At Singapore’s S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa, Pico was engaged as the design and build contractor for all marine environments.
Encouraging Natural Behaviours Consultancy Pico Play has a winning formula for designing and operating wildlife parks and attractions
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eading attractions industry consultancy, Pico Play has developed what it considers to be the closest thing to a formula for success in developing and operating a popular and profitable wildlife attraction. The consultancy, a global leader in zoos, nature parks, aquariums and marine parks advise that while “there’s no exact science to developing and operating wildlife attractions, as what draws avid interest and bumper attendance in one market, may struggle to gain a foothold in another” they feel they have many answers: -Develop an exhibit or attraction concept that’s never been done before. -Balance animal welfare and behaviour management with cutting-edge design sustainability. -Work with myriad experts to create the most authentic experience for animals, visitors and the environment. -Create a guest experience that is safe and exhilarating; that educates and entertains. -Bring it all in under budget. While that may seem simple, practice may be more fraught than feeding time in a ravenous reptile sanctuary, Pico Play’s
methodical and tailored approach to each wildlife attraction delivers results. While the formula doesn’t change, the key to its success is applying it anew to each individual project. Joining Forces The strongest foundations are formed when design and wildlife teams work in collaboration from the start. Pico Play’s Wildlife Sciences Expert and former Queensland Zoo and Aquarium Association President, Al Mucci said animal selection and collection planning was as instrumental in shaping an attraction as budget and design. Mucci advises “you don’t just come in and design a monkey exhibit if you’re never going to get monkeys. You need to be able to navigate strict government guidelines and processes relating to animal acquisition.” Pico Play’s Senior Designer Christian Thurtell said drawing on the knowledge of animal experts and local specialists was vital to developing a functional attraction, noting “animal handlers, trainers and curatorial staff are very in tune with the animals in their care and they know what is best for them from an environmental and enrichment point of
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view, but they don’t know how to take the next steps. “They are an incredible source of knowledge about what materials you can and can’t use in exhibits, what and how animals eat, the stimulation they need and even how to clean out their enclosures. We take that information and translate it into the built form.” Behaviour Influences Design Thurtell sees that breeding cycles, swim patterns and feeding needs were some of the behavioural considerations dictating design, adding “sharks and penguins, for example, have very specific swim patterns so you need to design their pools accordingly. “Shark pools should allow the creatures to swim in a figure-eight pattern, if they swim in circles, they can get disorientated. Penguins, meanwhile, need a current they can swim against to exhibit natural ‘porpoise’ swim patterns, underwater caves to explore, quiet areas and access to natural materials to build their nests. “Likewise, substrates should replicate an animal’s natural environment and adapt to their natural behaviour: from sandy pools for dolphins to muddy grounds for a hippopotamus; strong
