One of the new things coming to Planet Zoo 2 is the inclusion of flying birds. While its predecessor had animals like Penguins and emus, this extended roster of animals that can take flight will add a new depth and dimension to your zoo operations. Developer Frontier Developments has now released a Feature Focus on these new inclusions via their YouTube channel, showcasing what this will bring to the table.
For starters, flying birds will need special aviary enclosures to display them. This will add several features to park management and construction, such as mesh roofs to keep them contained. There will also be new enrichment options to keep these birds entertained. There will also be a collection of both Nocturnal and Diurnal birds to choose from, like the long-eared owl, though they will be active for your guests as well during operating hours.
The trailer also showcased cohabitation between some animals in your zoo, such as the Malayan Tapir, which can share a space with Great Hornbills. Fans of the series should know this is a returning feature, but the inclusion of flying birds should add new dynamics to these symbiotic relationships. There is also a selection of birdhouses and nests you can add to habitats with verticality. These houses will also have cameras so you can monitor the birds, or more specifically, their eggs.
Flying birds will also factor heavily into wildlife preserves as well, where you can release a lot of the chicks born in captivity to allow the natural population to increase. They will also factor into the ecosystem of the reserves. We have learned there will be a balance in reserves to keep these environments thriving, but just how these mechanics will work remains to be seen. This trailer ends on a teaser that the next thing we might learn about is customization in these Reserves, which might include more info on gameplay as well.
Planet Zoo 2 is set to open its park doors on October 13, 2026, for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.
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