Entry to the zoo will be through the mouth of a gorilla; here, there will be an experience ranging from rain and fog to shaking seats.
At Indore’s Kamla Nehru Zoological Museum, visitors will now be able to experience the thrill of being inside a jungle alongside seeing wildlife. A 14-D virtual jungle safari and theatre, built at a cost of approximately ₹4-4.5 crore within the zoo complex, will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Sunday. The facility will open to the public from August 16.
The project features 14 different effects. Raindrops during rain scenes, gusts of wind, fog, bubbles, vibrations and seat movements will change according to the visuals on screen, giving visitors the sensation of being part of the action. The theatre’s waterproof screen has been imported from South Korea. Zoo authorities claim it is India’s first virtual zoo 14-D theatre.
Ticket priced at ₹70, with 16 shows daily
The theatre will operate from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm. There will be 16 shows a day, with each show lasting 20 minutes. The ticket price has been fixed at ₹70.
See five pictures-
Entry into the 14-D theater will be through the mouth of the gorilla.
14 types of effects have been included in the entire project.
The zoo management claims that this is India’s first virtual zoo 14-D theater.
There will be 16 shows daily, each 20 minutes long. The ticket price has been set at 70 rupees.
The theater’s waterproof screen has been imported from South Korea.
Entry through a gorilla’s mouth, jungle experience begins with neon lighting
Visitors will enter the 14-D theatre through the mouth of a large gorilla installed inside the zoo complex. After purchasing their tickets, they will proceed inside, where the lights will dim and a 3D jungle experience will begin with neon lighting.
Large trees, tigers, lions and other jungle scenes will appear on the walls, creating an atmosphere designed to make visitors feel as though they have entered a real jungle.
Seats move according to the scenes
Visitors will then enter the 14-D theatre and sit on moving seats while wearing 3D glasses. The approximately 20-minute show is divided into two parts.
The first 10 minutes will offer an adventure forest experience. The seats will move forwards, backwards, up and down according to the scenes shown on screen. Visitors will also experience effects such as wind, water splashes, fog and bubbles.
The next 10 minutes will feature a prehistoric adventure, offering a virtual journey through ancient jungles and the world of creatures from that era.
The seats will move with the scene on the screen.
Seats rise and fall while climbing or descending mountains
Zoo in-charge Dr Uttam Yadav said the movement of the seats will correspond to the scenes displayed on screen. If a vehicle is shown descending a mountain, the seats will move downwards, while they will rise during an ascent.
Small jolts will also be added to recreate the sensation of travelling through a jungle or experiencing a roller-coaster ride.
Glow Garden lights up with footsteps
After the theatre, visitors will be able to explore the Glow Garden. Lions and a talking tree will greet them along the route. The entrance gate will open when touched.
Inside, fibre-optic lights will create an attractive illuminated environment. The flooring will resemble grass, while butterfly and plant-shaped structures around the area will light up as visitors walk over them.
Visitors will have a unique experience.
Visitors navigate a maze amid animal roars
Next, visitors will enter a maze featuring multiple paths, with the roars of lions and bears heard at intervals. They will have to find their way through the maze while experiencing the thrill of the sounds. This will be followed by the Mirror Bridge, where Lord Hanuman will appear through holographic effects.
Visitors will then experience a 3D wildlife immersive safari, followed by a 10-minute wildlife and jungle show inside a 3D dome. Large screens and 3D effects will create the impression of being surrounded by a jungle. At the end of the experience, visitors will also be able to enjoy Indori delicacies at the canteen.
14 elements create the virtual jungle experience
Dr Uttam Yadav said the project incorporates 14 different elements. When a rain scene appears on the screen, effects such as thunder, raindrops and fumes will be activated simultaneously. Seat movements and other effects will similarly change according to mountain, adventure and other scenes.
The project was originally expected to be completed in around one and a half years, but some obstacles delayed it by approximately two months. The total cost came to around ₹4–4.5 crore. Dr Yadav said there had been no compromise on the quality of the project.
First digital jungle experience at the zoo
According to Dr Yadav, visitors have traditionally experienced wildlife at the zoo in a natural environment. This project will offer a different way to experience the jungle and wildlife through digital technology.
The facility combines the 14-D theatre with a maze, immersive safari and dome theatre to create a complete entertainment experience. The entry fee is currently ₹70. However, given the technology involved and the project’s cost, senior officials may consider revising the ticket price in the future.
