An Excellent South American Zoo Concept

[Oompa Loompa]

This is a concept made by ZooChat member jbnbsn99. I figured I'd share it here for people who were interested, as this is an excellent concept. I'll be copying it part by part.

Concept
The whole concept of Voyage to South America is one of adventure. You, as the guest, are retracing the voyage of a 19th century explorer naturalist like Charles Darwin or Alexander von Humbolt. Both of these men were keen observers of nature, and traveled around South America documenting their findings for the eager European audiences. Darwin's voyage to South America was so important that it led him to develop his Theory of Natural Selection, which has proven to be the foundation of all modern biology.

You voyage will take you throughout the entire continent to thirteen different eco-regions. Each eco-region is highlighted by a different species and native flora. The map below will guide you through your Voyage to South America

Areas of the zoo:

1. Ship
2. Falkland Islands
3. Tierra del Fuego
4. Pampas
5. Ischigaulasto
6. Gran Chaco
7. Cerrado
8. Pantanal
9. Amazon
10. Llanos
11. Tepui
12. Andean Cloud Forest
13. Altiplano
14. Galápagos Islands

 

[Oompa Loompa]

Area 1: Entry Ship
The entrance and exit of the entire exhibit will be through a replica of a 19th century British sailing ship. This ship is intended to recreate the HMS Beagle, the ship that carried Charles Darwin on his famous voyage around South America documenting the wildlife and nature of the continent.

The ship would be constructed in three levels, two of which will be accessible to the public. For after hours events the Ship can be used as an event center for parties, sleep-overs, meetings, etc.

Level 1: Filtration and Service
This will be for the salt water filtration needed for the adjacent exhibits.

Level 2: Entry and Exit
Entry: In the first half (entry side) of the ship the visitors will have underwater viewing of the Falkland Islands exhibit (Penguins). The interior of the ship will be decorated in such a manner that it will appear that the visitor is in the ship study/captains quarters. Various bookshelves, specimen drawers, and artifacts will give the guest lots of interpretation and discovery moments.
Exit: The exit side of the exhibit will feature underwater viewing for the Galápagos Islands exhibit (sea lions). The exit side will be decorated in such a way that the guest feels like they are in the sleeping cabins of the ship. This will mainly include several bunk-beds as well as other artifacts.
Videos: Videos introducing the exhibit will play before the guest enters the Falkland Islands side and before they enter the Galápagos Islands side. Falklands video will introduce the whole exhibit, while the Galápagos video will recap the exhibit and hit home messages of conservation.
Headset Kiosk: Optional
Event Center: Doorways between both sides may be opened and the whole of the ship can become an event center. This area would be perfect for parties and sleepovers.
Restrooms: As this area can function as an event center, a small family style restroom must be included.

Level 3: Ship Top
The top of the ship is intended to be a playground for young kids. All activities are based on ship life (captain's wheel, periscopes, rope climbs, netting, crow's nest, etc.). Access to the ship top would be from a ramp/staircase located in the Galápagos area. Ship top also serves as the end point of the zip line.

Total area of the ship (one level) is approximately 2,300 square feet. Total length is 100 feet.

 

[Thekid]

I think this belongs in the general aquaria forum.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

I think this belongs in the general aquaria forum.

There aren't a lot of fish in it. It's more of a zoo concept versus an aquarium. If a mod wants to move it, they can feel free to, but I didn't think there was anywhere that was better to post this than the lounge

 

[Oompa Loompa]

Area 2: Falkland Islands
This exhibit will be entirely indoors and only visible from inside the ship. Water line should be positioned half-way up the viewing windows to give guests both an above water and underwater view. A glass or transparent ceiling should be provided to give the animals and plants natural light. During winter months ceiling panels can be opened to give direct access to sunlight and outside temperatures when those temperatures fall within the animals needs. Species included are penguins known to have major breeding colonies on the Falkland Islands and are represented in North American collections; King Penguin, Rockhopper Penguin, and Gentoo Penguin.

Interpretation
Graphics should be placed above the viewing window to not obstruct the view. Some attention should also be put on the Warrah, or Falkland Islands Wolf that went extinct in the past 100 or so years.

The total area of the Falklands Islands exhibit is 1,500 square feet.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

Area 3: Tierra del Fuego
This is the outdoor penguin exhibit. Guests will view the penguins entirely above the water's surface, however part of the pathway will be clear so to view the penguins swimming underneath the guest's feet. Exhibit should focus on penguins in the forest. Species included are known to nest in the region and are represented in North American collection; Macaroni Penguins and Magellanic Penguins. Also Chilöe Widgeon can share the exhibit.

Interpretation
Basic graphics here describing the animals and the region. Talk about Magellan’s voyage around the world in reference to the Magellanic Penguins.

Holding
Holding will be shared for both exhibits (Falklands Islands and Tierra del Fuego).

The total area of the Tierra del Fuego exhibit is 2,850 square feet. The total area of the holding space is 970 square feet.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

Area 4: Pampas
The Pampas is the grasslands of Argentina, and is one of the most misrepresented regions in South America. Many times, zoos will associate animals such as Maned Wolves, Giant Anteater, and Tapirs with the Pampas. However, none of these animals are actually found in the region, or if they are, they only occur on the northern edge. The Pampas exhibit in VtSA shows a true sampling of animals actually found in the Argentine Pampas. This exhibit will consist of two separate exhibits in a predator/prey style setting.

1. Prey: This is the larger of the two exhibits and will be closest to the guests. Landscaping will be minimal and consist of mainly grasses, with a few sparse small trees (like mesquite trees). A water feature will be necessary for some of the species. Due to the hardy nature of most of the species, indoor holding is not as necessary, but is provided. Species included are all native to the region and well known in North American collections; Greater Rhea, Black-Necked Swan, Patagonian Cavy, and Nutria.
2. Predator: This slightly smaller exhibit will be behind the main prey exhibit. Landscaping should have more trees than the prey exhibit as well as lots of rocks and climbing opportunities. This exhibit will be part of a series of three exhibits that can be rotated between 2 species (Jaguar and Puma). Pumas are very rarely associated with South America, but are known to range throughout the continent.

The total area of the prey exhibit is 6,800 square feet. The total area of the predator exhibit is 4,450 square feet. The total area of the prey holding space is 1,700 square feet, and is shared with the Gran Chaco exhibit. The total area of the predator holding space is 4,500 square feet indoors and 2,800 square feet outdoors.[/LIST]

 

[Thekid]

I think this is where this thread belongs-

www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/forums/other-pets.402/

 

[Oompa Loompa]

Area 5: Ischigaulasto
Ischigaulasto (ee-she-gow-laas-toe) is a geologic formation in northwest Argentina also known as the Valley of the Moon. This area is world famous for producing spectacular dinosaur fossils. South America, and Argentina in particular is known to have some of the most bizarre and important dinosaurs known. A zoo should not only focus on animals of the present, but also give a link to those of the past, and dinosaurs still capture the imaginations of both young and old. In order to portray this region and the wondrous dinosaurs of South America, a rock maze has been designed. Throughout this winding maze will be placed bones of significant discoveries. It should not be just dinosaurs in the maze either, but all sorts of extinct South American fauna. Preferentially, the maze should have the fossils placed in chronological order from oldest to youngest. Various galleries off of the main paths will highlight a different extinct species. Doing the exhibit as a maze will create a wonderful play and discovery opportunity for children. No live animals will be in this area.

Species to be considered for the maze:

• Eoraptor – oldest dinosaur known
• Herrasaurus – 2nd oldest dinosaur known
• Mussasaurus – smallest dinosaur known
• Argentinasaurus – largest dinosaur known
• Giganotosaurus – largest carnivorous dinosaur known
• Amargasaurus – sail-finned sauropod dinosaur
• Carnotaurus – carnivorous dinosaur with horns
• Pterosaurs – flying reptiles
• Giant ground sloth
• Glyptodont – giant armadillo
• Mammoth/Mastodon

The total area of the Ischigaulasto exhibit is 3,200 square feet.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

Maps
In the first map, it shows the natural locations of the geographical areas represented. Use the list in the first post as a key, except take out the ship.
In the second map, you can see a map of the full zoo.
The third map is of the ship.
The fourth map is of the Falklands Islands and Tierra del Fuego. 1 is the ship, 2 is the Falklands Islands exhibit, 3 is the Tierra del Fuego exhibit, and 4 is the penguin holding space.
The fifth map is of the Pampas. 1 is the mixed-species prey exhibit, 2 is the predator exhibit, 3 is the predator holding space, and 4 is the prey holding space (underneath the Seriema exhibit in Gran Chaco)
The sixth map is of Ischigaulasto.