Chương 128: Chapter 694: Designing the Butterfly Pavilion
The task of matchmaking for the gibbons was completed, and the reward was a World Association of Zoos and Aquariums membership certificate!
With this, Fang Ye could exchange rare animals with foreign zoos.
Fang Ye sat at his desk, pondering the future development of the zoo.
Previously, after gaining some popularity abroad, he was rewarded with 200,000 green leaf coins, which he planned to use to build a rhino pavilion and a butterfly pavilion.
However, he had been busy with engagement preparations during the National Day, then entertained his parents at the zoo for a few days, and later conducted a safety drill. Only now did he have time to consider pavilion construction.
The rhinos he planned to introduce were Southern White Rhinos, the most common rhino species in domestic zoos.
The White Rhino isn't actually white; it's a mistranslation from the term "wide-mouthed rhino."
As for the Northern White Rhino, with the death of the last male, "Sudan," only two females remain in the world, meaning the species will soon be extinct.
Historically, rhinos also existed in China! There are records from the Warring States period, and during the Western Han Dynasty, there was a bronze rhino statue resembling the Sumatran Rhino, indicating that craftsmen had seen real rhinos, possibly using a rhino's corpse as a reference.
The exact number of Sumatran Rhinos left in the world is unknown, but the most pessimistic estimates suggest only about 30 remain, scattered across multiple habitats.
While some species' fates differ between Earth and Blue Star, most are similar.
For instance, the Baiji dolphin.
In the 1970s on Earth, a construction team in the Yangtze River used explosives to clear a riverbed, killing five Baiji dolphins on the spot.
During that time, scientific protection efforts were significantly impacted, and killing wild animals wasn't uncommon.
The Crested Ibis was discovered just in time when only seven were left, allowing them to be bred to a population of thousands. If not discovered, they might have silently gone extinct.
Such critical moments determine a species' fate.
By the time Fang Ye crossed over, the Baiji dolphin on Earth hadn't been sighted for a long time and was essentially declared extinct.
However, on Blue Star, despite similar environmental challenges, a few Baiji dolphins remain, estimated at around twenty.
There's still hope.
Back to the topic.
With so few Sumatran Rhinos, even with a certificate, it's unlikely Fang Ye could introduce any.
So, he decided to introduce Southern White Rhinos.
Designing the rhino pavilion is relatively simple!
Unlike hippos, which need underwater environments, or felines, which require complex vegetation.
The basics include a large activity area.
First, a lush green lawn.
Rhinos can adapt to a wide temperature range. In the coastal area, just ensure it doesn't get too hot in summer, provide shade, and have a mud bath pit for cooling.
Rhinos have thick skin and need sturdy surfaces like tree stumps, soil cliffs, and rocks to scratch their skin and remove parasites, and to mark their territory.
So, place some fixed, varying-height tree stumps for rhinos to scratch.
Also, add some movable rocks and logs for rhinos to push around with their horns, which helps with horn development.
Simple enrichment facilities will make rhinos comfortable.
One thing to note is that the isolation materials in the rhino enclosure shouldn't be treated with preservatives, as rhinos might gnaw on them.
The educational display will mention the historical presence of Sumatran Rhinos in the region.
The Butterfly Pavilion will be located next to the Wolong Bamboo Sea theme, across the creek!
Its design is somewhat similar to the reptile pavilion.
The roof will use semi-transparent acrylic panels to allow UV light through.
It won't be fully enclosed like a greenhouse; the walls will be mesh to allow airflow, helping flowers spread their scent and creating a more natural feel.
Inside, various flowers and plants will be planted, as plants are crucial in a butterfly pavilion!
Fang Ye carefully selected and matched the plants.
Salvia, with its vertical stems covered in light blue-purple flowers, looks like stars in the sky and has a strong fragrance.
Milkweed, with green leaves and clusters of red and yellow flowers. Wang Yan mentioned its importance for Monarch butterflies; its leaves are food for caterpillars, and its flowers are a vital nectar source, hence its nickname "butterfly weed."
Ixora, with low branches and bright red, orange, and yellow cross-shaped petals, is a beautiful ornamental plant. Its vibrant colors attract butterflies.
Cleome, with pinkish, delicate petals and fan-shaped flowers, has beautiful flower shapes and often attracts butterflies.
Pentas, with red, pink, and white star-shaped flowers, forms clusters that are pleasing to the eye and are also a favorite nectar source for butterflies. Butterflies can be seen circling Pentas.
These flowers will be planted along with some tall trees and shrubs.
Not to shade the butterflies, but to enhance the viewing experience and create a wild environment.
If visitors could see everything at a glance upon entering the Butterfly Pavilion, it would be too dull.
Walking along winding paths, visitors can slowly admire the butterflies, watching them flutter among the flowers, feeding from one side to the other, and possibly even landing on visitors' shoulders or hands.
The paths will include dirt and wooden boardwalks. The dirt paths create a natural atmosphere, while the boardwalks accommodate wheelchairs and visitors who don't want their shoes to get muddy.
Besides flowers, there will be feeding stations!
A tripod of tree trunks will hold a plate like a fire pit.
The plate will contain nectar and overripe fruit, providing additional food sources. The butterfly density in the pavilion is much higher than in the wild, so flowers alone aren't enough.
To protect the butterflies, the feeding stations will be placed out of visitors' reach but close enough for viewing and photography.
Additionally, some pavilion details include:
Double doors to prevent butterfly escapes and signs reminding visitors to watch their step to avoid accidentally stepping on butterflies.
Background music will be elegant classical tunes, making the Butterfly Pavilion a relaxing and restful place.
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