INTRODUCTION

Zoos of the Past

Zoos have been around for centuries. Many years ago, when visitors went to the zoo, they would view animals on
display in long rows of small cages. The purpose of the zoo was to provide visitors a glance at exotic animals. There
was little focus on animal welfare. Cramped cages and a lack of natural habitat caused stress to the animals.

The Modern Zoo

The modern zoo looks very different than the zoos of the past. Today, zoos avoid placing animals behind bars in
small enclosures. Instead, a well-designed zoo exhibit is large and open. It includes living and nonliving factors that
model the animal’s natural habitat. Instead of bars, trenches and moats separate the animals from people. The zoo
exhibit is not solely focused on the pleasure of visitors. Animal welfare is at the forefront of the design.

Why are Zoos Needed?

Unlike zoos of the past, modern zoos play a critical role in conserving endangered species. Zoos help educate the
public on environmental issues that threaten species. Many zoos have reintroduction programs that breed and
release endangered species back into their natural habitat. Additionally, zoos provide homes to organisms that are
extinct in the wild. Without zoos, these animals would not exist.

Your Task
You will design a zoo exhibit for an endangered species. The zoo exhibit should model the natural habitat of the
organism. The animal should be able to live comfortably, happily, and safely within the exhibit.
 DIRECTIONS
Essential Questions:
How do living things interact with one another and their environment?
How can the removal of one species affect an entire ecosystem?
How do humans impact the environment, and how can we reduce the impact?

Learning Target:
I can design a zoo exhibit that meets the ecological needs of one endangered species.

Student Directions:
➢ Choose one endangered or critically endangered species. You can find an animal on the
WWF Website. Or, go to the IUCN Red List for a complete list of endangered species.
➢ Conduct research and complete the animal report (slides 5-11).
➢ Complete the zoo exhibit plan (slides 13-17).
➢ Create an exhibit diagram (slide 18).
○ Include at least four abiotic factors and six biotic factors. Label all factors.
○ Refer to slide 21 for an example.
ANIMAL I ns e r t
P hot o
REPORT He r e
SPECIES BASICS
1. Endangered Species Name
➢ Common Name:
➢ Scientific Name:

Insert Photo
2. Type of Animal
➢ Mammal, bird, fish, amphibian, reptile,
insect, arachnid, etc.?

Here 3. Physical Description

➢ Height: Weight:
➢ Color & Markings:

➢ Other Notable Physical Traits:

 LOCATION
4. Geographic Location
➢ Where in the world can the species be
found?

➢ What ecosystem does the species inhabit?

Insert Photo
➢ Description of Habitat: Here
FEEDING HABITS
5. Feeding Habits / Diet
➢ What type of consumer is the organism—
herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore?

Insert Photo ➢ Describe the types of foods your animal

eats? Be specific.

Here
 FOOD WEB
DIAGRAM
Insert Text
Insert Text

Insert Text

Sun Insert Text

Insert Text Insert Text

6. Create a food web that includes the species and at

least six other organisms. Insert the names within
Insert shapes and include arrows that show energy flow.
Text You can move and change the size/direction of
arrows by clicking and dragging the dots. An example
food web for a panda is shown below this slide.
CONSERVATION
7. Conservation Status
➢ Review the table below and state the conservation status of the organism.

Insert Text Here

___________________________

IUCN Conservation Status Description

Near Threatened Does not currently qualify for threatened status, but is
likely to qualify in the near future.

Vulnerable High risk of facing extinction in the wild

Endangered Very high risk of facing extinction in the wild

Critically Endangered extremely high risk of facing extinction in the wild

Extinct in the wild There are no records of the species alive in its native
habitat. The species can only be found in captivity
(zoos).
ENDANGERMENT
8. Cause of Endangerment
➢ Number left in the wild:

➢ What are three main reasons the species is endangered?

○

9. Effects (Consequences)
➢ If this species were to go extinct, how could this negatively impact the ecosystem? Analyze the
food web (and conduct additional research) to predict a possible outcome.
 SOLUTIONS
10. Solutions
➢ How can people help stop this endangered species from becoming extinct?
 Project Part 2
(Graded Separately)
 ZOO
I ns e r t
EXHIBI P hot o
He r e
T
BIOTIC FACTORS
11. Community Members (Animals)
➢ What animals live in the same ecosystem?
○ Include names and pictures of four community members that can safely live inside (or near)
the exhibit.

Insert Name Insert Name Insert Name Insert Name

Insert Insert Insert Insert

Photo Photo Photo Photo
BIOTIC FACTORS
12. Community Members (Plants)
➢ What plants live in the same ecosystem?
○ Include names and pictures of four species of plants that can safely live inside the exhibit.

Insert Name Insert Name Insert Name Insert Name

Insert Insert Insert Insert

Photo Photo Photo Photo
ABIOTIC FACTORS
13. Abiotic Factors
➢ Animals also depend on abiotic (non-living) factors to survive. What abiotic factors will you include
in the exhibit?

Insert Name Insert Name Insert Name Insert Name

Insert Insert Insert Insert

Photo Photo Photo Photo
 ENRICHMENT
14. Enrichment Items
➢ What enrichment items will you include in the zoo exhibit to keep the animal engaged?
○ Include names and pictures of four items.

Insert Name Insert Name Insert Name Insert Name

Insert Insert Insert Insert

Photo Photo Photo Photo
 SAFETY
15. Safety
➢ Animals do not always like to be in the open, what features will you include in the exhibit to help
the animal hide?

➢ What features will need to be in place to keep visitors safe?

○ Reminder: Modern zoos avoid placing animals behind bars. Instead, natural environments
with trenches and moats separate the animals from people.
 EXHIBIT
DIAGRAM
EXAMPLE
DIAGRAM
 EXHIBIT
80%
Humidity
DIAGRAMCave (Shelter)
Red/White
Squirrel

Log

Bouncy Forsythia Bush

Ball Bamboo
Giant Panda Plants
Bamboo Toy
Plants
Rhododendron Small Pond
Golden
Rhododendron Pheasant