ZOOLOGICAL PARKS AND AQUARIUMS 909 



The Design or Plan. 



In making the design or plan the topography of the proposed location 

 should be carefully studied, and the enclosures, buildings, etc., arranged 

 in a manner that will best harmonize with the surroundings and preserve 

 the natural advantages, such as shade, protection from the elements, and 

 the natural hills and rocks best fitted for specimens whose natural habitat 

 is the mountainous sections of the country. Natural ponds and streams 

 should all be utilized and kept in their wild state as far as practicable. The 

 ideal location for any captive animal is one that represents as nearly as 

 possible the conditions with which it was surrounded in nature. The 

 enclosures should be large enough so that the aspect of close confinement 

 is to a certain extent lost, yet small enough for the visitor to view the speci- 

 mens at close range. Much of the educational value and pleasure to the 

 visitor is lost if the enclosures are so large as to permit the animals to keep 

 at a distance which makes close inspection impossible. Such an arrange- 

 ment may be artistic, but the visitors come to the zoo to see the animals, and 

 the closer they can get to them, the more interesting the specimens become. 



A definite plan should be decided upon and a permanent drawing made 

 showing the natural features, walks, driveways, plantations, locations of 

 buildings and enclosures, and this plan should not only be projected on 

 the basis of present needs but for future growth as well (Plates 358, 359 and 

 360). Because of the tendency toward naturalistic designs for zoological 

 gardens in this country these designs have been and are being made by 

 landscape architects. It cannot be too strongly emphasized, however, that 

 the plans of a landscape architect should be carefully scrutinized by one 

 or more persons thoroughly conversant with the needs of animals in cap- 

 tivity and with the practical management of zoos. In any city where an 

 old zoo is being reconstructed the director in charge may be able to pro- 

 vide this expert knowledge. In any community contemplating the estab- 

 lishment of a zoo for the first time it is highly desirable that the most 

 capable director available be employed before the final plans have been 

 adopted. In either case the director should be permitted to visit and study 

 the most outstanding zoos in this country and abroad before passing judg- 

 ment upon the final plan, for many costly mistakes may be avoided through 

 a first-hand knowledge of the practical experiences of successful zoos. 



The general plan of a zoo necessarily involves several distinct features. 

 Among these are: 



I. The landscape plan. The landscape plan comprises paths, walks, 

 service driveways, parking spaces, preservation and development of natural 

 topographical features or the creation of special topographical features, 



