Zoos and Aquariums of the Future

[futurezoosandaquariums]

Mandai Nature Precinct expansion and renovation 

Type: Zoo and Wildlife Park (expansion/renovation)

Country: Singapore

Location: https://www.google.com/maps/search/1.404632,103.784367/data=!4m2!2m1!4b1?hl=en-US

Status: Planned

Planned Completion: 2021

Plans for the Mandai Nature Precinct (also known as the Mandai Nature Project and Mandai Nature Hub) include practically doubling the size of the area and encompassing five wildlife parks, up from the current three wildlife parks (Singapore Zoo, River Safari, Night Safari). The first new wildlife park that is expected to open in 2020 is the Bird Park which will feature one of the most grand bird collections in the world, featuring many species from all seven continents and some of the world's most endangered birds. Aspects of the bird park include freeflight aviaries, a bird show and an underwater and “overwater” penguin exhibit. The Bird Park will be replacing the existing Jurong Bird Park in Singapore. The other wildfire park, the Rainforest Park, will display the biodiversity of Southeast Asia. Guests will be able to experience this wildlife park from trails on the forest floor, raised boardwalks, aerial walkways at the forest canopy and guests will even be able to explore recreated underground caverns. The Rain Forest Park will be divided by a road and will be connected by an “Eco-Link Bridge” and will be opening in 2021. In addition to the two new wildlife parks, new east and west arrival plazas, an “indoor natured-themed attraction,” and lodging will be built. Mandai Nature Precinct as a whole is taking innovation to the extreme. Great lengths are being taken to be as ecologically friendly as possible. The world-class, natural design of the animal exhibits appear as almost being barrier-free, immersing the visitors more than ever possible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6UQd44Tcy4 + https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xka5W-JMNd4

Sources:

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/south-east-asian-focus-at-new-rainforest-park https://kopitiambot.com/2017/01/16/watch-birds-from-around-the-world-in-singapore-at-new-mandai-wildlife-hub/ http://www.greatdeals.com.sg/2017/01/16/mandai-park-project-eco-tourism-hub-new-details-rainforest-park https://twitter.com/visitsingapore/status/824077107219156992 http://www.youngparents.com.sg/family/video-what-expect-rainforest-park-mandai http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/mandai-to-be-nature-hub-with-five-wildlife-parks https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2016/06/two-wildlife-parks-to-join-zoo-night.html http://asean.travel/2016/06/06/mandai-area-to-be-turned-into-singapore-nature-tourism-hub/ http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mandai-nature-precinct/2835168.html http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/mandai-nature-hub-could-draw-eco-tourists http://asean.travel/2016/06/06/mandai-area-to-be-turned-into-singapore-nature-tourism-hub/

[futurezoosandaquariums]

Mississippi Aquarium

Type: Aquarium

Country: United States

Location: https://www.google.com/maps/search/30.368019,-89.088553/data=!4m2!2m1!4b1?hl=en-US

Status: Planned

Planned Completion: Early 2019

In the works since 2014, the Mississipi Aquarium will become a major destination in the city of Gulfport. PGAV Destinations designed the aquarium. The aquarium will feature marine life found on Mississippi’s coast in the Gulf of Mexico and freshwater species found In Mississippi’s many rivers that flow into the gulf. Part of the aquarium’s design is an outdoor river that will include alligator, otter and freshwater fish exhibits. These exhibits will be able to be viewed from above or below the surface through acrylic walls. One end of the river will be the entrance to the aquarium and the other end will be an outdoor dolphin exhibit. A three-level main building will feature a touch pool with a stingray exhibit and a large shark exhibit. This partially indoor and partially outdoor aquarium will also have a separate entry building, aviary and support building for maintenance. Construction is expected to start in spring 2017.

Sources:

http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/harrison-county/article124339439.html

http://pgavdestinations.com/news/pgav-destinations-pc-to-design-new-mississippi-aquarium/

http://www.gulfport-ms.gov/finance/cafr2014.pdf

http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/harrison-county/article68212947.html

[futurezoosandaquariums]

Cairns Aquarium

Type: Aquarium

Country: Australia

Location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cairns+Aquarium,+122B+Lake+St,+Cairns+City+QLD+4870,+Australia/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x6978668defaaf1bb:0x3a401d993c56e47a?hl=en-US

Status: Under Construction

Planned Completion: May 2017

The Cairns Aquarium was announced in 2013 and construction started in Decmeber 2014. The aquarium will be located in the tropical city of Cairns, Queensland which is known for being close to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainsforest. The aquarium will house 15,000 plants and animals, many of which are found only in the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, in 70 exhibits made up of almost one and a half million gallons of water. The aquarium was designed by Peddle Thorp Architects. The aquarium’s exterior walls are “made up of a series of giant "tectonic" plates to symbolise the movement of the earth's crust over time causing the development of giant land masses and ocean structures in the region that led to the creation of the Far North's tree covered mountains and the Great Barrier Reef.” The goal of the aquarium’s design is to be recognizable and an iconic destination in Cairns.

Sources:

http://www.cairnsaquarium.com.au/

http://www.pta.com.au/portfolio/project/cairns-aquarium

http://www.cairnspost.com.au/business/first-wave-of-jobs-to-be-advertised-for-new-cairns-aquarium/news-story/778239d20ecc67c42c321344ee441455

https://fkg.com.au/news/cairns-aquarium-restaurant-and-function-centre-to-offer-best-bite-in-cairns/

http://www.4ca.com.au/news/local-news/54229-new-cairns-aquarium-on-track-for-2017-finish

https://industryadvocate.com.au/next-stage-of-cairns-aquarium-cemented-in-place/

http://www.star1027.com.au/news/57492-specialist-tradies-brought-in-for-cairns-aquarium-project

http://www.newsport.com.au/2016/december/cairns-aquarium-edging-closer-to-completion/

https://www.tropicnow.com.au/2016/november/28/great-news-on-cairns-jobs-scene.html

http://www.cairnspost.com.au/lifestyle/cairns-aquarium-construction-set-to-start-in-december-with-more-than-350-workers-to-be-employed/news-story/3993c73731ecd5f5dbacbd726968f106

http://www.rdafnqts.org.au/index.php/news/news-articles/651-cairns-aquarium

http://www.cairnspost.com.au/business/m-cairns-aquarium-starts-to-take-shape-as-vision-revealed/news-story/ed4153df7fb4c3eaa078578572ee3114

[futurezoosandaquariums]

Clearwater Marine Aquarium expansion

Type: Aquarium (expansion)

Country: United States

Location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/27°58'36.6%22N+82°49'06.1%22W/@27.976834,-82.818357,17z?hl=en-US

Status: Under Construction

Planned Completion: Early 2019

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium in recent years has undergone numerous expansions and renovations but none close to the scope of this planned expansion. This multi-year, multi-phase expansion includes a new parking garage, “two four-story buildings for education and guest space,” a pelican exhibit, and most importantly, a 1.5 million gallon dolphin exhibit that’s composed of five pools. The majority of the aquarium’s existing facilities will remain. This expansion will be located adjacent to and connect to the current aquarium. This is the third version of a planned major expansion to the aquarium. The first version was similar to this expansion plan but included a large stadium for dolphin shows, among other more costly additions. The second plan involved building a totally new aquarium in a nearby location AND building the previously planned expansion on the current aquarium but using it just as a recuse center. This plan was cancelled due to cost and length of time it would take to complete. The third and current plan was approved by the city of Clearwater in January 2016 and the expansion broke ground in September 2016.

Sources:

http://www.seewinter.com/get-involved/support-our-expansion

http://dev-cma.pantheonsite.io/sites/default/files/CMA_Expansion.pdf

http://www.tampabay.com/news/growth/administrative-judge-holds-up-clearwater-marine-aquarium-expansion/2278311

http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/77437252-story

http://wfla.com/2016/09/12/city-leaders-host-groundbreaking-expansion-for-clearwater-marine-aquarium/

http://orl.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/on-the-town/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2014/8/22/clearwater_marine_aq.html

http://www.floridatrend.com/article/1593/tail-of-survival-at-clearwater-marine-aquarium

http://patch.com/florida/clearwater/clearwater-marine-aquarium-eyes-city-hall

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/tourism/clearwater-marine-aquarium-scuttles-plan-to-move-to-downtown-clearwater/2227776

[futurezoosandaquariums]

New Doha Zoo

Type: Zoo and Safari Park

Country: Qatar

Location: https://www.google.com/maps/search/25.248260,51.434853/data=!4m2!2m1!4b1?hl=en-US

Status: Under Construction

Planned Completion: Late 2017 (as of February 2016)

The New Doha Zoo, which has been in the works since 2012, is being constructed on the same site as the old Doha Zoo, which shut down in 2012 after being heavily criticized for its poor care of animals. The animals from the old Doha Zoo have been temporarily relocated in Qatar while the new zoo is constructed. The New Doha Zoo has been designed by PJA Architects and HHCP Architects. The new zoo will feature over 3000 animals that will be divided into three areas themed around the South American rainforest, Asian woodlands, and African savannah. Visitors will be able to experience the zoo by drive-thru safari, boat and foot. 

Sources:

http://www.pjarchitects.com/the-new-doha-zoo-international-zoo-project/

https://dohanews.co/animals-shifted-from-shut-down-zoo-to-al-khor-park/

https://dohanews.co/ashghal-3000-animals-to-be-part-of-new-doha-zoo/

http://www.pjarchitects.com/project/new-doha-zoo/

http://www.keoic.com/Projects/Details/147

https://dohanews.co/doha-zoo-closes-indefinitely-for-renovations-2/

https://dohanews.co/to-make-way-for-new-safari-park-qatar-plans-demolition/

https://dohanews.co/ashghal-releases-new-details-about-mega-zoo-project/

https://dohanews.co/key-contracts-awarded-new-doha-zoo-project-commences/