ZooKeeper

This is my tribute to ZooKeeper series of games. I used to play them on Gameboy and Nintendo DS. I spent countless hours helping ZooKeeper, having lots of fun on the way. The game had also a continuation on Apple Arcade named ZooKeeper World, and I based my models on this version. The original design just begs: "build me from LEGO bricks", so I couldn't help myself and did. Animals in this game are very cute, so I'm sure this set will appeal not only to the gamers, but to all animal lovers.

In this project I included animals that are common for all the games. There are more animals in ZooKeeper World, but I wanted to keep the size of this project reasonable in size. Of course the most important person is ZooKeeper himself.

"Hey! What do you mean? I'm the most important person here!" - said Zoo Director!

Then there are animals:

Lions are the only big cats that live in groups, called prides, which can have up to three males, several females, and their cubs. Male lions are known for their manes, which are big tufts of long hair on their heads. It's thought that the mane protects a lion's neck during fights and also signals the lion's strength and status. Lions are also known for their loud roars, which can be heard from up to 5 miles away. They use their roars to communicate with other lions and mark their territory. As apex predators, lions have no natural predators of their own. However, they do face threats like habitat loss, conflict with humans, and poaching. Lions are native to Africa and parts of Asia and can be found in different habitats like grasslands, savannas, and forests. Unfortunately, lions are considered vulnerable to extinction as there are only an estimated 20,000 lions left in the wild.

Monkeys are such cool animals! There are over 260 species of monkeys, and they can be found all over the world in a variety of habitats, including rainforests, grasslands, and savannas. Monkeys are known for their intelligence and social behavior. Some species of monkeys are even able to use tools and solve problems. Monkeys come in all shapes and sizes. Monkeys are also known for their strong tails, which they use for balance and to grasp branches. Some species of monkeys, like the spider monkey, even use their tails as an extra hand!

Giraffes are the tallest animals on land, and they can reach heights of over 5.5 meters! They have super long legs and necks, which help them reach up high into trees to munch on leaves and twigs. Each giraffe's spots are unique, just like a fingerprint. Even though they have really long necks, giraffes only have seven vertebrae, which is the same number as humans. But their vertebrae are super big and can weigh up to 5 kilograms each. Giraffes also have super long tongues - up to 53 centimeters long! They use their tongues to grab leaves and twigs, and also to groom themselves. These herbivores eat a ton of vegetation - up to 34 kilograms a day. They're native to Africa and can be found in several countries in eastern and Southern Africa.

Rabbits have long ears that can be up to 4 inches long in some species. They use their ears to listen for predators and to regulate their body temperature. Even though they're known for being skittish, rabbits are actually really social animals and can bond with their owners. Some species of rabbits, like the European rabbit, are great at digging burrows and creating underground networks. You can find rabbits in a bunch of different habitats all over the world, like grasslands, forests, and deserts. There are also lots of different breeds of domestic rabbits that come in different sizes, colors, and coat types.

Pandas are native to China and have super distinctive black and white fur. They have big bodies and round faces, which make them really easy to recognize. Pandas are herbivores and mostly eat bamboo - they can chow down on up to 20 kilograms a day! They have special digestive systems that help them get nutrients from the fibrous bamboo. Pandas are known for being slow-moving and relaxed - they spend most of their days eating and resting. They're also endangered, with an estimated 1,800 pandas left in the wild. Pandas are popular symbols for conservation efforts and are often used as ambassadors for environmental causes. They're also known for their unique behavior, like rolling around in the dirt and playing with toys.

Elephants are the largest land animals and can weigh up to 10,880 kilograms and stand up to 4 meters tall. They are agile and intelligent, using tools and communicating with each other. Elephants have strong social bonds, living in herds led by a dominant female and even mourning the loss of a family member. Their trunk weighs up to 181 kilograms and is used for various purposes. They have four molars that get replaced six times and have excellent memories, recognizing other elephants they've met in the past. Elephants have a strong sense of smell and mark their territory with a gland in their forehead.

Hippopotamuses, also known as hippos, are large, semiaquatic mammals found in Africa. They are herbivores and primarily consume grasses, and are often found near water sources. Hippos are social animals and live in groups called pods, which can contain up to 30 individuals. Despite their peaceful nature, hippos are considered one of the most dangerous animals in Africa due to their size and strength. They are responsible for more human fatalities in Africa than any other large animal. Hippos play a vital role in the African ecosystem and are an important source of food and other resources for local communities.

Crocodiles are large, semi-aquatic reptiles found in tropical regions around the world. They are known for their distinctive appearance, with a long, narrow snout and powerful jaws lined with sharp teeth. Crocodiles are excellent swimmers and are often found near bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, and swamps. They are carnivores and will prey on a variety of animals, including fish, birds, and mammals. Crocodiles are also skilled hunters and use their powerful jaws and sharp teeth to catch and kill their prey. Despite their reputation as ferocious predators, crocodiles are also important members of their ecosystems and play a vital role in maintaining the balance of aquatic habitats.

This project consist of about 1200 bricks, all of which are in the shapes that TLG use. ZooKeeper himself, and Panda are possible to build with actual bricks right now, other animals might need some parts that are not produced in those colors yet. It won't be a problem if this gets released as a Lego Set.

I put a lot of effort to make stickers not required. Especially Panda eyes were a challenge. The width of the head is 7 studs so it was hard to build it in a way that plates align properly, but after few hours of heavy thinking I solved this puzzle. There were more challenges with other animals, but not as hard.

All brick models were done by me.

Original ZooKeeper World game by KITERETSU

Do write in the comments!

What would you add or change? Do you have any ideas how to improve the set? Or just say hello.