Colonial Bay City Zoo

From Champions MUSH

Great care has been taken here to provide the zoo's residents with spacious, natural micro-habitats corresponding to their particular native ecosystems. The emphasis is certainly on larger species, though some smaller specimens are included as part of the various ecological reconstructions. Many technological and architectural innovations have been employed to maximise use of the available parkland, allowing the inhabitants a significantly greater quality of life than might otherwise be possible.

The zoo sprawls over a quite significant area and could perhaps more accurately be called a wildlife park. It consists of a network of smaller complexes, each of which is dedicated to a particular class of animal, most notably: big cats, canids, bears, deer, aquatic animals, primates, and 'large' animals (elephants, giraffes, hippos and so on). A large free-standing aviary houses a wide selection of bird-life though understandably no raptors are included in this exhibit.

Each complex includes its own education centre and a small gift shop offering souvenirs, novelties, and books pertaining to that complex's particular displays. Near the main entrance lies a much larger store offering a comprehensive selection of educational materials and mementos relating to every aspect of the park and the animal kingdom. Nestled near the centre of the zoo is a cafeteria that caters to visitors' needs in a stunningly detailed rainforest setting complete with stream, waterfall and pond.

Much of the zoo's proceeds go to conservation programs and to protecting vulnerable species and individual animals. Different grades of membership are available, each associated with a set size of contribution. Zoo tours offer a variety of opportunities for education and interaction with the exhibits, among the most popular of these are the animal-feeding and cheetah-petting tours.