Best UK Leopard enclosure

[britishzoofan]

This is just a bit of fun to judge the general consensus on the best enclosure for Leopards in the UK. I have added a few photos from the gallery to make it easier for members to compare the different exhibits. If anyone wants to make an argument for a particular enclosure, please feel free to do so. Also, I would encourage people to perhaps list the enclosures in order of what they determine to be the best.

I chose not to include the exhibits at Port Lympne or Combe Martin because they are not on display to the public. I've also not put Sandwich in the poll. I'm unsure if that's the right design or not because I have put Big Cat Sanctuary in which is another private collection. If you want to vote for Sandwich let me know. I hope this won't impact the vote too much. I was also unsure if Lincolnshire WP still held Leopards as I could find no evidence of this on their website.

Big Cat Sanctuary (Amur)

Big Cat Sanctuary (North Chinese)

YWP (Amur)

Colchester (Amur)

Thrigby (Amur)

Twycross (Amur)

Marwell (Amur)

Exmoor

Howletts (North Chinese)

Banham (Sri Lankan)

 

[amur leopard]

Wouldn't mind living in Marwell, Exmoor or Banham if I was a leopard (and I am ), but YWP is the clear choice.

 

[TNT]

Some recent footage of the exhibit at YWP (Best view from around 2 minutes):

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=459535964715128

 

[ajmcwhipsnade]

Definitely have to vote for Colchester Absolutely amazing enclosure!

 

[taun]

Wouldn't mind living in Marwell, Exmoor or Banham if I was a leopard (and I am ), but YWP is the clear choice.

In size maybe but I was disappointed with the lack foliage in the enclosure.

 

[FBBird]

In size maybe but I was disappointed with the lack foliage in the enclosure.

.....which imho is where Exmoor scores over the rest. It's got a lot of height and is very 'jungly'

 

[TNT]

.....which imho is where Exmoor scores over the rest. It's got a lot of height and is very 'jungly'

However much I love Exmoor, it is a small exhibit... especially for two individuals.

 

[TNT]

In size maybe but I was disappointed with the lack foliage in the enclosure.

As seen in the video above (from 2 mins), the foliage is far more developed now.

 

[amur leopard]

OK some analysis then.

Size:
YWP - 10 points
Banham - 9 points
Howletts - 8 points
Marwell - 7 points
Exmoor - 6 points
Colchester - 5 points
Twycross - 4 points
BCS NC - 3 points
Thrigby - 2 points
BCS Amur - 1 point

Climbing opportunities (very important for the most arboreal of the big cats (other than cloudies):
YWP - 10 points
Marwell - 9 points
Exmoor - 8 points
Howletts - 7 points
Thrigby - 6 points
Colchester - 5 points
BCS Amur - 4 points
Banham - 3 points
BCS NC - 2 points
Twycross - 1 points


Foliage (Not so important of Amur but necessary for the others):
Exmoor - 10 points
Marwell - 9 points
Banham - 8 points
YWP - 7 points
Colchester - 6 points
BCS NC - 5 points
Twycross- 4 points
Howletts - 3 points
Thrigby - 2 points
BCS Amur - 1 point

Altogether:
YWP - 27 points
Marwell - 25 points
Exmoor - 24 points
Banham - 20 points
Howletts - 18 points
Colchester- 16 points
BCS NC - 10 points
Thrigby - 10 points
Twycross - 9 points
BSC Amur - 6 points

I know this isn't objective, as it is based subjectively but I hope it sort of explains my vote.

 

[pipaluk]

I may be wrong but from memory Twycross and Colchester are both bigger than Exmoor, possibly Marwell as well

 

[TNT]

I may be wrong but from memory Twycross and Colchester are both bigger than Exmoor, possibly Marwell as well

I would have to agree here, Twycross is larger when you can see the whole exhibit.

 

[kiang]

Remembering that the Highland wildlife park has, perhaps the largest leopard enclosure, but completely off show.

 

[britishzoofan]

Remembering that the Highland wildlife park has, perhaps the largest leopard enclosure, but completely off show.

Yes, you are right I forget to mention it in my opening post. I didn't include it for the same reason as Port Lympne.

 

[TNT]

Once completed, I would place bets on the exhibit at Combe Martin being the best on show exhibit - as mentioned above, Highlands is off show, and I have not seen any images of the exhibit. I have been "behind the scenes" with @Brum to see the off show exhibit; whilst basic, it was of a decent size and well furnished for a temporary exhibit.

 

[pipaluk]

Once completed, I would place bets on the exhibit at Combe Martin being the best on show exhibit - as mentioned above, Highlands is off show, and I have not seen any images of the exhibit. I have been "behind the scenes" with @Brum to see the off show exhibit; whilst basic, it was of a decent size and well furnished for a temporary exhibit.

I thought from what has been said in the past that this was to be an offshow enclosure for breeding and release to wild like HWP?

 

[TNT]

I thought from what has been said in the past that this was to be an offshow enclosure for breeding and release to wild like HWP?

The individuals are part of the release programme. The exhibit will be on show... but from a distance I believe... @Brum may recall?

 

[pipaluk]

The individuals are part of the release programme, but the exhibit will be on show... but from a distance I believe... @Brum may recall?

Thanks, it looked impressive from a distance when I was there last July

 

[Tau]

Banham's indoor facility is definitely the best which is important for their hotter climate leopards.

YWP is still very bare for such elusive animals at a rather busy zoo although it improves every year with more vegetation growth! Night access is also important too but I do not know each collection.

My vote is for Banham, good indoor area compared, enclosure is a large size with mature trees and climbing logs.

 

[Brum]

I thought from what has been said in the past that this was to be an offshow enclosure for breeding and release to wild like HWP?

The individuals are part of the release programme. The exhibit will be on show... but from a distance I believe... @Brum may recall?

It will be on-show, but from the far side of the wolf and capybara enclosures. Not sure what the plan is with regards to "breed & release" as it will be very visible, and the public will be viewing it constantly. Don't think it will work for that specific purpose, but as a standard leopard enclosure then it truly will be spectacular if/when it gets built.

 

[britishzoofan]

Score update YWP currently well ahead of Colchester in second with 70% of the vote. YWP manages to combine a large enclosure with great height with excellent viewing opportunities. No other collection has quite managed to match YWP in that regard and is not as successful and enclosure according to members at the moment.