Nishorgo Oirabot Nature Interpretation Centre

The main objectives of this centre, located

in a protected forest and nature reserve in
Chittagong District in the south of
Bangladesh, are nature education and
interpretation tours, in an effort to create
awareness and promote biodiversity,
conservation and eco-
tourism. Nishorgo means environment in
Bengali, and the central concept driving
the project is to cherish the sanctity of
nature. The building itself is sensitively
placed within the landscape: the reinforced
concrete platforms of the ‘pavilion shelter’
float above the ground on structural walls;
the concrete slabs are pierced by tree
trunks where necessary, reflecting the
project’s aim to create as little impact on
the environment as possible. The visitor
walks up the layers of platforms to a raised
level to observe the surroundings. An
exhibition area is enveloped in a
compositional arrangement of openings
framed by wooden lattices, and there is a
space for viewing films with walls of
exposed, burnt clay brick.
DEVELOPMENT -01
DEVELOPMENT -02
GROUND FLOOR
FIRST FLOOR
Waist Natural Reserve Visitor Centre

Visitor center
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

•Architects: X-Architects
•Area: 2534 m²
•Year: 2016
Wasit Natural Reserve was
originally a waste-water
and rubbish dump. The
rehabilitation process of the
damaged eco-system
started in 2005, 40,000m2 of
rubbish removed, 35,000
trees been re-planted,
healing the land from toxic
chemicals and conservation
of the Unique salt flats and
costal sand dunes.
After years of
efforts to bring
the non-
migratory birds
back to the site,
WNR is now
home to 350
species of birds,
a landing zone
for 33,000
migrate birds,
and a breathing
lung
to Sharjah city.
A wetland visitor center is established on site to continue protecting the natural environment, educate
people on the richness of the wetland ecosystem and provides information about the birds that frequent the
area and other wetlands areas of the emirate. The facility became heaven for bird watchers and researchers.
The architecture of the
center blends with its’
surroundings and uses the
existing topography to
minimize the visual impact
on the natural scene. When
visitors arrive, a pathway
leads them underground
into a linear Gallery. A fully
transparent wall allows the
visitors to experience the
birds’ natural environment
and become part of it.
When visitors arrive, a pathway leads them underground into a linear Gallery.
 The main feature of the center is a linear

gallery sunken into the surrounding bird

enclosures which seamlessly merges the

architecture into the exterior environment. This

allows visitors to visually experience the birds’

natural environment while simultaneously

learning from exhibits on display in the gallery.

A fully transparent wall allows the visitors to experience the birds’ natural environment and become part of it.
 "Mile Into The Wild Walkway" stretches over 1
1/2 miles in length and gives visitors
unprecedented views of more than 520 Lions,
Tigers, Bears, Wolves and other large carnivores
roaming freely in natural habitats.
 The Wild Animal Sanctuary

The Wild Animal Sanctuary offers an incredible

10,500+ acres of natural habitats for its rescued
animals to enjoy... and is home to more than
600 rehabilitated animals.
Inside the Welcome Center guests will find a number of great shops and food options available - which are very
important toward helping everyone remain comfortable and ready to learn while visiting the Sanctuary. With 3
miles of walking and viewing options available, most visitors stay 4 to 6 hours - so having a controlled "biosphere"
with places to rest, eat and enjoy the company of others is critically important.
With so much space and so
many options, there are many
opportunities for both in-
house fundraising events, as
well as private
party/seminar/training events
to take place.
There are endless possibilities
for people to combine their love
of the Sanctuary with their own
company or personal/private
events, which can be booked
with the help of the Sanctuary's
Events and Hospitality Director.
One such area is
our centralized compound,
which is used as a receiving
area for new Tiger and
Mountain Lion rescues. It's
specifically designed
sections allow animals to
recuperate and adjust to their
new surroundings. The
rehabilitation process for
newly-rescued Tigers and
Mountain Lions begins here
with special enclosures and
playgrounds that help
build confidence and prepare
the animals for living in
large habitats
World's longest elevated
footbridge just so visitors
can see the animals without
putting undue pressure on them
like zoos and other ground-
based displays do.

1.5 miles of elevated

bridgework provides unwaveri
ng protection to hundreds of
Lions, Tigers, Bears, Wolves,
Leopards and many other
rescued large carnivores.
The walkway connects
48,000 sq. ft. Welcome
Center at the north end of the
property, to the 15,000
sq. ft. Bolivian Lion House
located in the middle, and
then to our Education Center
and enclosed Rest Area at the
southern end of the property.
We will continue to expand
our network of catwalks and
decks over new habitats for
many years to come.
The Sanctuary was designed and built with specialized areas that help rehabilitate newly-rescued animals
prior to their being released into large acreage natural habitats. Each area and its related facilities are designed
for specific species since not all animals can be rehabilitated the same way.
Extremely large habitats allow the animals to run free, play and relax with others of their own species.
natural spaces allow the Tigers and Bears to swim in numerous lakes and ponds.
Visit The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary's two primary missions involve rescuing and caring for animals - and educating people about the Captive Wildlife Crisis. To that
end, we invite people who want to learn more about the work we do to visit our unique facility in person.

However, the Sanctuary is not a Zoo and offers a completely different experience than what most people are used to. Our rescued animals live in
large acreage open habitats and are never forced to remain front-and-center just so people can see them easier.

Yet, our elevated walkway (which is more than 1.5 miles long) spans across numerous habitats and provides plenty of opportunities for our guests
to see many of the rescued animals closer.

It is very important for people to come to the Sanctuary for the right reasons, and not just for entertainment. With more than 170,000 people
visiting yearly, it's obvious the Sanctuary is an amazing place to visit and learn - yet, we purposely do not strive to attract the 1.5 million visitors
that would normally go to the Denver Zoo.

Instead, the vast majority of visitors to the Wild Animal Sanctuary come to experience an incredibly serene setting where Tigers, Wolves, Bears
and Prides of African Lions get to roam freely after having been rescued and rehabilitated.
​
Every Lion, Tiger, Bear, Wolf and other animal living at the Sanctuary was rescued from an illegal or abusive situation and desperately needs your
help to survive. Visiting the Sanctuary is a privilege, and requires a serious commitment by people in order to be part of the solution to the
Captive Wildlife Crisis.
Our "Mile Into The Wild" Walkway...

For the first 20 years of operation, The Wild Animal Sanctuary was closed to the public to protect the animals we rescued.

All animals are territorial. When strangers approach, they react instinctively with behavior known as “Fight or Flight.” This means they would
normally attack a person or another animal that was not supposed to encroach on their territory... or they would choose to run away. Animals in
captivity have neither option. They can’t fight, because in zoos and other facilities, fences or moats prevent animals from attacking. In most cases,
they also can’t get away from the pressure of an intruder because they've been locked on exhibit and do not have a way to hide.

Being caught between the strangers on one side and a closed den door on the other stresses the animal, so it begins to pace back and forth or
display other unnatural and fearful behavior which is generally referred to as "stereotypic behavior."

Here at The Wild Animal Sanctuary, we knew we would never open to the public unless we could find a way to avoid these stressors. Luckily, early-
on we discovered that large carnivores (and most other animals) do not consider air or sky to be territory, so if people are on elevated platforms
or walkways they will not be considered a threat.

With this game-changing revelation, we knew the only way we could ever be open to the public for educational purposes would be
through creating an elevated viewing system. However, as good as this idea was, it would not be easy - and it would be expensive.
​
It wasn't until 2002 that TWAS had the resources to build its initial observation system. Once the walkways and platforms were finished, we
opened our doors to educate the public. Thankfully, the system was a monumental success. Each day, hundreds of people would see the animals
sleeping, playing and enjoying their wide-open territories without a care in the world, despite having visitors walking above!

We have since expanded our elevated walkways and decks to stretch more than 1.5 miles over our habitats (which happens to be the world
record holder). Our guests now have access to many of our large acreage habitats and can sense how the animals below do not feel pressured.
Today, nearly 170,000 visitors per year come to TWAS and
witness first-hand how monumental the difference really is.
Many visitors have even said, "I can never go back to a zoo
again” after experiencing the calm and serenity that abounds.

Many visitors become so inspired, they immediately go to other

institutions and demand they redesign their enclosures and
observation systems for the benefit of the animals. We are truly
witnessing the beginning of a new era, one that will change the
way society sees, learns and understands animals both in the
wild and in captivity!

We are very blessed to have such great supporters who believe

in the work we do and who understand how critical our
processes are. Come see them for yourself. You will be amazed
by the obvious difference our elevated walkways make. It is our
hope that you too will become energized and choose to spread
the word so that others will change their systems for the
benefit of all animals.

The video below helps demonstrate the way our Mile Into The
Wild walkway works and the amazing learning experience that
awaits you at TWAS!