4 zoo exhibit design techniques that let you see better!

[@sixbirdsinatrenchcoat]

Copenhagen Zoo has what FEELS like a walkthrough habitat for the Tazmanian Devils. What it actually is, is a series of habitats separated by raised paths and glass barriers. Because you are surrounded by the animals, it feels incredibly immersive. The habitats are designed with a series of faux rock caves and outcrops as well as several gates that allow the keepers to separate the individual animals into smaller or larger areas as needed. Recently, a large Australian aviary was built right next to this, with actual walkthrough access, using the same wooden path for some areas and the same faux rocks.

[@alantorresdwyer5542]

This is some A-tier advice, all true! Another cool trick used by the Berlin Zoo is using vegetal screens to give hoofstock more privacy. Here's the kicker; said plants, while harmless, have flavours the animals dislike, so they won't chew them away! The thing about the waist-high fence is very true; in the Barcelona Zoo's reptile house, the central gallery of crocodilian and turtle exhibits had that sort of fenceing (plus glass up to the ceiling). In circa 2008, they renewed the whole section, and since then they had glass windows floor-to-ceiling; it gives you a much better perspective of the reptiles and helps appreciate how big some of them are! :)

[@UmbreonLuv1]

What's interesting is that a game called Planet Zoo has this kind of stuff and mechanics as well, so I knew about a couple of these already! They also have one/way glass so shy animals in the game don't get stressed, but guests can see in

[@zooblether]

Hopefully someone else will jump in, as I can’t remember where but there’s a few zoos in the US that uses that glass and also angles it forward to avoid any glare/reflections. Nice little mix of design and physics!

[@dIxIklo85]

The Leipzig Zoo in Germany has an amazing immersive feature for their tiger. He has routine of swimming and coming out of the water everytine on the same exact spot. Right there they build a huge glass wall so that everyone could see this massive animal comibg out of the water. But even more cool was, what was tucked besides it, alsmost unvisible or rather overlooked and overshadowed from the massive glass window - a tiny cave right beside it. With a metal covering which had lots of tiny holes in it. If you sat there, he was brushing his head against the metal and his wet body. You could press your palm flat against the metal and feel his fur digging through the holes. And then the magig happend... I was sitting there maybe 1 or 2 times a week, feeling his fur...and then one day he started chuffing at me!!! At first i thought it was an accident but then i tried to chuff back, and he did it again! From this day on every time he saw me sit down in this tiny cave he came there, chuffing and head butting the metal... It was amazing. I miss this animal and this experience so much😢

[@zooblether]

That’s amazing. Tiger chuffs are so cool, especially as a guest!

[@sparrow838_]

Some amazing exhibit design advice in this one, so many things to consider!!

[@zooblether]

Glad you think so! To be honest this video could easily be much much longer trying to cover everything! It’s constantly evolving and expanding in terms of how zoos have to approach both people and animals!

[@kamaltiger14]

Make more videos please.

[@zooblether]

I just did!