Evaluation of Alexandria Zoological Garden

Document Type : Research papers

Authors

1 Floriculture, Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Gardening Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University ,Egypt.

2 Plant Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture -Saba Basha, Alexandria. University.

3 Plant Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture -Saba Basha, Alexandria. University

Abstract

Alexandria Zoological Garden (Alex Zoo) began in 1907 as a small menagerie in 1916, Antoniadis Gardens was redesigned to be able to display some animals and birds. Alex Zoo has an area of about 26 acres located in Smouha district, Alexandria, Egypt. An evaluation was carried out to determine the situation of Alex Zoo to see whether it matches the international standards of zoological gardens and whether the zoo was meeting the goals, roles, and benefits of similar zoological gardens. Results from site observations as well as the statistically analyzed questionnaires indicated several facts: concerning the reason for visiting Alex Zoo, most of the studied sample said that they visit the zoo mainly for entertainment and recreation then for education. The majority of visitors were not satisfied either about the gardens of Alex Zoo, or about the general situation and components of the zoo. Most of the visitors were not satisfied about the zoo entrances and accessibility since there is no possibility for the visitors to enter the zoo area using their cars because all the zoo entrances are provided with stairs since Alex Zoo level is higher than the level of surrounding area. As for the walkways circulation, the old design of Alex Zoo allows a kind of easy movement of visitors between animal exhibits since the streets is used only for pedestrians. The majority of visitors were upset since there is no possibility for wheel chaired disabled visitors to move into the zoo through the different entrances to reach the first level of the zoo unless being carried over by other visitors. On the other hand, the majority of visitors were satisfied about the safe barriers of visitors which keep them away and safely from the primary barriers around the perimeter of enclosures. There are no wayfinding signs or maps indicating the location and direction to any animal exhibit. The cleaning level was another point of dissatisfaction since most of the visitors were greatly upset because the accumulation of dirts and garbage everywhere. The majority of visitors were also not satisfied about the area and facilities of the children playground. Most of the visitors were not satisfied about the garden maintenance, lawns, flowers and other ornamentals, number and variety of garden plants. On the other hand, they were almost satisfied about the number and distribution of shade trees in the zoo since they were planted over one hundred years. With respect to the animal's area of Alex Zoo, the majority of visitors expressed their great satisfaction about the success of Alex Zoo designer to create a considerable level of exhibit simulation. In the same level of success, the majority of visitors were greatly satisfied about using good, safe and illusive animal barriers. Most of the visitors were partly satisfied about the presence of animal labels to obtain reasonable information about animals and how they live in the wild. But above all, the majority of visitors were greatly dissatisfied due to the low number of animals in the zoo, the cleaning level of animals and exhibits, as well as the absence of tour guides in the zoo.

Keywords

References

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