Chester Zoo Personal Vision for Chester - Part 2

[Javan Rhino]

Not replied to this for a while, so here we go.

Yes, I mean to the left on the map (I work by map, as this is what people will know better, I assume). So I think it is the land below the vets building, the fact that it is already owned by the zoo really helps make this all somewhat more possible.

As for the elusiveness of the rhinos, since their habitat is so small now I assumed that they would have maybe 'favourite' mud wallows or grazing areas that they return to regularly. The idea of doing it for the Javan and Sumatran Rhinos is so that if one does appear, they would feel a link. Since in my plans they could see the other three in the zoo, the idea is to make it seem as if these animals are also 'in the zoo,' or at least it would look that way to guests in its design (I would make large computer screens appear like windows looking into an exhibit).

Also, the webcams are just a small part to it and there would be more pre-recorded footage, photos, information, models etc, with the sole intention being to make people more aware of the 'lesser known rhinos.'

 

[redpanda]

Not replied to this for a while, so here we go.

Yes, I mean to the left on the map (I work by map, as this is what people will know better, I assume). So I think it is the land below the vets building, the fact that it is already owned by the zoo really helps make this all somewhat more possible.

As for the elusiveness of the rhinos, since their habitat is so small now I assumed that they would have maybe 'favourite' mud wallows or grazing areas that they return to regularly. The idea of doing it for the Javan and Sumatran Rhinos is so that if one does appear, they would feel a link. Since in my plans they could see the other three in the zoo, the idea is to make it seem as if these animals are also 'in the zoo,' or at least it would look that way to guests in its design (I would make large computer screens appear like windows looking into an exhibit).

Also, the webcams are just a small part to it and there would be more pre-recorded footage, photos, information, models etc, with the sole intention being to make people more aware of the 'lesser known rhinos.'

Well as there are less than ten Javan Rhino left in Vietnam and less than a hundred on Java (in a thousand km² reserve) you would have about as much luck with filming them live as New Zealand have of winning the world cup. Sumatran Rhino are slightly more common, but both species are very little studied in the wild and scientists generally have to follow signs of their presence rather than following the actual animals. As such, even if there are areas in which they spend more time, we would probably have no idea where these are and would wish to disturb them even less. As such, I think all the web-cams would achieve would be to illustrate just how rarely seen these animals are! Your other, more conventional ideas, could be more successful, however.

 

[Javan Rhino]

Well as there are less than ten Javan Rhino left in Vietnam and less than a hundred on Java (in a thousand km² reserve) you would have about as much luck with filming them live as New Zealand have of winning the world cup. Sumatran Rhino are slightly more common, but both species are very little studied in the wild and scientists generally have to follow signs of their presence rather than following the actual animals. As such, even if there are areas in which they spend more time, we would probably have no idea where these are and would wish to disturb them even less. As such, I think all the web-cams would achieve would be to illustrate just how rarely seen these animals are! Your other, more conventional ideas, could be more successful, however.

Thanks for your input , and yeah the more conventional ideas would be good. I didn't realise that they had that much space in the reserve, I always assumed it to be far less and imagined that each rhino would stick to maybe a 10-20km area of the park.
I think putting the webcams there would be worth a test, because even if it does just illustrate how rare they are, people may see it as an excuse to donate ;p.

Quick question: with the Thylacine becomming a [relatively] recent extinction, are there still efforts to find possible survivors in the wild (camera traps, trackers etc). Is there a possibility that they still exist in maybe a small, undiscovered pocket?

 

[redpanda]

Thanks for your input , and yeah the more conventional ideas would be good. I didn't realise that they had that much space in the reserve, I always assumed it to be far less and imagined that each rhino would stick to maybe a 10-20km area of the park.
I think putting the webcams there would be worth a test, because even if it does just illustrate how rare they are, people may see it as an excuse to donate ;p.

You're welcome, and zoos such as Zurich and the Bronx have shown how much zoo visitors will donate towards conservation causes if properly compelled.

Quick question: with the Thylacine becomming a [relatively] recent extinction, are there still efforts to find possible survivors in the wild (camera traps, trackers etc). Is there a possibility that they still exist in maybe a small, undiscovered pocket?

There is a thread on this somewhere in which, if I remember correctly, the probable answer was an unfortunate no.

 

[Javan Rhino]

That is a shame. I too find it highly unlikely, but I shall forever live in hope. I've heard that cloning is possible in the future if they can get some good samples of DNA, but I don't think I'd want to see that. I would rather they came back through an unknown population if they ever did at all.

I'd love to visit some of the American Zoos (SeaWorld Orlando, Animal Kingdom, Busch Gardens, SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego zoo and Wildlife Parks, Bronx Zoo being the most). Have you ever visited any of them, and if so would you recommend them?

 

[redpanda]

I'd love to visit some of the American Zoos (SeaWorld Orlando, Animal Kingdom, Busch Gardens, SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego zoo and Wildlife Parks, Bronx Zoo being the most). Have you ever visited any of them, and if so would you recommend them?

The only major American zoo I've visited is the Bronx although I also did a few smaller ones. Like you, I dream of visiting a few more.

 

[Javan Rhino]

Yeah, I've done so many Britsh ones that I think are good, and I've heard American zoos are even higher than Chester's standard (which I think is the best UK one). I'd just love to see the contrast in them.

Back to topic, I have just started on editing Chester's 2010 map to show my plans. Since I am only using paint and basically changing every pixel, it'll take a while so I'll post it when I'm done

 

[Chlidonias]

you would have about as much luck with filming them live as New Zealand have of winning the world cup

wait, what?.....Oh that's right, we suck at soccer
lol

 

[bongorob]

wait, what?.....Oh that's right, we suck at soccer
lol

You've got a lot in common with England then.

 

[Cat-Man]

You've got a lot in common with England then.

lol agreed

 

[Cat-Man]

Heya, this is my first post so bear with me . The directions are based on the zoo map.

Entrance and Asian Plains

Elephants of the Asian Forest will remain largely the same, however a seperate grassy paddock would be built on the car-park side in which bull elephants can be kept seperately until they are needed for breeding. Peafowl would be free-roaming and Indian Hornbills would be free-flight (if possible) within the building (so long as they can't get past the elephant barriers). If there was then room I would find a spot to place some Indian Pangolins.

The gates and Traders of the Lost Ark would merge into one large entrance building, as well as the toilets, wheelchair and buggy hire, membership and adopters and guest services. Placed around would be several vivariums for reptiles, including Tuatara. A bridge would cross from the inside of the entrance building to the inside of Elephants of the Asian Forest.

The main paddock for Asian Plains would remain largely unchanged, with just some minor modifications to the paddock. Onagers and Camels would remain unchanged and Visayan Warty Pigs would share a paddock with Philippine Spotted Deer (if possible). Przewalski's Wild Horse would return to the collection, though I cannot think whereabouts in Asian Plains I could put them (ideas welcome). The Cheetahs will move to the Tsavo area and their old enclousure will become the new home to the Asiatic Lions. Condor cliffs extends onto the Andes Garden and becomes home to a pair of snow leopards. Butterfly journey and Fruit Bat Forest remain for conveniance.

Tsavo Area

The Warthog and Mongoose exhbit extends to the wall of Tsavo cafe, which has large panels of reinforced glass looking out onto the enclosure. It would seem to a customer that they are dining on mere decking in the open savannah. The old rhino house would not re-open, and would instead remain as off-show quaters for the animals.

The Tsavo building would remain, as would all of the paddocks for the black rhinos. However, it is possible that I would swap one paddock (possibly the off-show one that neighbours the warthogs) from Black to White Rhinoceros, with various displays highlighting the differences between the two species (this would be purly educational, and may only hold males too young or old to breed. The Meerkats would remain the same and an aardvark enclosure would be built nearby, housing self-sustaining termite mounds to encourage natural digging.

The Tsavo Bird Aviary would remain exactly the same, however I might have the oppurtunity for visitors to buy food (maybe grains and seeds) so that they can be fed at certain times in the day. The cranes to the right of the Tsavo Bird Safari would leave the collection and make way for a pair of secretary birds, whilst the pelicans and waterfowl would move to a different area to make way for a state-of-the-art exhibit for common hippos (if they would fit). If they would not fit, the aviary would be altered for White-Backed Vultures.

The African village and Painted Dogs would remain the same, with the new temporary porcupine exhibit becomming permenant if feasable. There would also be an indoor picnic area here and ramps onto elevated walkways that would take th visitor all around the Tsavo area of the zoo.

The land above the Scimitar-Horned Oryx would be now used as far as possible to create a large selection of hoofstock paddocks. After being complete, animals in this area would include (existing) Scimitar-Horned Oryx, Grevy's Zebra, Rothschild Giraffes, Ostrich, Sitatunga, Gemsbok and Red Lechwe. (New additions) Gerenuk, Thomson's Gazelle, Sable Antelope and Addax.
This new land would also have three spacious enclosures, one for the existing Cheetahs to move into, one for Caracals and the other for the servals to move in to.

If room was left over on the new building land, I would construct an egyptian themed building with Fennec Foxes, Sand Cats, Scorpions and an aviary for Egyptian Vultures.

Heart of Africa

The Heart of Africa Biodome would go ahead with very few changes. It would be situated on disused land opposite the current giraffes and Tropical Realm. It would house Western Lowland Gorillas, Okapi, Chimpanzees, Red River Hogs, Mandrills, Pygmy Hippos, Bongo, Forest Buffalo, Duiker and others mentioned in plans. It would also have enclosures for Drill and Bonobo and a large central 'lake' for African Manatees.

Brazilian Rainforest

Spirit of the Jaguar and the surrounding area will see various changes, though they will not make the area unrecognisable. Now, it will become an 'Amazon Safari.' The Jaguars on the waterfall side would leave the collection and the Jaguars from the savannah side would take their place. The Tapir and Capybara would move to the outdoor enclosure on the savannah side, which would benefit from more naturalistic fencing. The indoor enclosure would disappear and become a free-roaming area for Sloths, Marmosets, Tamarins, Squirrel Monkeys, Silky Anteaters and a variety of birds. A path would weave through this area and several large vivariums would line the walls for Anaconda, Emerald Tree Boas, Coral Snakes, Green Iguanas and Dart Frogs. In a manner of speaking, it would be like a cross between the Tropical houses at Twycross and Blackpool. The waterfall side would remain unchanged, with the Jaguars indoor and outdoor areas and the colony of Leaf-Cutter Ants.

The Jaguar Coffee House will take over the Arara Cafe and Picnic Lawn.

The Arara Lawn will extend onto the cafe/gift shop and become an enclosure for either Margay or Ocelots. The cafe will then become the inside quaters for whichever species is chosen/obtained.

The Sand Lizards and Mallorcan Midwife Toads would be moved off-show, the Buffy-Headed Capuchin would move into an extended Monkey Islands and new aviaries would be built for Hyacinth Macaws, Scarlett Macaws, Blue-and-Yellow Macaws, Toco Toucans and, if possible to obtain, Spix's Macaws. These Aviaries (with near-invisible netting rather than bars) would surround a new picnic lawn in a horseshoe shape. It would seem as if the lawn is a clearing in the rainforest itself.

Realm of the Red Ape

The Realm of the Red Ape would remain largely the same, only a few additions may be brought in. The Lar Gibbons would be replaced by Siamangs. If possible, land would be purchased to the west (going by map) of Realm of the Red Ape and would be given to Clouded Leopards, Malayan Sun Bears and Malayan Tapirs. Lowland Anoa would also move to this area, along with Sulawesi Crested Macaque, Lion-Tailed Macaque, Sumatran Tigers and a new Islands in Danger (if there is enough room, which I doubt).

I would also fund in-situ conservation programmes for Javan and Sumatran Rhinoceros, plus other Indonesian Wildlife. With this, I would aim to create a 'link' between the visitors to the zoo and the animals themselves. This would be exhibited in the current aquarium, and would feature photographs and videos of rhinos, information boards about threats, conservation as well as live webcams trained on areas that the rhinos are most often seen. There would also be interactive displays and slideshows to highlight their plight in the wild.

NEW: Aquatics and Tundra Zone

This would be a new area constructed from what is freed up space in the old 'Forest Zone.'

The old Chimpanzee Island would be renovated to house a pair of Polar Bears, with an on-show indoor area within the old Tropical Realm and off-show pens where the Chimps off-show pens are now (behind Red River Hogs). The indoor area for them would create a typical 'arctic ice-cap,' whilst the outdoor island would be a chilled-when-needed tundra environment, planted with lichens and other mosses and rocks. The indoor roundhouse would be converted into a viewing area with interactive displays that talk about global warming and other threats to Polar Bears.

Arctic Foxes would take the old Red River Hog enclosure, which would be renovated to accomodate their needs.

The old Tropical Realm would be renovated to become the new Aquarium, complete with shark tunnel. It would house various typical aquarium species, as well as sea otters and an indoor area for polar bears. The Sea Otters would have access to a renovated version of the old Buffy-Headed Capuchin island.

The old Giraffe and Okapi house and paddocks would be knocked down and in their place would be built a 'pinniped house,' with a large area for Walrus where the Giraffe once were and Californian Sea Lions where the Okapi were.

Rockhopper Penguins would take a renovated exhibit made from merging the old quarantine area with the Pudu exhibit.

The old Cattle House would be renovated for Musk Oxen and Caribou.

The old Europe on the Edge Aviary would become the new Pelicans and Waterfowl aviary.

The Ring-Tailed Lemurs would move to the old Lowland Anoa Island creating a series of three Lemur Islands in a row. Taking their place would be a mixed exhibit for King Penguins and Gentoo Penguins.

The Flamingo Lake, Humboldt Penguins and Giant Otters would remain the same.

Cloud Forest

The Bears of the Cloud Forest will remain exactly the same, with Spectacled Bears sharing their exhibit with Ring-Tailed Coatis.

Mountain Tapir will take the place of the old Brazilian Tapir paddock

A new Condor Cliffs would be built on disused land behind the Spectacled Bears, and an on-show indoor area for the spectacled bears would be built. Also built on this new land would be a Maned Wolf enclosure.

Vicuna, Rheas and Giant Anteater would remain the same.

NEW: Australian Adventure

The new Australian Adventure would be built on land that has been freed up by moving the lions, tigers and Islands in danger. The Cassowary would move into the old Tiger enclosure whilst the Kangaroos would move into the old Lion enclousre, which they would share with Emus.

An extended Islands in Danger houses a variety of Australian reptiles, birds and small mammals, including Koalas, Platypus, Echidnas, Wombats, Goannas, Kiwis, Kookaburras, Frilled Lizards, Thorny Devils and Bearded Dragons.

NEW: Oriental Gardens and Pedestrian Entrance

The Pedestrian Entrance will be transformed into a beautiful and tranquil oriental garden, with traditional Japanese and Chinese statues and fountains. This area will cover several enclosures left empty by Kangaroos, Servals and Cassowary.

A 'Panda House' would be built, with the Red Pandas taking one side in the enclosure that they currently occupy and a new exhibit for Giant Pandas taking the other side. This 'Panda House' will be built on the site of the old otter enclosure, the old Bongo paddock and the old crane paddock. The Japanese Cranes would move into the old Cassowary paddock, whilst Japanese Macaques would take the old serval enclosure. Bush Dogs would go temperarily off-show and their exhibit would be renovated for Golden Snub-Nosed Monkeys. The old Kangaroo enclosure would be joined to the Yellow Mongoose enclosure and extended backwards onto disused land (again, if possible), making one large exhibit for Asiatic Black Bears.

NEW: EUROPE ON THE EDGE

A new Europe on the Edge Aviary would be built around where the Grow-Zone and Owls are, whilst a pair of European Brown Bears, a pair of Scottish Wild Cats and a colony of European Beavers would have exhibits built on disused land to the left of the old Bongo enclosure.
Other Animal Exhibits

Monkey Island would get extended into the old miniature monkeys and conservation golf, and would introduce new species such as Geladas and Howler Monkeys.

Fruit Bat Forest would become Twilight Zone once again and would house a breeding pair of Aye-Aye. Also, viewing panels would be installed so that visitors could see into the bat area without getting worried about the free-flight aspect.

Other Buildings

The Ark Resteraunt and Childrens Fun Ark would remain, with Mongoose Mania remaining where it is. The Joseph Banks room would hold temporary displays, whilst certain parts of Oakfield Manor become a 'Chester Zoo Museum.'

Wow, a long list and a very unfeasible one at that. Lets hope they have a lot of surrounding 'disused land.'

Please let me know what you all think (I know many things aren't in Chester's plans, but this is our own views, right . And also, if there is anything I've missed.

Regards

Let me say, a very ambitous, yet AMAZING plan, like the idea of sun bears returning, also can i ask, how will the Sun bears and Clouded leopard be exhibited (also what visitor viewing would be used)??

thanks,

Dan

 

[Javan Rhino]

Not 100% sure on materials to be honest, but I would probably use strong wood and glass, along with maybe a high netted covering. Wire and walls may be used where needed, but anything that a guest would see would be as naturalistic as possible (I always favour the wood/wall and glass approach, since moats put so much distance between animal and guest (good in places), whereas wire/bars are just ugly.

 

[Cat-Man]

Not 100% sure on materials to be honest, but I would probably use strong wood and glass, along with maybe a high netted covering. Wire and walls may be used where needed, but anything that a guest would see would be as naturalistic as possible (I always favour the wood/wall and glass approach, since moats put so much distance between animal and guest (good in places), whereas wire/bars are just ugly.

thankyou my friend, a VERY good plan

 

[Indlovu]

can i have some feedback for mine

 

[Cat-Man]

Heya, this is my first post so bear with me . The directions are based on the zoo map.

Entrance and Asian Plains

Elephants of the Asian Forest will remain largely the same, however a seperate grassy paddock would be built on the car-park side in which bull elephants can be kept seperately until they are needed for breeding. Peafowl would be free-roaming and Indian Hornbills would be free-flight (if possible) within the building (so long as they can't get past the elephant barriers). If there was then room I would find a spot to place some Indian Pangolins.

The gates and Traders of the Lost Ark would merge into one large entrance building, as well as the toilets, wheelchair and buggy hire, membership and adopters and guest services. Placed around would be several vivariums for reptiles, including Tuatara. A bridge would cross from the inside of the entrance building to the inside of Elephants of the Asian Forest.

The main paddock for Asian Plains would remain largely unchanged, with just some minor modifications to the paddock. Onagers and Camels would remain unchanged and Visayan Warty Pigs would share a paddock with Philippine Spotted Deer (if possible). Przewalski's Wild Horse would return to the collection, though I cannot think whereabouts in Asian Plains I could put them (ideas welcome). The Cheetahs will move to the Tsavo area and their old enclousure will become the new home to the Asiatic Lions. Condor cliffs extends onto the Andes Garden and becomes home to a pair of snow leopards. Butterfly journey and Fruit Bat Forest remain for conveniance.

Tsavo Area

The Warthog and Mongoose exhbit extends to the wall of Tsavo cafe, which has large panels of reinforced glass looking out onto the enclosure. It would seem to a customer that they are dining on mere decking in the open savannah. The old rhino house would not re-open, and would instead remain as off-show quaters for the animals.

The Tsavo building would remain, as would all of the paddocks for the black rhinos. However, it is possible that I would swap one paddock (possibly the off-show one that neighbours the warthogs) from Black to White Rhinoceros, with various displays highlighting the differences between the two species (this would be purly educational, and may only hold males too young or old to breed. The Meerkats would remain the same and an aardvark enclosure would be built nearby, housing self-sustaining termite mounds to encourage natural digging.

The Tsavo Bird Aviary would remain exactly the same, however I might have the oppurtunity for visitors to buy food (maybe grains and seeds) so that they can be fed at certain times in the day. The cranes to the right of the Tsavo Bird Safari would leave the collection and make way for a pair of secretary birds, whilst the pelicans and waterfowl would move to a different area to make way for a state-of-the-art exhibit for common hippos (if they would fit). If they would not fit, the aviary would be altered for White-Backed Vultures.

The African village and Painted Dogs would remain the same, with the new temporary porcupine exhibit becomming permenant if feasable. There would also be an indoor picnic area here and ramps onto elevated walkways that would take th visitor all around the Tsavo area of the zoo.

The land above the Scimitar-Horned Oryx would be now used as far as possible to create a large selection of hoofstock paddocks. After being complete, animals in this area would include (existing) Scimitar-Horned Oryx, Grevy's Zebra, Rothschild Giraffes, Ostrich, Sitatunga, Gemsbok and Red Lechwe. (New additions) Gerenuk, Thomson's Gazelle, Sable Antelope and Addax.
This new land would also have three spacious enclosures, one for the existing Cheetahs to move into, one for Caracals and the other for the servals to move in to.

If room was left over on the new building land, I would construct an egyptian themed building with Fennec Foxes, Sand Cats, Scorpions and an aviary for Egyptian Vultures.

Heart of Africa

The Heart of Africa Biodome would go ahead with very few changes. It would be situated on disused land opposite the current giraffes and Tropical Realm. It would house Western Lowland Gorillas, Okapi, Chimpanzees, Red River Hogs, Mandrills, Pygmy Hippos, Bongo, Forest Buffalo, Duiker and others mentioned in plans. It would also have enclosures for Drill and Bonobo and a large central 'lake' for African Manatees.

Brazilian Rainforest

Spirit of the Jaguar and the surrounding area will see various changes, though they will not make the area unrecognisable. Now, it will become an 'Amazon Safari.' The Jaguars on the waterfall side would leave the collection and the Jaguars from the savannah side would take their place. The Tapir and Capybara would move to the outdoor enclosure on the savannah side, which would benefit from more naturalistic fencing. The indoor enclosure would disappear and become a free-roaming area for Sloths, Marmosets, Tamarins, Squirrel Monkeys, Silky Anteaters and a variety of birds. A path would weave through this area and several large vivariums would line the walls for Anaconda, Emerald Tree Boas, Coral Snakes, Green Iguanas and Dart Frogs. In a manner of speaking, it would be like a cross between the Tropical houses at Twycross and Blackpool. The waterfall side would remain unchanged, with the Jaguars indoor and outdoor areas and the colony of Leaf-Cutter Ants.

The Jaguar Coffee House will take over the Arara Cafe and Picnic Lawn.

The Arara Lawn will extend onto the cafe/gift shop and become an enclosure for either Margay or Ocelots. The cafe will then become the inside quaters for whichever species is chosen/obtained.

The Sand Lizards and Mallorcan Midwife Toads would be moved off-show, the Buffy-Headed Capuchin would move into an extended Monkey Islands and new aviaries would be built for Hyacinth Macaws, Scarlett Macaws, Blue-and-Yellow Macaws, Toco Toucans and, if possible to obtain, Spix's Macaws. These Aviaries (with near-invisible netting rather than bars) would surround a new picnic lawn in a horseshoe shape. It would seem as if the lawn is a clearing in the rainforest itself.

Realm of the Red Ape

The Realm of the Red Ape would remain largely the same, only a few additions may be brought in. The Lar Gibbons would be replaced by Siamangs. If possible, land would be purchased to the west (going by map) of Realm of the Red Ape and would be given to Clouded Leopards, Malayan Sun Bears and Malayan Tapirs. Lowland Anoa would also move to this area, along with Sulawesi Crested Macaque, Lion-Tailed Macaque, Sumatran Tigers and a new Islands in Danger (if there is enough room, which I doubt).

I would also fund in-situ conservation programmes for Javan and Sumatran Rhinoceros, plus other Indonesian Wildlife. With this, I would aim to create a 'link' between the visitors to the zoo and the animals themselves. This would be exhibited in the current aquarium, and would feature photographs and videos of rhinos, information boards about threats, conservation as well as live webcams trained on areas that the rhinos are most often seen. There would also be interactive displays and slideshows to highlight their plight in the wild.

NEW: Aquatics and Tundra Zone

This would be a new area constructed from what is freed up space in the old 'Forest Zone.'

The old Chimpanzee Island would be renovated to house a pair of Polar Bears, with an on-show indoor area within the old Tropical Realm and off-show pens where the Chimps off-show pens are now (behind Red River Hogs). The indoor area for them would create a typical 'arctic ice-cap,' whilst the outdoor island would be a chilled-when-needed tundra environment, planted with lichens and other mosses and rocks. The indoor roundhouse would be converted into a viewing area with interactive displays that talk about global warming and other threats to Polar Bears.

Arctic Foxes would take the old Red River Hog enclosure, which would be renovated to accomodate their needs.

The old Tropical Realm would be renovated to become the new Aquarium, complete with shark tunnel. It would house various typical aquarium species, as well as sea otters and an indoor area for polar bears. The Sea Otters would have access to a renovated version of the old Buffy-Headed Capuchin island.

The old Giraffe and Okapi house and paddocks would be knocked down and in their place would be built a 'pinniped house,' with a large area for Walrus where the Giraffe once were and Californian Sea Lions where the Okapi were.

Rockhopper Penguins would take a renovated exhibit made from merging the old quarantine area with the Pudu exhibit.

The old Cattle House would be renovated for Musk Oxen and Caribou.

The old Europe on the Edge Aviary would become the new Pelicans and Waterfowl aviary.

The Ring-Tailed Lemurs would move to the old Lowland Anoa Island creating a series of three Lemur Islands in a row. Taking their place would be a mixed exhibit for King Penguins and Gentoo Penguins.

The Flamingo Lake, Humboldt Penguins and Giant Otters would remain the same.

Cloud Forest

The Bears of the Cloud Forest will remain exactly the same, with Spectacled Bears sharing their exhibit with Ring-Tailed Coatis.

Mountain Tapir will take the place of the old Brazilian Tapir paddock

A new Condor Cliffs would be built on disused land behind the Spectacled Bears, and an on-show indoor area for the spectacled bears would be built. Also built on this new land would be a Maned Wolf enclosure.

Vicuna, Rheas and Giant Anteater would remain the same.

NEW: Australian Adventure

The new Australian Adventure would be built on land that has been freed up by moving the lions, tigers and Islands in danger. The Cassowary would move into the old Tiger enclosure whilst the Kangaroos would move into the old Lion enclousre, which they would share with Emus.

An extended Islands in Danger houses a variety of Australian reptiles, birds and small mammals, including Koalas, Platypus, Echidnas, Wombats, Goannas, Kiwis, Kookaburras, Frilled Lizards, Thorny Devils and Bearded Dragons.

NEW: Oriental Gardens and Pedestrian Entrance

The Pedestrian Entrance will be transformed into a beautiful and tranquil oriental garden, with traditional Japanese and Chinese statues and fountains. This area will cover several enclosures left empty by Kangaroos, Servals and Cassowary.

A 'Panda House' would be built, with the Red Pandas taking one side in the enclosure that they currently occupy and a new exhibit for Giant Pandas taking the other side. This 'Panda House' will be built on the site of the old otter enclosure, the old Bongo paddock and the old crane paddock. The Japanese Cranes would move into the old Cassowary paddock, whilst Japanese Macaques would take the old serval enclosure. Bush Dogs would go temperarily off-show and their exhibit would be renovated for Golden Snub-Nosed Monkeys. The old Kangaroo enclosure would be joined to the Yellow Mongoose enclosure and extended backwards onto disused land (again, if possible), making one large exhibit for Asiatic Black Bears.

NEW: EUROPE ON THE EDGE

A new Europe on the Edge Aviary would be built around where the Grow-Zone and Owls are, whilst a pair of European Brown Bears, a pair of Scottish Wild Cats and a colony of European Beavers would have exhibits built on disused land to the left of the old Bongo enclosure.
Other Animal Exhibits

Monkey Island would get extended into the old miniature monkeys and conservation golf, and would introduce new species such as Geladas and Howler Monkeys.

Fruit Bat Forest would become Twilight Zone once again and would house a breeding pair of Aye-Aye. Also, viewing panels would be installed so that visitors could see into the bat area without getting worried about the free-flight aspect.

Other Buildings

The Ark Resteraunt and Childrens Fun Ark would remain, with Mongoose Mania remaining where it is. The Joseph Banks room would hold temporary displays, whilst certain parts of Oakfield Manor become a 'Chester Zoo Museum.'

Wow, a long list and a very unfeasible one at that. Lets hope they have a lot of surrounding 'disused land.'

Please let me know what you all think (I know many things aren't in Chester's plans, but this is our own views, right . And also, if there is anything I've missed.

Regards

also what would happen with the old aquarium building?

 

[Cat-Man]

can i have some feedback for mine

i generally like your plan very much, even tho(as you probably no) i am a fan of zoo-geographic zones, however you have used the space very well to create a (genrally) none-geographic, yet AMAZING zoo-plan

 

[redpanda]

also what would happen with the old aquarium building?

It saves us all a lot of time if you read posts before replying to them:

I would also fund in-situ conservation programmes for Javan and Sumatran Rhinoceros, plus other Indonesian Wildlife. With this, I would aim to create a 'link' between the visitors to the zoo and the animals themselves. This would be exhibited in the current aquarium, and would feature photographs and videos of rhinos, information boards about threats, conservation as well as live webcams trained on areas that the rhinos are most often seen. There would also be interactive displays and slideshows to highlight their plight in the wild.

 

[Javan Rhino]

Thanks for pointing that out . As Red Panda says it would essentially be a 'research station' for wild Javan and Sumatran Rhinos, including a good number of things such as videos, photos, information and live webcams.

Failing that, I would use it for a Malayan Tapir indoor exhibit, but I have plans for them in the extensions to the west (map-wise) of Realm of the Red Ape.

Also Haz-Cat, I think yours is a very good plan and you may have noticed I've actually lifted a couple of ideas (a second elephant paddock, Condors up by bears etc, hope you don't mind).

 

[Indlovu]

Also Haz-Cat, I think yours is a very good plan and you may have noticed I've actually lifted a couple of ideas (a second elephant paddock, Condors up by bears etc, hope you don't mind).

You mean you nicked them? Because I didn't actually put either of them

 

[Javan Rhino]

You mean you nicked them? Because I didn't actually put either of them

Oops, my mistake. It was on another personal vision thread that I saw, just got the two muddled. Just reread yours to revamp my memory, I like the idea of peak holes into the quarentine area, and I like alot of your new forest zone. One question though, does Heart of Africa still go ahead in your plans, if so will you keep the same species that the zoo has announced plans for or do you bring in different species?