tygra ("home of the Tiger", in Russian)
Year of building : 2003.
Inspiration : Tiger Mountain in Bronx Zoo (cf. Zoolex).

Capacity : 1.1.4 (one breeding pair + offspring)
Surface : 2 enclosures of 4.715 m² and 5.625 m²
Fencing : electrified steel.
Internal layout : Both enclosures are separated but they can be linked with a trapdoor (like most of the carnivore exhibits of the Zoo).
The enclosures have a natural look, with small hills, broadleaf trees and a 40.000 liters pond in each enclosure. There are also rocks and one fogger per enclosure (active in hot summer days). Trunks are laid in the enclosures, they are often scratched by the tigers.
Many behavioral enrichments are put in the enclosures every day : hidden food, scents, pieces of leather and cattle/deer pelts, toys... Periodically living carps are released in the ponds, as another enrichment.
Behind the enclosures there are night shelters with a 5x6 m box for each enclosure, plus pre-enclosures of 150 m² for the male, 200 m² for the female (and cubs). A special area is dedicated to the keepers, to the preparation of food, separated from the night boxes by locked doors. The access to the boxes is possible by the roof, where it's possible to throw food and enrichments across trapdoors.
A video camera is placed above the female's box when pregnant or with cubs.
Visitor facilities : there are viewing areas with 2,5 x 7,5 m glass panels along the enclosure (the remaining part of it is fenced and hidden with bamboo and a wooden palisade), with raptor silhouettes to avoid bird collision.There are daily animations about the life and conservation of the Tigers, and special events on Chinese New Year. A lot of panels about the lifecycle of the Tigers, the threats they face and the involvement of zoos in their conservation (in- and ex-situ) complete the layout.
Sustainable development : the palisades are made with recycled wood, without chemical treatments.

Siberian Tiger exhibit :

(Credits : @twilighter )

Siberian Tiger :

(Credits : @remar )

In front of the Tiger complex, the visitor can see a building that houses primarily the animal nursery (B), whose mapping and layout remain unchanged since last year :

Along a corridor the visitor can see a row of tanks for fish, amphibians and small reptiles (A) and on the other side several hatcheries for birds and more exceptionnally mammals (B-C-D-E).
The last exhibit is dedicated to young crocodilians or, in their absence, young reptiles of large species (boids, iguanas, monitors, large tortoises).

Reptile nursery :

(Credits : @MagpieGoose )

Bird egg incubators :

(Credits : @snowleopard )

Bird and mammal exhibits in the nursery :

(Credits : @snowleopard )

After the nursery, the visitor sees a row of aviaries dedicated to galliformes and other birds, the Pheasantry (8-9-10-11-12).
Currently the aviaries (once 7, then 3) have been split one more time, totalizing 5 aviaries.
The design of these exhibits allows to place or remove "fenced curtains" between aviaries, in order to split or lump them according to the needs of the birds and of the facility itself.
Their size remains good for the species displayed, especially as they are planted with a lush vegetation, that can make the sight of the birds quite hard.

The detail of the exhibits and of the displayed birds is described below :

• 8) 150 m² - Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii (1.1), Siberian Rubythroat Calliope calliope (1.0, new species for the Zoo)
• 9) 130 m² - Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri (0.8, new species for the Zoo)
• 10) 100 m² - Swinhoe's Pheasant Lophura swinhoii (1.1), Yellow-browed Bunting Emberiza chrysophrys (1.4, new species for the Zoo, unique in Europe)
• 11) 130 m² - White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis (1.0, new species for the Zoo)
• 12) 150 m² - Elliot's Pheasant Syrmaticus ellioti (2.0, new species for the Zoo), Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus (1.1, unique in Europe)

The Hawfinches, Bohemian Waxwings, Pine Buntings and Satyr Tragopans have left the collection, as well as 1.1 Daurian Redstarts sent to other zoos and bird parks.

Cheer Pheasant :

(Credits : @KevinB )

Siberian Rubythroat :

(Credits : @Ding Lingwei )

Rose-ringed Parakeet :

(Credits : @vogelcommando )

Swinhoe's Pheasants' aviary :

(Credits : @Dylan )

Swinhoe's Pheasant :

(Credits : @ISAO )

White-breasted Kingfisher :

(Credits : @Daniel Sörensen )

Elliot's Pheasant :

(Credits : @Ding Lingwei )

Daurian Redstart :

(Credits : @aardvark250 )

That's all for today.
In the coming days I'll describe the last exhibits of this North Asian Zone, with a real bunch of rarities.

Stay tuned !

 

[Van Beal]

Name : Dom Tygra ("home of the Tiger", in Russian

Guess I wasn’t the first to come up with this name

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

I continue the description of the North Asian Zone. Now we'll explore the Far East, and finally the subtropical foothills of the Himalaya that will conclude our trip.

Immediately behind the Pheasantry, there are toilet blocks (C), then a complex of two enclosures (13-14) that house hoofstock from China, Korea and Russian Far East.
One year ago these enclosures were lumped but now they are splitted again. The waterfowl species (Mandarin Ducks, Baikal Teals) have also left the exhibit (and the collection).

The first of these enclosures (13) is small (made of two enclosures of 550 m², separated by rough fences) and swampy, with high grass, bushes, and small wooden shelters.
It hosts anew a species already displayed in the Zoo, and scarce within European zoos : the Taiga Musk Deer Moschus moschiferus (2.1).
There's a pair in one enclosure and a single male in the second. These animals remain very difficult to spot, and usually the visitors skip this enclosure. However this presentation remains important because the species is classified as Vulnerable in the wild.

Musk Deer enclosure :

(Credits : @twilighter )

Taiga Musk Deer :

(Credits : @twilighter )

The second enclosure (14) hosts much more spectacular animals.
Despite high trees, the landscape of this 4.810 m² enclosure looks more barren because of the continuous grazing of the animals. A stable and a paddock complete the setting. Here we can see an iconic species native from China : the Père David's Deer Elaphurus davidianus (6.6).

In 2022, the Zoo welcomed the birth of 1.1 Père David's Deer. Additionnally 2.0 young Deer have reached the enclosure.

About the sex-ratio of the animals, we must notice that we can see alternatively the bachelor group of 4.0 animals or the breeding herd of 1.5 animals (+ offspring) in the main enclosure or in the paddock.

Along this enclosure there's information signage about the special history of this deer, saved from extinction and oblivion one century ago, and the current efforts to reintroduce them in China (program supported by the Zoo).

Père David's Deer enclosure :

(Credits : @MennoPebesma )

Père David's Deer :

(Credits : @Veno )

In front of the Deer complex, there's a large exhibit of 1.290 m² surrounded by glass panels (15).
The soil is mainly grassy, with mulch (where food and other enrichments are frequently placed) and a lot of climbing gear above. The glass panels are covered with raptor silhouettes in order to prevent bird casualities.
It's dedicated to a species that became rare among European zoos : the Stump-tailed Macaque Macaca arctoides (1.3). Since 2021, 0.1 Macaque has left the collection to another facility.
These active animals are quite appreciated by the public, even if they aren't exactly perceived as beautiful under conventional criteria.
The night shelters of the Macaques are carved in the Himalayan Rock.

Stump-tailed Macaques' enclosure :

(Credits : @Chlidonias )

Stump-tailed Macaques :

(Credits : @MagpieGoose )

The last exhibits are dedicated to the subtropical slopes of the Himalaya. Along the path there are Buddhist flags in the Tibetan/Nepali style.

The largest enclosure (16), that has housed Asiatic Black Bears and Snow Leopards in the past, hosts now a rare cohabitation in its 4.420 m².
Here we can see a mixed exhibit of two very rare species : the Gee's Golden Langur Trachypithecus geei (1.4, moved from another enclosure of this zone last year) and the Sumatran Serow Capricornis sumatraensis (2.0 coming from Thai facilities, new species for the Zoo). Both are unique in European zoos for now.

These 2 species can enjoy a large enclosure, with several terraces and many trees and bushes (with fenced protection around the trunks to prevent damage from the Serows), that provide shade and hides to the animals, that may be difficult to spot, even if the Langurs remain popular with their unusual hair. Between trees, many ropes provide extra space for the primates, offering more chances to be seen, sometimes in groups.
There are belvederes along the enclosure, and sighting shelters with glass panels (and, like in many other enclosures of the Zoo, raptor silhouettes to prevent the risk of collision for the wild birds).
Like for other animals, there are night shelters carved in the rock for them, with 2 separate entrances for the goats and for the monkeys.

The Zoo projects to import female Serows from Asian zoos.

Serow & Langur enclosure :

(Credits : @devilfish)

Gee's Golden Langur :

(Credits : @Nick@Amsterdam )

Sumatran Serow :

(Credits : @Giant Eland )

The last enclosure (17), has a surface of 820 m² and was once the home of the Gee's Golden Langurs (and before, of Red Pandas). It hosts now a new species, unique in Europe for now and arguably among the rarest species present in the Zoo : the Pygmy Hog Porcula salvania (2.0).
These two individuals (that may be followed by females) have been sent by a Nepali breeding center, with the purposes to rebuild the (once active) European breeding population, as well as creating a rescue population to protect the species if diseases like the swine fever or other disasters strike the wild populations (it may be compared to the Tasmanian Devil breeding programs).

The Hogs' enclosure has experienced some changes, the lowest part (where the animals stay usually) being filled with mulch and planted with high grasses.
Their night shelters are small boxes installed near the rocks on both sides of the enclosure. The former primate night quarters, carved on the rock in the upper part of the enclosure, are closed for now.

Near the sighting belvedere, there's signage about the conservation and reintroduction program of this species in Northern India and Nepal, that is technically and financially supported by the Zoo.

Pygmy Hog :

(Credits : @Middle Man)

The visit of the North Asian Zone concludes with the Asian restaurant "The Sichuan" (D) where the guests can enjoy Chinese food in a pagoda-like building, and with a large playground for kids (E) where the climbing gear mimics the look of symbolic animals of Chinese culture (dragoon, carp, tortoise, crane, buffalo...).

The Sichuan (restaurant) :

(Credits : @KevinB )

This is now the end of the North Asian Zone. We'll visit soon the South Asian one, that promises to be very spectacular too !

Stay in touch !