ZooSC at Myrtle Beach: A New Spec Zoo Project

[Van Beal]

Amazonia Pt. 4

Yes, this is it. This is the final Amazonia post. This glorious grind is finally over for a brief moment.

We begin passing the three terrariums which rounded out the last post, and venturing to a pair of fish tanks. The first is very bare in decoration, with a single log lying across the sandy bottom of the tank, and a few straggly water plants, creating an environment that is quite thrilling when our school of Red-bellied Piranha Pygocentrus nattereri (0.0.15) swims throughout, and especially when feeding displays occur (though they don't eat as fast and as cleanly as you see in the movies). Beside this tank is a more decorated tank, taken up by various branches laying across a gravelly bottom. Living among the plants are our Twig Catfish Farlowella acus (0.0.5), a unique bottom-feeder that may be found suctioned to the walls or even the front glass of their aquarium.

Possible Piranha Tank -> image courtesy of @MennoPebesma

Red-bellied Piranha -> image courtesy of @Prochilodus246

Twig Catfish -> image courtesy of @Tim May

Now, the path reaches a doorway, above which is a sign reading "The Jaguar's Lair." However, to the left of this doorway is a massive window viewing into the lake mentioned earlier. This lake acts as a home to a diverse population of fish, which will likely only expand both in numbers and species in the coming years. As of now, the lake houses the following species:
- 0.0.10 Arapaima Arapaima gigas
- 0.0.60 Black Pacu Colossoma macropomum
- 0.0.20 Ripsaw Catfish Oxydoras niger
- 0.0.20 Silver Arowana Osteoglossum bicirrhosum
- 0.0.6 White-blotched or Xingu River Ray Potamotrygon leopoldi

Possible View of Lake Window -> image courtesy of @Moebelle

Arapaima -> image courtesy of @Mr Gharial

Black Pacu -> image courtesy of @Westcoastperson

Ripsaw Catfish (top) and Silver Arowana -> image courtesy of @KevinB

White-blotched/Xingu River Ray -> image courtesy of @gulogulogulo

To the right hand side of the doors, guests get a view into a 200 sq. meter habitat, with combination mulch-and-soil substrate, and a combination of real plants and false trees creating a lush environment full of unique climbing opportunities. A sign alongside the glass viewing window describes the inhabitant, and how they are close relatives to raccoons and coatis, among others. It also explains how the name of the Kinkajou Potos flavus (1.1) which live here translates roughly to "golden drinker" or "honey bear," names which are attributed to the diet of the animal, which does often include honey and nectar.

Kinkajou -> image courtesy of @Nadchew_

Possible Look of Kinkajou Habitat -> image courtesy of @MagpieGoose

And finally, guests can head through into the Jaguar's Lair. This is, as one might expect, the indoor quarters for our two Jaguar Panthera onca (2.0) which were mentioned at the very opening of the Amazonia series of posts. Their indoor quarters are 500 sq. meters each, with one individual having access to each room. The quarters are, unlike most indoor cat quarters, very well planted and use a combination mulch-and-soil substrate. False and natural trees are combined with the very lush foliage to provide a jungle-like environment and various climbing opportunities for the cats. Both quarters also feature pools, as these cats enjoy their bathtime.

Possible Look of Jaguar Indoor Spaces -> image courtesy of @gulogulogulo

Jaguar (in B&W) -> image courtesy of @Julio C Castro

*sigh* And with that, guests exit this amazing display, and continue along to a brief intersection, which allows a few options. Continuing on straight ahead would lead you into the African Wilds, however we will head to the left, toward the Polar Reaches! A small but exciting sector, so buckle in and prepare for a fun time! Until then, thanks for sticking around through this rollercoaster, and enjoy Amazonia!
Note -> species distribution will be posted soon after this goes online.

 

[Van Beal]

Amazonia
Mammals: 11
Birds: 14
Herptiles: 19
Invertebrates: 7
Fish: 7
Total: 58

Totals
Mammals: 98
Birds: 95
Herptiles: 66
Invertebrates: 20
Fish: 17
Current Grand Total: 295

First and foremost, apparently the prior grand total was incorrect, it should be 296 total species, not 295.
Now, for the updated totals:
Totals
Mammals: 109
Birds: 109
Herptiles: 85
Invertebrates: 27
Fish: 24
Current Grand Total: 354

 

[Great Argus]

However, to the left of this doorway is a massive window viewing into the lake mentioned earlier. This lake acts as a home to a diverse population of fish, which will likely only expand both in numbers and species in the coming years. As of now, the lake houses the following species:
- 0.0.10 Arapaima Arapaima gigas
- 0.0.60 Black Pacu Colossoma macropomum
- 0.0.20 Ripsaw Catfish Oxydoras niger
- 0.0.20 Silver Arowana Osteoglossum bicirrhosum
- 0.0.6 White-blotched or Xingu River Ray Potamotrygon leopoldi

Just how big is this pond? That's a lot of large fish!

 

[Van Beal]

Just how big is this pond? That's a lot of large fish!

I apparently did not have an actual size on the pond/lake/body of water in my plans could've sworn I did, but sometimes I can be forgetful. In terms of surface area, I was thinking somewhere between 3-5 acres accessible to the fish, with additional space subtracted as the water feature for the capybara habitat. As for depth, the viewing window was going to be approx. 2m high, but the depths would vary, and I'd say roughly 2.5m deep at it's deepest.

 

[Great Argus]

I apparently did not have an actual size on the pond/lake/body of water in my plans could've sworn I did, but sometimes I can be forgetful. In terms of surface area, I was thinking somewhere between 3-5 acres accessible to the fish, with additional space subtracted as the water feature for the capybara habitat. As for depth, the viewing window was going to be approx. 2m high, but the depths would vary, and I'd say roughly 2.5m deep at it's deepest.

Wow so quite a lot of space. That follows with the high numbers then.

 

[Van Beal]

Polar Reaches Pt. 1

Ha, you thought I was done for the day didn't you? Well, by my own stubborn-ness, I decide to press on, and complete the Polar Reaches today as well.
Visitors begin at the intersection between Amazonia, the African Wilds, and the Polar Reaches to the left. For now, we head to the left, and don't worry. We will return to this intersection soon enough.
The Polar Reaches begins with a 2.5-acre tundra expanse, lacking all manner of actual trees, instead being planted with various conifer shrubs, and short grasses. What it lacks in interesting features, it is made up by the fact it boasts herds of Porcupine Caribou Rangifer tarandus granti (1.6) and Muskox Ovibos moschatus (1.5), whose populations will only grow in coming years.

Possible Look of Tundra Habitat -> image courtesy of @Dhole dude

Caribou (subspecies unknown) -> image courtesy of @Austin the Sengi

Muskoxen -> image courtesy of @Elephant Enthusiast

From here, guests follow the winding path to the edge of a 5m-high cliff, which acts as the backdrop for the first two of three habitats ahead. The trail along the cliffside is around 100m long, and allows a panoramic view of the twin 2,400 sq. meter habitats below. Both habitats share a large, deep water source, but are divided by stone walls, preventing our two males of our four Polar Bear Ursus maritimus (2.2) group separated. From the cliffside path, guests can head down stone-cut stairs to a lower path, which allows a view into the third habitat, which is 3,000 sq. meters in area, and houses our two females in a space that connects to the indoor quarters for the bears.

Possible Upper View of Polar Bear Habitats #1 and #2 -> image courtesy of @Philipine eagle

Possible View onto Polar Bear Habitat #3 -> image courtesy of @Austin the Sengi

Polar Bear -> image courtesy of @amur leopard

The path winds past the third polar bear habitat, toward a massive building which, design-wise, is heavily inspired by the Polk Penguin Conservation Center at the Detroit Zoo. However, this portion of our tour will not cover the inside of the building, just the Tundra Garden entry plaza, which features 3 different habitats. The first of these habitats is located in the center of the plaza, a simplistic 100 sq. meter aviary habitat for a pair of Willow Ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus (1.1) that come with hopes of developing a consistent breeding system. The aviary itself is built on a natural substrate, with smaller conifers and bushes making up the majority of the plant cover, while small rock formations create differing elevations in the habitat. The mesh connects to a barrier which is solid metal and Plexiglass, rising up to chest level on the average person to prevent any unwanted predators entering the habitat.

Willow Ptarmigan -> image courtesy of @Gondwana

The other two habitats can be found on either side of the plaza, and each house a species which might prey upon the aforementioned ptarmigan given the opportunity. Both habitats are viewed through large windows with massive signs posted alongside them. On the left side of the plaza, guests look into a 300 sq. meter habitat, or read signs discussing how in the wild, our inhabiting pair of Arctic Fox Vulpes lagopus (1.1) might be spotted trailing behind polar bears, eating scraps from the carcasses left behind by the lumbering ursines. To the right, guests find a 400 sq. meter aviary, with the same chest-height barrier as the ptarmigan aviary. The sign beside the viewing area discusses how sometimes goose flocks provide a mutualistic relationship with the Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus (1.0), providing a slight shelter from predators due to the high concentration of geese in the areas. This aviary hosts our male, while another aviary later on hosts our female.

Desired Look of Fox Habitat (minus polar bear) -> image courtesy of @TinoPup

Arctic Fox -> image courtesy of @Rhino0118

Possible Snowy Owl Aviary -> image courtesy of @Mr Gharial

(Male?) Snowy Owl -> image courtesy of @vogelcommando

And with that, guests stand before the entrance to the Polar Complex (name change imminent), and this is where I will (briefly) leave you until I post next, which will hopefully be later tonight, but knowing me, there is no guarantee. For now, enjoy!

 

[Van Beal]

Polar Reaches Pt. 2

Whether this will be the final post in this sector, I'm not sure.
Either way, guests enter the Polar Complex to a blast of cold air. Not quite as cold as winter in the poles, but still relatively cold compared to the temperature outside. From the entrance, guests have three options in terms of where they can go. They can head left, right, or directly down the middle.
Spoiler alert, the center path (which is lower than the others) provides underwater viewing for the four habitats in the complex.
Heading to the left, guests are given a slightly elevated view onto a pair of 3,000 sq. meter habitats, each with an approximately 75% water to 25% land ratio, adding to around 2,250 sq. meters of water surface area, and 750 sq. meters of land area. Both of these habitats are home to mammalian species, with the closest to the entrance being home to an all-female group of Sea Otter Enhydra lutris (0.5), and the other hosting a small pod of Harbour Seal Phoca vitulina (1.3). Both pools reach depths of nearly 4m. The seal pool is routinely stocked with live fish, and the otter pool with crabs and other shellfish, acting as enrichment for each species.

Possible Look of Mammal Habitats -> image courtesy of @Kalaw

Sea Otter -> image courtesy of @Pleistohorse

Harbour Seal -> image courtesy of @vogelcommando

This ends the left half, so guests can loop back around using the central path, before heading back up and around to the right. On this side, guests can view into two 4,045 sq. meter aviaries, the first having 1,010 sq. meters of rocky land area, and the remaining 3,035 in aquatic surface area. This provides a perfect environment for Antarctica's most iconic family: the penguins. The zoo hosts flocks of King Aptenodytes patagonicus (7.7), Gentoo Pygoscelis papua (12.12), and Southern Rockhopper Eudyptes chrysocome (11.11), creating a very loud and admittedly very smelly enclosure which is constantly being cleaned by keepers (sometimes multiple times a day).
The other habitat features 1,545 sq. meters of land area varying from sandy shores to jagged cliffs, and the remaining 2,500 sq. meters in aquatic space. The aquatic space is where guests might often find our King Eider Somateria spectabilis (2.5) flock and our pair of Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis (1.1), a pair which was rescued and is being held here only temporarily until a permanent home is constructed elsewhere in the area. As for the shores, guests can often find our large flock of Black-bellied Plover Pluvialus squaterola (12.12) wandering the sandy portion, while our group of Tufted Puffin Fratercula cirrhata (6.6) are often found on the cliffs. As with the seals, both pools, which reach maximum depths of 4m, are consistently stocked with live fish, providing our birds with necessary enrichment.

Possible View of Penguin Habitat -> image courtesy of @Gavial

Possible View of Mixed Aviary -> image courtesy of @Dhole dude

King Penguins with Gentoo Penguin -> image courtesy of @MonkeyBat

Southern Rockhopper -> image courtesy of @Ding Lingwei

King Eider -> image courtesy of @vogelcommando

Brown Pelican -> image courtesy of @Azamat Shackleford

Black-bellied Plover -> image courtesy of @Coelacanth18

Tufted Puffin -> image courtesy of @Northwest_FIsh_Keeping

Having finished the tour of the Polar Complex (again, name needed), guests begin the trek back toward the intersection which will lead to the African Wilds. However, before we get there, guests walk by three aviaries, the first of which is identical to that of the male snowy owl we saw earlier, due to the fact that it is the aviary for the female Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus (0.1). The next aviary is slightly larger, at 450 sq. meters, but is also approx. 7m high, allowing our pair of Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus (1.1) to dive into the 3m deep water feature for the live fish it is stocked with. The lack of large plants in the habitat makes this much easier for these birds, which are kept in the facility as a way of educating visitors on the other predatory birds that can be found around the Arctic Circle. And last, but certainly not least, as guests get a final view of the tundra expanse where our caribou and muskox herds roam, you get the opportunity to look onto a 300 sq. meter habitat with a central pond, where one might often find members of our Emperor Goose Anser canagicus (3.9) flock.

Pomarine Jaeger -> image courtesy of @Hix

Emperor Goose -> image courtesy of @Therabu

And with that, guests re-join the primary path, and can continue along to the African Wilds!
A damn shame, as I nearly had time to post this yesterday, but my Internet said it was not to be. Oh well, it is done now, and soon enough, we will begin to walkthrough what will be the penultimate sector of ZooSC at Myrtle Beach. For now, enjoy the Polar Reaches, and speculate the African Wilds as you desire!

 

[Van Beal]

Now for the species distribution
Polar Reaches
Mammals: 6
Birds: 11
Total: 17

Totals
Mammals: 109
Birds: 109
Herptiles: 85
Invertebrates: 27
Fish: 24
Current Grand Total: 354

Updated Totals
Mammals: 115
Birds: 120
Herptiles: 85
Invertebrates: 27
Fish: 24
Current Grand Total: 371

 

[Van Beal]

Today is an exciting day! Firstly, it is (apparently) my first post on this thread in 2024! Secondly, and more importantly, we are finally beginning to tour African Wilds, the penultimate sector of the zoo, and (if I recall correctly) the largest by species diversity. So, with that, lets get this tour back underway, shall we?

African Wilds Pt. 1 -> the Woestynsoogdierhuis (wuh-stine-sug-deer-heis), or Desert Mammal House

Guests begin their trek of Africa in the deserts, outside the entrance to the Woestynsoogdierhuis, or Desert Mammal House. However, before venturing inside, one will find a 350 sq. meter aviary which stands nearly four meters from ‘floor’ to roof. This aviary is based on a scrubland-like sub-Saharan ecosystem, featuring a sandy-soil substrate, with various low-lying plants, and one large tree, with varying leafy branches and bare branches. Overall, the habitat provides our pair of Verreaux’s Eagle Owl Bubo lacteus (1.1) with a very naturalistic aviary habitat to explore.

Possible Look of Desert Mammal House -> image courtesy of @SwampDonkey

Verreaux's Eagle Owl -> image courtesy of @Therabu

Having viewed these spectacular birds, guests now enter the Woestynsoogdierhuis into a hallway designed after the corridors beneath the Egyptian pyramids. Here, guests can find four habitats on the left-hand wall, while the right-hand wall is decorated in hieroglyphics and also discusses the human-caused expansion of the Sahara Desert.

Idea of Egyptian Theming in Rodent Corridor -> image courtesy of @Chlidonias

The four habitats located on the left-hand wall are all 1 sq. meter in surface area and an additional meter high, each accessible to keepers through small, barely visible hatches in the back wall. The first habitat displays a scrubland, with tall tufts of grass sprouting from a sand-soil substrate, and a log providing shelter from the heat lamp above. This habitat houses our colony of Barbary Striped Grass Mouse Lemniscomys barbarus (1.3). The next two habitats both feature three-dimensional backgrounds meant to replicate sandstone cliffs and caves, well small log shelters and branches scatter the sandy substrate of the habitats. Respectively, the habitats house small groups of Bushy-tailed Jird Seekatamys calurus (1.3) and Cairo Spiny Mouse Acomys cahirinus (1.3). The final habitat is similar in general layout to that of the striped grass mouse habitat, however lacking the log and featuring a more “hilly” terrain, allowing for our Egyptian Dung Beetle Scarabaeus sacer (0.0.6) group to display their dung-rolling abilities for our visitors.

Possible Look of Grass Mouse Habitat -> image courtesy of @ralph

Barbary Striped Grass Mouse -> image courtesy of @vogelcommando

Possible Look of Jird and Spiny Mouse Habitats (minus the snake) -> image courtesy of @Astrotom3000

Bushy-tailed Jird -> image courtesy of @Baldur

Cairo Spiny Mouse -> image courtesy of @DesertTortoise

Ideal Environment for Beetle Tank -> image courtesy of @German Zoo World

And with that, I wrap up my brief re-entry into the spec zoo scene, however I will continue to post not only the Woestynsoogdierhuis in the coming days, but also other parts of the African Wilds... at least as far as I currently have planned. For now, I hope you all enjoy, and stay tuned!

A hint at what's to come -> image courtesy of @red river hog

 

[Van Beal]

Continuing the Woestynsoogdierhuis

Visitors pass through the rodent hall into a large open atrium, which continues the Egyptian-style theming. The eyes of the visitors will likely be drawn to a life-sized statue of a species to be found in the final stretch of the Woestynsoogdierhuis, which stands on a pedestal above a 150 sq. meter garden-esque habitat. The sandy substrate, seemingly strewn-about logs, and strategically placed rocks and flora provide hiding spots for our lone Giant Plated Lizard Gerrhosaurus validus (1.0), who lives alongside a group of African Pancake Tortoise Malacochersus tornieri (2.5). The visitor barrier is constructed from simple logs and steel mesh up to around waist height for the average guest, with a slight inward tilt to ensure our plated lizard does not escape.

Possible Look of Garden Habitat -> image courtesy of @Hvedekorn

African Pancake Tortoise -> image courtesy of @Therabu

Giant Plated Lizards -> image courtesy of @Moebelle


From here, guests might then realize there is more to this hall than just the garden, as around the room are eight habitats, four to either side of the doorway you entered through, which is directly across from the doorway out of the hall. To the left, visitors are presented with four habitats with three-dimensional sandstone-replicating backdrops, allowing the inhabiting species to showcase their climbing prowess. The spaces themselves are 200 sq. meters in surface area each, and are additionally 2m high, providing sufficient clearance for even the larger of our small mammals which call the habitats home. All four habitats have a stone floor covered with sand, and a small false dead tree in the center of the habitat. The species found in each respective habitat, from closest to the hall’s entrance to the furthest, are as follows:

• 1.1 Sand Cat Felis margarita
• 2.6 Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis
• 1.1 Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus
• 1.4 Common Dwarf Mongoose Helogale parvula

Possible Look of First Enclosures (of course, ignore the fennec fox) -> image courtesy of @ZooElephantsMan

Sand Cat -> image courtesy of @Ding Lingwei

Rock Hyrax -> image courtesy of @gulogulogulo

Klipspringer -> image courtesy of @Julio C Castro

Common Dwarf Mongoose -> image courtesy of @Jogy

On the right-hand side, the backdrops change from three-dimensional false sandstone to two-dimensional murals of the African deserts and scrublands where these species are found. The general construction and layout of the habitats is the same as the previous four [200 sq. meter surface, 2m high, stone and sand substrate, central false tree]. The first of these four habitats, however, is different. The first ½ meter of the viewing window is taken up by an underground view into the pre-constructed tunnel system provided for our Meerkat Suricata suricatta (2.8) mob, a view which allows guests an exciting experience with these marvelous relatives of the mongoose.

Possible View of Meerkat Habitat -> image courtesy of @gulogulogulo

Possible Tunnel View -> image courtesy of @geomorph

Meerkat -> image courtesy of @WhistlingKite24

The other three habitats don’t feature much else besides the false tree which is continuous throughout all eight of the habitats in this hall. However, they do feature hollow logs to sleep in, and somewhat deeper sand above the stone subfloor, allowing the species to dig temporary burrows. All three habitats have off-exhibit spaces accessible by way of standard animal doors [our simplistic doggy doors, really] throughout the day, though they are most often used later in the day, or when the amount of visitors becomes overwhelming to the animals. Each of these three habitats hosts a respective pair (1.1) of Cape Porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis, Bat-eared Fox Otocyon megalotis, and Fennec Fox Vulpes zerda.

Possible Look of Remaining Enclosures -> image courtesy of @JamesB

Cape Porcupine -> image courtesy of @KevinB

Fennec Fox -> image courtesy of @Brayden Delashmutt

Bat-eared Fox -> image courtesy of @Jakub

As guests pass through the doors leading out of the House’s main hall, their eyes will be forced to adjust to the darker space they have just entered. Here, with everything lit in red and orange, guests walk through a cavern-like tunnel, and can peek through various holes in a false-stone wall into the 450 sq. meter indoor quarters for our pair of Striped Hyena Hyaena hyaena (1.1). The habitat boasts a cave for the hyenas to sleep in, and a sandy substrate covering a stone sub-floor. The viewing holes, while sizable, are covered by one-way glass, allowing guests to view these intriguing beasts, while preventing the stress on the animals. Guests can then pass through the House’s official exit, and come upon a 3mx1.5m window looking into the 850 sq. meter outdoor space for the hyenas, which features a second cave, and a grassy substrate with various native trees and bushes allowing for additional privacy. Alongside this window is a large sign providing education on the four species of hyena, their bad reputation, and how zoos work to change that reputation for the better.

Possible Look of Hyena Indoor Space -> image courtesy of @Moebelle

Possible Look of Hyena Outdoor Space -> image courtesy of @conservationistdude

Striped Hyena -> image courtesy of @Fat-tailed dwarf lemur

And with that, guests are officially done with the Woestynsoogdierhuis! The trail winds of from here out into the semi-arid savannas of northern Africa, before working its way south and west to the African Rainforest Complex! Of course, the spaces between these two stalwart buildings are equally interesting, and so will be toured in detail. For now, enjoy the Woestynsoogdierhuis in its completion, and stay tuned for the next portion of African Wilds.

 

[Great Argus]

The visitor barrier is constructed from simple logs and steel mesh up to around waist height for the average guest, with a slight inward tilt to ensure our plated lizard does not escape.

I'm highly skeptical that this containment barrier would suffice for the lizard, and possibly the tortoises depending on how it was built. Pancake Tortoises are surprisingly good climbers, though the overhang might be enough to deter them. Logs and steel mesh are among the easiest things to climb.

Meerkat Suricata suricatta (2.8) mob

This sex ratio might prove difficult to hold a stable group with due to hierarchy social behavior and female aggression.

 

[Van Beal]

The visitor barrier is constructed from simple logs and steel mesh up to around waist height for the average guest, with a slight inward tilt to ensure our plated lizard does not escape.

To solve the climbing issue pointed out by @Great Argus, the steel mesh will be replaced with glass, while the logs will be smoothed down on the exhibit side, and hotwire will be placed where the fence tilts inward.

Meerkat Suricata suricatta (2.8) mob

I will admit I’m not sure on what sex ratio would be appropriate, so any help would be wonderful.

 

[Great Argus]

and hotwire will be placed where the fence tilts inward.

Hotwire is unnecessary - the simple lack of grippable surface plus overhang is enough.

I will admit I’m not sure on what sex ratio would be appropriate, so any help would be wonderful.

Female Meerkat tend to be aggressive towards each other in breeding situations and in captivity usually only the dominant female will breed successfully. As such, having 8 females in the colony is higher chances for aggression and issues. Lowering it to three or four would be more ideal for a successful group.

 

[Van Beal]

Meerkat Suricata suricatta (2.8) mob

As such, having 8 females in the colony is higher chances for aggression and issues. Lowering it to three or four would be more ideal for a successful group.

Update: the Meerkat mob population will be decreased to 2.4. Additionally, the hotwire previously mentioned for the plated lizard habitat will be removed.

 

[Austin the Sengi]

@Van Beal To help boost the current state of this thread, how are things coming along with the next portion of the African Wilds?

 

[Van Beal]

@Van Beal To help boost the current state of this thread, how are things coming along with the next portion of the African Wilds?

It has been slow, in all honesty. School and work have been getting in the way. However I do hope to revive this thread in the coming days, so stay tuned.

 

[Van Beal]

African Wilds Pt 2

And we're back. It has been incredibly slow, with work, school, and many other side projects getting me off this grind for a while. Nevertheless, I return, with hopes of relative consistency what with the end of this project being very much in sight.
So... where were we? Ah yes...

Guests walk a sandy-looking path from the hyena viewing area into the wilderness of the dry savannas of northern Africa. This trail winds through groves of transplanted acacia trees, slowly rising to produce a natural barrier alongside twin 3,650 sq. meter dry savanna yards, one visible to either side of the visitors. The design is simplistic, with a sandy-grassy ground substrate, various rock formations throughout, and holding barns which are just visible toward the back part of each yard, though somewhat shrouded by the acacia groves planted throughout the habitats. While these groves provide shade from the sun for the inhabiting ungulate species, watering holes are scattered to promote movement around the habitat from our species. Both habitats boast herds of our Addra or Dama Gazelle Nanger dama (1.7 per yard), with the left-hand herd sharing their space with our Addax Addax nasomaculatus (1.6), and the right-hand herd sharing with our Gemsbok Oryx gazella (1.6).

Possible Look of Ungulate Yards -> image courtesy of @MagpieGoose

Addax, Dama Gazelle, and Gemsbok -> images courtesy of @KevinB

Beyond the dry savanna territory, the ground becomes more grassy, with small flowers beginning to flourish in a more rich soil. This trail, lined with the now abundant floral plants, leads guests to a massive 3mx3m window, which looks into an open-topped 450 sq. meter habitat directly across from the Maasai Munchery (more on that later). The habitat itself is surrounded by false sandstone walls, which stand 3m high on the front wall and the adjacent side walls, while the back wall stands 5m high, and features two tumbling waterfalls feeding into a central pool. This pool has large flat rocks along its edges, while strategically planted acacias and other flora provide shade, drawing our troop of Hamadryas Baboon Papio hamadryas (3.9) to the water’s edge to groom, right in the view of visitors. The habitat, though open-topped, is secure, with hot-wire running the perimeter of the habitat at the top of the walls, and trees properly manicured to prevent the primates jumping out.

Possible View into Baboon Habitat -> image courtesy of @WhistlingKite24

Hamadryas Baboon -> image courtesy of @gulogulogulo

Now to the Maasai Munchery. This multi-level restaurant is the zoo’s equivalent of fine dining, providing three different views onto two different habitats.

From the outside, one might scoff, as the building is simply designed as a resemblance to the mud which is commonly used in African architecture. The inside, however, is incredibly well-furnished with various replicas of African tribal motifs and artifacts, as well as beautiful dining spaces sitting alongside the main floor panoramic savanna window. This 10m-long and 2m-high curving window provides an unobstructed view of the first 1.5-acre savanna habitat in the sector, this one boasting half of the zoo’s herd of Lowland Nyala Tragelaphus angasii (1.4), as well as our herd of Soemmerring’s Gazelle Nanger soemmerringii (0.14), four Common Ostrich Struthio camelus (1.3), and four of the zoo’s eight total Masai Giraffe Giraffa tippelskirchi (1.3).

Possible View onto Savanna from Ground Level -> image courtesy of @Coelacanth18

Lowland Nyala -> image courtesy of @Austin the Sengi

Soemmerring's Gazelle -> image courtesy of @Andrew_NZP

Common Ostrich -> image courtesy of @Fat-tailed dwarf lemur

Masai Giraffe -> image courtesy of @RatioTile

Alternatively, visitors can also head upstairs, or downstairs. First, we’ll cover the upstairs, where visitors can dine inside or, if one prefers, out on the balcony wrapping around at the perfect level for the necks of our giraffes to reach the elevated feeding troughs, so you can dine with the giraffes. One can also, if you like, look down onto the neighboring habitat, a 3,450 sq. meter habitat with a 50m2 pool. Here, visitors can (hopefully) spot one of our three female Common Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius (0.3) which calls this space home.

Possible Balcony View onto Savanna -> image courtesy of @Philipine eagle

Possible Look of Hippopotamus Habitat -> image courtesy of @Chapman'szebra

Common Hippopotamus (not a very photogenic species, is it?) -> image courtesy of @Gavial

Now, downstairs. This portion of the restaurant is dimly lit, and, in some parts, tinted with blue. This is because of the massive, 5m-long by 2m-high window situated front and center, like the screen of a movie theater. This window looks into the pool for the aforementioned hippos, while also supplying a school of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (0.0.20) with a home.

Possible Underwater View of Hippo Pool -> image courtesy of @Mr Weasel

Nile Tilapia -> image courtesy of @vogelcommando

And thus ends another portion of the African Wilds, which means we continue to crawl ever closer to the end of this sector, which is the second last in the zoo. Stay tuned for more, and enjoy this update in the meantime!

 

[Tigeanderson]

I really like the hippo exhibit but in my opinion I would only change two things and one is the exhibit and the other isn’t in the exhibit and the one that is in the exhibit is adding in Pink backed pelican, Sacred Ibis, flamingos and cape porcupine and I would add the sacred Ibis because formerly it used to be found in North Africa and i would add the porcupine because I have seen an exhibit where the porcupine and hippos live together and they didn’t have any problems and I would I add the pink backed pelican and flamingos to show some color in the exhibit and the thing that is not in the exhibit is building an exhibit for Nile crocodiles and The Egyptian plover and the reason is because the plovers have a symbolic relationship with the crocodiles and the relationship is that crocodiles can not clean out the food that gets stuck in their teeth however the Egyptian plover aka the crocodile bird enters the crocodiles mouths and picks out the food and the crocodiles don’t eat the plovers.

 

[Van Beal]

Continuing the African Adventure...

I have returned! Quite the hiatus (again), I am aware. I've been side-tracked by a complete remodelling of this here zoo, however that is a discussion for later. Onward with the African Wilds!

Back outside the restaurant, the walk alongside the savanna habitat eventually brings visitors into a small camp dubbed ‘The Land of Predators.’ This subsection features six habitats, the first two combining to take up 4,500 sq. meters of space. While these habitats can be combined into one space, they are more often divided, with the larger of the two (2,500 sq. meters) hosting the larger portion of our African Lion Panthera leo pride (1.5), while the smaller (2,000 sq. meters) hosts the remainder of the pride (1.3). Both these habitats are viewable through windows in a large rock formation, similar to the Toronto Zoo’s lions, as well as an elevated hunting hide acting as viewing for both habitats. Across the way from this habitat is a smaller, 900 sq. meter habitat viewed through a simple open-fronted tent, attached to a small wooden porch looking out into the territory of our African Wild Dog Lycaon pictus (1.4) pack.

Possible View of Lion Habitat -> image courtesy of @Daubentoniidae

African Lion -> image courtesy of @Goura

Possible Wild Dog Habitat (minus airplane) -> image courtesy of @vogelcommando

African Wild Dog -> image courtesy of @Nile Lechwe

Visitors next come to a sizable ‘centerpiece’ to the camp, a 1,500 sq. meter space split by a massive protrusion of sandstone. What remains on either side is a roughly 500 sq. meter space, with each side having access to smaller climbable portions of the sandstone, as well as a tree that, if desired, could be a shaded and elevated position, especially for the pair of Serval Leptailurus serval (1.1) that inhabit the first half of the space. Meanwhile, the second half provides a home for a pair of Black-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas (1.1), a species which, like the servals next door, will take advantage of all climbing opportunities, hence the mesh over both halves of the area.

Possible Look of Small Carnivore Habitats -> image courtesy of @Breckenridge

Serval -> image courtesy of @Ding Lingwei

Black-backed Jackal -> image courtesy of @hmb_zoo

The final habitat in this subsection is quite large, and very flat in terms of terrain. This, at about ½ an acre, is quite the space, and is dedicated to a female trio of Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus (0.3), with one of the three likely to be exchanged for a male in order to attempt to breed the species. The space does feature various dips and hiding spaces for the cats to disappear to if ever a congestion of visitors does occur, and their backstage space, like those for the other large habitats in the subsection, are hidden away behind features of the landscape, in this case large sandstone walls.

Possible View of Cheetah Habitat -> image courtesy of @WhistlingKite24

Cheetah -> image courtesy of @robreintjes

The explorable area for visitors slowly grows denser with foliage as you come nearer and nearer to the African Jungle Expedition building. The final of the more open-space habitats are a pair of aviaries, one at ½ acre in total area and about 5m high, and the other at ⅓ acre in total area and about 4m high. The larger and taller aviary is more arid, and decorated with false skeletons of numerous African ungulates who had, at one time, fallen victim to the predators seen earlier, and are now the feeding grounds for our flocks of Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumenifer (3.3) and Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture Gyps rueppellii (4.4). The smaller aviary is much greener, with fewer signs of death. This aviary is home to a breeding pair of the snake-hunting Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius (1.1), a species which is also featured in the zoo’s avian shows quite frequently.

Possible Look of Mixed Aviary -> image courtesy of @KevinB

Marabou Stork -> image courtesy of @Dr. Wolverine

Ruppell's Griffon Vulture -> image courtesy of @Dianamonkey

Possible Look of Secretarybird Aviary -> image courtesy of @Gavial

Secretarybird -> image courtesy of @Nadchew_

Finally, visitors become more enclosed in the dense forests of western Africa, and pass between twin 600 sq. meter aviaries. Both these aviaries are lush with low-lying foliage along a backdrop of tall, lush broadleaf trees. The left-hand aviary, hosting our pair of Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis (1.1), is more marshy, with large bundles of reeds providing additional privacy for the long-legged storks. Meanwhile, to the right, in a much drier habitat, are a family flock of Black-crowned Crane Balearcia pavonina (2.4), made up of the breeding pair, a first-generation daughter, and three (1.2) second-generation fledgelings.

Possible Look of Aviaries -> image courtesy of @KevinB

Saddle-billed Stork -> image courtesy of @KevinB (again)

Black-crowned Crane -> image courtesy of @Julio C Castro

And with that, visitors reach the entrance of the African Jungle Exploration building, officially marking (roughly) the halfway point of the penultimate sector in this zoo. This is where I leave you for now, though I will (hopefully) return much quicker from this post than I did from the last.

Stay tuned!

 

[Van Beal]

Yes, after an incredibly long hiatus, I've returned!

Numerous things have interrupted my return to this thread, those including but not limited to vacations, lots of work, getting sidetracked by other spec zoo projects (which may or may not appear on the forum in the future), and school creeping nearer and nearer. But, I am back, ideally for what little of this zoo I have remaining to give to you all. So let us delve back in, shall we?

African Jungle Exploration Building
Having officially entered the building, a simple roadside warning sign reads 'Beware of Lizard' with an arrow beneath it pointing to the left-hand side of the path. Given the assumption that visitors heed such a sign, all eyes will be directed toward the first habitat in the building. This habitat, at 450 sq. meters in area, is slightly below the level of the guest viewing space, which sits atop a concrete pedestal. The separating barrier is 1m-high glass with a second panel tilted inward on a roughly 15-degree angle. A small stream flows down into a pool which also conveniently acts as a moat, though a Nile Monitor Varanus niloticus (0.1) like the female calling this habitat home isn't discouraged by water. Alongside this enriching inclusion, basking lamps and heated rocks can be found front and center in a habitat designed to elude that there is no ending to this space.

Possible Look of Monitor Enclosure -> image courtesy of @Ituri

Nile Monitor -> image courtesy of @Brayden Delashmutt

Continuing beyond the monitor habitat, a simple door made of PVC strips allows entrance into the African free-flight hall. The accessible area to the free-flying/free-roaming species is roughly 4,400 sq. meters, while a meshed-off 450 sq. meter habitat stands just before the exit to this free-flight aviary.
The aviary features two pools of a relatively decent size, combining to cover roughly 200 sq. meters of total floor space. These pools and their shores are the common locations where one might spot our flock of Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa (1.2), our group of African Helmeted Turtle Pelomedusa subrufa (2.6) or our lone 0.1 Nile Softshell Turtle Trionyx triunguis. In the dense trees surrounding these ponds, our flocks of Red-crested Turaco Tauraco erythrolophus (7.7) and Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus (4.4) can be spotted, the former more easily than the latter. Also in the depths of the forest, flashes of blue feathers may reveal the pair of Blue-bellied Roller Coracias cyanogaster (1.1) further brightening up the space. Finally, wandering the floor of the aviary is our flock of Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagadesh (3.3).

Possible Look of Walkthrough Aviary -> image courtesy of @German Zoo World

Maccoa Duck -> image courtesy of @vogelcommando

African Helmeted Turtle -> image courtesy of @Therabu

Nile Softshell Turtle -> image courtesy of @TheGerenuk

Red-crested Turaco -> image courtesy of @Semioptera

Speckled Mousebird -> image courtesy of @RatioTile

Blue-bellied Roller -> image courtesy of @Leo K.

Hadada Ibis -> image courtesy of @Astrotom3000

And with that (and a looming WiFi cutoff) I end my post. In the meantime, the next post is already written up, and so should be up at some point tomorrow. From then, I really hope to keep the posts coming and to have this whole project done (optimistically) by the end of September.
I am also curious on the opinions of those of you who have watched this thread and enjoyed it. Would you all like to see my rehaul of this project on this thread or in a thread of it's own?
What I mean by 'rehaul' is a total reorganization of the zoo. Species diversity increased, detail given to each individual exhibit increased, overall quality of project increased, and sections themed around some of the lesser-seen parts of the world, which I had fun with. In some ways, it feels totally unique from this zoo, while sharing the same location, and many of the species featured in this thread.
Feel free to let me know your thoughts on all this, and stay tuned for the next post, up tomorrow at some point (will be before 3:00EST in the afternoon).