Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2010-05-31/WikiProject report

This week, we checked out WikiProject Zoo, a project that covers the exhibits and facilities at zoos, aquaria, aviaries, and safari parks. The project was started in December 2006 by Spike Wilbury and revived in October 2009 by ZooPro. The project's current coordinator is The Arbiter. WikiProject Zoo is home to over 700 articles, including five Good Articles. The project maintains connections to WikiProject Animals, WikiProject Biology, and WikiProject Ecology. In addition to expanding and improving existing articles, members of WikiProject Zoo would appreciate help tackling redlinks on several lists, including the lists of zoos, aquaria, dolphinariums, butterfly gardens, and zoo associations. This week we interviewed project member Donlammers.

'''What motivated you to become a member of WikiProject Zoo? What zoos, aquariums, aviaries, and/or wildlife refuges have you visited?'''


 * I started with the Denver Zoo because my son loves to go there, and the Phoenix zoo because I was researching the Arabian Oryx Reintroduction. I have not been to many zoos: the Denver Zoo, the Downtown Aquarium, Butterfly Pavilion, Naples Zoo (a really great small zoo), and Seaside Aquarium are about it.

'''The project is already home to some impressive photography, yet the project still maintains a list of requested photos. What are the challenges to attracting photographers to a project like WikiProject Zoo?'''




 * The problem is getting photos of the zoo. The bulk of people who visit zoos take pictures of the animals, not of the zoo. There may be a lot of pictures in zoo categories, and a lot of them are quite impressive, but a large majority are close-ups of the animals, and don't really help in illustrating articles about a zoo.

'''What are WikiProject Zoo's most pressing needs? How can a new contributor help today?'''


 * Words and pictures. We have some 700 articles now, of which about 270 are stubs and a similar number are start-class. As of my latest count, there are almost 1000 red-links (implied article requests) in our various lists. We have pretty good criteria and a "template" for creating start-class articles, so new articles or stub-to start upgrades shouldn't take too long for anyone interested. For those interested in higher-level articles and promotions, we currently have no A-class and no FA articles, and more importantly very few GA-class articles. In addition, getting pictures of particular zoos (not just individual animals) requires someone at that specific zoo. Anyone interested in photography and willing to put their pictures out with an appropriate free license can contribute to this part of the effort.

Anything else you'd like to add?


 * Anyone can contribute, even if just for their own local/favorite zoo. Anyone that visited a zoo recently and has photos they are willing to post as free can contribute, even if they don't want to do anything else. Anyone that wants to help but doesn't know how to start, or knows what they want to do but not how, can and should ask questions on the project talk page.

Next week's WikiProject Report should put a smile on your face. Until then, entertain yourself reading old Reports in the archive.