The Las Vegas Zoo - A Speculative Zoo Project

Not for nothing, but lappet-faced vultures will tear African penguins to pieces... and possibly lose an eye themselves from the penguins in the process
Sorry if it wasn’t clear but the enclosure is rotational with vultures in the summer, and penguins & cormorants the rest of the year. I’ll talk about the Penguin indoor enclosure later
 
black faced impala are just a subspecies of impala, and not in themselves really endangered.
Not saying it wouldn't take a little work but I don't think its completely unrealistic.

Actually I want to expound on that though this may not be the place for it.
From the zoo nerd perspective I would reject the idea that animals should not
be displayed that other zoos do not. I would argue the opposite, that there is more than enough variety to go around without everyone displaying the same set of animals in every zoo.
Now I realize the potential for abuse- because you could not have 200 zoos suddenly
importing a small herd of black faced impala. However I see not only no problem with
importing from the wild if done responsibly but I would argue for it- not only from
display point of view but to strengthen genetics in many species currently held.
I just wanted the zoo to be realistic in size and price with realistic ways of importing species
 
As you continue walking down the Africa trail, you first are in the Kalahari-Namib Desert zone. The first enclosure which is on your right is seasonal, and is uninhabited in June through September. It’s netted, 20 m long, 10 m wide, and 5 m tall. It’s home to 7.7 African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) and 3.3 White-Breasted Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo lucidus). During the summer, it’s home to 1.1 Lappet-Faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos tracheliotos). The next enclosure is 20 m long, 15 m wide, 1.5 m tall barriers, and 1 m deep barriers underground. It’s home to 4.4 Meerkat (Suricata suricatta marjoriae) and 0.1 Southern Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus sundevallii). The enclosure after that is expansive, and is 1.3 Cape Eland (Tragelaphus oryx oryx), 1.4 Gemsbok (Oryx gazella gazella), 3.1 Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae), 1.5 South African Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis marsupialis), and 1.1 Steenbok (Raphicerus campestris steinhardti). The enclosure after that is 2575 sq. m large with 3 m tall barriers, and houses a pack of 4.4 Cape Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus pictus). The second to last enclosure is 50 m long, 50 m wide, and 4.75 m tall barriers with an overhang home to a pride of 2.4 Lion (Panthera leo melanochaita). The final enclosure is 10000 sq. m large with 5 m high fencing, and 1 m deep barriers underground. It houses 3.0 Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) and South-Central Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor). There are separate areas for each animal if needed. I will continue with the Inside Africa Building, and Madagascar Spiny Forest exhibits.

Current Species Count
Mammal: 29
Bird: 19
Reptile: 10
Amphibian: 2
Fish: 3
Invertebrate: 9
Total: 72
Now, I will continue with the Inside Africa building. Before you enter the building, there are two enclosures, one on each side of the path. On the left side of the path, there is an expansive walkthrough aviary that is 15 m long, 10 m wide, and 4.5 m tall. It’s home to 1.3 Eastern Speckled Mousebird (Colius striatus leucotis), 0.2 Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis), 2.3 Savanna White-Fronred Bee-Eater (Merops bullockoides bullockoides), 1.1 Spotted Thick-Knee (Burhinus capensis maculosus), 1.2 Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus), 2.3 Violet-Backed Starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster), and 1.2 White-Headed Buffalo-Weaver (Dinemellia dinemelli dinemelli). Like most aviaries in the zoo, this is closed during night. It’s also viewable from outside in case of avian flu. The enclosure on the right is 60 sq. m, with 3 m tall fencing, and is home to 0.1 Black-Footed Cat (Felis nigripes).


When you walk into the building, there is a large see-through wall enclosure on the right of the wall, it’s 600 sq. m, and is 4 m tall. It is the summer home of the African Penguins, and 1.1 Pyjama Shark (Poroderma africanum). On the left side of the wall, there is a large vivarium that is 1.5 m long, 1 m wide, and 1 m tall. It simulates a desert in Africa with sandstorms and rainy seasons. It’s home to 3.4 Black Fog-Basking Namib Darkling (Onymacris unguicularis), 1.0 Brown Armored Corncricket (Acanthoplus discoidalis), 0.0.20 Fairy Shrimp (Branchinella ornata)*, 5.7 Hide Beetle (Dermestes maculatus), 1.1 Kalahari Phantom Antlion (Golafrus oneilli), 1.1 Moon Spider (Zeria caffra), 1.2 Namib Desert Gecko (Pachydactylus vanzyli), and 2.5 Turquoise Killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri)*. The killifish and shrimp are only in the tank during the wet season. If it’s daytime, there is an exit on the right side of the hallway which goes outside. If it’s nighttime, there is a nocturnal gallery that opens up on the left side of the hallway.


In the Nocturnal Gallery, there are several terrariums, and enclosures. The main theme of the animals is night in East Africa. The first enclosure on the left side of the hallway is 4 m long, 4m wide, and 3 m tall. It’s home to 2.4 Straw-Colored Fruit Bat) Eidolon helvum helvum). The next enclosure on the left side is 3 m long, 1 m wide, and 1.5 m tall. It’s home to 1.0 African Rock Python (Python sebae). On the right side of the hallway, there are several terrariums. The first terrarium is 150 cm long, 150 cm wide, and 150 cm tall. It houses 1.1 Black-and-Rufous Sengi (Rhynchocyon petersi). The next terrarium is 60 cm long, 40 cm wide, and 40 cm tall. It’s home to 0.0.2 Giant African Land Snail (Lissachatina fulica) and 0.0.4 Giant African Millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas). The terrarium after that is 45 cm long, 45 cm wide, and 60 cm tall. It houses 1.1 Electric Blue Gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi). The next enclosure is 90 cm long, 45 cm wide, and 37.5 cm tall. It’s home to 1.0 African Bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus). The final terrarium is 120 cm long, 60 cm wide, and 37.5 cm tall. It houses 0.1 Four-Toed Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris). Then, the hallway leads to an exit outside. There are 3 enclosures directly outside of the building, one to the left of the path, and two to the right of the path. The enclosure on the left is 750 sq. m, and 4 m tall. It’s a walkthrough enclosure housing 0.1 Aardvark (Orycteropus afer afer) and 1.2 Garnett’s Greater Galago (Otolemur garnettii). The first enclosure is a netted aviary that is 10 m long, 5 m wide, and 4 m tall. It’s home to a pair of 1.1 Verreaux’s Eagle Owl (Bubo lacteus). The second enclosure on the right is 400 sq. m large with 1.75 m tall fencing, and 0.5 m deep barriers. It houses 1.1 Bat-Eared Fox (Otocyon megalotis megalotis) and 1.1 Crested Porcupine (Hystrix cristata). This path then meets up with the main Africa path. The next exhibit I’ll explain is the Madagascar spiny Forest building tomorrow or on Monday. Feel free to give feedback, suggestions, etc.


Current Species Count
Mammal: 37
Bird: 26
Reptile: 14
Amphibian: 3
Fish: 5
Invertebrate: 17
Total: 102
 
Now, I will continue with the Inside Africa building. Before you enter the building, there are two enclosures, one on each side of the path. On the left side of the path, there is an expansive walkthrough aviary that is 15 m long, 10 m wide, and 4.5 m tall. It’s home to 1.3 Eastern Speckled Mousebird (Colius striatus leucotis), 0.2 Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis), 2.3 Savanna White-Fronred Bee-Eater (Merops bullockoides bullockoides), 1.1 Spotted Thick-Knee (Burhinus capensis maculosus), 1.2 Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus), 2.3 Violet-Backed Starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster), and 1.2 White-Headed Buffalo-Weaver (Dinemellia dinemelli dinemelli). Like most aviaries in the zoo, this is closed during night. It’s also viewable from outside in case of avian flu. The enclosure on the right is 60 sq. m, with 3 m tall fencing, and is home to 0.1 Black-Footed Cat (Felis nigripes).


When you walk into the building, there is a large see-through wall enclosure on the right of the wall, it’s 600 sq. m, and is 4 m tall. It is the summer home of the African Penguins, and 1.1 Pyjama Shark (Poroderma africanum). On the left side of the wall, there is a large vivarium that is 1.5 m long, 1 m wide, and 1 m tall. It simulates a desert in Africa with sandstorms and rainy seasons. It’s home to 3.4 Black Fog-Basking Namib Darkling (Onymacris unguicularis), 1.0 Brown Armored Corncricket (Acanthoplus discoidalis), 0.0.20 Fairy Shrimp (Branchinella ornata)*, 5.7 Hide Beetle (Dermestes maculatus), 1.1 Kalahari Phantom Antlion (Golafrus oneilli), 1.1 Moon Spider (Zeria caffra), 1.2 Namib Desert Gecko (Pachydactylus vanzyli), and 2.5 Turquoise Killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri)*. The killifish and shrimp are only in the tank during the wet season. If it’s daytime, there is an exit on the right side of the hallway which goes outside. If it’s nighttime, there is a nocturnal gallery that opens up on the left side of the hallway.


In the Nocturnal Gallery, there are several terrariums, and enclosures. The main theme of the animals is night in East Africa. The first enclosure on the left side of the hallway is 4 m long, 4m wide, and 3 m tall. It’s home to 2.4 Straw-Colored Fruit Bat) Eidolon helvum helvum). The next enclosure on the left side is 3 m long, 1 m wide, and 1.5 m tall. It’s home to 1.0 African Rock Python (Python sebae). On the right side of the hallway, there are several terrariums. The first terrarium is 150 cm long, 150 cm wide, and 150 cm tall. It houses 1.1 Black-and-Rufous Sengi (Rhynchocyon petersi). The next terrarium is 60 cm long, 40 cm wide, and 40 cm tall. It’s home to 0.0.2 Giant African Land Snail (Lissachatina fulica) and 0.0.4 Giant African Millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas). The terrarium after that is 45 cm long, 45 cm wide, and 60 cm tall. It houses 1.1 Electric Blue Gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi). The next enclosure is 90 cm long, 45 cm wide, and 37.5 cm tall. It’s home to 1.0 African Bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus). The final terrarium is 120 cm long, 60 cm wide, and 37.5 cm tall. It houses 0.1 Four-Toed Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris). Then, the hallway leads to an exit outside. There are 3 enclosures directly outside of the building, one to the left of the path, and two to the right of the path. The enclosure on the left is 750 sq. m, and 4 m tall. It’s a walkthrough enclosure housing 0.1 Aardvark (Orycteropus afer afer) and 1.2 Garnett’s Greater Galago (Otolemur garnettii). The first enclosure is a netted aviary that is 10 m long, 5 m wide, and 4 m tall. It’s home to a pair of 1.1 Verreaux’s Eagle Owl (Bubo lacteus). The second enclosure on the right is 400 sq. m large with 1.75 m tall fencing, and 0.5 m deep barriers. It houses 1.1 Bat-Eared Fox (Otocyon megalotis megalotis) and 1.1 Crested Porcupine (Hystrix cristata). This path then meets up with the main Africa path. The next exhibit I’ll explain is the Madagascar spiny Forest building tomorrow or on Monday. Feel free to give feedback, suggestions, etc.


Current Species Count
Mammal: 37
Bird: 26
Reptile: 14
Amphibian: 3
Fish: 5
Invertebrate: 17
Total: 102
As you continue going along the Africa pathway, there is another building. This is the Madagascar Spiny Forest sponsored by Circus Circus. As you walk in, there is a hallway with 5 terrariums on the left side. On the right side of the hallway, there are signs talking about the diversity of ecosystems in Madagascar. The first terrarium is 60 cm long, 45 cm wide, and 30 cm tall. It’s home to a Madagascar staple, 0.0.4 Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa). The next terrarium is 1.2 m long, 0.6 m wide, and 0.6 m tall. It’s home to 1.0 Malagasy Giant Hognose (Leioheterodon madagascariensis). The middle terrarium is 90 cm long, 60 cm wide, 45 cm tall, and is home to a rarity. The inhabitants are 1.2 Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec (Echinops telfairi). The fourth terrarium is 1.8 m long, 0.9 m wide, and 1 m tall. It’s home to 0.1 Dumeril’s Ground Boa (Acrantophis dumerili). The final terrarium is 1.2 m tall, 1 m long, and 0.75 m wide. It’s home to the colour-changing 1.1 Spiny Chameleon (Furcifer verrucosus). After these terrariums, the hallway leads into a large room which looks into outside habitats which you can see at different viewpoints and angles.


The first enclosure you can look into is 4 m long and 3 m wide with 2 m tall see-through barriers. In this enclosure lives 1.0 Ring-Tailed Mongoose (Galidia elegans). The next enclosure is 6 m long and 4 m wide with 3 m tall clear barriers. It’s home to a large relative of the mongoose, 0.1 Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox). After these enclosures, there is a fork in the pathway. If it’s daytime, you take the left path. If it’s nighttime, you take the right path. If you go down the daytime path, there is a massive netted enclosure you can look into. It’s 225 sq. m large with 5 m tall see-through barriers. It’s home to 1.1 Common Brown Lemur (Eulemur fulvus), 1.1 Grey-Headed Lovebird (Agapornis canus), 1.1 Lesser Vasa Parrot (Coracopsis nigra), 1.0 Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) and 1.2 Ring-Tailed Lemur (Lemur catta). This enclosure was inspired by the Bronx Zoo’s Madagascar enclosure as ring-tailed lemurs are often placed in biogeographically inaccurate exhibits. Then, the pathway leads to an exit outside. If you took the right pathway at nighttime, there is a small enclosure you can look into. The enclosure is 30 sq. m large with 2.5 m tall barriers. It’s home to 1.2 Grey Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus) and 0.1 Spider Tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides). Then, the pathway leads to an exit outside. Once you go outside, there is the Sahara-Arabia region which I will explain tomorrow or on Wednesday. Feel free to leave feedback, suggestions, etc.

Current Species Count
Mammal: 43
Bird: 28
Reptile: 19
Amphibian: 3
Fish: 5
Invertebrate: 18
Total: 116
 
kind light on birds for Madagascar
probably want a larger group of ring tailed lemurs
Madagascar is also a MAJOR frog /toad hotspot- might want to squeaze in a couple
 
I’m thinking of restarting the project as I have many changes for the exhibits that I can’t really add now. Now, the Las Vegas zone has; Caesar’s menagerie, city of lights (bioluminescence), a flamingo aviary, innovator lab (research center), Las Vegas Citylife, the locals (endangered native species), African grey parrot aviary, and several opentopped river enclosures for the Venetian. Can you help with suggested species or changes?
 
I’m thinking of restarting the project as I have many changes for the exhibits that I can’t really add now. Now, the Las Vegas zone has; Caesar’s menagerie, city of lights (bioluminescence), a flamingo aviary, innovator lab (research center), Las Vegas Citylife, the locals (endangered native species), African grey parrot aviary, and several opentopped river enclosures for the Venetian. Can you help with suggested species or changes?
I have ideas of animals that can be in the locals section but I don’t know if you plan to have them in the North American and the animals are the desert tortoise, Palmers chipmunk, railroad valley toad, Pygmy rabbit, desert bighorn sheep, spring mountains Springsnail and mount Charleston ant.
 
I’m thinking of restarting the project as I have many changes for the exhibits that I can’t really add now. Now, the Las Vegas zone has; Caesar’s menagerie, city of lights (bioluminescence), a flamingo aviary, innovator lab (research center), Las Vegas Citylife, the locals (endangered native species), African grey parrot aviary, and several opentopped river enclosures for the Venetian. Can you help with suggested species or changes?
The exhibits I need more animals for is innovation lab, Caesar’s menagerie, and the city of lights
 
Should I add any more Las Vegas Zone exhibits , themed from sponsors? The Luxor, Mandalay Bay, Aces, Golden Knights, and Park MGM sponsored animals are not included in the Las Vegas Zone
 
@MOG2012 it'd be better to just make a Google doc at the start of the thread itself as that can be much more flexibly changed
 
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