It reminds me Pilsen enclosure (which is much, much newer of course)25. Bear enclosure
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable, UK
Opened: 1931
Size: 5000 square metres
Inhabitants: European brown bear
Enclosures are often said to have a shelf life of 30 years. Unsurprisingly it is rare to see an enclosure older than that with which there is still not much wrong, as zoo husbandry is constantly evolving. To find an enclosure that is close a century old, without changing much at all, but still being well suited to its inhabitants, is an extremely rare sight. The brown bear enclosure in Whipsnade does just that. By just fencing in a piece of woodland, it was far ahead of its time in an age where concrete pits and cages were the standard. If not for the antique looking fence, one wouldn’t have given it so many years. By keeping it simple, it was far ahead of its time, this is a lesson that some zoo architects now (and then) could well use.
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Europe's 100 must see exhibits
- Thread starter lintworm
- Start date
I’m quietly waiting for Apenheul’s squirrel monkeys to come up, as I’m sure it will. The statement that it’s not exceptional anymore is a bit suprising for me? Where else would you find anything remotely the same?
I had heared about the Whipsnade bear enclosure, but I didn’t know it was that old. That does make it quite unique. I’m missing the “similar exhibits” section, perhaps there were too many?
I thought about adding Ouwehands bear exhibit to my list, which imo is pretty similar. The story of it being tied to decades of giving rescued bears a home behind it, makes it at least as remarkable in my mind. I didn’t add to my list because the exhibit imo isn’t beautifull enough.
But since you haven’t marked it as a “similar exhibit”, i’m now wondering if it will show up later in this thread or not. Oh dear, guess I’ll have to see this whole thread through now
With a little delay here https://www.facebook.com/ParcAnimalierdAuvergne/videos/découvrez-les-chambres-de-la-tête-dans-les-étoiles-/939547756699837/ a link to a long video filmed in Parc Animalier d'Auvergne where you will see first the amur leopard enclosure and other brillant exhibits too.
Hope it will help some to visualize what this park is now
Bengal Tiger
Well-Known Member
Which book was this?
Those were indeed the days, at their height the Zodiac Zoos were great examples of what to do on a small budget, with the quirky Wissel Zoo maybe as a highlight. That was also a great age for smaller mammals in Dutch zoos...
Naturally the leeches are in their separate tank, being aquatic they wouldn't do well in a walkthrough
Interesting, I had never thought of it like that, but it seems to make sense. It took until the 1920s en 1930s before Hagenbeck was copied.
I thought about adding Ouwehands bear exhibit to my list, which imo is pretty similar. The story of it being tied to decades of giving rescued bears a home behind it, makes it at least as remarkable in my mind. I didn’t add to my list because the exhibit imo isn’t beautifull enough.
But since you haven’t marked it as a “similar exhibit”, i’m now wondering if it will show up later in this thread or not. Oh dear, guess I’ll have to see this whole thread through now
There are a lot, really a lot, large naturalistic brown bear enclosures, ranging in size from 5000 metres to many hectares. There are examples in major zoos like Plzen, Wroclaw and Ouwehands, but many more in smaller zoos and wildparks around the continent like in Mueritz, Bayerische Wald, Kolind and more. I could have listed them as similar exhibits, but they aren't quite as ancient as Whipsnade, so left them out.
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26. Spirit of the Jaguar
Chester Zoo UK
Opened: 2001
Size: 6200 square metres
Inhabitants: Jaguar, Lake Titicaca frog, two-toed sloth, bush dog and several ectotherms
Not only leopards, but all spotted cats generally get the short end of the stick. Jaguar are even more tricky, as they need access to a heated indoor enclosure, which the majority of leopards in Europe don't need. Chester’s accommodation consists of two outdoor enclosures of 1200 square metres each, with an adjacent indoor enclosure of 800 square metres each, the latter is larger than most zoos provide outdoor enclosures for their spotted cats (though one of the exhibits is currently used by bush dogs). Not only does this exhibit provide a lot of space, but with one half themed as a rainforest and the other half as a savanna, it shows the versatility of these big cats in their native environment. Size is not everything, but each enclosure is also well-structured and seeing a jaguar is certainly not a given. With this exhibit now over 20 years old, it is surprising not more zoos have followed suit in providing spacious indoor housing for their big tropical cats.
@SMR
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@gulogulogulo
@Jordan-Jaguar97
Chester Zoo UK
Opened: 2001
Size: 6200 square metres
Inhabitants: Jaguar, Lake Titicaca frog, two-toed sloth, bush dog and several ectotherms
Not only leopards, but all spotted cats generally get the short end of the stick. Jaguar are even more tricky, as they need access to a heated indoor enclosure, which the majority of leopards in Europe don't need. Chester’s accommodation consists of two outdoor enclosures of 1200 square metres each, with an adjacent indoor enclosure of 800 square metres each, the latter is larger than most zoos provide outdoor enclosures for their spotted cats (though one of the exhibits is currently used by bush dogs). Not only does this exhibit provide a lot of space, but with one half themed as a rainforest and the other half as a savanna, it shows the versatility of these big cats in their native environment. Size is not everything, but each enclosure is also well-structured and seeing a jaguar is certainly not a given. With this exhibit now over 20 years old, it is surprising not more zoos have followed suit in providing spacious indoor housing for their big tropical cats.
@SMR
@gulogulogulo
@gulogulogulo
@Jordan-Jaguar97
Given how clearly I remember this being built, I was enjoying that post until you wrote that.
I was roughly two years old when it openedGiven how clearly I remember this being built, I was enjoying that post until you wrote that.
I was roughly two years old when it opened
Oh, don't start that game. Or I'll have to start listing animals I saw in those days that can't be seen now to quiet you down.
Oh, don't start that game. Or I'll have to start listing animals I saw in those days that can't be seen now to quiet you down.
Bengal Tiger
Well-Known Member
I find this amusing as I am a 13 year old. I suppose I’ll get in conversations like this when I am old(er)
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Bengal Tiger
Well-Known Member
I possess incredible power that no mere mortal can comprehend!!! I still fixed it as I must keep my magic a secret *vanishes*Impressive how you aged 10 years in the space of six months…
26. Spirit of the Jaguar
Chester Zoo UK
Opened: 2001
Size: 6200 square metres
Inhabitants: Jaguar, Lake Titicaca frog, two-toed sloth, bush dog and several ectotherms
Not only leopards, but all spotted cats generally get the short end of the stick. Jaguar are even more tricky, as they need access to a heated indoor enclosure, which the majority of leopards in Europe don't need. Chester’s accommodation consists of two outdoor enclosures of 1200 square metres each, with an adjacent indoor enclosure of 800 square metres each, the latter is larger than most zoos provide outdoor enclosures for their spotted cats (though one of the exhibits is currently used by bush dogs). Not only does this exhibit provide a lot of space, but with one half themed as a rainforest and the other half as a savanna, it shows the versatility of these big cats in their native environment. Size is not everything, but each enclosure is also well-structured and seeing a jaguar is certainly not a given. With this exhibit now over 20 years old, it is surprising not more zoos have followed suit in providing spacious indoor housing for their big tropical cats.
@SMR
@gulogulogulo
@gulogulogulo
@Jordan-Jaguar97
Another post where the “similar exhibits” section is missing. I’m assuming that is because there are none and tbh, I also can’t think of any. Which is either rediculous or sad, whatever way you look at it.
I didn’t know about this exhibit and although I’m not overly wowed, I absolutely agree that spotted cats usually get the short end of an already pretty short stick. I’m a little disappointed that this is the best Europe can do when it comes to leopards or jaguars.
You will soon enough. First, young football talents will be younger then you are, then the coaches of the day will be people you have seen as players and before you know it, the coaches of the day will be the children of people you have seen playing.
I have thought about similar exhibits, but I could not come up with any that apart from a good outdoor enclosure (often only 1) also offer good indoor enclosures.
The trend still seems to be a focus on one large outdoor enclosure, with limited separation options and one smallish visible indoor enclosure as is the case in Salzburg.
Of all the spotted cats only snow leopards really seem to get taken serious with several stellar enclosures. But they seem to need less separation options anyway, as it seems males are often kept together with young from quite a young age. But more on snow leopards later
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It is a lot better than it comes over in pictures, to be fair. It is really good - though the viewing gets a bit congested (often a Chester exhibit's Achilles' heel).
You will soon enough. First, young football talents will be younger then you are, then the coaches of the day will be people you have seen as players and before you know it, the coaches of the day will be the children of people you have seen playing.
Crucially, I've still always managed to contrive to be younger than the current Doctor Who. But a new one is due imminently, so my fingers are crossed...
jwer said:You will soon enough. First, young football talents will be younger then you are, then the coaches of the day will be people you have seen as players and before you know it, the coaches of the day will be the children of people you have seen playing.
I’m down to one player in the Australian Football League (my primary sport) who is older than I am. He is never allowed to retire - I don’t care if he’s pulling on football boots in his 80s, he needs to be out there playing.
Can remember the careers of 14 of the 18 current coaches, too.
Well hopefully, in a few months, there will be one worth of a mention
Wasn’t Zlin supposed to open a new Jaguar exhibit with imported individuals?