Have this idea I've been kicking around so I will present for your critiques.
I apologize in advance that I have very poor computer and frankly artistic skills
so I can't give you any flashy designs or whatnot, I will have to attempt to describe it in words only.
I think this could be an idea for a stand alone zoo or it also could be an addition to an existing zoo
with adequate space. I choose tropical America but could easily fit tropical Asia, Africa , Indonesia,
Philippines, etc.
As this is largely a dream it is also pretty damn large.
Think of the ground space as a 12 acre rectangle divided into 12 1 acre squares.
four acres in the front
four in the middle
four in the back
The middle two squares would be a 2 acre free flight up to 50 ft tall.
The four end squares would be open spaced exhibits
That would leave 2 squares in front. 2 squares in back and one on each side.
The six indoor squares would have 3 floors each. The bottom two
open to the public the third space for extra holdings, breeding, administration,
commissary, etc.
The outer facade would be a Mayan step pyramid, but could also easily be a mountain/volcano
shape.
The four open exhibits would be for larger exhibits:
Jaguar, Baird's tapir, giant amazon otter, giant anteater, black handed spider monkey, howler monkey
woolly monkey, amazon manatee, king vulture, harpy eagle, walk through squirrel monkey and two toed sloth.
The middle wing squares lower floor would serve as indoor exhibits and service areas for the larger exhibits.
As mentioned the middle would be a large aviary, also containing red brocket deer, yellow legged tortoise and pond like aquariums for arapaima, piranha, red tailed catfish, various turtles and other fish. It would contain , a high swinging bridge and a zip line , a rock climb and canopy access boom (to better separate visitors from their dollars as well as educate!). A large variety of birds would complete the rainforest interior. Two retractable ceilings - one would open with a screen or mesh
covering to provide fresh air during warm but mild times. The other would provide a solar screen
for when there was more intense sunlight. The top would be a more or less two story greenhouse
on the top of the overall structure to provide more height for trees , with the aforementioned crown.
The remaining floors of the square (as well as the second floor of the wings) would
contain marmosets, tamarins, smaller monkeys other smaller mammals (tamandua, porcupine, possums, small cats, bushdog, bats etc, parrots and macaws, other birds, caimans and crocodiles, snakes , lizard turtles frogs , toads, caecilians, insects and invertebrates all native to Central , South America as well as a few Caribbeans. . The flight middle would be visible from an inner ring of pedestrian viewing and interior passage, as well as 4 cafe/restaurant/ fast food establishments/restrooms etc. There would be 4 sets of stairs or escalators as well as 4 elevators. also 4 entrances /exits . along with second story viewing of the outdoor exhibits.
I chose the building like structure in lieu of a dome as I believe it would be cheaper to build and maintain and give a lot more bang to the buck. But be sure to correct me if I am wrong.
This would not be cheap at any rate. Certainly in the hundreds of millions perhaps up to a billion dollars. It could also be scaled up or down depending on the budget.
Well thats the general outline. thoughts?
I apologize in advance that I have very poor computer and frankly artistic skills
so I can't give you any flashy designs or whatnot, I will have to attempt to describe it in words only.
I think this could be an idea for a stand alone zoo or it also could be an addition to an existing zoo
with adequate space. I choose tropical America but could easily fit tropical Asia, Africa , Indonesia,
Philippines, etc.
As this is largely a dream it is also pretty damn large.
Think of the ground space as a 12 acre rectangle divided into 12 1 acre squares.
four acres in the front
four in the middle
four in the back
The middle two squares would be a 2 acre free flight up to 50 ft tall.
The four end squares would be open spaced exhibits
That would leave 2 squares in front. 2 squares in back and one on each side.
The six indoor squares would have 3 floors each. The bottom two
open to the public the third space for extra holdings, breeding, administration,
commissary, etc.
The outer facade would be a Mayan step pyramid, but could also easily be a mountain/volcano
shape.
The four open exhibits would be for larger exhibits:
Jaguar, Baird's tapir, giant amazon otter, giant anteater, black handed spider monkey, howler monkey
woolly monkey, amazon manatee, king vulture, harpy eagle, walk through squirrel monkey and two toed sloth.
The middle wing squares lower floor would serve as indoor exhibits and service areas for the larger exhibits.
As mentioned the middle would be a large aviary, also containing red brocket deer, yellow legged tortoise and pond like aquariums for arapaima, piranha, red tailed catfish, various turtles and other fish. It would contain , a high swinging bridge and a zip line , a rock climb and canopy access boom (to better separate visitors from their dollars as well as educate!). A large variety of birds would complete the rainforest interior. Two retractable ceilings - one would open with a screen or mesh
covering to provide fresh air during warm but mild times. The other would provide a solar screen
for when there was more intense sunlight. The top would be a more or less two story greenhouse
on the top of the overall structure to provide more height for trees , with the aforementioned crown.
The remaining floors of the square (as well as the second floor of the wings) would
contain marmosets, tamarins, smaller monkeys other smaller mammals (tamandua, porcupine, possums, small cats, bushdog, bats etc, parrots and macaws, other birds, caimans and crocodiles, snakes , lizard turtles frogs , toads, caecilians, insects and invertebrates all native to Central , South America as well as a few Caribbeans. . The flight middle would be visible from an inner ring of pedestrian viewing and interior passage, as well as 4 cafe/restaurant/ fast food establishments/restrooms etc. There would be 4 sets of stairs or escalators as well as 4 elevators. also 4 entrances /exits . along with second story viewing of the outdoor exhibits.
I chose the building like structure in lieu of a dome as I believe it would be cheaper to build and maintain and give a lot more bang to the buck. But be sure to correct me if I am wrong.
This would not be cheap at any rate. Certainly in the hundreds of millions perhaps up to a billion dollars. It could also be scaled up or down depending on the budget.
Well thats the general outline. thoughts?
