Master Planning of Zoos - Central Zoo Authority

Technical Session I
Theme/Objectives
• Objectives of zoos have changed from time to time-from entertainment, to time pass,
to research and to education.
• In the present scenario and as per National Zoo Policy, the objectives of the zoos can
only be the combination of all or any of – conservation breeding, conservation
education, research for conservation and to act as Rescue Centre.
Resources
• Establishment of a zoo requires lot of resources in form of land, funds, trained
manpower, animals for display, other infrastructural works including water, electricity
etc.
• So the planning should be as per the availability of natural and human resources.
Budget
• The big factor is fund, not only for the creation of the facility but for its later
maintenance.
• In India, zoos are considered as public service ventures and continuously need support
from Government and/or other funding agencies.
• The master planning process must consider all these factors.
Collection Plan
• The Zoo Operators has to be very sure of the wild animal species to be displayed in
the zoo.
• Population size of the each identified species is another important component of
collection plan so that appropriate housing can be created for all the targeted species
and individually.
Master Layout Plan
• Considering the natural resources available, site factor, theme and collection plan the
master layout plan has to be developed keeping all the factors of zoo management in
mind including animal welfare infrastructural development, visitors circulation etc.
Display
• It is important to decide what should be on display and how to display that.
• The theme and objective of the zoo will decide the placement and positioning of
animal enclosures and other exhibits.
• The conservation breeding activities and housing for rescued animals should preferably
in off-display areas.
Health care
• Health care is the second most important component after animal housing.
• The health care facility should be planned depending upon the size of the collection
as well as the animal species chosen.
40