Planet Zoo has just released the Wetlands Animal Pack, a return to the animal-focused DLC format that prioritises adding more species over additional decor items. This time around the setting is the Brazilian Pantanal, home to the world’s largest wetlands. Here you’ll discover an animal rescue sanctuary in need of revival in the latest timed scenario, as well as eight new species in need of homes.
The diverse lineup for the pack comprises the Asian small-clawed otter, capybara, Nile lechwe, platypus, red-crowned crane, spectacled caiman, and wild water buffalo, as well as the exhibit-based Danube crested newt. We’ll give you the lowdown on all of these interesting animals, as well as their new interactions and behaviours, to get you started.
Wetlands is the third animal pack released for Planet Zoo, so we know the format by now. It introduces seven new habitat-dwelling animals, one exhibit species, and a new scenario based on the area the animals originate from, in this case, Brazil. At this point in the game’s lifecycle, the decorations are pretty varied, so the focus on animals and behaviours over accessories and buildings is welcome.
Planet Zoo has an extensive zoopedia with a diverse lineup of animals, yet still manages to make additions feel unique. The attention to detail in the behaviour of each animal is one of the primary reasons for this. Frontier has built a robust management system to hang the zoo functionality on then added animals that behave exactly as they should. With these new additions, the attention to detail and realism is even more noticeable than usual.
The Asian small-clawed otter has a ready-made exhibit in the pack’s scenario and it’s perfect for showing how they move gracefully on both land and water, moving seamlessly from one to the other. While you’ll need to remove some foliage to get it fully suitable for the otter’s needs, the exhibit shows how perfectly you can build a space to observe the aquatic habits of these beautiful creatures.
For those who love their semi-aquatic mammals to be more quirky, the Platypus is also included and can not only perform deep dives but also hide in burrows. Sadly for Phineas and Ferb fans this version of the platypus comes without a hat and cannot perform any crime-busting activities. However, it is a very unique animal to watch.
Capybaras are another species with new behaviours, this time relating to the new hot water tap enrichment item. They’ll splash in the water, something you’ll also notice other animals begin to do as well. Water is obviously a huge part of this pack and all the animals will require it in some form. The splashing is a new interaction, but animals will also deep dive, with several able to use the underwater feeders from the Aquatic Pack.
The red-crowned crane may not be a swimmer like some animals but the way in which it moves is very unique and graceful. There’s even a mating dance to be found if you keep these beautiful animals happy. Meanwhile, the Nile lechwe, a type of antelope, also interacts with the marshes of the wetland in a unique way, using knee-deep water to evade predators. They can dart quickly through swamps when the need arises and you’ll see this in the game, where it's just one behaviour faithfully replicated.
For those that want their animals more on the dangerous side, the spectacled caimen is a lazy reptile, but you can see the males become aggressive during periods of excess rain, just as they do in real life. Part of the same family as the alligator, they offer a more unique addition to your zoo lineup.
The penultimate exhibit species is the endangered wild water buffalo. These huge beasts are aggressive and move quickly, so you’ll need to be prepared. They also make a great final addition to a mixed group of animals.
The last piece of the puzzle is the Danube crested newt, an exhibit species with a reasonable appeal. It rounds out the well-balanced mix of eight different species in this pack that fit well into existing zoos.
If you play through the timed scenario you’ll need to test how these new animals interact with others as you are tasked with housing a range of new species from the base game as well as this DLC. You’ll need to assemble appropriate exhibits quickly, using the natural terrain to fulfill any requirements each one has for water. The timing is very tight on this one and you’ll likely need to play with the new animals before you can get the requirements right in the time allotted.
As mentioned previously there are no decor items in this pack, with additions being limited to a couple of new enrichment items. However, the wetlands zoo naturally looks perfect with the South America decor from a previous pack, as well as the game’s default options. Overall, the Wetlands Animal Pack is a nice boost of unique animals, a beautiful location, and adds some new animal behaviours we loved to watch. Planet Zoo keeps on giving.
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