Yes, thanks for the info. Unfortunately there wasn't a photo of this in the gallery. This is the case for lots of the exhibits so it is great to see people who have visited describing them. If anyone has better photos that would be extremely useful.
Best UK South American Tapir enclosure
- Thread starter britishzoofan
- Start date
Yes, thanks for the info. Unfortunately there wasn't a photo of this in the gallery. This is the case for lots of the exhibits so it is great to see people who have visited describing them. If anyone has better photos that would be extremely useful.
Yes dartmoor's have a huge paddock with a smaller one attached to it, a house with 2 stalls and 2 yards, it's by far one of the biggest tapir enclosures in the uk.
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Have you visited South Lakes, I have have and I would never make such a bold statement about any enclosure, yes they are much improved since Mr Gill left but they have no stand out exhibit still and this certainly isn't one, and historically it would win the award for the worst enclosure.
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
I would have thought with your vast zoo knowledge which we all discovered on the best penguin enclosure thread, you would know the answer and know which places have the best breeding records, and the which have the best enclosure since you clearly have visited so many of the zoo's mentioned in this thread.
Any zoo that has allowed their tapirs to get eaten by bears and has had a plethora of escape scares sort of loses the "best exhibit" conversation as far as I'm concerned...
~Thylo
I would be interested to hear who those who have voted other are voting for. This may highlight a collection that has been overlooked by others.
Although I am currently keeping my vote with Newquay, I have to admit to being *highly* tempted to switch to Lake District Wildlife Park - not only is the exhibit rather larger than the photograph posted upthread makes it seem, but something that may not be immediately apparent is that the tapirs not only have full access to the beck (large stream) flowing through the exhibit, but also the other side of the enclosure beyond there. Some portions of the beck are deep enough that they can fully swim, especially when it has been raining and the beck is full. I am now looking for any photographs I may have which show this aspect of the exhibit better, along with displaying the size of the overall enclosure more accurately.
I've gone for Newquay - but I feel like I should caveat that with the fact I have not seen all of these in person. Seen a fair few - but not all.
I know Dartmoor is significantly bigger than the photo used appears and there is definitely some kind of stream / water running through the middle of it but I can't recall if it is deep enough for them to actually swim?
Just an aside - I was watching a live stream from Wingham a couple of weeks ago and during it their male Tapir emerged from the lake with a fish literally on his head
I know Dartmoor is significantly bigger than the photo used appears and there is definitely some kind of stream / water running through the middle of it but I can't recall if it is deep enough for them to actually swim?
Just an aside - I was watching a live stream from Wingham a couple of weeks ago and during it their male Tapir emerged from the lake with a fish literally on his head
I've gone for Newquay - but I feel like I should caveat that with the fact I have not seen all of these in person. Seen a fair few - but not all.
I know Dartmoor is significantly bigger than the photo used appears and there is definitely some kind of stream / water running through the middle of it but I can't recall if it is deep enough for them to actually swim?
Just an aside - I was watching a live stream from Wingham a couple of weeks ago and during it their male Tapir emerged from the lake with a fish literally on his head
The Dartmoor main exhibit has a massive pool and I don't know how deep it is, but it is definitely deep enough for them to swim properly.
PEAK WP
Visit last August with an Animal experience for a great nephew. 1 Male 2 females. Individual stables and yard, leading to a large paddock with fairly big pool. I would say 50% bigger than the Chester accommodation. Can't post photos as they all include the little guy.
Visit last August with an Animal experience for a great nephew. 1 Male 2 females. Individual stables and yard, leading to a large paddock with fairly big pool. I would say 50% bigger than the Chester accommodation. Can't post photos as they all include the little guy.
A few contenders for me. Lotherton's house is impressive with the indoor pool, Linton's is a nice size with pool and swamp and Knowsley's enclosure is huge with access to a large stretch of open water.
After consideration my vote goes to knowsley, purely because of the natural environment for the animals.
After consideration my vote goes to knowsley, purely because of the natural environment for the animals.
Glad to see no blind favoritism for Chester in this round 
A whopping zero votes!
~Thylo
A whopping zero votes!~Thylo
There's nothing particularly bad about it, but from a visitor viewpoint I think it is probably one of Chester's poorest exhibitsGlad to see no blind favoritism for Chester in this round
~Thylo
Thanks - did a quick bit of googling and I would say it is from this shot:
Feeding the Tapirs - Picture of Dartmoor Zoological Park, Sparkwell - Tripadvisor
For the record, my other vote is going to Lake District Wildlife Park, based on things I have heard about the exhibit. My second vote would probably go to Newquay or Longleat...though Linton do have a good breeding record too.
Not to mention they got coatis banned from the UK....
Europe.