ZOO ENTRANCES

adrian1963

adrian1963

Well-Known Member
I have been to a few zoo's over my many years and have been inpressed by some of the newer zoo entrances.

What I mean is some of the entrances now carry alot more information on the animals they have in thier collections on notice boards or posters, this way you are getting information before entering the zoo so you have a good idea what to expect.

My local zoo Dudley unfortunatly fails in this area as you have to enter through the zoo shop.

On the other hand Hagley Falconary Centre as it's enteerance at the back of a large garden centre (WEBBS) and while you wonder round the garden centre to reach the (HFC) entrance you can see advertisements for the (HFC) telling you all about it.

I was wondering which zoos YOU felt give you best information about it's self before you enter and which zoos enterance is a bit different like (HFC)

And do you think zoos should have information on other collections within thier grounds
 
Big, modern Zoo entrances, most in combination with the giftshope and/or a restaurant, and with more information, and in some cases, with an exhibit for a small mammal species or reptiles, become more and more popular in zoos, in germany for example.

I like the Entrance of Dresden Zoo, the vistors enter the zoo through a big building with an information desk, the zooshop and a table with maps, magazines and flyers of the zoo. At the end of the building is an double exhibit for naked mole rats and short eared elephant shrew and the people can chioce now, if they want to go directly to the zoogrounds through a door on the right side, or if they want to enter the africa house for elephants and mandrills. The first floor of that building houses the restaurant.

Frankfurt Zoo is starting construction of a new, big entrance in this summer. I've seen a lot of impressive and great entrances in many zoos in the USA.
 
For me personally. And I am a little biased my favourite oo entrance is that of Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo. It has no information on animals. you have no idea what to expect and that is all the better for creating an atmosphere before you even enter the zoo. you come off a countrey road not being able to see anything. Turn into the zoos driveway and are greeted wit massive Jurassic Park Style gates which you drive through to get to the toll booth style admissions. then continue to drive. Although this will all be changing shortly the big gates will remain as visitors often coment on the gates.
 
I like Paigntons. It's themed in a sort of generic africa type theme and has loads of posters, info panels and screens about while you queue. Great for keeping kids amused as well as adults. I'm increasingly liking the sea life centres with their screens, it used to be one annoying looping commercial, but now it's a range of interesting short films of new exhibits.
I agree on Dudley, it's tragically bad. It would be nice to seperate the paying/entrance part from the shop, even with a barrier of sorts, and make the entrance feel a bit more welcoming.
 
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