Zoo design basics
* Classifications of Zoos:-
Zoos are classified into three categories according to size, method of Use and methods of display.
A - classifications of zoos in terms of size and area:
Zoos are classified by size and area into three large, medium and small zoo sections .
1-large gardens:-
They arise next to large cities.
2-medium regional parks:-
At the regional level, it is an intermediate zone between some small towns and a large major city.
3-small gardens:-
They are limited to the city itself and can be part of a public park and start from 4 dunums.
B-according to the method of use:-
It is classified in terms of the method of Use into three sections open system, closed system and semi-closed system:
1. Open System:-
It is a system of nature reserves that are large areas of the nature reserve where a group of animals live in a very natural environment that is not separated from animals and visitors by anything where they can be entered by car.
2-closed system:-
The system is closed in iron cages and there is an allocation of animals in a specific and small place
Its height depends on the size of the animal.
3. semi-closed system:-
This can be done by ditches, watercourses, and by any other means, such as raising plateaus or lowering in a certain way depending on the nature of the animal around a large area.
C-classifications in terms of the forms of presentation and according to the nature of the arrangement of its exhibits:-
1-the idea of systematic classification:
They arrange the exhibits according to their association or systematic classification, so that all cats are in one exhibition area, bears in another, hoofed animals are combined in one area, etc.
2-the idea of animal geography:-
This is by arranging animal exhibitions according to their geographical origin, for example; from the modern world to the ancient world, European, Asian, African, Australian, tropical Australian, American, polar, etc.
This idea seems ideal for small zoos, as it allows the establishment with limited material possibilities to do a short job well enough than to do a big job poorly.
3-the idea of the animal's environment or the connection between the animal and its environment:-
The idea of having an exhibition of animals selected from their imposed environment has been applied for many years in public aquariums where animals with the same aquatic environment are exhibited in one building.
4-the idea of animal behavior:-
The idea of a typical animal behavior exhibition is an exhibition of animals with nocturnal activity, where animals that are naturally effective at night are exhibited only in darkened buildings.Special lighting is used that causes a "coup" for these animals in their natural cycle of activity.This makes it possible to view it for the visiting public at daytime times.
5. popular Animal idea:-
Some zoos, especially for relatively small facilities, " may simply want to display a specific number of animals strictly according to the rules of popular admiration rather than according to a directive related to other aspects of the animal.
6-the idea of classification according to combinations of previous classifications.
7-groupings of zoos with botanical gardens:-
The most natural, logical and physically practical arrangement" is the Union of zoological and botanical gardens within one whole garden.
* Determinants influencing the design of the zoo:-
A-natural determinants:-
1. temperature 2. air humidity and wind
3-the level of the garden Surface 4-location
5. light.
B - abnormal determinants:-
1-construction costs 2-the nature of the buildings
3-the cultural level and traditions of societies.
* Animal exhibitions:
1-factors to consider in the design of animal exhibitions:
A.Exhibition size:
It largely determines the size and effectiveness of the animal.
P.Exhibition format:
It is also determined by the quality of the items of animals included and in all cases, narrow corners should be avoided, as animals often panic and panic when driven to a confined space.
C.Exhibition orientation:
When the exhibition includes large areas, most of the dimensions should be parallel to the audience's viewing area in such a way that the distance between the visitor and animals is kept as little as possible, and the direction of sun exposure should be estimated, especially during the summer. Excessive glare in the eyes of viewers should be avoided, and excessive exposure to sunlight can be dangerous to health when it is a permanent issue, and this is a real problem, especially in the aquarium exhibition because of the problem that results from this, which is the growth of algae.
Dr. The quality of materials used in the construction of exhibitions:
It should be properly selected for ease of maintenance and use, wear-resistant and for a long time with low maintenance wages with a long duration, and be natural-looking, non-toxic due to constant exposure to weathering, cleaning and friction with detergents (acidic animal products.....Etc.).
E. Level of consideration:
The level of the visitor's eye should be taken into account in accordance with the layout of the floor and ceiling level of the exhibition.in this way, the animal will remain as much as possible the field of vision for the visitor. in some particularly large exhibitions, there are several observation areas for visitors, most likely on multiple levels.
And. Ground grades:
Since visitors to the park of different sizes are small children-adults-adults, the designer must make sure that the viewing facilities are suitable for everyone, when the floor of the cages is required to be higher than the ground level, it is useful to use ground steps for children, and viewing pulses with multi-level steps or with a sloping floor are useful for highly popular exhibits when crowding causes visibility problems.
G. Exits and decorations:
They are used to give the exhibition a natural look, in addition to fully serving some specific life and psychological needs of the animal, such as some plants, trees, some rock works and termite nests....... Etc.
H.Changing cages:
A special fabric should be designed in such a way that animals can be transferred from the exhibition area to an adjacent fenced area that forms an isolation zone or a reserve area without the need to restrain or hold the animal, and small viewing holes should be designed as aids that enable the operators to monitor the movements of the animal from a safe place, especially when the exhibition includes agitated animals.
I. Barriers:
Depending on the type of animals on display, many types of barriers can be used to keep animals within the scope of these barriers and provide a picnic for visitors on the other hand and their types.
Y. Safety precautions:
Appropriate measures must be taken to prevent animals from escaping, whether the reason for the exit is caused by a spontaneous mistake of someone or for the purpose of vandalism, it can be displayed accessible to the public in any way it must be provided with doors that are always locked and the quality of the doors must be strictly determined with the levers operated in order to cordon off dangerous animals.
K. Lighting:
Proper lighting must be provided for comfortable viewing of the exhibition.daylight has the advantage of being natural and without cost. however, it cannot always be relied on. it changes according to the seasons of the year and prevents pleasant lighting effects that can only be obtained by controlled artificial lighting. each exhibition has its own lighting needs, which are supposed to be decided by the needs of animals.