Plants and Gardens
Plants make the Zoo a beautiful place and you will find them used in many different ways. Some are grown for their colourful flowers, others for their attractive bark, fruits, or leaf shapes. Plants also serve other functions, acting as windbreaks, disguising buildings or structures, or by providing welcome shade in the heat of summer.
Modern zoos are beginning to look at plants in other ways. We are endeavouring to create plantings that reflect the animals natural habitat, whether it is Tropical Rainforest, Savannah Grassland, Wetlands or Deserts. Of course, in many cases, it will not be possible to grow the actual plants that come from the plains of Africa or the Amazon jungle. In these instances plants will be used that are similar in appearance to the real thing.
Animals rely totally on plants for their survival. Whether it is directly, or indirectly, as food, for shelter or for nesting. Equally plants often rely on animals for pollination and seed dispersal. It is this interdependence of plants and animals that we will seek to show within the Zoo.
Plant conservation in the wild is of vital importance. If we do not conserve the forests, grasslands, wetlands and deserts then the number of species of plants and animals that face extinction will rapidly increase. The number of rare and endangered plant species, both native and foreign, grown in the Zoo will be gradually increased in an effort to conserve these plants in cultivation. The Zoo will continue to assist in overseas projects to save habitats and protect both flora and fauna.
The Gardens continue to plant colourful and attractive displays for the visitor to enjoy. There are a number of new horticultural developments that we are sure you will enjoy visiting.
As well as the outdoor exhibits there are wonderful indoor plants to admire. Immerse yourself in the Tropical Realm, surrounded by stately palms and Ficus trees, while enjoying the colourful free flying birds. Or take a walk in the Papua New Guinea rainforest, or along a Caribbean beach, in the Islands in Danger exhibit. The Spirit of the Jaguar House, opened in 2001, shows plants that reflect Savannah grassland habitats as well as Tropical Rainforest. We are sure that you will take many happy memories of the animals home with you, but we are sure you will leave with equally fond memories of the plants and perhaps a deeper appreciation of how totally dependant we are on them in our everyday lives.