So do you think my kinkajou walk-through could be successful, provided that there were staff stationed at all times closely monitoring the animals and visitors? I'm envisioning a fairly large area with lots of strategically placed plants, enrichment items, etc., to de-incentivize the kinkajous from approaching visitors too.
Theoretical walkthroughs
- Thread starter Mr Gharial
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- walk-in exhibits
I don't see why it couldn't, although to be fair I don't think the Kinkajous would be visible to visitors most of the time.
It could be, potentially. I still don’t really see them as an ideal candidate, but it could work. I've seen Kinkajous exhibited in a standard day exhibit and they were barely visible sleeping in their hides. They only roused in the late afternoon when a keeper brought food in, and they weren't in any hurry to go get it. I've heard similar from others who have seen them in daytime exhibits. A reverse lighting exhibit would get more activity out of them though also increase the potential for direct guest interaction and be harder to effectively monitor.
BenFoxster
Well-Known Member
I'm wondering if it would be safe to hold the following species in a larger walkthrough South American aviary, a theoretical two-story walk-through that consists of various South-American birds, fish, tamarins, and even some herp tanks located within the aviary. It would be like a mix between the National Zoo's Amazonia and Henry Doorly's Lied Jungle in terms of concept.
Birds:
- Inca Tern
- Roseate Spoonbill
- Ringed Teal
- Blue and Yellow Macaw
- Scarlett Ibis
- Boat Bill Heron
- Black Necked Stilt
- Mandarin Duck
- Blue-Throated Piping-Guan
- Puna Teal
- Sunbittern
- Cape-Thick Knee
- Amazonian Motmot
- Red-lored Amazon
- Laysan Teal
- Crested Oropendola
- Black Spotted Barbet
- Andean Cock of the Rock
- Toco Toucan
- Silver Beaked Tanager,
- Yellow Rumped Cacique
Mammals:
- Cotton-Top Tamarin
- Two-Toed Sloth
Then down below on the first floor would be a river with underwater viewing for:
- Arapaima
- Black Pacu
- Freshwater Stingray
- Red Bellied Piranha
Possibly some side terrariums located within the aviary with:
- Poison-Dart Frogs
- Emerald Tree Boa
- Goliath Bird-Eater
- Yellow-Spotted Amazon River Turtle
- Red-Footed Tortoise
- Penis Snake
Preferably there would be areas for the birds to fly up away from the tamarins. If any of the birds or fish are too dangerous to the fellow inhabitants they could be removed accordingly.
Birds:
- Inca Tern
- Roseate Spoonbill
- Ringed Teal
- Blue and Yellow Macaw
- Scarlett Ibis
- Boat Bill Heron
- Black Necked Stilt
- Mandarin Duck
- Blue-Throated Piping-Guan
- Puna Teal
- Sunbittern
- Cape-Thick Knee
- Amazonian Motmot
- Red-lored Amazon
- Laysan Teal
- Crested Oropendola
- Black Spotted Barbet
- Andean Cock of the Rock
- Toco Toucan
- Silver Beaked Tanager,
- Yellow Rumped Cacique
Mammals:
- Cotton-Top Tamarin
- Two-Toed Sloth
Then down below on the first floor would be a river with underwater viewing for:
- Arapaima
- Black Pacu
- Freshwater Stingray
- Red Bellied Piranha
Possibly some side terrariums located within the aviary with:
- Poison-Dart Frogs
- Emerald Tree Boa
- Goliath Bird-Eater
- Yellow-Spotted Amazon River Turtle
- Red-Footed Tortoise
- Penis Snake
Preferably there would be areas for the birds to fly up away from the tamarins. If any of the birds or fish are too dangerous to the fellow inhabitants they could be removed accordingly.
Dr. Wolverine
Well-Known Member
This is not a South American species.
There is more than one non-South American bird in that list.
BenFoxster
Well-Known Member
Update: Scrap the laysan teal, Mandarin duck, and cape-thick knee, I'm not sure why I accidentally put those on the list as they aren't native to South America.
The relevant thick knee for a South American exhibit would be Double-Striped Thick-knee Hesperoburhinus bistriatus, but I am not sure there are any in captivity.
Paul.Haerle
Well-Known Member
Would black grouse work?
Pheasants and other large ground birds are held in walkthrough aviaries quite often, I don't see why Black grouse wouldn't work
Van Beal
Well-Known Member
so... what exactly is this?
Dr. Loxodonta
Well-Known Member
Atretochoana eiselti is a species of South American Caecilian. Despite not having an official common name, the media had their own ideas.
There's no such thing as an official common name when it comes to herps. If enough people use it, it's a common name. This qualifies.
Aardwolf
Well-Known Member
It's a fact that a lot of folks don't appreciate, but the biggest single expense in running the average zoo is the staff - up to 60% of the operating budget at many zoos is staff salaries. Very often, it's keeper time and staffing levels, rather than physical space or cost of animal care, which limits a zoo's ability to house as many animals as you might otherwise suspect they could hold. What I'm getting at is, having a keeper stationed all day at a croc walk-through might not be the most cost-effective choice you could make for a zoo
MOG2012
Well-Known Member
Is the walkthrough ok in general though?
Most walkthroughs, in Europe at least, do have someone stationed all day. Most notably Apenheul, which has six walkthrough areas with someone always present
In many zoos these are volunteers though.
In my experience, it's mostly interns. My point is, having someone stationed at the walkthrough isn't that big of a problem