What is Symbiosis?

Outdoor Spaces

The open area of the tiger fields is important for AZA to be approved. The area for a single animal should be at least 12 meters wide and 12 meters deep with a minimum of 144 m2. For each animal added, the area is increased by fifty percent. (Harrison B. , 2008) Natural vegetation and log-like structures should be constructed so that the animals can groom their nails, climb them and hide. It also should have a soil layered structure, which allows animals to bury their toilet with internal guards. It is very important to position logs and trees to grooms nails in the tiger field. There should also be small tunnels that allow the indoor-outdoor connection. Tunnels are made seethorugh, every area where the tiger is located should be easily visible. In addition, these tunnels should have scales on the floors, so that the weight change of the animal can be followed during its passage.

Figure 41 : Krech Ojard (2015)

Tiger Tunnels

SAFETY

Tiger caretakers must be specially trained and make quick decisions in emergencies. Separate protocols and materials should be in place for any situation that may occur in any area with deadly wild animals such as tigers. Tigers can easily climb and move out of their areas with the help of incorrectly positioned trees or boxes. In addition, while positioning, care should be taken in order not to fall into the boundaries of the collapsed trees in case of a possible overturn (storm, earthquake, etc.), otherwise these trees will act as a bridge and the tigers will run away from their areas. If these wild animals run away, unfortunately, the animal will be shot and killed to avoid any possible harm to the public. There were examples of this in history. A.Moats Wet and dry moat are both suitable for tigers. They must be minimum 7.6 meter wide. Wet moat will be the most logical method because tigers love to play in the water and offer a beautiful visual feast to visitors. These areas, which generally have a water height of 1 meter, are at the same height as the animal part, while the visitor part is at least 4.2 meters. At the end of the ditches there is a meter of strong iron inward facing fences (they can usually jump a maximum of 4 meters, but in case of possible jumping cases, this is necessary for preventing it from reaching visitors)

Figure 42 : Amanda Mustard (2019)

Some zoo gardens use glass barriers (It must be minimum 3.8 centimeters thick.) following wet moat so that visitors can observe the swimming pattern of the tiger by also seeing it underwater. The water should not be allowed to freeze in cold weather conditions. When frozen, it may provide height and raise the possibility of animals running away.

Figure 43 : Eda Yildiz (2020)

Demonstration of ZAWA Standards for Tiger Moats

B.Fences and Floor All sides must be 4.8 meters and angled 45 degrees towards the animal area. (To avoid possible jumping or climbing) the last 1 meter should completely be horizontal (ceiling duty). The top cannot be left completely open, it is covered with sturdy nets. The ground should be made of solid materials in the form of a huge pool with a depth of 91 centimeters (because cats dig) and it is planted after the soil is filled in it. C.Hotwire Electric wires are not preferred alone. However, based on institutional decisions, if the animal overcomes all obstacles, it should be positioned in such a way that it will encounter electric fences before reaching the last fences in the visitor area. It harms the animal in a possible contact, but it is hoped that it never gets there, while still necessary for security purposes.

Conclusion

Figure 43 : Eda Yildiz (2021)

We destroy nature, we endanger animal species; we build, we cut, we hunt, we eat, we always want more. How do we do this so easily? I believe it is because we do not know enough, we do not love and respect enough. To make people protect something, we have to teach them. And zoological gardens are the classes for this purpose. Zoos as zoological parks, are areas where the animal species we share the world with are collected, presented to visitors and researched. In this dissertation, it is attempted to reveal how animal-friendly zoos can be set and what directions should be followed in accordance with the generally accepted ethical rules. In conclusion, the answer to the question of whether or not zoo gardens should exist, I believe the answer is ‘they should exist with the right composition of animals and with the right design.’ Firstly, the ‘right animals’ are those that need to be separated from their nature, those that need special care and a new home; not the free and healthy animals pulled out of nature. Ethical and modern zoological gardens do not take animals away from their nature, but instead they rescue animals that are in need and whose natural lives are destroyed. Secondly and most significantly; correct design is very important for the health and wellbeing of the users of the space. A happy and healthy animal living in an area designed in accordance with its nature and instincts; ensures the continuity of the species, lives longer, gives accurate data to scientific research, attract more visitors, attract more income. This is the case from the perspective of humans, but when designing zoos, it is necessary to empathize with the animals who will be the main users of that design. This empathy turns the zoo from a prison into a home. With the right design, everyone will benefit from this situation in a way that will create harmony, people who does not want to zoos to be exist will change their minds when and if the regulations happen.