The Lactra VII zoo is a landmark that covers much of surface of the planet Lactra VII.
Specifics[]
Created by Lactrans, their zoo consists of terraformed animal habitats as well as smaller caged exhibits. Habitats are tightly controlled with disparate ecologies and climates. (ST reference: The Worlds of the Federation)
Within the Lactran city, exhibits in smaller habitats displayed various specimens, including winged insectoids and Humans. Visitors were able to handle associated objects such as a communicator, which were on display just outside an exterior force field. (TAS episode & novelization: The Eye of the Beholder)
Habitats such as deserts and jungles were placed side-by-side in a seemingly random pattern. (ST reference: StarTrek.com)
History[]
The zoo was constructed over a span of many centuries, with Lactrans traveling in starships to retrieve specimens. One species they had only heard about, but highly desired, was a cosmozoan jawanda. In recent centuries, Lactrans began limiting their travel and specimen-collecting to less distant star systems.
By the 23rd century, Lactrans had withdrawn from interstellar travel and claimed to have forgotten how to build starships with long-range capabilities. There was no longer a desire to complete the zoo, except for having a jawanda. (TAS novelization: The Eye of the Beholder)
In 2269, a landing party from the Federation scout SS Ariel explored the planet, but the people were killed by exhibit animals. Members of their second landing party were saved by Lactrans, who then created a small habitat for them.
Six weeks later, a rescue party beamed down from the USS Enterprise and were able to wander between habitats because force fields had been turned off. They were retrieved and placed in the same enclosure as the Ariel crew. Eventually the Starfleet personnel were able to gain their freedom after they demonstrated sufficient intelligence. (TAS episode & novelization: The Eye of the Beholder)
A small group of Lactans accompanied the Enterprise to Boqu II and afterward to intergalactic space, where they were able to locate and retrieve a small jawanda and place it in a polar orbit around Lactra VII, completing the zoo. (TAS novelization: The Eye of the Beholder)
Specimens[]
Animals[]
- Canopus III dinosaur
- Insectoids
- Maraville dragon
- Unicorns
- large, two headed python
- six-legged canines
Humanoids[]
Habitat environments[]
Appendices[]
Images[]
Appearances[]
References[]
External link[]
- Lactra VII zoo article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.