I had some free time this week and decided to make my Dream zoo! In Paint 
Someday, when I have a computer that can handle it, and when (hopefully) all these species are added (It's called DREAM zoo for a reason) I would like to build this in Planet zoo!
(It's a large image! Feel free to zoom in to see what's what)
Where possible, I used in-game species. For instance, I needed antelopes for the African safari habitat, so I went with the lechwe, Thomson gazelle, and sable antelope instead of species we don't have (yet). But in many cases, the animal type I needed for a particular area isn't in the game (yet?), so I ended up using a lot of new animals.
This zoo is situated in the Netherlands, Europe. That would be a temperate map in game.
Zoo history
Some highlights of this zoo:
What do you think?
And... feel free to share your dream zoos! I would love to see what you come up with.
Someday, when I have a computer that can handle it, and when (hopefully) all these species are added (It's called DREAM zoo for a reason) I would like to build this in Planet zoo!
Where possible, I used in-game species. For instance, I needed antelopes for the African safari habitat, so I went with the lechwe, Thomson gazelle, and sable antelope instead of species we don't have (yet). But in many cases, the animal type I needed for a particular area isn't in the game (yet?), so I ended up using a lot of new animals.
This zoo is situated in the Netherlands, Europe. That would be a temperate map in game.
Zoo history
| -60 years | Once upon a time, this zoo started as a grey seal sanctuary, hence the giant grey seal habitat which was used for rehabilitation and getting the animals (re)accustomed to their natural environment. It was surrounded by smaller enclosures where animals recovered from injuries and sickness. |
| -40 years | As the grey seal population recovered, the need for a sanctuary became obsolete. The smaller enclosures were torn down and the sanctuary was repurposed into a small aquatic zoo featuring a large water playground for kids, and hosting grey seals, Eurasian river otters (habitat currently occupied by sea otters), and African penguins (habitat now has little blue penguins). This small zoo became quite a popular local attraction. |
| -35 years: | The little zoo's success allowed for expansion. The main focus being children, an educational approach was chosen and therefore the choice was made to feature local wildlife in a new zoo section. New European habitats were built: the Veluwe forest habitat with Dutch large grazers, red squirrel, pine marten, badger, red fox, and wild boar (currently occupied by ibex, hare, and chamois). The first restaurant was constructed next to the fox and boar habitats, along with a new park for playing and picnicking. |
| -34 years: | Introduction of the wisent (now brown bear habitat). The zoo becomes involved in the international breeding program for this endangered species. |
| -33 years: | Opening of the first petting zoo, next to the Veluwe habitat. |
| -30 years: | The zoo's healthy financial situation allows for further expansion, and the first large predators are welcomed. The wisents get a new habitat next to the new lynx habitat, and two Eurasian brown bears are moved into the old wisent habitat. Grey wolves occupy the area that is currently moose, wild boar, and river otter. |
| -20 years: | An outbreak of a contagious virus strikes the country, and unfortunately, the zoo can't escape it. The cloven-hoofed animals are struck, leaving the zoo without deer, mouflons, cattle, sheep, and boars. Not only that, but the zoo must close its doors for the remainder of the outbreak. This causes a dire financial situation. |
| -19 years: | After the outbreak the zoo is bankrupt. Fortunately, new investors are found and a grand plan is constructed which will take many years to complete. |
| -18 years: | After almost 3 years of hardship and closed doors, the zoo is reopened: The European section is expanded with Alpine animals and moose, there is a complete North America section, and the entrance section expands with sea otters and California sea lions. The zoo's star animals are the Polar bears. The grand reopening is featured in national news and the new and improved zoo is a smash hit. |
| -16 years: | After 2 years of construction, the first indoor dome is opened: the Amazon Dome, featuring South America's rainforest. The dome is lush and covered with trees and plants, and there are free-ranging monkeys. It still looks a bit bare at this time, but in due time the inside of the dome will feel like an actual rainforest. The new animals featured are capybaras, anteaters, giant tortoises, dwarf caiman, scarlet ibis, ocelot... and black jaguars! Outside on the other side of the dome are llamas, vicuñas, pudus, maras, viscachas, maned wolves, and the Andean mountain cat. |
| -14 years: | A large part of the Asia section is opened, featuring animals from Northeast Asia and India. The zoo's first elephants (Asian elephant), the tiger, and the leopard quickly become guest favorites. |
| -13 years: | The Himalaya animals are introduced, with the exception of the giant pandas. There are also new habitats featuring Southeast Asian animals like the siamang, Malaysian tapir, binturong, dhole, and saltwater crocodile. |
| -11 years: | Opening of the Australia section, minus Tasmanian devils, which is still part of the kangaroo and emu habitat at this time. |
| -9 years: | An enormous undertaking has come to an end, and after 3 years of construction, the brand new Africa section is now open! This section includes the second petting zoo, a walkthrough meerkat habitat, and several iconic big animals such as the lion, cheetah, hippo, hyena, and African wild dog. The zoo gains its second elephant species (African bush elephant). But the highlight of the Africa section is of course the gargantuan safari habitat with a bus tour, featuring 10 savannah animal species such as rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and antelope! The Africa section is connected to the South America section and to the Asia section, where it connects to the new Gobi habitat featuring Przewalski horses, Bactrian camels, saiga antelope, and onagers. |
| -7 years: | The Mangrove Dome is opened, with the incredible West Indian manatee on display. Guests can also view coconut crabs, and walk the Butterfly Path. This dome is home to hundreds of butterflies. |
| -3 years: | It is the 15 year anniversary of the zoo's grand reopening, and to celebrate the zoo welcomes 3 very special new animal species that are hard to get: the little blue penguin or fairy penguin, the Tasmanian devil, and the giant panda. |
Some highlights of this zoo:
- The large grey seal habitat, which is a beach inside a large mass of water, resembling a mud flat on the Wadden sea, a UNESCO world heritage site known for its large population of grey seals. People can actually walk through an underwater tunnel and stand in the middle of this beach! A chest-high barrier separates the guests from the seals, of course (because although seals look cute, they are predators and have sharp teeth).
- The Mangrove dome with the manatees, coconut crabs, and the Butterfly Path. This dome makes you feel like you are in a tropical paradise, with colorful butterflies all around you, mangrove trees, and clear blue water.
- The Veluwe forest habitat with red deer and fallow deer, mouflons, tauros cattle and konik horses. This habitat is named after the Dutch Veluwe nature reserve, and showcases herds of large grazers sharing this forest environment. It is a large and overgrown habitat though. Some of the animals are shy and they are all great at hiding, so you aren't guaranteed to see the animals...! Be sure to look in the private viewing areas if you can't spot them. The tauros herd is part of an international breeding program to recreate the aurochs.
- The Himalaya area with giant pandas. Part of this area is outside, but you can walk under the giant panda habitat and enter the Himalaya cave, where you feel like you are in cold Tibet.
- The Safari tour, of course! The wait in the queue is totally worth it!
- The lion hut, where you can view the lions up close. The lion habitat is hilly, and built in such a way that the lions can view the antelope in the Safari habitat. This makes the lions quite active at times, as they are triggered by the sight and smell of prey animals. You can also run along the water's edge and see if you can trigger a lion's chase instinct...! Of course the lions can retreat to the other side of the hills and rocks if they want some quiet time. (guests cannot view the lions from the cheetah side)
- Stand within the African elephant habitat on African Elephant Island!
- Stand within the Gobi plains on Gobi Desert Island, surrounded by camels, wild horses, wild donkeys, and saiga antelope.
- Climb the giant jungle gym in the Amazon Dome and see if you can climb better than the monkeys! The jungle gym is inside protective netting, so the monkeys can't get inside and kids can play safely.
- Enjoy the many parks with room for picnicking and playgrounds for kids, where you can relax and watch the animals around you. There are 8 parks like these: Asia park (Asian elephant), Himalaya playground (giant panda, snow leopard, red panda), Europe park (red fox, wild boar), North America park (polar bear, cougar), Ocean park (sea lion, grey seal), Amazon playground (monkeys, jaguar), Africa park (safari habitat, African elephant).
What do you think?
And... feel free to share your dream zoos! I would love to see what you come up with.
Smaller monkeys, howlers and spiders are fine and fun. Gibbons too. But apes like chimps, orangutans and gorillas really unnerve me. 
