creating a zoo

[dalliance]

how should i start my zoo layout?? i have no idea how or where to start..

[Just Kevin]

Start with the Challenges and Careers modes. They are more or less tutorials.

[dannybernhard19]

look at youtube videos ! paulsley shows good stuff

[Jaggid Edje]

Couple of ways to get you started that I can think of:

1. If you play through all of the career scenarios, most of them start you with a zoo already in progress than you just improve/expand on. Consider them as a very lengthy tutorial if you play through all of them. Once you complete them all, you'll have a very good grasp on all the fundamentals and starting your own zoo with a plan in mind will come easy.
2. Watch some youtube videos or PZ streams, as already suggested. I generally find doing this really boring, but there's some very good ones out there that even I managed to sit through.
3. Go online and study the layout of some real zoos and try to emulate them in the game.

[HareMoose]

Assuming you've done story mode or know how to play, here's my play style:

Start with a path. A WIDE path. Figure where some guest paths will branch off, and make a staff path to place your staff facilities so you can hire a staff.

Some of the pre-made maps are really bad about this: don't get caught locking yourself into grids with tight walkways between habitats. Leave yourself space to work. It doesn't look good at first because you can't afford decorations, but you'll thank yourself later. If you crowd too many habitats near the entrance, then traffic becomes congested.

My starting layout relies on peaceful animals. Some people dump a lot on exhibits, but the $2k exhibit cages aren't worth it to me. I usually do something like a combo habitat of aldabra/sable/warthog, and maybe a pen of 1 bison/ 2 pronghorn. OR walkthroughs with individual species like llamas, peacocks, koala are all fairly cheap. For a big ticket animal, I'll grab a cheetah or bear ASAP, but generally avoid carnivores (money sink).

Make sure ATMs, donation/trash bins, benches, and vending machines are placed before opening!