We were visiting from out of town and were excited to see the fennec foxes (which turned out to be off-exhibit anyway). Having been to many zoos we wanted a map, but were told no paper maps anymore….instead use the app. Great! I love apps. The problem is that this app tries to do lots of things, except the one thing you need, namely find the animals.1: The app needs a static GIF of the overall map on the main page, the one that is on just a few signs in the actual park (and one totally illegible screen near the entrance). Ew visitors CANNOT orient themselves with the dynamic insanity map.2: The pinch-zoom mapping tech you are using is terrible. It’s way to sensitive, you can’t orient to your current direction or even location. And there’s nothing on the screen unless you are zoomed way down (and maybe other random times, which may be a bug).3: SEARCH! It’s nearly impossible to find a specific animal that is supposed to be in the zoo without paging through screens that are just unclear. If I search for “fennec” I should be shown a point on the map with the best way to get there from my current location. This is basic geospatial API stuff for any modern app.4: Live updates. If (say) fennec foxes are off exhibit (or any other animals) it should say so in the app. 5: With your high ticket prices and lack of paper maps, you need to make the app a replacement for the maps you withhold from your patrons.

The developer’s intentions with the app are clearly good. But sometimes you just need to nail the basics before adding bells and whistles. I got the app in order to pull up a map of the zoo. I gave up on it after a few minutes. The use of the map and interface is way too complicated. I don’t want to have to be forced by filtering with a certain department or item to view on the map, I just want to see a simple overview map of the whole zoo front and center. Filtering by animals or facilities would be a bonus.

Ive loved this place since i was little and i STILL have a hard time finding everything just because they keep upgrading every year! This app is a great help and a great companion for an amazing park!

Thrilled about The Living Desert app! It's incredibly convenient and user-friendly. Delighted to explore the Zoo and its events right from my phone. 5 stars!