ZOO CREATION AND SITE SELECTION

LAND USE SITE SELECTION SIMULATIONDESCRIPTION OF CURRENT LAND USE/REGULATIONSI. ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITATThe Mississippi Redbelly Turtles are protected species. Sections of this area are nestingsites for the Mississippi Redbelly Turtle and the Gopher Tortoise. This unique locationprovides excellent feeding, resting and wintering habitat for numerous types of migratorybird species. Gopher tortoises are protected species because they burrow under theground, and their burrows house over 100 endangered species. It is permissible torelocate the gopher tortoises and the turtles; however, one must either have to wait for 30days to try to trap the gopher tortoise and find new land on which to place them, or digthem out. There are approximately 100 gopher tortoises and 100 Mississippi redbellyturtles on this location. (The cost for digging out one turtle or tortoise recently was$2100 because construction was not able to be delayed for 30 days.) In addition, onemust have land on which to relocate the gopher tortoises and the turtles. The governmentis in the process of proposing new regulations to prevent the relocation because thetortoises are showing up with and AIDS - like illness to their immune system.II.DEER HUNTING AREAThis hunting area is a major sporting activity for the people in the town. Also in this areaare many trees and lakes that members of the community have strong affinities toward.Disturbing this area would create tension within the community.III.CATFISH PONDThe catfish pond is a major source of income for the town. It provides revenue and jobsfor the town. Currently 40 employees are employed by the catfish farming business inthe town.IV.NATCHEZ TRACEThe 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway commemorates an ancient trail that connectedsouthern portions of the Mississippi River to salt licks in today’s central Tennessee. Overthe centuries, the Choctaw, Chickasaw and other American Indians have left their markon the Trace. The Natchez Trace experienced its heaviest use from 1785 to 1820 by the“Kaintuck” boatmen that floated the Ohio and Miss. Rivers to markets in Natchez andNew Orleans. They sold their cargo and boats and began the trek back north on foot toNashville and points beyond. Today, visitors can experience this All-American Roadthrough hiking, biking, horseback riding and camping. Cutting into this area is14