Just an idea...

[Chickndaddy]

Not sure if this should go here or in the contest thread but this seemed more appropriate as their didn't seem to be any discussions there. Mods or Admin feel free to move if there is a more appropriate section.

 

I was looking at a zoo map of the Caldwell Zoo the other day and I had a thought. How cool would it be for people to try to replicate an actual real-life zoo for a contest? People who have access to zoo maps could upload an image of the map and other members could try to build a close replica of the zoo. Take me for instance. I live 20 minutes away from the Caldwell Zoo and know it pretty well. I could upload a map and number the exhibits and buildings. Then I could tell you what animals are in each exhibit and what each building is. Like in the Savannah exhibit we have Common Gnu, Ostrich, Impala, Lesser Kudu, Warthogs Crested Cranes, Helmeted Guinea Fowl, Sacred Ibis, and Egyptian Geese, and (I believe , but would have to check to be 100% sure) Grevy's Zebra. In areas separated from the main area by moats but from certain angles still appear to be part of the main exhibit are the African Elephants, Giraffe, and the Lions. And in the large North American exhibit we have Longhorn Cattle, Bison, White-tailed Deer, Eastern Wild Turkeys, Canadian Geese, Wood Ducks, Mallards, Hooded Mergansers, American White Pelican, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Canvasback, Redhead, Ruddy Duck, and Sandhill Cranes. (I believe a long time ago they had Pronghorn Antelope as well.)

 

I also have a copy of the Dallas Zoo Map and might still have a copy of the private zoo in Waco I visited. I think this would be a really neat idea. Does anyone else think this would be worth trying?

[pukkie]

Well we did that once and we had to make a zoo I think SavannaJan goes too.

I must say it was fun although you do bump into the limits of what is just a game to catch even a glim of the real thing

Also I think if you never ever been to that particular zoo it is hard to capture it.

Even when you have a map and you know where to find what.

On the dutch site ZT.NL there were several who tried this but then when I look at the screens knowing I have been to that same zoo even just recently It is just not it...

So it is already hard on zoos you are familair with let alone if you have never been there...

[Chickndaddy]

Anyone else think this would be a neat / not so neat idea?

[ageise02]

I think it would be very hard to do

[twigabor]

Ehm wasn't the september contest also a replica of Wild Animal Park San Diego?

I think is nice but it would have to be a zoo that almost nobody has visited to create equal chases for everybody

[(Admin)Savannahjan]

I like the idea and really enjoyed seeing the various versions of my home town Birmingham, AL zoo. The San Diego Zoo replicas were even more challenging because it is a much larger zoo. After sponsoring many many contests over the last five years, I've come to realize that the more technical or complex the contest is, the fewer submissions there will be. Just the nature of the beast, I guess.

[(Admin)Cricket]

The ZOTM also had a contest to create the Audobon Zoo in New Orleans. It is neat to see this done ... However, like Jan mentioned, these types of contests usually don't yield too many entries.

[Alice]

I live near Silver Springs - Nature's Theme Park. It's a small zoo with a limited number of animals, it has some rides, jeep safari, several river cruises. They have concerts by an old mansion. Here's the website, check it out: http://www.silversprings.com/

 

Because it isn't large it might not be so imtimidating. I was thinking of trying this on my own; it might be a fun contest too. Here's a map:

 

[Alice]

I just did a google search and there's plenty of photos available. I'll have to check for youtube videos later. Here's another map I found. The gardens there are beautiful!

 

[luvmy83wing]

Personally I like these types of builds. They are definately a challenge due to the limits of the game but again it's challenging and that is what drives my every move. I can't help it I amjust a very competative person. As for my favorite builds it is the recreation of natural habitats and nature areas.