Predator/prey immersion exhibits

  • Thread starter Thread starter Al
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Hi

Im doing a zoo for my master's thesis in architecture. While my zoo is highly schematic and conceptual - there's alot that I'm proposing that is a bit far fetched - one particular issue that I was counting on was bothering me. I thought I would separate predators and prey by moats/hahas but recently I discovered some moat sections that stress the importance of the animal being able to climb out of the moat, and this is typically done by sloping the grade into the moat. At this point it ceases to become a moat especially since both sides would need to get sloped and there would be access across this divide. Anyways, I'm just wondering how the numerous cases cited in this discussion and elsewhere deal with animals ending up in the moat - I can't seem to find images on the internet nor explanations of how this is resolved.

Also, and related to the first issue - I imagined that, assuming the animals don't end up in the moat, you could use this as a conduit for services and/or zoo keepers. Aside from the possibility of an animal ending up in the moat, are there any major issues with this?

thanks for the advice in advance
 
In Valencia the lions are in a kopje, and around them are the savannah with the grassers, and the animals (predators and preys) not shows any signs of stress, as in the wild, it appears that grassers they know where the lion is hunting or just walking around, and in this case, in the zoo with food security, the lions look to grassers, but do not try to jump the moat that separates them, and grassers looks to lions and occasionally they run, but not for "to save his lives"
 
Dont EAZA have rules about predator prey interaction? I think Its severly frowned apon! Which is interesting as West Midlands Safari Park has become a member and all of their predator exhibits have just a chain link fence seperating them from hoofstock! lots of predator prey interaction!
 
oompa_l said:
Hi

Im doing a zoo for my master's thesis in architecture. While my zoo is highly schematic and conceptual - there's alot that I'm proposing that is a bit far fetched - one particular issue that I was counting on was bothering me. I thought I would separate predators and prey by moats/hahas but recently I discovered some moat sections that stress the importance of the animal being able to climb out of the moat, and this is typically done by sloping the grade into the moat. At this point it ceases to become a moat especially since both sides would need to get sloped and there would be access across this divide. Anyways, I'm just wondering how the numerous cases cited in this discussion and elsewhere deal with animals ending up in the moat - I can't seem to find images on the internet nor explanations of how this is resolved.

Also, and related to the first issue - I imagined that, assuming the animals don't end up in the moat, you could use this as a conduit for services and/or zoo keepers. Aside from the possibility of an animal ending up in the moat, are there any major issues with this?

thanks for the advice in advance
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1. At the bottom of such a moat is a wall tall enough to contain either animal. The moat exists to hide the wall.
2. Keepers cannot use moats while animals are on exhibit. No better way to get an animal into the moat than having keepers down there :D
 
markun said:
Isn't Milwaukee also famous for its predator-prey combinations?
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Yes. They repeat the same trick for each continent. All separated by moats. Prey in foreground, predator in background when viewed from outside (you can go inside and get a better view out at predators.)
 
Cat-Man said:
i mean, what exaples of these exhibits do they have
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ANyhuis said:
What makes Milwaukee's predator/prey exhibits outstanding is that they do it for FOUR different continents!
1. Africa: Lions or hyenas, behind zebras, ostriches, and antelope; Also cheetahs behind impala, gazelles, ground hornbills, and vultures.
2. South America: Tapirs and alpacas, behind jaguars.
3. Asia: Amur tigers and Asian black bears, behind Bactian camels.
4. North America: Polar bears, behind sea lions and harbor seals.
Click to expand...

From the Milwaukee Zoo thread
 
agree with your comment about Omaha zoo exhibit....great idea for exhibit and visually appealing but I am not sure if the animals are happy
 
I know its been a while since someone posted on here but I'd just like to say that, while visualy appealing to the public, I believe the predators get stressed and fusterated and the prey gets a heart attack everytime their predator runs at them with only a little fence seperating them. I saw a video of the National Zoo's Cheetah trying to hunt the Grevy's Zebras to no avail. The Cheetah was desperatly trying to get to the other side just following its instincts. Also, I was at the Broxn Zoo and I saw their pack of African Wild Dogs jumping over each other trying to get to the cocky Ostrich on the other side. The Ostrich just stood their running up to the fence and staring down the dogs. It looked to me like it was teasing them. The point is, predators have this instinct to hunt that they already don't get satisfied in most captive situations but it gets worst and I can view as almost torture when you place their prey inches away from them on the other side of a fence or over the moat. It can become almost dangerous if something or someone falls into the exhibit. Just look what happened at the National Zoo when a White-Tailed Deer fell into the exhibit. And they aren't exhibited next to their prey.
 
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