Whenever you play a tile in your zoo, you must place it on an empty space (space with no tile or printed open area on it) on your Zoo map. This empty space must be adjacent to the entrance or a tile already in your zoo. (Important: The two Open Areas printed on your Zoo map do not count as tiles!)

Therefore, there are 3 possible spaces on which you can place your first tile: the 3 spaces next to your zoo entrance (11). Later on, you will have more options for placing your tiles. However, you will soon realize that it is not always easy to choose the best place for each tile.

You must always place tiles so that the icons are at the top and the name of the tile is at the bottom (12). You are not allowed to rotate the tiles (e. g., so that the arrows point at Open Areas on other spaces).

If a placement bonus is shown on the space on which you place the tile (13), you will receive that bonus immediately. This also applies if you place an Open Area on a space with a placement bonus. The various bonuses are explained in the Glossary (see Immediate Effects) and on the Player aids.

Some tiles refer to the River on your Zoo map. The 3 spaces on the left and right edges of your Zoo map are considered to be “by the River” (14).

Place tiles that you discard during the game on the discard pile. Place discarded tiles face up on this pile, so that you do not confuse it with the draw pile.

If a tile requires Open Areas, first place the tile itself on your Zoo map according to these rules, and then place the Open Areas (if necessary).