Photo Mystery 1 (Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park)

Puzzle difficulty: Medium Suitable for ages 12+

Photo Mystery

start

A digital escape-room-esque challenge

Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park

Note: This escape room is entirely digital. None of the puzzles or props presented here are offered in-person at the park.

Click the next button to proceed.

Let's begin...

Thank you for playing Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park's digital escape room!

As you proceed through the story of the mystery photograph, you will be challenged with various puzzles. It is recommended that you have paper and a writing utensil with you in order to complete these challenges. Each puzzle must be successfully completed before moving on to the next part of the story.

Welcome

Click the next button to proceed.

It’s October in Carlsbad. The weather is beginning to cool and you’re in need of a topic for your next story. You’ve been searching for something, anything to inspire your writing spirit, but so far you’ve come up empty. You sit at your desk, staring at the empty document open on your computer when you hear the distinctive ding of your email notification.

Carlsbad, NM 2022

Introduction

Greetings, I am known as The Photographer. I spend my days taking pictures of plants and animals across the world, but my favorite place to spend my days is in the deserts of North America. I recently photographed an incredibly rare species that I think may be of interest to you. It would make the perfect topic for your next story. I won’t give my photographs to just anyone, however. You must prove your worth by solving my puzzles and following the clues to the picture’s location. I promise the effort will be worth your while. Best of luck, The Photographer

Grateful for the distraction, you flip over to your email to discover a message from an unknown sender. Wondering what it could be, you open the email and read the message. Click the computer screen! After reading the email, click the next button to proceed.

EXAMPLE

STATE PARK

START

Example: If your solution is START -L-I-V-I-N-G-D-E-S-E-R-T- STATE PARK, the password would be LIVINGDESERT.

Follow the maze and gather the letters to uncover the password. Write down each letter on the correct path from START to your exit location (e.g. STATE PARK).

Password L I V I N G D E S E R T

EXAMPLE

As you finish reading the mysterious letter, you see that the email contains two attachments. Too curious to ignore this lead, you click on the files to open them. You are met with a password-protected document, your very first puzzle, and a set of instructions. Your puzzle begins on next page! Click the next button to proceed.

Tip: Use the pen icon (likely in the upper right corner of the screen) to draw over the maze to help you trace your path.

NATIONAL FOREST

PROTECTED AREA

WILDLIFE PRESERVE

STATE PARK

START

Follow the maze and gather the letters to uncover the password. Write down each letter on the correct path from START to your exit location (e.g. STATE PARK). There is only one possible exit location and one correct path to get there! When you know the password, click the next button to proceed.

Password

Click on the correct password!

Success! You discovered the password hidden in the maze! The document unlocks and opens up to reveal a map of Gila National Forest and the eastern edge of Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The map is split into 12 boxes and is accompanied by a note. Click the next button to proceed.

Password A P A C H E S I T G R E A V E S G I L A

Click the next button to proceed.

Congratulations on solving your first puzzle. The animal that I have photographed can currently be found in Gila and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in New Mexico and Arizona, however it used to live throughout the Chihuahuan and Sonoran Deserts. Locating this species out in the wild is no easy task, but there is another way you can see them up close. In each numbered box on the map is a hidden letter. Write each letter in order from 1-12 to discover your destination. When you arrive, there will be a package for you at the Information Desk. The Photographer

Tip: If you are struggling to find the letters, click on the hint button.

Congratulations on solving your first puzzle. The animal that I have photographed can currently be found in Gila and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in New Mexico and Arizona, however it used to live throughout the Chihuahuan and Sonoran Deserts. Locating this species out in the wild is no easy task, but there is another way you can see them up close. In each numbered box on the map above is a hidden letter. Write each letter in order from 1-12 to discover your destination. When you arrive, there will be a package for you at the Information Desk. The Photographer

Click on the hidden letters in each square. When you have found them all, click the next button to proceed.

The hidden letters spell LIVING DESERT. In Carlsbad, NM there is only one place The Photographer could mean: Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park. You gather your stuff and make the short trip to the park. Click the next button to proceed.

You enter the visitor center and ask the Ranger at the front desk if a package has been left for you. They nod and retrieve a small box. You thank the Ranger and then move to a bench off to the side of the room where you can open the package. You slide the box's contents onto your lap. Sitting in front of you is a smart phone. Click the next button to proceed.

You press the home button to light up the screen.

Draw the pattern to unlock

The screen displays a pattern lock. You begin to look around for the necessary clue to get into the phone. Click the next button to proceed.

Click the next button to proceed.

Super sleuths may be able to find the answer without completing the Sudoku grid!

Drawthe pattern to unlock

When you flip the phone over, you find a Sudoku puzzle has been taped to the back. One section of the puzzle has been circled. You realize that the pattern to unlock the phone must somehow match the numbers in the circled box, so you set to work solving the puzzle. Your puzzle begins on the next page!

We move!

Tip: Write down your solution before proceeding. Your puzzle progress will not be saved if you try to return to this page.

Drag the numbers below (1-9) into the empty spaces in the grid. Each number (1-9) appears only once in each vertical line, horizontal line, and 3x3 grid. After determining the location of each number in the circled grid, you will choose the matching pattern/solution on the next page. When you've solved the puzzle, click the next button to proceed.

Super sleuths may be able to find the answer without completing the Sudoku grid!

Draw the pattern to unlock

Draw the pattern to unlock

Draw the pattern to unlock

Click on the phone with the correct unlock pattern.

00:00

When the phone unlocks, you see that there is an unread message. You can only assume that it's from The Photographer. Click on the Messages icon.

The text references a location in the park. You pull out the park map to determine where you need to go. Click the next button to proceed.

You have done well to make it this far. Your final puzzle will be located at the place where you can dine while relaxing by the water.

The Photographer

Look at the map and click on the location where you can "dine while relaxing by the water".

Click the next button to proceed.

Camera Trap by Hustvedt is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Camera_trap.jpg https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

Just outside the visitor center are a picnic area and pond. You approach the picnic tables and scan the area for any sort of clue. On one of the ramada posts, there is a camera trap facing the water. On the camera are a label that says "Property of The Photographer" and a 3-digit combination lock.

Click the next button to proceed.

. . .

To open the lock and access the camera trap's photos, you must start by transforming one word into another.

where you can dine while relaxing by the water.

The Photographer

The Photographer's phone suddenly chimes. When you pick up the phone, you see a new a text has come in.

We move!

When you know the answer, click the next button to proceed.

. . .

Insert a D after the 1st O

Change the 3rd vowel to an O

Replace all Ds with Ts

Swap the C and the U

Change the A to a U

Insert an I to the right of the 1st vowel

Move the last D between N and R

Reverse the order of the 4th - 8th letters

Replace the last E with the letters I O

Change the G to a C

Move the 6th letter to the last position

Insert an R to the left of the 1st vowel

Follow the instructions in the text messages to transform one word into another. You may write on a piece of paper or drag the letters to follow along on screen.

Write the word ENDANGERED

RESTORATION

REINTRODUCTION

CONSERVATION

What word did you transform ENDANGERED into?

The Photographer

Click on the correct text response to send it to The Photographer.

Example: In the word RATTLESNAKE you can find the letters for TAN.

Find the 3 letters in that word that spell a color. Use the numeric keypad on this phone to determine what numbers each letter represents. That is the combination.

Correct.

REINTRODUCTION

What word did you transform ENDANGERED into?

The Photographer

After following the steps to reveal the word REINTRODUCTION, The Photographer replies again. What 3 letters in REINTRODUCTION spell the name of a color? When you know the color, click the next button to proceed to the next page.

Example: RATTLESNAKE -> TAN.

(color)

REINTRODUCTION -> __ __ __

Locate the numbers on the keypad that correspond with the letters in the color. Click on each number in the order the letters appear in the word. Example: If the color was TAN, you would click 8 - 2 - 6

Example: RATTLESNAKE -> TAN.

(color)

REINTRODUCTION -> __ __ __

Locate the numbers on the keypad that correspond with the letters in the color. Click on each number in the order the letters appear in the word. Example: If the color was TAN, you would click 8 - 2 - 6

Example: RATTLESNAKE -> TAN.

(color)

REINTRODUCTION -> __ __ __

Locate the numbers on the keypad that correspond with the letters in the color. Click on each number in the order the letters appear in the word. Example: If the color was TAN, you would click 8 - 2 - 6

Example: RATTLESNAKE -> TAN.

(color)

REINTRODUCTION -> __ __ __

You determine that the combination is 7 - 3 - 3. You turn back to the camera trap and enter the numbers into the lock.

Elk (Camera trap photo) by J. N. Stuart is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 https://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartwildlife/2591457364/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

The lock pops open and you are able to view the pictures stored on the camera. You scroll through the pictures and see images of elk, deer, rabbits, and your final clue. Click the arrows to scroll through the pictures.

mule deer by J. N. Stuart is licensed under CC BY 2.0 https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq/6659380181/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

The lock pops open and you are able to view the pictures stored on the camera. You scroll through the pictures and see images of elk, deer, rabbits, and your final clue. Click the arrows to scroll through the pictures.

jack rabbit by Bryan White is licensed under CC BY 2.0 https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq/6492408189/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

The lock pops open and you are able to view the pictures stored on the camera. You scroll through the pictures and see images of elk, deer, rabbits, and your final clue. Click the arrows to scroll through the pictures.

Click the next button to proceed.

78

2022

The lock pops open and you are able to view the pictures stored on the camera. You scroll through the pictures and see images of elk, deer, rabbits, and your final clue. Click the arrows to scroll through the pictures.

Click the next button to proceed.

2022

The last file on the camera trap is a picture of the sign at the wolf exhibit. You reference your park map once more to determine the quickest route to your mystery photo and begin to make your way through the park.

Click the next button to proceed.

Congratulations

When you arrive at the wolf lookout point, you notice a large envelope peeking out from underneath the sign. Scrawled on the front is the word "Congratulations".

Congratulations! You have proven yourself worthy to use my photo for your next story. I knew you could do it! Now allow me a moment to review the clues with you... 1. ENDANGERED --> REINTRODUCTIONIn the past, wolves were hunted to near extinction. Eventually scientists realized that wolves are very important apex predators. They started a captive breeding program to try to help increase the wolf population in North America. In 1998, the first Mexican gray wolves were reintroduced to the wild. 2. APACHESITGREAVESGILAMexican gray wolves were released into an area called the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area. It is located within Gila and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in New Mexico and Arizona. 3. Elk, Deer, and Rabbits! Oh my!Gray wolves' preferred prey items are large ungulates like elk and deer. If they are hunting alone, however, they will go after smaller prey items like rabbits or small rodents.

4. Living Desert Zoo & Gardens 4. Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State ParkEven though there are more wolves living in the wild now than were 20 years ago, it is still very uncommon to see them in their natural habitat. Wolves are elusive and still aren't abundant. You can see and learn about wolves at zoos, however. Many zoos, like Living Desert in Carlsbad, NM, are home to wolves and other endangered species. Living Desert is also one of the zoos that participates in the Mexican gray wolf Species Survival Plan to help wild wolf populations. Now that you have completed my challenge, I hope you'll take some times to visit Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park. I hope you'll be able to spot the wolves there, but even if you don't see them, it doesn't mean they don't see you! Watch the fenceline as you go and you just might find a wolf looking back at you. Until next time, The Photographer The Photographer

Congratulations

Inside the envelope are a note and a beautiful picture of a Mexican gray wolf. Click the next button to view the documents.

Click the next button to proceed.

Click the next button to proceed.

Click on the bolded words in the letter for more info.

4. Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park Even though there are more wolves living in the wild now than were 20 years ago, it is still very uncommon to see them in their natural habitat. Wolves are elusive and still aren't abundant. You can see and learn about them at zoos, however. Many zoos, like Living Desert in Carlsbad, NM, are home to wolves and other endangered species. Living Desert is also one of the zoos that participates in the Mexican gray wolf Species Survival Plan to help wild wolf populations. Now that you have completed my challenge, I hope you'll take some times to visit Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park. I hope you'll be able to spot the wolves there, but even if you don't see them, it doesn't mean they don't see you! Watch the fenceline as you go and you just might find a wolf looking back at you. Until next time, The Photographer

Congratulations! You have proven yourself worthy to use my photo for your next story. I knew you could do it! Now allow me a moment to review the clues with you... 1. ENDANGERED --> REINTRODUCTION In the past, wolves were hunted to near extinction. Eventually scientists realized that wolves are very important apex predators. They started a captive breeding program to try to help increase the wolf population in North America. In 1998, the first Mexican gray wolves were reintroduced to the wild. 2. APACHESITGREAVESGILA Mexican gray wolves were released into an area called the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area. It is located within Gila and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in New Mexico and Arizona. 3. Elk, Deer, and Rabbits! Oh my! Gray wolves' preferred prey items are large ungulates like elk and deer. If they are hunting alone, however, they will go after smaller prey items like rabbits or small rodents.

Start over?

Thank you for playing the first Photo Mystery digital escape room! You have proved yourself to be a super sleuth! We hope you will come visit us at Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park soon!

Great job!

TRY AGAIN

It looks like this puzzle stumped you. I'll give you another chance to figure it out. The Photographer

Oops!