Whether it were to be added in Planet Zoo or a possible sequel, the idea of having certain animals present a level of danger not just to the guests, but also to the staff. Right now, staff like keepers, vets, mechanics and caretakers can just enter an animal habitat without any potential risk, especially in the habitats of some of the most dangerous animals to people i.e. Hippos; Bears; Crocodiles; Big Cats etc. This system would work in possibly 5 levels.
Level 1: Safe - Animals are either harmless or highly unlikely to be any danger to staff or to guests. These are animals like your Capybaras, Red Pandas, Koalas and stuff like that.
Level 2: Inquisitive - The animals are mostly harmless, but can have a bit of a naughty side to them where they can possibly bite or scratch if they felt like it. These animals could include Wombats, Capuchin Monkeys, Small-Clawed Otters, Tasmanian Devils, Meerkats etc.
Level 3: Caution Needed - These animals do present some danger and while in their exhibit, a staff member must be cautious and aware of the animals position. This also works for animals that may be shy or skittish and choose to stay far, but can charge if threatened. Animals in this category would include most of the hoofstock like Horses, Wild Sheep and Goats, Giraffes, smaller species would be stuff like smaller cats like the Clouded Leopard or Lynx, some of the canids like the Maned Wolf, Dhole or African Wild Dog etc.
Level 4: Potentially Dangerous - These animals are ones that staff are recommended to not be in the same space as alone, and so would require multiple other people on stand by to ensure one another's safety. These animals have the potential to cause serious injuries, and sometimes keepers will need something for self defence. Animals that fit into this category are things like the Southern Cassowary, medium-sized cats like leopards, cheetahs and snow leopards, wolves, hyenas, crocodilians, elephants, rhinos and smaller bears like the Sun, Sloth and Spectacled Bears and the Giant Panda etc.
Level 5: Very Dangerous - This category is for the animals that are very likely to injure and or kill, and so staff should never enter their habitat if the animals are in the exhibit. Animals like the large bears, the Brown and Polar Bears, the biggest cats of lions and tigers, both hippo species, as despite its smaller size, the Pygmy Hippo can be just as dangerous as the Nile Hippo. An extra one would probably Chimpanzees and Gorillas, as in a zoo setting, the animals are more likely to be on offense and potentially attack a staff member. In an open forest, they're safer to be around, but here, it wouldn't be recommended.
The system has the potential to work in tandem with a working backstage system, with animal doors and gates of various kinds that can be opened and closed based on settings determined by the player, and when a staff member has to enter the habitat, the animals are called into their backstage areas and closed in until the staff have completed their task, whether it be stocking a feeder, repairing a fence or cleaning the enclosure. It would certainly add to the realism.
What are your thoughts?
Level 1: Safe - Animals are either harmless or highly unlikely to be any danger to staff or to guests. These are animals like your Capybaras, Red Pandas, Koalas and stuff like that.
Level 2: Inquisitive - The animals are mostly harmless, but can have a bit of a naughty side to them where they can possibly bite or scratch if they felt like it. These animals could include Wombats, Capuchin Monkeys, Small-Clawed Otters, Tasmanian Devils, Meerkats etc.
Level 3: Caution Needed - These animals do present some danger and while in their exhibit, a staff member must be cautious and aware of the animals position. This also works for animals that may be shy or skittish and choose to stay far, but can charge if threatened. Animals in this category would include most of the hoofstock like Horses, Wild Sheep and Goats, Giraffes, smaller species would be stuff like smaller cats like the Clouded Leopard or Lynx, some of the canids like the Maned Wolf, Dhole or African Wild Dog etc.
Level 4: Potentially Dangerous - These animals are ones that staff are recommended to not be in the same space as alone, and so would require multiple other people on stand by to ensure one another's safety. These animals have the potential to cause serious injuries, and sometimes keepers will need something for self defence. Animals that fit into this category are things like the Southern Cassowary, medium-sized cats like leopards, cheetahs and snow leopards, wolves, hyenas, crocodilians, elephants, rhinos and smaller bears like the Sun, Sloth and Spectacled Bears and the Giant Panda etc.
Level 5: Very Dangerous - This category is for the animals that are very likely to injure and or kill, and so staff should never enter their habitat if the animals are in the exhibit. Animals like the large bears, the Brown and Polar Bears, the biggest cats of lions and tigers, both hippo species, as despite its smaller size, the Pygmy Hippo can be just as dangerous as the Nile Hippo. An extra one would probably Chimpanzees and Gorillas, as in a zoo setting, the animals are more likely to be on offense and potentially attack a staff member. In an open forest, they're safer to be around, but here, it wouldn't be recommended.
The system has the potential to work in tandem with a working backstage system, with animal doors and gates of various kinds that can be opened and closed based on settings determined by the player, and when a staff member has to enter the habitat, the animals are called into their backstage areas and closed in until the staff have completed their task, whether it be stocking a feeder, repairing a fence or cleaning the enclosure. It would certainly add to the realism.
What are your thoughts?
