My fantasy zoo

Zoo Entrance

The zoo starts with a long bridge over a wide river leading to the main entrance. After you go through the entrance there is a cafeteria and gift shop. In front is a large plaza surrounded by décor plants and in the center of it there is a large rock platform and with a female and male lion on top of it with vegetation surrounding the rock. Behind the plaza you come across the first enclosure with Chilean flamingo, Phoenicopterus chilensis (24.27), Southern screamer, Chauna torquata (2.1), Silver teal, Spatula versicolor (2.3), Coscoroba swan, Coscoroba coscoroba (1.1), Rosy billed pochard, Netta peposaca (5.8), White faced whistling duck, Dendrocygna viduata (13.15). The lagoon is very large and similar to san diego zoos flamingo lagoon but a bit bigger. The defining feature of the habitat is a small artificial waterfall that falls into the lagoon and you can even walk behind. The lagoon has been the entrance enclosure since the zoo opened and originally housed pelicans.

That concludes the first part of my zoo. I will be posting the first real exhibit soon so stay tuned!
 
The Madagascar Dome

The path from the flamingo lagoon leads you to a giant glass dome. This dome is much like Zurich's masoala and Burgers bush. After stepping through the main doors your suddenly surrounded by native madagascan plants like baobab, orchid, palm tree and others. Free flying birds in this dome include

- Meller’s duck, Anas melleri (13.21)
- Madagascar teal, Anas bernieri (14.8)
- Madagascar partridge, Margaroperidex madagarensis (11.14)
- Madagascar buttonquail, Turnix nigricollis (0.3)
- Malagasy turtle dove, Nesoenas picturatus (11.7)
- Pink pigeon, Nesoenas mayeri (8.3)
- Madagascar blue pigeon, Alectroenas madagascariensis (7.9)
- Lesser vasa parrot, Coracopsis nigra (0.3)
- Greater vasa parrot, Coreopsis vasa (4.7)
- Madagascar lovebird, Agapornis canus (8.6)
- Madagascar pond heron, Ardeola idae (2.3)
- Madagascar sacred ibis, Therskiornis bernieri (5.3)
- Madagascar crested ibis, Lophotibis cristata (3.4)
- Blue coua, Coua caerulea (1.2)
- Crested coua, Coua cristata (2.2)
- Pitta like ground roller, Atelornis pittoides (2.1)
- Long tailed ground roller, Uratelornis chimaera (0.2)
- Cuckoo roller, Leptosomus discolor (1.1)
- Sickle billed vanga, Falculea palliata (2.3)
- Crested drongo, Dicrurus forficatus (1.0)
- Madagascar white eye, Zosterops maderaspatanus (6.10)
- Red fody, Foudia madagascariensis (34.28)
- Madagascar mannikin, Lonchura nana (6.9)
- Madagascar magpie robin, Copsychus albospecularis (2.1)
- Madagascar flying fox, Pteropus rufus (27.22)

As a massive rainforest dome with rivers, ponds cliffs and trees there has been a lot of breeding in the dome. Along with the birds there is a river system connecting all the enclosures and in said rivers you can find

- Red madagascar panchax, Pachypanchax sakaramyi
- Black diamond cichlid, Paratilapia polleni
- Powder blue panchax, Pachypanchax omalonota
- Madagascar silverside, Bedotia madagascariensis
- Red tailed silverside, Bedotia geayi
- Kotsovato cichlid, Parertoplus kieneri
- Pinstripe damba, Paretroplus menarambo
- Spotted damba cichlid, Paretroplus maculatus
- Grandidier's malagasy cichlid, Ptychochromis grandidieri
- Mangahara cichlid, Ptychochromis insolitus
- Sambirano cichlid, Ptychochromis oligacanthus

The fish in the rivers and streams are meant to be more of a background element and its not guaranteed that you see them all. Still signage is provided at low bridges and paths near the water where its possible to see them. The river leads to the first enclosure that holds Lac alaotra bamboo lemur, Hapalemur alaotrensis (3.2). This group has bred a lot in the past and the zoo is in the prosses of sending the new borns to other zoos soon. The habitat is pushed up against the wall of the dome and its in a kind of a crescent shape but with an small extension on the right. In the crescent shaped part hangs a circle shaped elevated walkway over the moat. The habitat is fitted with plants artifical climbing structures and ropes like all the other lemur habitats in the dome. The only difference is with the small patches of bamboo.

So what do you think of the first part of my Madagascar dome? I don't know if i should post bigger parts less frequently or just continue with this method. Please tell me if there is anything i could improve, since i want this zoo to be at least partly realistic and i dont have any experience in that.




 
Fabulous job!!! This is the fantasy zoo forum so you don’t have to make it very realistic, but that is up to you ;) I have been planning starting a fantasy zoo for a while, but never got to it :eek:
 
As the path continues you cross some small bridges over the rainforest. The enclosures have small gaps between them so guests can enjoy the atmosphere and look for birds. The path takes you to a enclosure for Narrow striped mongoose, Mungotictis decemlineata (1.2). The habitat is more barren compared to the bamboo lemur enclosure with large patches rocks, logs and plants where the mongoose hide and climb on. The path takes you right up to the enclosure with a long wooden hut and a glass window into the enclosure. The mongoose are a recent addition to the zoo so they are still getting adjusted to their home and might be a little shy. Next to the mongoose is a second lemur enclosure for Black and white ruffed lemur, Varecia variegata (1.3) Mongoose lemur, Eulemur mongoz (2.1) White headed lemur, Eulemur albifrons (0.2). The enclosure is more open so its easier to see the lemurs. In the habitat there is barely any artificial structures with logs, tree and large rocks instead. One of the viewing spots is form a large tent in a fake abandoned camp. In the camp in between abandoned vehicles and tents there is also a small food stall. You can also view another habitat form the camp. In it lives Aldabra giant tortoise, Aldabrachelys gigantea (2.3). Along with the tortoises the zoo supports conservation efforts for endangered animals from the islands near Madagascar. The tortoises live in a large island separated by a wide river and reed beds from the guests. A rope bridge also hangs over the enclosure giving you a interesting viewing spot.

That's it for this part of the dome, and this might take a while since i don't want to make very big posts and i like to include lots of details.
 
Nice work, you have much better work ethic than me :p :rolleyes: I have been promising myself I would do some fantasy zoo projects but I was too lazy to start :eek: This thread has kinda kicked me into motion for that, so thanks :) :D
 
Thanks a lot! I also waiting a long time before posting this and It's one of the main reasons I joined zoochat to share my work. I'm really excited to read your fantasy zoo when it comes out :D
 
Bengal Tiger said:
Also, out of curiosity, why is there no female drongo, and no male button quail? Do you not want them to breed?
Click to expand...
I would but i just wanted to add some realism and story to my zoo so it would feel more thought out, since a lot of real zoos only have only one individual or single sex groups.
 
Up next is the largest enclosure in the dome and in it lives Ring tailed lemur, Lemur catta (10.6) Red ruffed lemur, Varecia rubra (3.5) Black blue eyed lemur, Eulemur flavifrons (1.2) Collared lemur, Eulemur collaris (2.3) Red fronted lemur, Eulemur rufus (0.3) Coquerel's sifaka, Propithecus coquereli (1.1) Radiated tortoise, Astrochelys radiata (4.10). This is a walkthrough habitat with a side path if you don't want to go through. The lemurs can enjoy tall trees, climbing structures, ropes, nest boxes and more with the tortoises roaming around at the bottom. The center piece of the enclosure is the largest tree in the dome that almost reaches the ceiling. Inside the enclosure are lots of signs telling you how the majority of lemur species are endangered and what zoos are doing to help. Next to that you can see an enclosure for Greater bamboo lemur, Prolemur simus (1.3) Crowned sifaka, Propithecus coronatus (2.1). The habitat is basically just a larger version of bamboo lemur enclosure, but more open. You then come to a clearing in the jungle and find yourself in a Madagascan village. In this village you can find: A bird feeding station, murals, education signs and food courts. Near the entrance of the village there is an enclosure for Fossa, Gryptoprocta ferox (0.1). There's only a lone female now but the zoo is trying to acquire a male. It's very similar to Paris zoos fossa enclosure except with the inclusion of the rock formations from tsingy de bemaraha. One of the windows into the habitat is in one of the village huts. Another enclosure that's viewable from the village is a large reptile habitat for Angulated tortoise, Astrochelys yniphora (1.3) Common spider tortoise, Pyxis arachnoides (3.2) Cuvier's madagascar swift, Oplurus cuvieri (2.4) Four lined girdled lizard, Zonosaurus quadrilineatus (3.4) Elegant mabuya, Trachylepis elegans (2.1). A large net covers the enclosure to keep birds out. The habitat is much more deserty than the other enclosures with large baobabs bordering it and rock plateaus with shrubs and bushes around the enclosure. Also you can technically walkthrough it with slightly elevated walkways weaving around the taller rock formations. In the largest hut you can find a set of terrariums that hold :

- Merrem’s madagascar swift, Oplurus cyclurus (1.1)
- Antakarana leaf chameleon, Brookesia anatakarana (2.1)
- Greater madagascar day gecko, Phelsuma grandis (1.2), Tomato frog, Dyscophus antongilii (3.1)
- Malagasy tree boa, Sanzinia madagascariensis (0.1)
- Parson’s chameleon, Calumma parsoni (2.1)
- Blue legged mantella, Mantella expectata (7.8), Barons mantella, Mantella baroni (4.6), Golden mantella, Mantella aurantiaca (8.5)
- Leafnose snake, Langaha madagascariensis (1.0)
- Madagascar keeled cordylid, Tracheloptychus madagascariensis (1.1), Madagascan flat tailed tortoise, Pyxis planicauda (2.1)
- Peacock day gecko, Phelsuma quadriocellata (2.3)
- Red rain frog, Scaphiophryne gottlebei (0.1)
- Malagasy ground boa, Acanthropis madagascariensis (1.1)
- Panther chameleon, Furcifer pardalis, (1.1), Sambava tomato frog, Dyscophus guineti (2.4)
- Madagascar velvet gecko, Oedura marmorata (1.2)
- Madagascar girdled lizard, Zonosaurus madagascariensis (1.1), Three eyed lizard, Chalarodon madagascariensis (1.3)
- Speartail leaf tailed gecko, Uroplatus ebenaui (1.1), Green mantella, Mantella viridis (9.6)
- Dumeril’s boa, Acanthropis dumerili (2.1)
- Lined day gecko, Phelsuma lineata (1.2)
- Henkel’s leaf tailed gecko, Uroplatus henkeli (2.2)

After you exit the village you come across the last lemur enclosure in the dome and its for Common brown lemur, Eulemur fulvus (2.2) Red bellied lemur, Eulemur rubriventer (3.4) Crowned lemur, Eulemur coronatus (3.0) Black lemur, Eulemur macao (1.2). The lemur species might switch in between enclosures frequently, and again the habitat is very similar to the others and there is nothing really species about it. Right next to it lives Ring tailed vontsira, Galidia elegans (1.1). Right now the zoo has a baby and its mother. They live in an enclosure similar to Bronx zoos ring tailed vonstsira enclosure. At this point you can already see exit but you notice a small pond with Madagascan big headed turtle, Erymnochelys madagascariensis (1.1). The pond used to be empty and breeding is only starting now.

That is the end of my dome but the entire madagascar section is not done yet, since i will still post a nocturnal house.
 
After exiting the dome you walk straight into the nocturnal house. At the entrance of it there is a small mural with nocturnal madagascan animals and educational signs. Next to the entrance lies the first enclosure for Goodman's mouse lemur, Microcebus lehilahytsara (2.3), Greater hedgehog tenrec, Sercifer setosus (2.1). These species coexist peacefully in a long but not very wide habitat with a glass wall and natural décor. On the other side of this long hallway you find Grandidier's vontsira, Galidictis grandidieri (1.1). They live in a similar enclosure to their neighbors across the hallway. They also like to hide in a fake abandoned hut that is slightly collapsed. The hallway ends when you walk into a large circular room with boards, signs and paintings on the walls. In the center of it all is a enclosure for Aye aye, Daubentonia madagascariensis (2.1), Giant jumping rat, Hypogeomys antimena (1.1). The enclosure is a wide circular glass cylinder that is so tall it actually goes past the roof to a second floor where the aye ayes have more room. The jumping rats are restricted to the first floor. When you exit the dome and right before the entrance there is sill three similar enclosures for Lesser hedgehog tenrec, Echinops telfairi (4.2) and White tailed tree rat, Brachytharsomys albicauda (2.3) and Gray mouse lemur, Microcebus murinus (4.3). The tenrec and rat enclosures are rectangular and side by side with the lemur enclosure located across from them and occupying the entire wall. As you can see this part of the nocturnal house has done extremely well with breeding and shows no sign of stopping. Then you walk out and enter the exhibit of the zoo...

Thats the end of my Madagascar exhibit! Hopefully ill have the motivation to keep posting these since i would want to show everyone some stuff that I've made.

 
The Great Desert

After walking through the nocturnal house and exiting the Madagascar exhibit you enter a Middle eastern style village with a small food stand and restrooms. Information boards tell you about the birth of civilization and agriculture. A large paddock in the village holds Awassi sheep, Ovis aries (6.13), Najdi sheep, Ovis aries (2.5). Outside of the village there is a large waterfowl aviary based on the Red sea and Persian gulf. In it lives Socotra cormorant, Phalacrocorax nigrogularis (6.9), White eyed gull, Ichthyaetus leucophthalmus (4.5), Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca (11.8). This lagoon has some palm trees and reeds but the ground is made of sand. Their neighbor is a pair of rare Arabian thar, Arabitragus jayakari (2.1) and their offspring. These rare ungulates recently came from a zoo in the Middle east and have already bred once. The enclosure is a long and tall rock wall that has some flat points. The enclosure continues below the viewing platform and down to the bottom where there is a window looking into a large flat area with some trees and other plants. Up next is a small house that holds Sand cats, Felis margarita (0.2). The house is made of two separate indoor enclosures with outdoor enclosures on either side. Between the two enclosures exists a walkway where you can look into both enclosures at the same time. In these two enclosures live two young females. Behind the Sand cat house you can find a large enclosure with a big central rocky outcrop and a moat separating it from visitors. In this enclosure lives a group of Hamadryas baboon, Papio hamadryas (16.21). The baboons can climb on steep cliffs and trees with ropes connecting them. Shrubs, patches of grass and other plants are also sprinkled in for some color. The baboons living in here are a part of a conservation plan and have been breeding a lot, especially in recent years. Temple ruins are put in for shelter and theming. Now you can take a breather and stop by a small restaurant serving middle eastern and Mediterranean foods. Connected to the restaurant you can find a walkthrough aviary with the following species:

Arabian partridge, Alectoris melanocephala (1.2)
Hypocolius, Hypocolius ampelinus (3.1)
White spectacled bulbul, Pycnonotus xanthopygos (5.4)
Pin tailed sandgrouse, (2.4)
Laughing dove, Streptopelia senegalensis (5.9)
White crowned wheatear, Oenanthe leucopyga (1.1)
Syrian serin, Serinus syriacus (2.3)
Crested lark, Galerida cristata (2.0)
Ornate mastigure, Uromastyx ornata (4.2)
Veiled chameleon, (0.3)
Sinai agama, Xenagama batillifera (3.12)
Arabian spiny mouse, Acomys dimidiatus (14.11)
Fat sand rat, Psammomys obesus (1.2)

The aviary is just a big loop, with small rocks and cliffs with hiding places for the mammals and reptiles. Trees such as palm trees also make the aviary into a bit of a deserty forest and give living spaces for the chameleons and birds. The path is so very slightly elevated to let the animals cross underneath and to keep stupid visitors from touching them. After you walk away from the restaurant you see a habitat with a pair of Arabian striped hyena, Hyaena hyaena sultana (1.1). The enclosure is two circles that are different sizes, surrounded by high cliffs making it look like a canyon. There is some grass and a little creek, but its mostly made up of smooth rocks. Finally you walk up to the two last enclosures of the Middle eastern part. One of these is much bigger and the other one while not small is smaller. In these two habitats live Mountain gazelles, Gazella gazella (5.0) and Dromedary camels, Camelus dromedarius (2.5), Arabian sand gazelle, Gazella arabica (3.11), Arabian oryx, Oryx leucoryx (2.7). The enclosures are very similar except for size with them having a sandy ground ad palm trees plus other plants around for that style. In the first one lives a bachelor group but we're trying to acquire some females and in the second enclosure all of the species are breeding, with the gazelles and oryxes being a part of a conservation plan based in Saudi Arabia.

Second part coming out soon!
 
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