The Rehabilitation of the Guyana Zoological Park

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1 The Rehabilitation of the Guyana Zoological Park Background Established in 1952, the Guyana Zoological Park is arguably the most important nature-based recreational facilities in Guyana. Strategically located in the heart of Guyana s Capital City, the Zoo is visited by an average of over one hundred and twenty thousand (120,000) Guyanese and international tourists every year. The Zoo also plays a key role in increasing environmental educational and awareness among school children and Guyanese in general, and has the potential to build strong linkages between Guyana s large urban population and the country s efforts to conserve our forests under the Low Carbon Development Strategy. Although the Zoo has this important contemporary role in Guyana, it retains much of its original design and infrastructure. As a result, the Zoo s forty-five species of animals are housed in enclosures that are not in line with current best practices and understanding in Zoo husbandry, and are becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain. Recognizing the need for urgent action, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE) and the Protected Areas Commission have recently launched a project to rehabilitate and modernize the Guyana Zoo. The first major achievement in this process was the development of a zoning plan for the Guyana Zoo in collaboration with PJA Architects and Landscape Architects (PJA), a Seattle-based firm that specializes in zoo design. The Ministry is now working with PJA to develop a full-scale Master Plan and Concept Designs for the rehabilitation of the Zoo. This Plan is scheduled to be completed by June Vision The vision of the modernized zoo is to connect Guyanese and visitors to the country with the rich natural world that exists just beyond the limits of Guyana s urban landscape. This vision will be achieved by providing an educational and engaging experience through exposure to live animal and plant species, by creating connections between people and animals, and by educational programs and interpretive graphics that inform visitors of the biodiversity and uniqueness of Guyana and its protected areas. Objectives The objectives of the Zoo rehabilitation are to: facilitate a novel visitor experience, where animal species are experienced in habitats that are representative of the ecosystems of Guyana, and international regions. create new exhibit spaces that are larger in size, allowing the animals to roaming freely within a more natural habitat; minimize cages by using new types of mesh to afford better viewing opportunities. modernize animal holding facilities to improve for animal and keeper safety and accommodate natural behaviors such as breeding.

2 implement the latest international standards of animal welfare and enrichment knowledge in all habitats and holding facilities. The animal exhibits will be grouped to represent the following four regions of the country: Coastal Wetlands, Savannah, Mountain Highlands and the Lowland Rainforest. Visitors will experience a virtual trek from the coast to the highlands progressing along a main visitor pathway with short loop trails into habitats. The main pathway will be extended south of the Manatee ponds leading visitors in a new expansion zone of the zoo where future exhibits of international animals will be displayed. The expansion zones may exhibit animals from Africa, Asia, or other distinct habitats of South America. This new pathway will create a large loop leading visitors back to the main visitor walkway. Visitor Experience The overall visitor experience will be one of passing through a series of native habitat types which create an optimal setting for animal viewing. Animal exhibits will place species in habitats similar to where they would be found in the wild and will include other associated species. Each habitat type will be designated by gateways and will have signature enclosures and species which will identify the region. Coastal Wetlands Black Caiman Savannah Giant River Otter Mountain Highlands Jaguar Rainforest Harpy Eagle Each habitat zone will also provide information on Protected Areas associated with that particular ecosystem, such as a Shell Beach information display in the Coastal Wetlands zone, and a Kanuku Mountains display in the Mountain Highlands zone. Covered climate controlled structures will provide visitor comfort stations where habitat views, small animal exhibits, and interpretive information will be afforded in relative protection from the elements. The storyline will be conveyed to the visitor through conventional graphics, artifacts, interactive elements, live animals, architecture, and landscape simulation. Visitors will be immersed into zones which are created to reinforce and illustrate the interpretive themes of animal interactions (predator/prey), symbiotic plant and animal associations, indigenous people and modern human relationships with the natural world. Organization and Zoning The rehabilitation of the Zoo will create a series of individual zones that are interconnected by an overall thematic story about Guyana s ecosystems and protected areas (see Figure 1). The zones, and associated visitor experiences, will include the following:

3 Figure 1 - Guyana Zoo Master Plan

4 Zone 1: Visitors arriving at the zoo by car will find a new car park available for the exclusive use of zoo attendees. Arriving at the zoo on foot, visitors will find a new entry walkway that is shaded by vine covered overhead trellis, shade trees, and animal sculptures. Zone 2: Visitors will arrive at the new entry plaza to purchase tickets where they will find necessary visitor services such as café, gift shop, washrooms, and thematic children s push-cart rentals. This area will be located outside the zoo entry gate allowing visitors to the botanic gardens to purchase food or gift items and get information on the zoo without a ticket purchase. Zone 3: Immediately after entering the zoo visitors will find the Welcome Centre where they can get information about the zoo, conservation efforts in the protected areas, and other organizations that are involved in protecting the natural resources of Guyana. This is a small wood structure and will also serve as a comfortable place where visitors can get information on eco-tour opportunities, find out about the indigenous people of Guyana, and talk with naturalists and volunteers. Zone 4: As the trail gently curves to the right visitors will enter the Coastal Wetland zone through a thematic gateway. The existing wetland bird aviary will be refurbished with a new structure and new mesh for better visibility and a softer look. The signature species for this zone, the Black Caiman, will be seen relaxing on a sandy beach at the edge of a shady pond. Other associated animal species such as capybara, anacondas, and boas will be displayed in open exhibits and the birds in aviary structures. Zone 5: Returning to the main pathway, visitors will pass through a transition zone between habitat zones that includes the existing Nature School building and the adjacent children s playground and new petting zoo. The existing vet clinic building will be renovated as a small café and washrooms for use by parents and grandparents watching over the children s area and general zoo visitors. Located about halfway around the main loop pathway this facility will give visitors a climate controlled location for refreshment and relaxation. Zone 6: Visitors will pass through another gateway signifying entry into the Savannah zone where a loop trail leads down to a benab where underwater views afford a unique look into the world of the Giant River Otter, piranha, Tapir, and Jabiru stork. The savannah loop trail crosses the main pathway into a dry savannah that includes a Giant Anteater, peccary, and armadillo habitats amidst scattered artificial termite mounds. Zone 7: The next transition zone includes visitor views into the new veterinary clinic and the animal food preparation buildings. A small courtyard garden with lily pond defines the visitor space and windows into the support facilities afford visitors a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes operation of the zoo. Zone 8: Re-entering the main pathway visitors encounter the next gateway into the Mountain Highlands zone. This zone represents the Pakaraima Highlands, and the Kanuku Mountains, Iwokrama, and Kaieteur National Park. It is largely rainforest habitat exhibiting the zoo s collection of cats including ocelots, margays, and pumas and small primates.

5 Zone 9: The existing monkey building will be converted to the Rainforest Centre where visitors will experience small insects, amphibians, and reptile exhibits. Small animals exhibited in jewel box containments include tarantulas, scorpions, golden frogs, tree frogs, emerald boas, and others. The renovated building will also include exhibits of small primate exhibits and bats. The larger monkey species will be relocated to a new Monkey Island in the existing Manatee pond. Zone 10: The new signature species Jaguar habitat will be located at the entry to the Rainforest zone and will provide the animals with a large multi-level habitat that will feature a cascading waterfall, typical of the mountain regions. Visitors will experience the Rainforest habitat from an elevated wood walkway through the existing forests at the back of the zoo and will culminate with an elevated view into the new Harpy Eagle aviary that is built over top of the forest trees. This zone will also contain exhibits of Squirrel and Spider monkeys, sloth, king vulture, and birds in smaller aviary structures. Zone 11: The visitor then crosses a bridge over the Manatee pond onto an island where the Manatee Centre and feeding station will be located. Here visitors will be able to feed the resident population of West Indian Manatees under supervision of the zoo staff and discover interpretive information about these mammals. Zone 12: The main pathway will continue to the future World Treasures zone where exotic animals not native to Guyana will eventually be exhibited. This area could exhibit animal from other regions of South America, such as rheas, llamas and others; or more exotic species from other continents, such as Africa, Asia, or Australia. Zone 13: A viewing shelter with views to Monkey Island will be perched out over the water. The monkeys on the island will be in a free-range situation with the water moat as the barrier. A narrow adventure bridge will link the main pathway and the viewing structure and the main pathway will eventually cross another bridge leading back to the existing zoo site north of the Manatee pond. Support Infrastructure The master plan also addresses the desire that the new zoo become an example of sustainability and environmental stewardship. As such a plan for an improved infrastructural corridor that aligns with the new perimeter service drive is a critical component of the plan. Although unseen by the visiting public, the service drive improves pedestrian and vehicular circulation conflicts, provides emergency vehicle access to the property, and affords accessibility to utilities and back-of-house facilities. The plan includes a wastewater treatment plant to properly treat wastewater from veterinary and food preparation areas, an extensive bio-filtration swale to filter water from animal pools prior to discharge into the canal, and an emergency generator in order to assure full time operation of animal health care facilities during periods of electrical service interruption. Wherever possible the use of photo voltaic panels should be employed throughout the zoo as a source of alternative energy and rainwater collection tanks will be added to provide refill water for animal ponds and toilet flushing.

6 Estimated Cost The rehabilitation of the Guyana Zoo is estimated to cost approximately 11 million US dollars. The preparation of more precise figures is part of the Master Planning process, and these figures will be available in due course The New Guyana Zoological Park The new Guyana Zoological Park will provide visitors with a memorable experience of distinct habitats, animal encounters, and tropical plant immersion. The interpretive graphics and educational programs will inform visitors about the diversity of Guyana s natural protected areas. The organization of animal species by geographical region and identifiable protected areas throughout the country will reinforce the conservation efforts 0f the Protected Areas Commission and expand the educational scope of the zoo. New children s facilities and visitor services will provide family friendly fun and entertainment for young visitors and will create a relaxing environment for adult family members. Guyanese will return with more frequency, and international visitors will make it a point to visit the zoo when in Georgetown. The new zoo will become a must see attraction, a destination, and a treasured cultural experience that is support by government, local and international NGO s, corporate sponsors, and private donors. It will become an integral component of nature based eco-tourism, indigenous culture, and Guyanese pride in their natural heritage.