Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
Are they necessary or just plain silly?
Over the top themed exhibits
- Thread starter Strathmorezoo
- Start date
cornu aspersum
Well-Known Member
I generally don't like them since they can be quite an eyesore and can in some places take away space that can be used for expanding animal enclosures or adding more species. Usually in the case of cultural elements some parts may be misunderstood by the designers. Although I do like theming if it fits in nicely which is what pictures of Zurich's Lewa savanna looks like.
I'm still in 2 minds about London's 'Land of the Lions'. I think some of it would be better as a museum display, perhaps in Amsterdam's Tropenmuseum
Over the top themed exhibits can sometimes be both necessary AND silly. Easily the very best zone at Erlebnis Zoo Hannover (Germany) is Yukon Bay, with its terrific Polar Bear exhibit. Every zoo nerd loves this habitat and it's a perfect example of having a heavily-themed area be successful.
A Canadian mining company is the setting, and the Polar Bear habitat has a wave machine that churns the water with ocean-like waves. There's a huge crane (just outside this image and to the right) that can lower food via a massive net. A rocky, forested region is at the back, with sandy areas and underwater viewing. It's Hannover's crowning achievement. The wave machine, so much more common in European zoos compared to North American collections, is stunning.
Both photos via @Daniel Sörensen
But Hannover also has an adjacent exhibit with African Penguins that is just plain silly, as the idea is that a boat, the Yukon Queen, carrying the birds has crashed near the Yukon Mining Company Polar Bear habitat. It's ridiculous and simply reinforces the misguided notion that Polar Bears and Penguins exist together in the wild.
Both photos via @Daniel Sörensen
Lafone
Well-Known Member
I do actually rather love that boat, though it is clearly absurd. Of course all that decorative space could have just been used for a bigger pool. But I would still enjoy it.
On the other hand the wave machine is great and that polar exhibit looks simply amazing.
Most theming starts off well in terms of intent but there is a risk of playing to simple minded stereotypes (not everyone in 'Africa' lives in a mud hut with a grass roof for example). And some theme attempts are silly (obviously concrete ant hills which the animals living in the space cannot use in any way spring to mind). I do get why zoos do it, for theatre (after all animals don't care if they live in a fake marble temple or not).
I'd say if they complement or don't take away from the welfare for the animals, make the best use of space and have an educational value it's not a bad thing to have a carefully designed, well themed exhibit. They can be a spectacle. Personal preference though, while I enjoy some drama, I am a happy zoo visitor to just see a wonderfully planted and designed enclosure with plenty of off show opportunities and great enrichment.
On the other hand the wave machine is great and that polar exhibit looks simply amazing.
Most theming starts off well in terms of intent but there is a risk of playing to simple minded stereotypes (not everyone in 'Africa' lives in a mud hut with a grass roof for example). And some theme attempts are silly (obviously concrete ant hills which the animals living in the space cannot use in any way spring to mind). I do get why zoos do it, for theatre (after all animals don't care if they live in a fake marble temple or not).
I'd say if they complement or don't take away from the welfare for the animals, make the best use of space and have an educational value it's not a bad thing to have a carefully designed, well themed exhibit. They can be a spectacle. Personal preference though, while I enjoy some drama, I am a happy zoo visitor to just see a wonderfully planted and designed enclosure with plenty of off show opportunities and great enrichment.
I do like a good theming. But over the top is silly. I visit a zoo because I want to see animals, not because I want a substitute for Epcot at Walt Disney World.
I can think of one US zoo that is perhaps most deserving of a mention in this thread, and it's Disney's Animal Kingdom. In many ways, the storylines to Disney's Animal Kingdom and the attention to detail are impressive and phenomenal. For example, having real baobab trees on Kilimanjaro Safaris brings a level of realism and naturalism that is unparalleled by other zoos:
Photo By: @Ituri
The Mahajarah Jungle Trek takes on a storyline of an abandoned city that was reclaimed by nature, and this theming is present throughout the attraction- but fits with the overall messages of the park and in many ways enhances the exhibits, rather than detracts from them. This is most evident in the main aviary in this section:
Photo By: @geomorph
Photo By: @geomorph
Photo By: @Mr.Weasel
While some of the theming in this aviary (and other parts of the trail) are certainly excessive, most of it is either neutral to the animals (e.g., paintings on the walls), or disguising welfare-positive attributes (e.g., water bowls) as thematic objects.
That said, there are also places within Disney's Animal Kingdom where the theming is less successful. For example, in order to maintain a more authentic safari experience, most of the animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris can only be seen from the safari vehicles, which often means long lines and thirty-second views. In these cases, the visitor experience is actually detracted from by the theming, as it means one isn't able to visit individual exhibits for either more and/or less time than the safari vehicle does. Yes- the safari is an impressive ride. However, it's a shame that visitors can't experience one of the best elephant complexes in the world for longer than 30 seconds at a time.
Photo By: @J I N X
Furthermore, in some cases I feel as though Disney's Animal Kingdom avoided placing the same quality of educational signage that I'd expect at an AZA-accredited institution due to the theming as well. If an institution is dedicated to education, then any theming which exists should enhance this part of the zoo's mission, not be a hindrance to it. While some sections of the zoo have signage (photos from The Oasis), many exhibits along the more thematic trails do not, which is a real shame.
Photos By: @Mr.Weasel
Lastly, a few exhibits are arguably detracted from by the theming. While Disney created exhibits for gorillas, hippos, and elephants that are easily amongst the five best in the United States (if not the world), the same impressiveness is not present in their big cat exhibits. While the tiger exhibit isn't bad, it opts to be anchored by a large fountain, and doesn't feature nearly as many natural, enriching elements as the other exhibits in the park do. While not a bad exhibit per say, it certainly isn't even in the country's top ten!
Photo By: @Mr.Weasel
The area surrounding the exhibit is even more immersive in its theming:
Photo By: @Mr.Weasel
The lion exhibit on Kilimanjaro Safaris suffers similarly- while not a bad exhibit, it focuses more on trying to replicate "pride rock" from The Lion King than on building a jaw-dropping habitat.
Photo By: @ZooNerd1234
Disney's Animal Kingdom had a much larger budget than most other zoos- allowing it the luxury of pursuing more over-the-top theming without detracting from animal welfare. If even Disney can at times falter due to over-theming, it concerns me when zoos of a lesser budget try to prioritize designing a "disney-fied" style of exhibitry over providing impressive, naturalistic habitats at a lower cost.
Photo By: @Ituri
The Mahajarah Jungle Trek takes on a storyline of an abandoned city that was reclaimed by nature, and this theming is present throughout the attraction- but fits with the overall messages of the park and in many ways enhances the exhibits, rather than detracts from them. This is most evident in the main aviary in this section:
Photo By: @geomorph
Photo By: @geomorph
Photo By: @Mr.Weasel
While some of the theming in this aviary (and other parts of the trail) are certainly excessive, most of it is either neutral to the animals (e.g., paintings on the walls), or disguising welfare-positive attributes (e.g., water bowls) as thematic objects.
That said, there are also places within Disney's Animal Kingdom where the theming is less successful. For example, in order to maintain a more authentic safari experience, most of the animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris can only be seen from the safari vehicles, which often means long lines and thirty-second views. In these cases, the visitor experience is actually detracted from by the theming, as it means one isn't able to visit individual exhibits for either more and/or less time than the safari vehicle does. Yes- the safari is an impressive ride. However, it's a shame that visitors can't experience one of the best elephant complexes in the world for longer than 30 seconds at a time.
Photo By: @J I N X
Furthermore, in some cases I feel as though Disney's Animal Kingdom avoided placing the same quality of educational signage that I'd expect at an AZA-accredited institution due to the theming as well. If an institution is dedicated to education, then any theming which exists should enhance this part of the zoo's mission, not be a hindrance to it. While some sections of the zoo have signage (photos from The Oasis), many exhibits along the more thematic trails do not, which is a real shame.
Photos By: @Mr.Weasel
Lastly, a few exhibits are arguably detracted from by the theming. While Disney created exhibits for gorillas, hippos, and elephants that are easily amongst the five best in the United States (if not the world), the same impressiveness is not present in their big cat exhibits. While the tiger exhibit isn't bad, it opts to be anchored by a large fountain, and doesn't feature nearly as many natural, enriching elements as the other exhibits in the park do. While not a bad exhibit per say, it certainly isn't even in the country's top ten!
Photo By: @Mr.Weasel
The area surrounding the exhibit is even more immersive in its theming:
Photo By: @Mr.Weasel
The lion exhibit on Kilimanjaro Safaris suffers similarly- while not a bad exhibit, it focuses more on trying to replicate "pride rock" from The Lion King than on building a jaw-dropping habitat.
Photo By: @ZooNerd1234
Disney's Animal Kingdom had a much larger budget than most other zoos- allowing it the luxury of pursuing more over-the-top theming without detracting from animal welfare. If even Disney can at times falter due to over-theming, it concerns me when zoos of a lesser budget try to prioritize designing a "disney-fied" style of exhibitry over providing impressive, naturalistic habitats at a lower cost.
Pretty sure their baobabs are fake. The one in the photo would be hundreds of years old if real.
Yes the large ones in the photo are fake, there is however at least 1 live one at DAK Lodge (though nowhere near as large, of course)
Komodo Dragon
Well-Known Member
I don’t mind culturally theming as long as:
1) It is geographically apt, respectful, and tastefully done
2) It is in some way educational, especially if it ties into conservation or human-wildlife relations
3) It never comes at the expense of the animals
1) It is geographically apt, respectful, and tastefully done
2) It is in some way educational, especially if it ties into conservation or human-wildlife relations
3) It never comes at the expense of the animals
