Hi there. I would like to share some of my zoo ideas in the future here (but probably on an
irregular interval)
The first one is kind of an older idea, with a few upgrades, based on recent developments at European zoos.
Finding evolution
Let’s start with some background information. A few years back, at Zoo & Aquazoo Schmiding (Austria) there was a large mostly unused area between the entrance and the Aquazoo. There was a small, ugly and old-styled terrarium house and surplus pinioned birds and few domestics. The area is approximately 6.000 square meters large. Nowadays the Evoltution museum, located next to the Aquazoo built a new biodiversity house at this place, which is a house with a loose concept There are three animal exhibits and many preserved species-men (and far too less visitors). My original idea for these area was to combine the strengths of the Zoo and the museum to make an Evolution zoo. The zoo takes care of the live animals, while the museum should provide the educational background.
The area starts with a small aquarium building. The highlight is a large tank for Chinese giant salamanders. Next to it there is a fossile of an extinct relative of them, which was once native to middle Europe: Andrias scheuchzeri. Other animals at the are some smaller tanks for different endangered species of Anatolichthys to show how different species are evolving. Lake Titicaca frogs represents animals that breath through their skin and Andersons salamander shows an another endangered amphibian species that keeps some of it’s larval characteristics. Another large tank will keep West African lungfishes, a living fossile.
After that the dinosaur walk is starting, where Dinosaurs are compared to living animals. First animals here are Southern cassowarys. Probably the most Dinosaur like birds found around the globe They are next to the sculptures of a Corythoraptor group, which which have a similar casque as the cassowaries. A small terrarium is home to the Mount Kenya three horned chameleons, next to the sculpture of a Triceratops bull. The third species here is the Great blue turaco, whose extinct counterpart is Anchiornis. Right before the entry to the next building, there is a sculpture of an Ankyosaurus. The first exhibit inside the house is for Southern three-banded armadillo, which amour is similar to the previously shown dinosaur. The first part of house focus is on the evolution of the early mammals. Along with the armadillos, there are exhibits for black-and-rufous sengi and northern treeshrew. Then the night section begins with eastern quolls. They are the final animal of the early mammal part. The next theme within the building is Convergent evolution. The night part continues with aardvarks, short beacked echidna and Chinese pangolins. Back at the daylight, there in one more exhibit for tamanduas. Species from four different continents with similar ecological roles in their eco system are kept side by side to show how evolution is working similar around the globe.
Now only one house is remaining. The Scientist house highlights the work of the two most important people in the history of the evolution theory. Statues of Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace will be at the center of the building. The highlight of the house is the indoor area of the Galapagos Giant turtles which tells the story of Darwin and the Galapagos Islands. Two terrariums will house two frogs named in honor of the two scientists: Darwins frogs and Wallace flying frogs. There will also be indoor exhibits for tree kangaroos and greater birds of paradise. The house will also explain how modern evolution research works. After you leave the house you will see the outdoor exhibits of that area and with this, you are leaving the evolution path.
A raw map of the area with the arrows showing the visitor route.
1. Aquarium
2. Dinosaur walk
3. Early mammals
4. Convergent evolution
5. Scientist house
I would love to here some feedback whether the chosen topics are suitable for the generell idea and are at least somehow logical or if you would change something. And of course, if you guys think, that the idea would work in generell and if you think it would be appealing to visitors.
irregular interval)
The first one is kind of an older idea, with a few upgrades, based on recent developments at European zoos.
Finding evolution
Let’s start with some background information. A few years back, at Zoo & Aquazoo Schmiding (Austria) there was a large mostly unused area between the entrance and the Aquazoo. There was a small, ugly and old-styled terrarium house and surplus pinioned birds and few domestics. The area is approximately 6.000 square meters large. Nowadays the Evoltution museum, located next to the Aquazoo built a new biodiversity house at this place, which is a house with a loose concept There are three animal exhibits and many preserved species-men (and far too less visitors). My original idea for these area was to combine the strengths of the Zoo and the museum to make an Evolution zoo. The zoo takes care of the live animals, while the museum should provide the educational background.
The area starts with a small aquarium building. The highlight is a large tank for Chinese giant salamanders. Next to it there is a fossile of an extinct relative of them, which was once native to middle Europe: Andrias scheuchzeri. Other animals at the are some smaller tanks for different endangered species of Anatolichthys to show how different species are evolving. Lake Titicaca frogs represents animals that breath through their skin and Andersons salamander shows an another endangered amphibian species that keeps some of it’s larval characteristics. Another large tank will keep West African lungfishes, a living fossile.
After that the dinosaur walk is starting, where Dinosaurs are compared to living animals. First animals here are Southern cassowarys. Probably the most Dinosaur like birds found around the globe They are next to the sculptures of a Corythoraptor group, which which have a similar casque as the cassowaries. A small terrarium is home to the Mount Kenya three horned chameleons, next to the sculpture of a Triceratops bull. The third species here is the Great blue turaco, whose extinct counterpart is Anchiornis. Right before the entry to the next building, there is a sculpture of an Ankyosaurus. The first exhibit inside the house is for Southern three-banded armadillo, which amour is similar to the previously shown dinosaur. The first part of house focus is on the evolution of the early mammals. Along with the armadillos, there are exhibits for black-and-rufous sengi and northern treeshrew. Then the night section begins with eastern quolls. They are the final animal of the early mammal part. The next theme within the building is Convergent evolution. The night part continues with aardvarks, short beacked echidna and Chinese pangolins. Back at the daylight, there in one more exhibit for tamanduas. Species from four different continents with similar ecological roles in their eco system are kept side by side to show how evolution is working similar around the globe.
Now only one house is remaining. The Scientist house highlights the work of the two most important people in the history of the evolution theory. Statues of Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace will be at the center of the building. The highlight of the house is the indoor area of the Galapagos Giant turtles which tells the story of Darwin and the Galapagos Islands. Two terrariums will house two frogs named in honor of the two scientists: Darwins frogs and Wallace flying frogs. There will also be indoor exhibits for tree kangaroos and greater birds of paradise. The house will also explain how modern evolution research works. After you leave the house you will see the outdoor exhibits of that area and with this, you are leaving the evolution path.
A raw map of the area with the arrows showing the visitor route.
1. Aquarium
2. Dinosaur walk
3. Early mammals
4. Convergent evolution
5. Scientist house
I would love to here some feedback whether the chosen topics are suitable for the generell idea and are at least somehow logical or if you would change something. And of course, if you guys think, that the idea would work in generell and if you think it would be appealing to visitors.
You are right with the dinosaur walk. One idea is to show convergent evolution but also that dinosaurs aren't completely extinct and that they live on with their bird descendants.