Europe's 100 must see exhibits

[lintworm]

28. Mandrill and grivet
Tierwelt Herberstein, Austria
Opened: ?
Size: 6000 square metres
Inhabitants: Mandrill, grivet

Creating a great primate enclosure does not need to be extremely difficult, there is no need for expensive climbing equipment or use of mock rock in any form. What sets the great primate enclosures apart from all others is that they give their inhabitants access to living trees, preferably a large number. Not only do they offer a more complex environment than artificial climbing can offer. They also form enrichment as they attract countless invertebrates, which especially for smaller species are an addition to their diet. In the case of mandrill they also offer natural behaviour most other enclosures do not offer: the big males are too heavy to climb and are largely ground-bound, whereas females and youngsters do forage up high. There is fortunately an increasing number of zoos giving primates access to living trees, sometimes by connecting a tree to a cage. These exhibits are great for the primates, but also for visitors, as the one in Herberstein shows by having a large number of active primates in a naturalistic setting.

@Maxime

@Maxime



Similar exhibits: Examples including mandrill can be found in the Zoo de Jurques and la Vallee des Singes, Romagne, both in France. A non-mandrill example would be the Diana guenon enclosure in Zoo Ostrava, Czechia. Fortunately more and more examples become available. Even an existing cage can be easily upgraded if one makes a passage to nearby trees, as Zoo Wroclaw, Poland, among others, shows.

Zoo de Jurques

@lintworm

La Vallee des Singes

@lintworm

Zoo Ostrava

@lintworm

Zoo Wroclaw

@lintworm

 

[jwer]

28. Mandrill and grivet
Tierwelt Herberstein, Austria
Opened: ?
Size: 6000 square metres
Inhabitants: Mandrill, grivet

Creating a great primate enclosure does not need to be extremely difficult, there is no need for expensive climbing equipment or use of mock rock in any form. What sets the great primate enclosures apart from all others is that they give their inhabitants access to living trees, preferably a large number. Not only do they offer a more complex environment than artificial climbing can offer. They also form enrichment as they attract countless invertebrates, which especially for smaller species are an addition to their diet. In the case of mandrill they also offer natural behaviour most other enclosures do not offer: the big males are too heavy to climb and are largely ground-bound, whereas females and youngsters do forage up high. There is fortunately an increasing number of zoos giving primates access to living trees, sometimes by connecting a tree to a cage. These exhibits are great for the primates, but also for visitors, as the one in Herberstein shows by having a large number of active primates in a naturalistic setting.

@Maxime

@Maxime



Similar exhibits: Examples including mandrill can be found in the Zoo de Jurques and la Vallee des Singes, Romagne, both in France. A non-mandrill example would be the Diana guenon enclosure in Zoo Ostrava, Czechia. Fortunately more and more examples become available. Even an existing cage can be easily upgraded if one makes a passage to nearby trees, as Zoo Wroclaw, Poland, among others, shows.

Zoo de Jurques

@lintworm

La Vallee des Singes

@lintworm

Zoo Ostrava

@lintworm

Zoo Wroclaw

@lintworm

Although I don’t mind this inclusion (looks wonderful), I wonder why you picked Herberstein above all other naturalistic primate enclosures. As you state, many others are (almost?) just as enjoyable, so what makes us need to drive to Austria for?

Or is it’s inclusion just a celebration of naturalistic primate enclosures in general? Which I don’t mind, but it might rule out a few others down the line that I’m hoping to pop up at some point

 

[Batto]

As you state, many others are (almost?) just as enjoyable, so what makes us need to drive to Austria for?

That there is no


(wait for it)



CONCRETE?

Furthermore, there’s a pretty good icecream store closeby that has won the Gelato Festival World Master at least once. And the white Austrian Hungarian donkeys are kinda cute, in a freakish way.

 

[CGSwans]

Also, this is not a thread only for Dutch readers. Why should Austrians have to drive to the Netherlands?

 

[MRJ]

Furthermore, there’s a pretty good icecream store closeby that has won the Gelato Festival World Master at least once. And the white Austrian Hungarian donkeys are kinda cute, in a freakish way.

Well that would have to settle it.

 

[Batto]

Why should Austrians have to drive to the Netherlands

Vla, stroopwafels and the annual Snake day at Houten.

 

[lintworm]

Although I don’t mind this inclusion (looks wonderful), I wonder why you picked Herberstein above all other naturalistic primate enclosures. As you state, many others are (almost?) just as enjoyable, so what makes us need to drive to Austria for?

Or is it’s inclusion just a celebration of naturalistic primate enclosures in general? Which I don’t mind, but it might rule out a few others down the line that I’m hoping to pop up at some point

It won't be the last naturalistic primate enclosure in the list and there will be an option closer to home. It will be the only one featuring solely old world monkeys.

The reason for including it was on the merits of the enclosure itself and that I find it a very interesting mix (despite not being geographically accurate), which I don't think it copied elsewhere. But also to keep a good geographic spread of zoos around Europe and highlight an otherwise largely unknown, but interesting, facility here. I have known about Herberstein and this enclosure for a decade now and it is high on my must-see list, but it is unfortunately a pain in the ass to reach by public transport...

 

[Batto]

I have known about Herberstein and this enclosure for a decade now and it is high on my must-see list, but it is unfortunately a pain in the ass to reach by public transport...

Then maybe just add exhibits you have actually been to in person...^^

 

[jwer]

That there is no


(wait for it)



CONCRETE?

That was the reason for my question. I’m sure that @lintworm has seen many exhibits without concrete, as I have. I’m not convinced I would have picked this exhibit above the others I’ve seen, so I was curious to learn why he did

Also, this is not a thread only for Dutch readers. Why should Austrians have to drive to the Netherlands?

I thought this thread was about 100 “must-see” exhibits. If all of them happen to be in Germany, then so be it. You can say what you want about the Cotswold’s walled garden, Howletts gorillarium or that concrete gibbon monstrosity, they are all very unique. This one is less “one of a kind” if you will.

The reason for including it was on the merits of the enclosure itself and that I find it a very interesting mix (despite not being geographically accurate), which I don't think it copied elsewhere. But also to keep a good geographic spread of zoos around Europe and highlight an otherwise largely unknown, but interesting, facility here. I have known about Herberstein and this enclosure for a decade now and it is high on my must-see list, but it is unfortunately a pain in the ass to reach by public transport...

Fair enough, I agree that it is a very interesting mix of species that are both not very well represented and never mixed. Both are also active species, so it’s probably an exhibit where there is always something happening, which I think make great exhibits for the average zoo-goer.

Odd you missed pointed out the nearby icecream-shop. Perhaps the exhibits greatest strongpoint

I don’t want to sound harsh or unfriendly, I’m loving the thread and most of the picks could easily be on anyone’s list. I’m also enjoying the banter/discussions because in many cases, it gives more insight why the current exhibit was picked or other options that could have been picked, to highlight Europe’s diversity (and to celebrate that we have the greatest hobby on earth ).

Then maybe just add exhibits you have actually been to in person...^^

This suggests a little that the exhibit isn’t as good once you’ve seen it, but I doubt that’s what you meant? If not, then what did you mean by that?

 

[Batto]

If not, then what did you mean by that?

If I understood correctly, @lintworm hasn't been to Herberstein in person...

 

[Philipine eagle]

This is also for me a rather unexepected choice and I understand the reservations Jwer made.

There're far better exhibits which fits the description Lintworm give (natural climbing opportunities), some of which he himself gave as example, and a certain geographical spread of must see exhibits is a new selection criterion (which is of course Lintworm's full right )

Imo the rather unsual mix of mandrill and grivet is not a strong point to select this exhibit: there're a lot of guenon species that cry out for extra holders and which fit better in the ecological niche of African rainforest primates. That applies equally to the vegetation 'choice': I prefer by far the deciduous trees in the other exhibits than the Norway spruce of Herbertstein.

So out of the 28 items so far, this is certainly not the most surprising but probably, for me, the least I can agree with. But that's what keeps this thread so much fun.

 

[lintworm]

29. Kaeng Krachan Elefantenpark
Zoo Zurich, Switzerland
Opened: 2014
Size: 11000 square metres
Inhabitants: Asian elephant, blackbuck, lesser mouse deer, Vietnamese leaf turtle, a few birds and invertebrates

WIth a diameter of over 80 metres the turtle back shaped roof is the main eye-catcher at first sight. With a reticulated pattern of wood and transparent foil it aims to create the illusion of a forest canopy and while dominant from a distance, the building does not dominate the elephants inside. This is by a margin the most complex elephant indoor enclosure in the world, combining space with a structured environment. The whole complex (3 indoor enclosures, 3 outdoor enclosures) features over 40 different feeding stations and maximum flexibility for the 2 matriarchal groups + bull that reside here. While the outdoor enclosure might be relatively cramped compared to the indoors, the number of feeding stations and multiple rotations between the exhibits throughout the day makes for some of the most active elephants in Europe. Again proving former zoo director Heini Hediger right that space is not everything. The exhibit is surrounded by education on human-elephant conflicts in Thailand, which the zoo works in situ to decrease. The main downside is the relative lack of smaller animals surrounding the elephants, with only 5 side-exhibits.

@lintworm

@TheoV

@lintworm

@Gil

@Gil

Similar exhibits: Several large elephant houses have been constructed, but as the Koelner Zoo, Germany, and Nowe Zoo Poznań show, space is not everything. These houses are often barely furnished. On a smaller scale, Dierenpark Amersfoort, the Netherlands, has created a more complex indoor enclosure and shows what can be done if one does not have the budget of a Swiss giant.


Koelner Zoo:

@Glutton

Nowe Zoo Poznań

@twilighter

Dierenpark Amersfoort:

@KevinB

 

[jwer]

Anyone in their right mind would put this exhibit on the list.

The exhibit in Zurich just didn’t wow me as I expected, so I still prefer Koelner Zoo’s rediculously large elefantenthingy. But I fully accept I will be a minority, the exhibit in Zurich really is something else…

And I absolutely love Amersfoorts female stables as an example of how to build something great, without the massive budget the other examples obviously did have. Their male elephant stable is functional, but looks to have come straight out of WW II it’s just a barren bunker which is usually closed for public. Both do have natural substrate (sand) though.

 

[Jurek7]

Curiously, I heard that elephant keepers themselves don't find Zurich's elephant house so good. One of problems seems to be that the sand indoors cannot be kept truly clean. But it is still one of great elephant exhibits.

 

[pachyderm pro]

29. Kaeng Krachan Elefantenpark
Zoo Zurich, Switzerland
Opened: 2014
Size: 11000 square metres
Inhabitants: Asian elephant, blackbuck, lesser mouse deer, Vietnamese leaf turtle, a few birds and invertebrates

WIth a diameter of over 80 metres the turtle back shaped roof is the main eye-catcher at first sight. With a reticulated pattern of wood and transparent foil it aims to create the illusion of a forest canopy and while dominant from a distance, the building does not dominate the elephants inside. This is by a margin the most complex elephant indoor enclosure in the world, combining space with a structured environment. The whole complex (3 indoor enclosures, 3 outdoor enclosures) features over 40 different feeding stations and maximum flexibility for the 2 matriarchal groups + bull that reside here. While the outdoor enclosure might be relatively cramped compared to the indoors, the number of feeding stations and multiple rotations between the exhibits throughout the day makes for some of the most active elephants in Europe. Again proving former zoo director Heini Hediger right that space is not everything. The exhibit is surrounded by education on human-elephant conflicts in Thailand, which the zoo works in situ to decrease. The main downside is the relative lack of smaller animals surrounding the elephants, with only 5 side-exhibits.

@lintworm

@TheoV

@lintworm

@Gil

@Gil

Similar exhibits: Several large elephant houses have been constructed, but as the Koelner Zoo, Germany, and Nowe Zoo Poznań show, space is not everything. These houses are often barely furnished. On a smaller scale, Dierenpark Amersfoort, the Netherlands, has created a more complex indoor enclosure and shows what can be done if one does not have the budget of a Swiss giant.


Koelner Zoo:

@Glutton

Nowe Zoo Poznań

@twilighter

Dierenpark Amersfoort:

@KevinB

I've always loved Zurich's elephant house. I really wish we would see an American zoo or even another European one create a naturalistic elephant house just like it. I'm of the belief that if indoor enclosures are on public view the same amount of effort should be put into aesthetics as the outdoor habitats, and this house nails it. I am a little confused about part of this design. Do guests have to backtrack to the exit from where the mouse deer and herps are?

 

[lintworm]

The exhibit in Zurich just didn’t wow me as I expected, so I still prefer Koelner Zoo’s rediculously large elefantenthingy. But I fully accept I will be a minority, the exhibit in Zurich really is something else…

I think zoos like Zurich can suffer from creating very high expectations before a first visit, that are impossible to fulfil, so one is always disappointed in the end. I am not really a fan of the Cologne building at all. It looks like an oversized grey cathedral in which the elephants appear lost and apart from space it doesn't offer a lot. Outdoors is even worse with only sand and loads of mock rock imo...

Curiously, I heard that elephant keepers themselves don't find Zurich's elephant house so good. One of problems seems to be that the sand indoors cannot be kept truly clean. But it is still one of great elephant exhibits.

Wouldn't that be a problem for any recent indoor elephant exhibit, except Basel?

I am a little confused about part of this design. Do guests have to backtrack to the exit from where the mouse deer and herps are?

Yes they do, which is indeed strange...

 

[Rayane]

Do guests have to backtrack to the exit from where the mouse deer and herps are?

They do and I'll speak for me but I think I'm the only one who found that part of the house very disapointing. Looking for the mousedeers and the birds through little holes in a wall is not very fun and the turtle exhibit is not worth the walk.

 

[Philipine eagle]

An exceptional exhibit, far better than the imo barren Kölner exhibit: fascinating architecture, under water viewing, additional (smaller) species. Indeed it might be outside a little bit too small, but otherwise another fantastic Zurich contribution to this list.

 

[jwer]

I think zoos like Zurich can suffer from creating very high expectations before a first visit, that are impossible to fulfil, so one is always disappointed in the end. I am not really a fan of the Cologne building at all. It looks like an oversized grey cathedral in which the elephants appear lost and apart from space it doesn't offer a lot. Outdoors is even worse with only sand and loads of mock rock imo...

I fully agree about the expectations. It probably never had a fighting chance.

Some more considerations that popped up. When I visited at the time, the whole elephant exhibit lay out of the way on a full dead end. The ladies were out, so inside it was quiet and as mentioned, another dead end. Quite the walk for just 3? species. I think with the Lewa savannah now open, part of that nuisance will be gone.

At the time, they had quite famous and large bull, but the outside bull exhibit was only viewable from afar. Thinking that the zoo wouldn’t be so stupid to stick it’s most impressive specimen away unviewable, I walked all the way inside down the dead end hoping to peak into it’s stable, only to find out they actually had done exactly that, quite the disappointment back then.

I know the outside area of Köln is barren as hell (and although I have not been to hell, I expect the comparison might actually be pretty accurate) and I hate it for it as the next ZooChatter. But let’s be honest, with the space most European zoos give their elephants, any outside space will either be barren, or reduced to it within a few months. The only thing Zurich seems to have going for it, is that at some points it allows foliage to creep up to the fence for the elephants to browse(if they actually let that happen). And it allows for greener sight-lines for the visitors…

The inside of Köln is indeed a few stained windows, an altar and a man with a miter away from being a cathedral. And how many zoos do you know where you can say that? I also agree it does provide very little, but space. But with that, I feel that it does something pretty unique in Europe. Giving the feeling of true space to roam, inside. And with that, imo it raises a bar. If you want to build the best elephant exhibit in Europe, the bar is now set to at least match Köln’s space, and add (for example) Zürichs aesthetics. And anything cathedral-like coming out of Köln can’t be bad

 

[Rayane]

any outside space will either be barren, or reduced to it within a few months.

Not sure how the complex compares to any other exhibit when it comes to enrichment, but Beauval actually has a fairly green exhibit for its african elephants, along with trees in the background if I remember correctly, it's nice to look at.