The Jewels on the Side

In most zoos, there are a few large habitats for the star-level animals.  These are usually the large mammals (with a few bird and reptile species given honorary status), the high-profile species that the public comes to see.  Often, these are also the animals which welfare concerns are raised the most often, on account of their size, behavior, and environmental needs.  When we talk about animal welfare in zoos, often the conversation is driven by the desire to improve standards for elephants, large carnivores, and large primates.

Tucked around the zoo, however, lurking in the cracks and crevices between the big guys, are smaller habitats of smaller animals.  These exhibits often serve as a complement for a larger exhibit, and seem to be added as an afterthought or ornament.  A zoo may have a big, brand new lion exhibit, for instance, with the lions sprawled across a beautiful rock kopje, from which they can survey their domain.  Tucked around the trail may be smaller habitats for rock hyraxes, meerkats, or other small animals, maybe a reptile tank or two embedded in the rocks or a small, meshed-in aviary.  These exhibits are like the crumbs of an appetizer, whetting the appetite of the visitor as they approach the main experience.

Zoo planners call these small exhibits "jewel cases" - like a display case in a museum, there are meant to provide a close-up highlight of a beautiful little treasure. 

When I visit a new zoo, it's these smaller exhibits that I'm drawn to.  First of all, I don't have to fight the crowds as much.  Secondly, I've always had a soft spot for small, obscure animals.  I frequently find myself wishing that architects wouldn't treat these little habitats as such afterthoughts, however, and would put at least a proportionate amount of time and resources into developing them as they do larger habitats.  The visitor may only spend a fraction of the time there that they do at the bigger exhibits.  The animal is still living there full-time.  This is a reminder of why one of the most important tips for success in building a new exhibit is to solicit the input of animal keepers and curators from the get go.

Because many of these small exhibits are built into buildings or other concrete structures (like our hypothetical lion kopje) they can be very cost-prohibitive to modify after they have been built.  Space is such a limited feature in zoos, especially for many small, less-flashy endangered species, that I feel that sometimes program leaders will try to shoehorn an animal into a less ideal situation just because they don't have other options.  A Species Survival Plan population can't be maintained if there is nowhere for animals to go. The other options are to go with smaller animals that can better utilize that space or, in some cases, abandon the exhibit altogether - block it up, or put a non-animal educational feature there. 

In recent years, I've seen more and more zoos devoting better, quality space to small animals.  Sometimes, several smaller species can be given the run of a larger mixed-species habitat, or can rotate on-and-off a larger exhibit.  Still, it's much easier to plan a new habitat with optimal welfare the first time around.  A jewel can sit on a piece of black velvet directly under a piece of glass for all the world to admire, all day every day.  An animal can't.  We shouldn't think of small exhibits as jewel cases, and we shouldn't think of the animals as jewels.

They're far more precious that that.