Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]






Shoot a firework rocket ~ Winners!
Make a forum zoo!

Welcome to The Round Table. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
#6 - October 2013
Topic Started: Oct 15 2013, 06:19 PM (1,237 Views)
Militant
Member Avatar
Out of Service

Posted Image[anchor]top[/anchor]

[anchor]intro[/anchor]Posted ImageWritten by: Snyf

Well, we've missed a month, but what a month it has been. Since the last newsletter, we've had some wonderful events such as the lovely Swinter Party, an event filled with competitive snowball fights and shell-hunting shenanigans. It was a lot of fun for everyone, and it can be used as a well-suited template for future events.

Other than Swinter, we've had a certain grand opening that people have been dying for. Yes, the new Round Table of Zoos/Aquariums Inc., which members have contributed to so greatly, is finally open! The RTZI has been worked on tremendously, and has exceeded expectations in the awe factor. We're so glad you guys have had so much fun with it this past month.

Now we present the October newsletter, an edition that brings you all that's happened in the last month and a half, annotated by yours truly, tune in and watch what unfolds.

  • [go2=intro]Introduction[/go2]
  • [go2=events]Events[/go2]
  • [go2=awards]Awards[/go2]
  • [go2=features]Features[/go2]
  • [go2=spotlight]Spotlight[/go2]
  • [go2=staff]Staff Discussion[/go2]
  • [go2=news]Community News[/go2]
  • [go2=animal]Animal of the Month[/go2]
  • [go2=questions]Questions[/go2]
  • [go2=poll]Poll[/go2]
  • [go2=game]Game Time[/go2]
  • [go2=cc]Community Challenge[/go2]
  • [go2=help]Help Out[/go2]


[anchor]events[/anchor]Posted ImageWritten by: Snyf

Alright so, lots been going on these past few weeks, most notably is the triumphant return of the Marathon! If you weren't there or don't remember the last marathon, it's where contestants line up in groups and race through several exciting and rewarding challenges. The winning group receives pointies and silhouettes. This year, however, there are a few differences which are illustrated later on in the newsletter.

Other than that, we have two running contests applicable for voting, the Visual Arts: Life and the Make an Emoticon v2 contests. Unfortunately, applications have closed, but several great pieces have been submitted, and if you haven't voted yet, what are you waiting for?

Other than that, we have a few ideas brewing up; we just need to have a taste and decide what's sweet. Stay tuned. You never know what's coming next.

[go2=top]Back To Top[/go2]
[anchor]awards[/anchor]Posted ImageListed by: Snyf

We've had a couple of contests this past month, and most of the entries were stupendous! Let's celebrate these members for their awesome creations this past month.

August 13, 2013, JurassicMT: Four-Winged Amphip, 1st Place - Creature Creation v2
August 13, 2013, Sheather: Resplendent Sunshark, 2nd Place - Creature Creation v2
August 13, 2013, Farkle: Mangangaso, 3rd Place - Creature Creation v2
August 24, 2013, zozmonster: Woolly Mammoth, 1st Place - Prehistory in the Present
August 24, 2013, zoocrazy: Queztalcoatlus, 2nd Place - Prehistory in the Present
August 24, 2013, Stephen: Stegoceras, 3rd Place - Prehistory in the Present
September 10, 2013, Trademark: Leatherback Sea Turtle, 1st Place - Strangers
September 10, 2013, Farkle: Great Hammerhead, 2nd Place - Strangers
September 10, 2013, Imp: Portuguese Man-o-War, 3rd Place - Strangers
September 10, 2013, 1993: Portuguese Man-o-War, 3rd Place - Strangers
September 10, 2013, Adam: Dugong, 1st Place - Swinter Set
September 10, 2013, Farkle: Arctic Wolf, 2nd Place - Swinter Set
September 10, 2013, Stephen: Marine Iguana, 3rd Place - Swinter Set
September 10, 2013, Orca Freak: Leopard Seal, 1st Place - Swinter Photography
September 10, 2013, Ultamateterex2: West Indian Manatee, 2nd Place - Swinter Photography
September 10, 2013, Furka: Carribean Flamingo, 3rd Place - Swinter Photography

Also, congratulations to the members who found the Madagascan Monster during the last week of Swinter, the dreaded killer penguin:

Snyf
Rafael
Crookedjaw
AuroraFang
Swimming Spaghetti Monster
Harlequinz eg0
orcadolphin
Twirl-a-Whirl
Animalboy
Verdant Gregor
OwlEye


[go2=top]Back To Top[/go2]
[anchor]features[/anchor]Posted ImageListed by: Farkle, Snyf

We've got a few new features you guys can check out. Other than the new RTZI, which has been talked about plenty throughout this newsletter, we've got the new Monarch Verge theme, a darker monochramtic version of our original theme. Personally, I love this new theme, and I've been using it ever since it's been instated. We also have the Swinter theme that came along with the Swinter Party.

Besides that, we're always looking for new ways and features to better provide this forum with what everyone wants, and we try to make it as a fun of a process as possible!

[go2=top]Back To Top[/go2]
[anchor]spotlight[/anchor]Posted ImageInterviewed by: Farkle

We would like to congratulate this month's talent, Chalicotherium!

1. When and how did you first become involved in the ZT community?

I first became involved in the community after seeing some cool downloads in a video on YouTube in late 2012. I then joined all of the main sites active or not and downloaded everything I could find. After a while I decided that I wanted to be an active member of the community and started that at Gaia. Having decided that I didn't really like Gaia that much I decided to move over to TRT, where I became really active for the first time.

2. When did you start designing and what was your first project?

I started designing before I became an active member and originally thought that I would keep all the stuff I made for myself. I was very selfish wasn't I xD . My first project was a bee hummingbird ambient, which to this day is probably one of the best downloads I ever made. Unfortunately it was lost shortly after creation due to a computer crash. After that I couldn't be bothered to make another attempt at it.

3. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose to live?

I really like living where I am right now, but it would be better to live somewhere more rural, where you can see other animals apart from your neighbours cats. If I had to live somewhere other than the UK I would probably live somewhere like Germany or maybe the USA.

4. Do you like superheroes? If so, then who is your favorite?

Superheroes are cool, but I get jealous of their powers. If I had to pick a favourite I would probably say Iron Man or Wolverine as one of my friends is a real fan of these two and would kill me if I said anything else. xD

5. What are your favourite animals?

I really love all animals as they all have different things that make them unique and cool. My favourite animal would probably a red panda or maybe a greater kudu, but I often switch between many different animals. Red pandas are cool because they are either sleeping all the time or they are running around like maniacs, which looks like fun. Greater kudus are great because they are really beautiful and majestic creatures and it would be awesome to have massive horns like that.

6. When did you develop your love for animals?

My love of animals developed at a very young age. I used to line up small plastic animals for ages. I used to very annoyed if I was dragged away from them or if someone moved any of them. I also had this animal book. I loved that book so much and looked at it so much that it was soon worn out and we had to get another copy.

7. What do you want to be when you grow up?

This is a hard question. I would definitely like to work with animals and given the opportunity would probably take any animal related job. More specifically I would like to go into veterinary science, because it is helping animals at the same time as well as getting paid reasonably well.

8. Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Probably a morning person, but to be honest a bit of both depending on the recent events.

[go2=top]Back To Top[/go2][anchor]staff[/anchor]
Posted Image
Written by: Snyf

Staff Changes: Well, we've had our ups and downs this past month and a half, so this is the current roster of our lovely staff:

  • Danny (Administrator)
  • Imp (Global Moderator)
  • Furka (Global Moderator)
  • Franco (Global Moderator)
  • Sheather (Global Moderator)
  • Flish (Global Moderator)
  • Crookedjaw (Download Manager)
  • Hudson (Download Manager)
  • zoocrazy (Encyclopedia Manager)
  • Umpaloompa (RTZI Manager)


Warm welcomes to our four new additions:

  • Farkle (Global Moderator)
  • Snoopy (RTZI Manager)
  • Chalicotherium (Pointies Manager)
  • Snyf (Newsletter Manager)


Round Table of Zoos/Aquariums Inc.: Lo and behold, the RTZI is now officially open to the public! Since the last newsletter, you awesome members have already taken part in the organization, showcasing your awe-inspiring creations, whether they be zoos or aquariums. You've taken part in the whole system, brilliantly produced by our fellow RTZI managers, and I can't wait to see what you guys come up with next. The RTZI is fast approaching one of our forum's most wonderful assets, and we're so glad that all of you have enjoyed it so much.

[go2=top]Back To Top[/go2]
[anchor]news[/anchor]Posted ImageReporter: Snyf

Posted Image

As September came to a close, The Round Table and Gaia announced 'Marathon II'. The second marathon presents a special duality between the two forums, as both are hosting it, and the participants will be rewarded doubly. The sign-up sheets have been posted here at Gaia and here at The Round Table. The new theme is 'Biomes', and groups will be competing to create their zoos around the one that they choose.

Both forums will hold the challenges, polls, and hangouts, and 5 judges will be chosen for each site. If you wish to be a judge, you can PM the staff here or at Gaia. The contest is going to run until the end of November, so you will have to be active for that time to participate.

Sign-ups are now closed for the Marathon, but the first challenge is up and in the running, and is about to come to a close. Watch closely, as the events will keep you on your toes throughout the whole ride!

[go2=top]Back To Top[/go2]
[anchor]animal[/anchor]Posted ImageWritten by: caviar, Crookedjaw
Graphic by: Farkle


Posted Image

Posted Image

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Genus: Hapalemur
Species: H. alaotrensis


Range:
Posted Image



General

The Lac Alaotra bamboo lemur is a kind of bamboo lemur. It is endemic to the reed beds in and around Lac Alaotra, in northeast Madagascar. This lemur is the only primate specifically adapted to living in papyrus reeds.

The Alaotran gentle lemur has a woolly, dense, dark-grey coat, with a chestnut tinge on the crown. Its head is rounded, the muzzle is blunt and its ears are short. The grasping hands and feet and long tail are used for balance, allowing this lemur to walk along the reed stalks of its lakeside habitat.

The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust has a Lac Alaotra bamboo lemur conservation program.

Habitat

The Alaotran gentle lemur is found only in the marshes of Lake Alaotra, the largest lake in Madagascar, located in the central-eastern highlands. The gentle lemur is one of the only primates in the world confined to a wetland, living in the papyrus marshes.

Diet

This lemur is the only primate specifically adapted to living in papyrus reeds. Unlike other bamboo lemurs, the Lac Alaotra bamboo lemur does not eat bamboo; instead, it feeds on the stems of papyrus reeds, shoots of Phragmites communis, and two types of grasses (Echinocochla crusgalli and Leersia hexandra).

Threats

Conversion of marsh habitat to rice fields has been the most severe threat to the survival of this species, although the remaining marsh habitats are difficult to convert due to regular flooding. However, a major drainage project would pose a major threat if it was realized in the region. Burning of the remaining marshlands takes place to catch fish and to graze cattle. The resulting increase in aquatic plants is choking fishing areas and driving further burning and may also limit marsh regeneration after flooding.

Hunting for food and capture for pets also have reduced its numbers through the years. A variety of hunting and trapping methods are employed by local people. Direct pursuit by dogs is the most common, but they may also be captured by using a harpoon, a snare, a stick to knock them out or into the water, or by burning their reed bed habitat, causing them to flee into the hands of waiting hunters. More than 1000 lemurs have been hunted annually some years (Mutschler et al. 2001).

Weight & Length

Its tail and body are both 40 cm on average, and it weighs between 1.1 and 1.4 kg, with males slightly larger than females. Its dense, woolly fur is a gray-brown on the back, lighter gray on the face and chest, and chestnut brown on the head and neck.

ZT2 Animal Guidelines

As the animal haven’t been made for Zoo Tycoon 2, we can’t say anything particular, however if you are planning to build an exhibit for them, there is a two side road. In the first road you could choose building an indoor lemur exhibit with nothing in particular. In the second an island should fit the needs of the lemurs, as long as they have some water to swim, but also you need to be sure that they can’t escape. They eat fruits and papyrus.

Pointies Animal'


The lemur has now been made available at the Pointies Shop! Everyone can buy this beautiful lemur (if you've got the pointies for it).

Posted Image

You can find it here (at least later, looks like the shop has problems for now, for reasons I don't know. A giant guinea pig invasion? Who knows!)

[go2=top]Back To Top[/go2]
[anchor]questions[/anchor]Posted ImageInterviewed by: Snyf

This month (and a half), we've interviewed Murdock, Laura, and Danny to see what they think about the community and learn more about them.

Personal:

1. Do you like the country that you live in and why?

Yes I'm actually quite proud to be an Australian. While I do wish some things were different, we have a great laid-back attitude here, unique wildlife, decent weather, great sports, alright zoos and excellent health conditions. Probably the only places that I wouldn't mind to live in other than here would be the US or in New Zealand, but really nothing beats Australia! ~Danny

I like England in general, we've got interesting animals and a pleasant climate, even if it does tend to rain a little too much. I do have political issues with the government of this country, but for the most part I have politically based issues with most countries I know about, and really I believe that to be a real patriot you should love and support your country always and your government when they deserve it. ~Murdock

2. What is your favourite type of pie?

Dont even get me started! xD ~Laura

Gotta be apple, while I do eat quite a few types of pie apple has always been my favorite. That being said I prefer the relative of the pie, the Apple Crumble to a pie any day myself. And even when it comes to Apple Pies I'm overly picky X3 ~Murdock

3. What was the worst nightmare you've ever had?

Well I had this nightmare that reoccurred several times as a kid. Basically, I was surrounded by a number of tigers who were all closing in on me. I sort of knew they were going to kill me but I always woke up before they did. Another one I had was the night before easter and in that nightmare, my mum didn't give me any chocolate for easter... I know... Horrible. ~Danny

Without going into too much detail, it was a very simple nightmare, a look at myself, what I could be one day in the future, I had pushed everyone I loved away from me, I had no job, no friends, no family and no loved ones, I was completely alone, had nothing and no one and was simply miserable. Not a pleasant dream by any stretch D: ~Murdock

Nature

1. If you could bring back any prehistoric animal, what would it be?


I'd probably bring back a sabre-tooth cat of some sort because I love big cats and I'd love to be able to see a sabre-tooth in real life. I wouldn't mind mammoths or any of the huge sauropods either. ~Danny

Thylacine, why? Because it was a great animal and it was our faul that it died and I've always liked thylacines. ~Laura

2. What's your favourite biome on Earth?

I know it's probably a bit too cliché but probably tropical rainforests. I mean, where else do you find so much amazing wildlife and such beautiful foliage? ~Danny

Erm, I guess it must be temperate. xD ~Laura

3. What is the most interesting animal you've ever seen in the wild?

Well, I would probably say that superb lyrebirds are. They're quite beautiful and they make such loud noises. I've only seen them once but when I did, there was a pair and they were quite close and active. Koalas, echidnas and wombats also may seem quite interesting for other members here, but I've seen them a fair bit so they don't interest me as much. ~Danny

Hmm, hard choice, I'd have to say a Harbour Porpoise, we were out on a boating trip looking for Dolphins in Wales (no Dolphins showed up though there were a lot of seals). We only saw it for a few moments as it jumped out of the water (which is odd since they don't often jump out in the wild). It was really amazing to see though. ~Murdock

Community

1. What is your most-used download in zoos?

Other than things like biome reskins and sky reskins which I obviously use in every zoo, probably the guioa and karaka plants. I know a lot of people use them but I also edit mine to make them that little bit more unique. ~Danny

Building sets. xD Can't live without them. ~Laura

2. If you created a new Zoo Tycoon forum, what would it be called and what would it be like?

It would be called Pacific Ice *smirks evilly* And it would be an ordinary friendly ZT forum but a bit winter based. *Smirks more evilly* ~Laura

Hmm, I'm not sure about a name. Something ridiculous and off the wall like The Great Lasagna Outpost or something equally ridiculous. It'd hopefully be somewhat like this one, with a lot of contests and lots of community participation. ~Murdock

3. Other than the people, what is your favourite part about the community?

I must say I couldn't choose. What the community has offered me has been amazing. ~Laura

The atmosphere is one thing I love, it's very friendly and pleasant, the big events like the Swinter Festival and the contests keeps things active and friendly. But honestly the thing I love most about the community? I found my fiance thanks to the ZT2 community. X3 ~Murdock

[go2=top]Back To Top[/go2]
[anchor]poll[/anchor]Posted ImagePoll by: Danny, Snyf, caviar, Imp, Farkle

We have seven new question for all of you this month. Check them out: [here]

These are the questions:
  • What was your favorite part of the Swinter Party?
  • What movie genre do you prefer?
  • What is you favorite breakfast?
  • Which continent do you think has the most interesting wildlife?
  • What orphaned exotic animal would you enjoy raising, if you had the chance and the appropriate facilities to do so?
  • What season do you prefer?
  • How many times do you think you've pressed the refresh button in the last 24 hours?


[go2=top]Back To Top[/go2]
[anchor]game[/anchor]Posted ImageCreated by: Snyf

Can you solve these riddles? If you do, there might be something in it for ya!

1. I don't get any wetter, no matter how much rain falls on me. What am I?

2. Peter wakes up daily to pick up his bicycle and cross the border between Spain and France with a bag on his shoulder. He is investigated daily by the officials but they don’t find anything suspicious. If I tell you that he was smuggling something what would it be?

3. I'm a fruit that's always found in a group of two. What am I?

4. James named his first son Alpha, his second son Beta, third son Gamma and fourth son Delta. What is the fifth son’s name.

5. What country becomes a body part if you remove the last letter of its name?


[go2=top]Back To Top[/go2]
[anchor]cc[/anchor]Posted ImageWritten by: Snyf

The Blog Corner

The Blog Corner is a very special subforum here at TRT, as not only does it allow the members to get to know each other more, but allows for freedom and creativity in the blogs. For example, a few members have inspirational blogs or review blogs. The possibilities are endless, and you really get to experience each individual member's uniqueness and interests. It's a place where people get to relax and many people grow closer together from their experiences with other members. You get to ask them questions, and therefore, might find that they share a lot of your interests.

This month's community challenge is to push yourself and create a blog of any kind, as well as pay more attention to other member's blogs. Through this challenge, you'll learn more about the person and make them happy, be able to share your views with others, and be able to expand the Blog Corner and allow it to grow. The Blog Corner is an important part of the forum, and by expanding it, we learn more about each other and grow closer as a community.

[go2=top]Back To Top[/go2]
[anchor]help[/anchor]Posted ImageWritten by: Farkle

Interested in helping out the forum? Well there are several things you can do to help us out!

1. Join the Newsletter Team! All the above posts were written this month, and next month you could be one of the writers! Post in the Staff PM Box and tell us what you would like to do, and we'll get you into something.
2. Report stuff. If you see something that is against the site rules, then just click that little report button so that we can see it ASAP. We can't be everywhere at once, so the sooner you let us know about it the better
3. Assist. If you see someone who needs help, has a question, or isn't following the rules, kindly help them out if you can. Often times a staff will still follow up behind you, but we always appreciate seeing members helping each other out.
4. Be active. The more you post, and make topics, the more others can post and that will open more doors for you to post!
5. Be friendly. PM people, welcome people, and be patient with everyone, especially newer members. Remember, if you're kind to people, its very likely they'll be kind to you
6. Submit Downloads. We have a nice download center so we mine as well get as many downloads as we can in it. We also have good download managers, so we had might as well keep them busy too
7. Offer your help in the Staff PM Box. Let us know if you are available and we may just have something for you that would take a lot of pressure off of us.


[go2=top]Back To Top[/go2]
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Free Forums. Reliable service with over 8 years of experience.
Learn More · Sign-up for Free
« Previous Topic · Newsletters · Next Topic »
Add Reply