Fantasy Master Plan: Maryland Zoo

It's been a while since I rolled out some more of fantasy master plan for the Maryland Zoo.  It comes with this disclaimer: This is totally a personal project that has no bearing whatsoever on the actual Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.  It really stems from the fact that after work I prefer to relax by being creative and exploring information and ideas that interest me and not watch TV!   All drawings and graphics are mine--another thing I enjoy creating.

In previous installments, I have outlined upgrades to 1) the Parking Lots, 2) Areas of Guest Amenities and Educational facilities, and 3) a completely new area of habitats dedicated to the Iconic animals of the Western regions of North America.  This next installment will look at the current area known as the Maryland Wilderness.  Currently, it is the second largest area of the zoo and home to North American Otters, Bobcats, Seba Short-tailed Bats, a March Aviary with approximately 12 species of birds and a widely distributed smattering of Reptiles and Amphibians clustered in various satellite locations.

Rather than impost habitat for more larger mammals, my plan seeks to capitalize on small creatures.  The consolidation of the majority of Reptiles and Amphibians into one state-of-the art Herpetarium, and the creation of a Small Mammal "Lodge", along with a huge expansion of the Maryland Cave habitat to include five additional species of bats represent the Trifecta of my design.  There are also a handful of other upgrades and changes to create a rich and varies experience for guests, as well as, more options that are visitor friendly during times of inclement weather.

The managing in a natural state the little run that creates an ever deepening rift in the middle of the Maryland wilderness will create a series of habitat experiences from the main entrance along the north-south axis of the area.  The current seasonal bog with its winding elevated boardwalk remains unchanged.  In an area below the March Aviary an arcing stone dam creates a shallow pond to provide a natural year around habitat for turtles and other creatures that call the zoo home by chance.  Beyond this and below the suspension bridge is the only new larger mammal habitat, a home for beavers.  This habitat connects to the foundation of the new Small Mammal Lodge to provide the Beavers with off exhibit living space.

Other changes include an expansion of the current March Aviary to create a cattail pond and addition of upgraded off viewing enclosures for some of the species like our vultures.  The creation of new circular plaza on the north end of the pathway to better honor a memorial to a former employee who was tragically killed in the beginning of her career.  Finally, the large and hugely popular giant tree slide will be transformed from a satellite herpetarium to an exhibit of native Maryland songbirds.  With the heavy and boisterous traffic the tree slide generates, removing live animals in favor of taxidermied specimens that offer a unique educational experience is a win-win.  The new displays will also feature opportunities to listen to the bird's actually "songs".

0058.Art Rocks: Paul Klee: 1879

Elephant Love

Walking from my early afternoon assignment at the Giraffe House to the later afternoon assignment at the African Water Hole I had time to admire two of our African Elephants for a little while.  The Maryland Zoo is home to four African elephants.  Tuffy is our bull and Felix one of two adult females.  Together they produced our adolescent male, Samson, back in 2008.  Anna, our oldest Elephant rounds out the herd.  Tuffy and Felix have a special bound.  When they our out together, they often find time to "cuddle".  I don't know what else to call it.  They are gentle with one another and touch playfully and well, affectionately.  It's a joy to behold.

Roving Interpretation: Elephant Dung

The second portion of my volunteering at the Maryland Zoo this past Sunday was spent at the African Water Hole with a large dried out and shellacked ball of Elephant dung.  The point of Roving is to share some artifact from the zoo's collection and discuss aspects of ecology, animal welfare and/or conservation with the guests.  The point is that the object is attention getting--and Elephant Poop sure is!

The zoo was no more well attended in the late afternoon than it was in the early afternoon, and so I had a lot of time to watch and admire the animals nearby.  On one side is a habitat shared by our Southern White Rhinoceros, three Burchell's Plains Zebra and three Ostriches.  Stubby, our Rhino was not out.  On the other side is a habitat that is home to our little "herds" of Addra Gazelles, Lesser Kudus and a pair of Saddle-billed Storks.  It is now too cold for the Storks, but three of the five gazelles were out and all three of the Lesser Kudu.  It's always a joy to watch them all.

0057.Art Rocks: Paul Cadmus: 1904

Winter's Ornamental Cabbage/Kale

0056.Art Rocks: Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian: 1922