How do mixed-species habitat exhibits try to copy natural animal communities?

Mixed-species habitat exhibits in modern zoos aim to replicate natural animal communities by grouping various species together within large, shared paddocks rather than isolating them in single-species enclosures.1

These displays are designed to simulate a more natural habitat by incorporating features such as artificial rocks, trees, and vegetation. For example, some open-space zoos create comprehensive African exhibits that house diverse groups—including elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes, zebras, and various birds—to mimic the ecological associations observed in the wild.1

By moving away from traditional, restrictive cages toward these larger, integrated environments, zoos attempt to provide animals with conditions that better reflect their natural social and environmental interactions. This approach is often inspired by observations of nature reserves, where animals coexist in expansive, shared territories.1