Visited on Sunday and took part in a big cat experience. The zoo has come on a lot since my last visit. The new Africa house was open to the public, counted 7 west African giraffe,3 zebra,3 wildebeest,2 Nyala And eight white rhino. Many enclosures could do with a lot more work however there are some brilliant enclosures such as the maned wolves or arctic wolves enclosures. Was told my a keeper that the young female snow leopard will leave later this year as well chin chin the female tiger. Would anyone be interested in seeing ring any pictures ?
Yes Chin Chin has already been separated from the other Tigers and is now in the old Jaguar enclosure. I understand when she moves, that the young female Snow Leopard will move into this enclosure before being moved on.
The Jags are now in the old Asian Lion enclosure, after the male sadly died last year due to being fed poisoned meat (not the zoo's fault).
You say you like the Maned and Arctic Wolf enclosures, personally I am surprised by this. The Maned Wolf enclosure is a nice size and also has 2 Tapir in it. Personally with the big pool, grassland and inside den's it's definitely better designed for the Tapir imo. There are no natural outside dens for the Wolves, neither any rocks or a pool with hunting position which the Maned Wolves would be best suited too. I'm not saying it's a nice size, but it's more been designed for Tapir than Maned Wolves.
The Arctic Wolves imo was better when the aerial walking platforms were open as you could walk out into the enclosure and see across to them on the top of the hill and also see their dens. Now with the side fence view, it's often hard to see them which is a shame.
The Snow Leopards have now climbing facilities and need a far better rock race. Even a small park like Lakeland Wildlife Oasis have built a small cliff like structure for the leopards to climb and sleep in and it suits their natural habitat and they also have climbing platforms in their small exhibit. South Lakes has quite a large exhibit for them, but they have nothing to do in it, so often spend the days asleep on the grass by the entrance of their house, under the tree's.
The Lion enclosure is poor for visibility imo and you rarely see the lions as you can't view the house.
Of the big cats it's definitely the Tiger's who have the best enclosure.
The Africa house has been open all winter, but for me it's a depressing sight.
Yes the Giraffe have a normal inside facility as do the Rhino but for me seeing the Nyala, Wildebeast and Zebra just kept in stables all day is rather depressing. They have no inside paddock or outside access at all in winter, whilst at least the Rhino and Giraffe can move about. The house should be just kept for the Rhino and Giraffe, the hooved animals should imo have access to the outside hard standing even in winter, as being kooked up in stables all day isn't great for them.
