 LOCATION:
Branton
, Doncaster
, DN3 3NH
Phone: 0044-01302-535057
URL: http://www.yorkshirewildlifepark.com
 KEY WORDS:
South America, walk through, education, immersion
 ANIMALS:
| Family: | Species: | Common Name: | Capacity: |
| Caviidae | Dolichotis patagonum | Patagonian mara | 5.5.10 |
| Caviidae | Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris | Capybara | 1.1.5 |
| Cebidae | Saimiri sciureus | Common squirrel monkey | 10.0.0 |
| Dasyproctidae | Dasyprocta azarae | Azara's agouti | 2.2.2 |
| Rheidae | Rhea americana | Rhea | 1.2.0 |
 DESCRIPTION:
This open, naturalistic exhibit allows the different South American species to roam freely. Visitors can walk through along a designated pathway. The 2m high perimeter fence is built using fine zoo mesh which allows visitors to view the enclosure from outside along one edge. It also should make the exhibit feel even more open when inside. The mesh is strong enough to contain the larger species and smooth enough to prevent the squirrel monkeys from climbing out.
The total area of the exhibit includes a covered entrance with a magnetic locking double gate system for entry and exit, a hand wash station, push chair park and introductory signage. The visitor pathway is 200m long and loops through most of the exhibit. It is a one way walk which helps control flow and stop congestion at the gates. Once inside the exhibit, the visitors turn left and follow the path towards the lake. A 10m long bridge spans a narrow point in the lake where the visitors get to view the capybara.
Differently planted zones within the exhibit allow the species to have their own areas but also interact if they wish too. There is grazing throughout the exhibit and all but the squirrel monkeys utilise the whole exhibit.
The design encourages the squirrel monkeys to stay at their end of the open exhibit which allows staff to closely monitor the monkeys' behaviour towards the visitor while being able to also monitor the rest of the exhibit. The squirrel monkey area has a stable block with a squirrel monkey isolation, a yard, indoor housing and on-show pen. A climbing frame is attached to the building.
The interpretation is placed at intervals along the visitor path with various topics, such as biodiversity, geography, habitats, conservation and species information. The keeper presentation is held at the squirrel monkey climbing frame but it covers all the species in the exhibit and focuses on the biodiversity of South America and the BIAZA Nature reserve and conservation projects.
 SIZE:
Total size of the exhibit is 5625m². This includes a 425m² lake, a 50m² undercover visitor entrance, and a 200m long path covering 650m² of the exhibit. Space allocation in square meters:
| use | indoors | outdoors | total exhibit |
| accessible | total | accessible | total |
| animals | 48 | 48 | 5,577 | 5,577 | 5,625 |
| visitors | 50 | | 650 | | |
| others | | | | | |
| total | | 48 | | 5,577 | 5,625 |
 COSTS:
Pounds Sterling 80,000 including 10 % for design.
 OPENING DATE:
April 2011
 DESIGN:
Beginning: November 2010
- Design/Concept: Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster
 CONSTRUCTION:
Beginning: January 2011
- Construction: N E Plant, Doncaster
 LOCAL CONDITIONS:
 | | This is a climatic diagram for the closest weather station.
27 m altitude
9.5 °C mean annual temperature
598 mm mean annual precipitation |
 PLANTS:
The exhibit is designed and planted to encourage the different species to inhabit certain areas. The lake is planted with marginal plants and sparse bamboo and willow trees to create a wetlands habitat for the capybara. The central part of the exhibit is landscaped and planted with grasses and low shrubs to create a grasslands habitat for the Patagonian mara and Rhea. The other end of the exhibit is heavily planted with trees to create a forest for the squirrel monkey and agouti. The plant list specifies the Latin names of the plants used for this exhibit.
 FEATURES DEDICATED TO ANIMALS:
The first third of the exhibit is designed mainly for the capybara with low roof shelters in a soil mound, shallow areas of the lake for mud wallows and grazing.
The middle third of the exhibit has a large soil mound with small shelters for the rodents and a large field shelter for all species.
The last third of the exhibit is designed for the squirrel monkeys and agouti and has a large climbing frame with planting among it.
As well as the shelters there are log piles in the exhibit to create naturalistic cover for the agouti in particular and small nest boxes for each agouti. This also acts as visual barriers for the animals and furniture for the rodents to gnaw on and shelter under.
 FEATURES DEDICATED TO KEEPERS:
The main feature of the exhibit for the staff is that the squirrel moneys stay in one area while being kept in a large, mixed species, walkthrough exhibit. As the monkeys are the main species for the visitors, it is important that staff could manage the monkeys while being able to still monitor the other species and the exhibit.
 FEATURES DEDICATED TO VISITORS:
In a walk-through, mixed species exhibit visitors can experience a variety of species from the same region, interacting naturally in a naturalistic environment, as close as possible, and learn about conservation issues.
 INTERPRETATION:
As the visitors walk through the exhibit they can find several information boards and ID signs giving details on each species and conservation messages on them and their habitats. Three keeper presentations throughout the day aim at reinforcing the conservation messages and information on what the visitors can do to help.
 MANAGEMENT:
This exhibit is staffed by a keeper whenever it is open to the public. There is no food, drink, and smoking allowed in the exhibit. Pushchairs are not admitted because they often are a good source of food that is kept in pockets.
Very little negative interspecific behaviours have been observed. The main issues are managing the visitors and their adherence to the exhibit rules and visitor/squirrel monkey interaction. No encouragement is given to monkeys to jump on staff. This prevents any doubts for staff, visitor or monkeys about acceptable behaviours.
 RESEARCH:
We have carried out visitor impact and enclosure usage studies to assess the management of the exhibit and the welfare of the animals.
 CONSERVATION:
We fundraise at each of the three keeper presentations for the BIAZA and World Land Trust Nature Reserve in Brazil. The presentation and interpretation aim at educating the visitors on conservation issues for the species and habitats in South America and at encouraging sustainability.
 LOCAL RESOURCES:
All materials were locally and sustainably sourced when possible. Wooden materials for fencing and structure is FSC and locally sourced. The plants are from a local supplier, planting and construction were completed by local companies. This is to support local businesses and to reduce transport costs and emissions. |
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| 54K | 98K |
| Site Plan |
| ©Yorkshire Wildlife Park, 2012 |
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| 58K | 94K |
| Three of five species in South America Viva (1) |
| ©Yorkshire Wildlife Park, 2012 |
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| 44K | 73K |
| Long view of the exhibit (2) |
| ©Yorkshire Wildlife Park, 2012 |
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| 58K | 85K |
| Interpretation along the path (5) |
| ©Yorkshire Wildlife Park, 2012 |
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| 53K | 76K |
| Capybara close-up (8) |
| ©Yorkshire Wildlife Park, 2012 |
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| 48K | 66K |
| Rhea at a sign (10) |
| ©Yorkshire Wildlife Park, 2012 |
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| 44K | 64K |
| Mara with young (14) |
| ©Yorkshire Wildlife Park, 2012 |
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| 39K | 64K |
| Interpretation along the path (15) |
| ©Yorkshire Wildlife Park, 2012 |
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| 44K | 74K |
| Squirrel monkey pens (19) |
| ©Yorkshire Wildlife Park, 2012 |
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