Best UK Zoo Giraffe enclosure

[britishzoofan]

This is just a bit of fun to judge the general consensus on the best enclosure for Giraffes in zoos 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.

Unfortunately I couldn't find photos of all exhibits, so if anyone has been to Chessington, Wingham or Banham could they describe the exhibit, compare it to others and possibly provide photos. There are also quite a few exhibits I couldn't find a photo of the indoors or outdoors so could the same be done for them.

If you want to vote for: Banham, Blackpool, South Lakes, Dudley, London, Flamingo Land, Noah's Ark, Belfast, Blair Drummond, Colchester, Chessington, Paignton, Wingham then vote for the other option in the poll and post in the thread to highlight which collection you have voted for.

I have chosen not to include drive through enclosures for Giraffes because as mentioned previously it is not an equal comparison.

I would also mention for anyone who has not seen it to check out TLD's post in the Okapi thread as with 24 hours to go it may sway some voters minds.

Banham

Blackpool

YWP (Reticulated and Rothschild)

Cotswold (Rothschild)

South Lakes (Kordofan)

Dudley

Knowsley

London

Flamingo Land (Rothschild)

Marwell (Rothschild)

 

[britishzoofan]

Noah's Ark

Belfast (Rothschild)

Blair Drummond

Folly Farm

Wild Place (Reticulated)

Colchester (Reticulated)

Whipsnade (Reticulated)

Africa Alive (Reticulated)

Twycross (Reticulated and Rothschild)

Chessington (Rothschild)

Unfortunately, there are no photos of this enclosure in the gallery. It would be extremely useful if someone who has visited can describe the exhibit and give an evaluation on its quality.

Chester (Rothschild)

Paignton (Rothschild)

Wingham

Unfortunately, there are no photos of this enclosure in the gallery. It would be extremely useful if someone who has visited can describe the exhibit and give an evaluation on its quality.

 

[pipaluk]

This should be interesting! I can't think of an obvious winner here

 

[ZooBinh]

Hmm, I think we should ask @zoogiraffe how he feels about his home. Which zoo treats you the best?

 

[Jedd Cullinan]

Well I do have photos of the giraffes at Chessington if you want it

 

[TriUK]

I think it’s worth noting that the Paignton giraffe herd now have access to the whole paddock i.e elephant exhibit too & will in the near future ‘swap’ indoor enclosures, giving them much more space. I think PZ’s enclosure would then rival some of those you’ve included in the poll?

 

[Fallax]

I can't choose here... I'm going to need to think of this for a while.

 

[Sand Cat]

Just a quick note about Yorkshire Wildlife Park - the giraffes now have regular access to a very large, mixed-species paddock in addition to the rather unremarkable space originally given to them. This has massively increased how much space they have!

 

[taun]

Just a quick note about Yorkshire Wildlife Park - the giraffes now have regular access to a very large, mixed-species paddock in addition to the rather unremarkable space originally given to them. This has massively increased how much space they have!

But does it compare to Marwells valley? I don't think anything else does in the UK. Housing is all pretty much similar.

 

[Sand Cat]

But does it compare to Marwells valley? I don't think anything else does in the UK. Housing is all pretty much similar.

Possibly not, but I just wanted people to be aware that the small yard pictured doesn't really tell the full story for YWP's giraffe accommodation.

 

[Azubaa]

But does it compare to Marwells valley? I don't think anything else does in the UK. Housing is all pretty much similar.

Does the picture above represent The Valley? I’ve never been but if it does than YWP ‘African plains’ paddock is of higher quality imo. If not what does The Valley look like?
I like whipsnade’s two paddocks a lot. It offers a sandy and grassy substrate.
I’m also puzzled at any votes for Chester...

 

[scottie31]

But does it compare to Marwells valley? I don't think anything else does in the UK. Housing is all pretty much similar.

As far as I am aware, Marwell’s Giraffes have not had access to the valley field for some time now - at least, I have not seen them in there recently. If somebody who knows more about this situation could correct/confirm this that would be great.

For what it’s worth, I still voted for Marwell, as I just love the indoor viewing. Maybe I’m biased as it’s my ‘home’ zoo, but I’ve seen quite a few of the others and nothing has beaten it for me. The raised outdoor walkway is quite nice too.

 

[Zia]

But does it compare to Marwells valley? I don't think anything else does in the UK. Housing is all pretty much similar.

As far as I am aware, Marwell’s Giraffes have not had access to the valley field for some time now - at least, I have not seen them in there recently. If somebody who knows more about this situation could correct/confirm this that would be great.

For what it’s worth, I still voted for Marwell, as I just love the indoor viewing. Maybe I’m biased as it’s my ‘home’ zoo, but I’ve seen quite a few of the others and nothing has beaten it for me. The raised outdoor walkway is quite nice too.

I can confirm. Marwell's giraffe do not use the Valley and have not done so for years. They are in the field that has the raised viewing - area and I believe mixed with a couple (? not sure on numbers) of Buffalo. There is a second paddock on the other side of the indoor housing (alongside the lemur walkthrough) which I have seen them use for the giraffes in the past - but last time we visitied this was occupied by a different species.

To be honest I would describe the Valley Field development a complete travesty. It is an ill conceived design being very long and thin with viewing only from a thin end. It is now a huge expanse of land housing a relatively small number of ungulates. It has been hopelessly under used from the start. Waste of space. Waste of money. Don't much like the associated cafe either!

 

[scottie31]

They also share their paddock with some Plains Zebra as well. The other paddock you mention houses Lesser Kudu and Bongo - the Giraffes used to access the valley field through it.

There’s certainly no doubt that the valley field has been a disappointment. However, what frustrates me most about the whole thing is that I think it could still be a good exhibit - I often think that it would be great for Ostriches, for example. But I guess the failings of that particular area do not belong in this thread and are probably for another time!

 

[J C]

Not that it should make any difference to an enclosure poll but Twycross only have Rothschild now

 

[J C]

Twycross giraffes also share there paddock with Nyala now though I have never seen them together in the last year I did once see both gates to the paddock open at the same time so there was potential for this to happen and come to think of it the leopard tortoise where in the house also, in the sand area between giraffes and people which I though was a nice touch and good use of space and enrichment for the giraffes

 

[Andrew Swales]

Twycross giraffes also share there paddock with Nyala now though I have never seen them together in the last year I did once see both gates to the paddock open at the same time so there was potential for this to happen and come to think of it the leopard tortoise where in the house also, in the sand area between giraffes and people which I though was a nice touch and good use of space and enrichment for the giraffes

.. just curious to know what a giraffe might do with a tortoise, to provide it with 'enrichment'...

 

[J C]

Well we all need mates

 

[pipaluk]

I've seen all the nominated contenders apart from Folly Farm. It isn't an easy choice but I would suggest the contenders are YWP, Marwell, Twycross and Africa Alive, all have good or excellent outdoor enclosures and average upwards indoor accommodation.
I would suggest Banham is as good as Chester or Cotswold overall. Wild Place is ok outdoors, but can't remember the indoors.

 

[J C]

I've seen all the nominated contenders apart from Folly Farm. It isn't an easy choice but I would suggest the contenders are YWP, Marwell, Twycross and Africa Alive, all have good or excellent outdoor enclosures and average upwards indoor accommodation.
I would suggest Banham is as good as Chester or Cotswold overall. Wild Place is ok outdoors, but can't remember the indoors.

I would have to suggest Twycross indoor enclosure is excellent for both giraffes and people alike as is often mentioned on here about the cold Twycross wind it provides excellent warmth and shelter for both species