In your opinion which UK zoo utilizes its space the best taking into account ,the gardens,animal enclosures (both quality of exhibit & viewability), visitor facilities (taking into account toilets,gift shop ,cafe & children's activities) and the ability to carry out animal husbandry . Is there a Zoo which has used every bit of space available ?
Which UK Zoo Utilizes its space the best ?
- Thread starter garyjp
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Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Jersey Zoo , hands down.
Shaldon, Exmoor & Kirkley Hall in Newcastle are the 3 that stand out for me, maybe Colchester too?
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Agree with you on Shaldon ! An excellent use of space and focus on smaller species.
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I think dudley utilise their space well considering the geography of the site and all of the listed tectons and of course the castle.
Thrigby hall, not only are there beautifully crafted exhibits, but you can see them on multiple levels too
Birdland Park & gardens, Cotswold falconry centre & Hawk conservancy trust are all excellent collections and yes they are all bird related.
When I've been to Bristol Zoo, it seems to have a lot in a relatively small space, but still has green spaces and seems bigger than it is.
Agreed, for all their limitations they do a sterling job. Only complaint - too many primates, not enough carnivores. But that's subjective!
Also only three bird species, but hey, it’s really a specialist small primate collection, and they do that very well. And they have Margay....Agreed, for all their limitations they do a sterling job. Only complaint - too many primates, not enough carnivores. But that's subjective!
Exmoor and Axe Valley both do small carnivores extremely well. I’ll just say Fanaloka and Egyptian Mongoose
They also have the Owston's as well, always a plus.Also only three bird species, but hey, it’s really a specialist small primate collection, and they do that very well. And they have Margay....
Exmoor and Axe Valley both do small carnivores extremely well. I’ll just say Fanaloka and Egyptian Mongoose
Still need to get to Axe Valley for those mongoose, and the Chacoan Mara... Shame it's such a bugger to get to by public transport!
They also have the Owston's as well, always a plus.
Still need to get to Axe Valley for those mongoose, and the Chacoan Mara... Shame it's such a bugger to get to by public transport!
I knew someone who collected moths. I sent him a Mother's Day card. The Card Factory dosen't cater for people who collect bugs.
I’ll have to say that from my experience Colchester probably has the best utilisation of space, closely followed by Exmoor. On the flip side, as much as it kills me to say this, as I’ve been going as long as I can remember, the worst use of space has to go to West Midlands Safari Park.
Colchester certainly use all their available space to best advantage. It is packed with animal exhibits. The layout is perhaps somewhat confusing and muddled, but they have definately utilised their space to a maximum.
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Don't worry mate, I've got you covered! During the summer months at leastThey also have the Owston's as well, always a plus.
Still need to get to Axe Valley for those mongoose, and the Chacoan Mara... Shame it's such a bugger to get to by public transport!
I will definitely hold you to that. I'm really, really, REALLY keen to see some Egyptian Mongoose...Don't worry mate, I've got you covered! During the summer months at least
Maybe a Zoochat gathering at Axe Valley next summer?Don't worry mate, I've got you covered! During the summer months at least
I can't agree with Colchester, it's a bit of a maze and I can't imagine how they organised a one-way system for social distancing. Any zoo with paths that finish in dead-ends can't be using its space properly in my opinion.
The best use of space does depend on a number of factors, including the number of visitors and the character of those visitors too. The narrow winding paths at Exmoor and Axe Valley are fine for individuals and small family parties, but much less suitable for larger groups and wheelchair users. And of course zoos which get busy at peak periods need wide paths and sheltered indoor areas for rainy days. Some quiet areas with seats are necessary for older visitors (like me) and I don't think it's unreasonable for a zoological garden to have planted areas, particularly if it is located in a town or city. Perhaps Bristol goes a little too far in that direction, but it does show plenty of animals in generally well designed enclosures in a very small space.
The best use of space does depend on a number of factors, including the number of visitors and the character of those visitors too. The narrow winding paths at Exmoor and Axe Valley are fine for individuals and small family parties, but much less suitable for larger groups and wheelchair users. And of course zoos which get busy at peak periods need wide paths and sheltered indoor areas for rainy days. Some quiet areas with seats are necessary for older visitors (like me
) and I don't think it's unreasonable for a zoological garden to have planted areas, particularly if it is located in a town or city. Perhaps Bristol goes a little too far in that direction, but it does show plenty of animals in generally well designed enclosures in a very small space.