San Diego Zoo

[Captain Callum]

Asian Passage - Panda Trek - Asian Leopards

The second and final part of the panda trek is very different from the rest of the area. The asian leopards complex within panda trek features 4 habitats, with 2 each for snow leopard and amur leopard - linked by overhead walkways for the cats. The guest path cuts right through the middle of the area so guests will get views of the leopards on both sides. This area also features the third entrance/exit out of panda trek allowing guests to easily move onto the next portion of the zoo without much backtracking needed.

Overview of the Asian Leopards Area, the 4 habitats can easily be seen. Snow leopard on the left, amur leopards on the right:

The entrance to the asian leopard area accessible from left of the snow leopards. Here this entrance is near the lost forest and northern frontier to link to the other main areas of the zoo:

View into one of the snow leopard habitats, use of wooden logs and climbing rocks allows us to view leopards in various areas. Like always, the use of mesh is the realistic option despite how annoying it can make viewing animals at times:

The other habitat for snow leopards allow us to see the leopards right next to us, the climbing frames follows the length of the habitat providing great views:

Above us, we get the first views of the overhead walkway which allows the leopards to travel from one habitat to another. The small size of the walkway works almost perfect and is almost the exact same size of the real zoo one:

Over by the amur leopards, we get a much better view of the guest perspective. 4 overhead walkways in total allow leopards to walk right over guests:

Closeup of the amur leopard inside the walkway:

One of the amur leopard habitats:

The other amur leopard habitat:

So that concludes the long and narrow asian passage! 15 habitats with bears, primates, red pandas, takin and leopards make a nice enough area to visit with the panda trek obviously being the most attractive portion. The middle of the zoo is pretty much complete now with the direction heading towards the upper portions of the zoo next, africa rocks was the community favourite vote so we shall see a very unique area up next.

 

[ralphthestick]

This recreation is definitely sparking some memories of my one visit to San Diego - it looks great! Looking forward to seeing the redo of Africa Rocks, as that and Elephant Odyssey are probably the areas I remember clearest.

 

[Captain Callum]

Africa Rocks Overview

Let's return to where the version 1 of the zoo left off, Africa Rocks is probably the most modern complete habitat complex (not really counting the basecamp since thats a childrens zoo) in the zoo which was fully completed in late 2017. Although the name suggests a possible theme around rocky habitats in africa, that is not the case. Africa rocks takes a journey through various habitats throughout africa, from the south african coast to the highlands in ethopia. Located on a sloping canyon, we will find 15 animal habitats to explore on the winding trail.

As we can see from the map above, Africa Rocks consists of 6 habitat areas:

1. Kopje Woodlands
2. Ethopian Highlands
3. Acacia Woodland
4. Madagascar Forest
5. West African Forest
6. Cape Fynbos

Kopje Woodlands:

Starting at the top of the canyon on front street, the oldest part of africa rocks still holds up rather well. This area is themed around the rocky outcrops called kopje's, animals who live in these rocky areas can be found here. Also connected to the kopje woodlands is the upper entrance to africa rocks where we will find a desert garden full of diverse foilage. The animals found here will be:

• Southern Ground Hornbill aviary (habitat)
• Small african bird aviary (static)
• Trumpeter Hornbill aviary (static)
• Meerkats
• Serval
• Mixed rocky habitat with klipspringer, rock hyrax and dwarf mongoose

View into the klipspringer habitat, there are 2 areas of this habitat so it will look small due to the clustered rocks that the klipspringer will be able to climb on top of:

Ethopian Highlands:

The largest area of africa rocks by sheer habitat size, this will be a fun to build. 3 large habitats for baboons will characterise the ethopian highlands which we will be able to see 2 of these habitats for hamadryas baboons and the third habitat will be for gelada. There used to be nubian ibex in the gelada habitat but issues between the 2 animals lead the ibex being moved to another zoo.

Hamadryas Baboon habitat:

Gelada habitat:

Acacia Woodland:

Past the baboon habitats we will find more forest themed habitats, here we can expect to find a walkthrough aviary, the zoo's second amur leopard habitat and a vervet monkey habitat. The winding trail that does get a little steeper starts in this part of the zoo where we are now in the heart of the africa rocks complex. Weirdly enough, the zoo opted for a suspended mesh design which does feel very unnatural as some habitats have very high ceilings that what they should but this does provide mesh barriers with no poles for the guests viewing experience so good and bad thing i guess.

Path view of the elevated mesh layout, mixed feelings here really and NOT looking forward to bulding this. The roof of the mesh will be impossible to do without thousands of pieces so im going to have to test my barrier building skills here:

Vervet monkey habitat:

Madagascar Forest:

Heading over to madagascar, we will find 4 habitats here, 2 for fossa and 2 for lemurs. There are a whole bunch of lemurs present at the zoo which are:

• Blue Eyed Black Lemur
• Collared Brown Lemur
• Common Brown Lemur
• Coquerel's Sifaka
• Red Ruffed Lemur
• Ring Tailed Lemur

It will be possible to include almost all of these minus one of the brown lemurs, these will be selected at random between the 2 habitats unless i can find any information stating the correct mix for each. The other habitats are for fossa which is much simpler, one of the fossa used to feature honey badger but that has been replaced by another fossa - in planet zoo terms that means we can see 4 fossas at the zoo!

Fossa habitat:

West African Forest:

The highlight of this area is the rady falls, a 65 foot/20 metre tall cascading waterfalls falls down from the top of the canyon falls to a pool below the guest path, we even get to walk around the waterfall through a covered cave loop. There is only one animal habitat here which is a dwarf crocodile, a small wetland habitat with all glass barriers allows guests to see above and under the water.

Rady falls:

Cape Fynbos:

The last area of africa rocks is cape fynbos, by the name we can tell this is now the coastal portion of africa rocks which features african penguins and... leopard sharks! This will be a very interesting habitat to build with the iconic south african beach rocks, overhead and underwater viewing. After this habitat will be the panda plaza next to the hua mei cafe.

Above views of the african penguin habitat:

Underwater viewing:

 

[wowman]

that whole Asia area looks great.

 

[DarthQuell]

Africa Rocks Overview

Let's return to where the version 1 of the zoo left off, Africa Rocks is probably the most modern complete habitat complex (not really counting the basecamp since thats a childrens zoo) in the zoo which was fully completed in late 2017. Although the name suggests a possible theme around rocky habitats in africa, that is not the case. Africa rocks takes a journey through various habitats throughout africa, from the south african coast to the highlands in ethopia. Located on a sloping canyon, we will find 15 animal habitats to explore on the winding trail.

View attachment 375193

As we can see from the map above, Africa Rocks consists of 6 habitat areas:

1. Kopje Woodlands
2. Ethopian Highlands
3. Acacia Woodland
4. Madagascar Forest
5. West African Forest
6. Cape Fynbos

Kopje Woodlands:

Starting at the top of the canyon on front street, the oldest part of africa rocks still holds up rather well. This area is themed around the rocky outcrops called kopje's, animals who live in these rocky areas can be found here. Also connected to the kopje woodlands is the upper entrance to africa rocks where we will find a desert garden full of diverse foilage. The animals found here will be:

• Southern Ground Hornbill aviary (habitat)
• Small african bird aviary (static)
• Trumpeter Hornbill aviary (static)
• Meerkats
• Serval
• Mixed rocky habitat with klipspringer, rock hyrax and dwarf mongoose

View into the klipspringer habitat, there are 2 areas of this habitat so it will look small due to the clustered rocks that the klipspringer will be able to climb on top of:
View attachment 375200

Ethopian Highlands:

The largest area of africa rocks by sheer habitat size, this will be a fun to build. 3 large habitats for baboons will characterise the ethopian highlands which we will be able to see 2 of these habitats for hamadryas baboons and the third habitat will be for gelada. There used to be nubian ibex in the gelada habitat but issues between the 2 animals lead the ibex being moved to another zoo.

Hamadryas Baboon habitat:
View attachment 375202

Gelada habitat:
View attachment 375203



Acacia Woodland:

Past the baboon habitats we will find more forest themed habitats, here we can expect to find a walkthrough aviary, the zoo's second amur leopard habitat and a vervet monkey habitat. The winding trail that does get a little steeper starts in this part of the zoo where we are now in the heart of the africa rocks complex. Weirdly enough, the zoo opted for a suspended mesh design which does feel very unnatural as some habitats have very high ceilings that what they should but this does provide mesh barriers with no poles for the guests viewing experience so good and bad thing i guess.

Path view of the elevated mesh layout, mixed feelings here really and NOT looking forward to bulding this. The roof of the mesh will be impossible to do without thousands of pieces so im going to have to test my barrier building skills here:
View attachment 375205

Vervet monkey habitat:
View attachment 375206



Madagascar Forest:

Heading over to madagascar, we will find 4 habitats here, 2 for fossa and 2 for lemurs. There are a whole bunch of lemurs present at the zoo which are:

• Blue Eyed Black Lemur
• Collared Brown Lemur
• Common Brown Lemur
• Coquerel's Sifaka
• Red Ruffed Lemur
• Ring Tailed Lemur

It will be possible to include almost all of these minus one of the brown lemurs, these will be selected at random between the 2 habitats unless i can find any information stating the correct mix for each. The other habitats are for fossa which is much simpler, one of the fossa used to feature honey badger but that has been replaced by another fossa - in planet zoo terms that means we can see 4 fossas at the zoo!

Fossa habitat:
View attachment 375207



West African Forest:

The highlight of this area is the rady falls, a 65 foot/20 metre tall cascading waterfalls falls down from the top of the canyon falls to a pool below the guest path, we even get to walk around the waterfall through a covered cave loop. There is only one animal habitat here which is a dwarf crocodile, a small wetland habitat with all glass barriers allows guests to see above and under the water.

Rady falls:
View attachment 375208



Cape Fynbos:

The last area of africa rocks is cape fynbos, by the name we can tell this is now the coastal portion of africa rocks which features african penguins and... leopard sharks! This will be a very interesting habitat to build with the iconic south african beach rocks, overhead and underwater viewing. After this habitat will be the panda plaza next to the hua mei cafe.

Above views of the african penguin habitat:
View attachment 375210

Underwater viewing:
View attachment 375211

Wow, those images look so real, like real-life

 

[Captain Callum]

Wow, those images look so real, like real-life

I know right, my photo editing skills are the best

 

[Captain Callum]

that whole Asia area looks great.

Thanks wowman.

 

[Annie_konik]

What an amazing project! I love it! Thank you for sharing your progress!

 

[Captain Callum]

My laptop quit on me again , all work is on standby hoping the computer shop can fix it.

 

[Aramar]

My laptop quit on me again , all work is on standby hoping the computer shop can fix it.

Sorry to hear that. I know how it feels.

 

[Captain Callum]

My laptop is properly broken This will be the last post for a while providing 1. the zoo saved successfully on the steam cloud and 2. if I have the motivation to continue when I can afford a new computer.

 

[Aramar]

Sorry, I'll miss your updates. Hope you can get a new one soon.

 

[Leaf Productions]

thoughts and prayers are with you king <3

 

[Veah]

My laptop is properly broken This will be the last post for a while providing 1. the zoo saved successfully on the steam cloud and 2. if I have the motivation to continue when I can afford a new computer.

Buy a new computer after Christmas , my laptop physically wouldn't turn on so I sent it to a repair shop and they said the graphics card is bust. Hopefully yours isn't as bad as that, If you think yours is due to hardware, use the warranty on it to get looked at if concerned.

I've just read about this in the other thread and I felt like it was better to continue here. If it's a graphic card problem, your memory disc should be still ok, right? Can't they recover it? The part I hate the most when buying a new computer is starting everything from zero, re-installing everything, accounts everywhere... But recovering your data from the previous laptop would help with it. Also, you would also get back your PZ savegames
It's such a pain when these things happen, we all here fully understand it. But if you need motivation to continue, count on me, I was following and loving this project

 

[Captain Callum]

I've just read about this in the other thread and I felt like it was better to continue here. If it's a graphic card problem, your memory disc should be still ok, right? Can't they recover it? The part I hate the most when buying a new computer is starting everything from zero, re-installing everything, accounts everywhere... But recovering your data from the previous laptop would help with it. Also, you would also get back your PZ savegames
It's such a pain when these things happen, we all here fully understand it. But if you need motivation to continue, count on me, I was following and loving this project

The drive apparently is still working but the repair shop worked for days trying to recover it and didn't ask for any money since they have a no fix no fee charge, honestly I didn't want to bother them too much after that much effort. Yeah its a huge disappointment but the new pack today has me in a good mood. I'll pray that the steam cloud recovered my saves so I can upload what remains of the zoo onto the workshop.

 

[Captain Callum]

Alright then, better get this out the way. The san diego zoo recreation is done, unfinished and will remain forever unfinished! I tried to complete the zoo, basically 2 years on and off at attempting to build the zoo ended up in no success. Motivation has been wavering for quite some time because it is simply not a fun zoo to build, small habitats with an entire focus on the same african and asian animals i have been building for as long as i can remember and the heavy urban feel to the zoo. Then of course my old laptop broke, leaving me with the zoo file and over half of the custom media files deleted - i had zero backups of these deleted media but thankfully uploaded the majority of them online to recover them.

So the project ends with a brief tour video covering the 50 percent or so built so far and 2 versions of the zoo on the workshop - unmodded and modded options for those who like the choice.

Source: https://youtu.be/-1r7w2WaFgA?si=8yArrelRafj5Smxe

Steam Workshop::San Diego Zoo

steamcommunity.com

Steam Workshop::San Diego Zoo (with mods)

steamcommunity.com

Anyone who wishes to continue the recreation, tour the zoo for a video, whatever you want to do with it - be my guest.

 

[Villanelle]

Alright then, better get this out the way. The san diego zoo recreation is done, unfinished and will remain forever unfinished! I tried to complete the zoo, basically 2 years on and off at attempting to build the zoo ended up in no success. Motivation has been wavering for quite some time because it is simply not a fun zoo to build, small habitats with an entire focus on the same african and asian animals i have been building for as long as i can remember and the heavy urban feel to the zoo. Then of course my old laptop broke, leaving me with the zoo file and over half of the custom media files deleted - i had zero backups of these deleted media but thankfully uploaded the majority of them online to recover them.

So the project ends with a brief tour video covering the 50 percent or so built so far and 2 versions of the zoo on the workshop - unmodded and modded options for those who like the choice.

Source: https://youtu.be/-1r7w2WaFgA?si=8yArrelRafj5Smxe

Steam Workshop::San Diego Zoo

steamcommunity.com

Steam Workshop::San Diego Zoo (with mods)

steamcommunity.com

Anyone who wishes to continue t recreation, tour the zoo for a video, whatever you want to do with it - be my guest.

Oh damn. That's heartbreaking. Massive props to this amazing project and all your intrepid effort with it. An unfinished status in no way undermines the incredible amount that has been achieved. Thanks for all the inspiration and learning you have given and I hope that in spite of all the obstacles and disappointments, you have taken away a positive experience and no doubt to the amount of respect and admiration you fully deserve for your dedication to this project. It is glorious!!! Far beyond anything I have ever accomplished. I hope your new hardware inspires you when it comes and when you're ready, you embark on a new endeavour. I look forward to it, for one. Bravo Cap'n, Bravo

 

[Xrystal]

Here's hoping you get more enjoyment from your next project .. but definitely give yourself some down time before then .

But, yeah, even unfinished it's miles above anything I could have done, so I am sure for many including me these will always serve as inspiration on what is possible.

 

[Captain Callum]

The return of the san diego zoo

Alright I have decided to bring back the project after a year or so long break after I ended it last year. My longest recreation project slowly continues and hopefully might see completion one day. The biggest problem I have is not expanding the zoo but rather upgrading existing parts as some areas were low quality and not true to the real zoo, I don't mean the sad excuses of an animal display found in the bear grottos or urban jungle but buildings, foliage and viewing areas need work.

So, I won't go into too much details about any serious expansions into the zoo just yet, although we can expect another post this week in the asian passage. Currently the focus is reworking the buildings and foliage as this will enhance almost the entire zoo. The main visual improvement across the zoo is the addition of california palm trees from the workshop. These tall custom trees add a very much needed upgrade to the zoo which I could not do with the coconut or african palm trees which are far too small. The ticket buildings also received a improvement uses the correct shade of green and new wooden panels.

Over at the australia outback plaza, we can see just how tall these palm trees are. I think these trees are about 90 pieces each which isn't too bad given how some custom foliage runs into thosands of pieces.

Talking about the building improvements, the actual building structures/shape are fine but the main issue was their rooftop. The old air conditioning blueprint from the workshop was severely lacking variety and realistic options for rooftop ventilation, so thats where my megapack comes in. Using a large selection of ventilation props from my AC base pack, vents, and air handlers packs, I have brought realistic rooftops to the san diego zoo. The examples below is the reptile house, and the busy bee cafe which are both in the left side of the zoo.

Also nearby is the modern area in the reptile walk/ reptile mesa. The komodo kingdom received true to life signage thanks to a workshop blueprint, and the viewing glass windows were upgraded to remove the default glass barrier look. Custom fences have also been added to this area replacing the planet zoo metal fence.

Across from the komodo kingdom is the hummingbird habitat, a static indoor building with bird props. The focus inside this building was making the building more lush with tropical foliage, I remember a youtube comment asking to do this last year as my earlier version didn't have enough plants.

 

[Stygi]

The return of the san diego zoo

Alright I have decided to bring back the project after a year or so long break after I ended it last year. My longest recreation project slowly continues and hopefully might see completion one day. The biggest problem I have is not expanding the zoo but rather upgrading existing parts as some areas were low quality and not true to the real zoo, I don't mean the sad excuses of an animal display found in the bear grottos or urban jungle but buildings, foliage and viewing areas need work.

So, I won't go into too much details about any serious expansions into the zoo just yet, although we can expect another post this week in the asian passage. Currently the focus is reworking the buildings and foliage as this will enhance almost the entire zoo. The main visual improvement across the zoo is the addition of california palm trees from the workshop. These tall custom trees add a very much needed upgrade to the zoo which I could not do with the coconut or african palm trees which are far too small. The ticket buildings also received a improvement uses the correct shade of green and new wooden panels.
View attachment 402288

Over at the australia outback plaza, we can see just how tall these palm trees are. I think these trees are about 90 pieces each which isn't too bad given how some custom foliage runs into thosands of pieces.
View attachment 402289

Talking about the building improvements, the actual building structures/shape are fine but the main issue was their rooftop. The old air conditioning blueprint from the workshop was severely lacking variety and realistic options for rooftop ventilation, so thats where my megapack comes in. Using a large selection of ventilation props from my AC base pack, vents, and air handlers packs, I have brought realistic rooftops to the san diego zoo. The examples below is the reptile house, and the busy bee cafe which are both in the left side of the zoo.
View attachment 402290
View attachment 402291

Also nearby is the modern area in the reptile walk/ reptile mesa. The komodo kingdom received true to life signage thanks to a workshop blueprint, and the viewing glass windows were upgraded to remove the default glass barrier look. Custom fences have also been added to this area replacing the planet zoo metal fence.
View attachment 402292

Across from the komodo kingdom is the hummingbird habitat, a static indoor building with bird props. The focus inside this building was making the building more lush with tropical foliage, I remember a youtube comment asking to do this last year as my earlier version didn't have enough plants.
View attachment 402293

The king has returned, good luck with attempting this challenge again, hopefully your computer doesn't burst into flames