100% agreement
Europe's 100 must see exhibits
- Thread starter lintworm
- Start date
I think we are closer ideologically than you might think, but it is hard to discuss such topics via a screen
. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend zoohistorica this year, but if you find yourself in the Netherlands let me know . For example, I am personally a big fan of the Basel ape accomodation, which accomplishes on a small area what many "naturalistic" exhibits cannot. And there are plenty of examples like that which I do like, but with big cats and polar bears I tend to be somewhat more critical on the space aspect...The giant tortoise house at Tierpark Hellabrunn hasn't housed naked mole rats for more than ten years. Speaking of Hellabrunn(sic): its elephant house might be of similar zoo-historical relevance as its counterpart at Zoo Budapest.
@remar Considering that you have a bit of a soft spot for Schmiding, I understand that you want to jump into the breach for it, but...all olfactory & visual tiger options aside, it is a zoo that could do better. Especially when it comes to paying its staff.
The Munich elephant house is indeed a pearl and a much better fit for its inhabitants than Budapest. But at @Philipine eagle said the Budapest one is so much richer in detail it is for me one of the most beautiful zoo buildings anywhere. But Hellabrunn's elephant house is certainly noteworthy, and was already featured as a similar exhibit in the Budapest entry. As I try to avoid mentioning exhibits already mentioned in the similar exhibit section in the final summaries, it was not mentioned here. But you can find it all the way back:
Europe's 100 must see exhibits
To judge by my agreement with much of your selection,I dont disagree that our zoo philosophies may be fairly similar...for sure we are on the same tracks most of the time. As you say,something worthy of further discussion another time,another place.
It's better to be too big than too small. Also cramming animal also don't do well for AR groups.
And as previously mentioned, I agree with @Philipine eagle 's comparison. I brought the elephant house up for the sake of completeness - just like the fact that your statement regarding naked mole rat husbandry in Hellabrunn is slightly outdated.
As usual when it comes to nature, there are slight, often temporary exceptions to this rule (like raising juvenile snakes). But overcrowded and undersized exhibits in general should indeed be avoided. For the sake of the animals, not out of fear of AR activists who on principle will never be satisfied, no matter how huge your enclosures are.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
More slightly belated thanks to Lintworm on the completion of this piece of work.
Inspirational stuff and some of the exhibits definitely getting onto my 'must make a trip there' list as well as conjuring fond memories of visits to some of the German zoos on the list when I lived there / have visited there since moving away.
Thoroughly enjoyed the 'tour' of the selected 100 and the discussions on the exhibits also proved both interesting and thought provoking.
Inspirational stuff and some of the exhibits definitely getting onto my 'must make a trip there' list as well as conjuring fond memories of visits to some of the German zoos on the list when I lived there / have visited there since moving away.
Thoroughly enjoyed the 'tour' of the selected 100 and the discussions on the exhibits also proved both interesting and thought provoking.
BeNeLux
The Low Countries region has some of the highest densities of people and zoos in the world. With 15 exhibits on the list (10 in the Netherlands, 5 in Belgium) the region already has a good representation and many other exhibits got a mention in the similar exhibits section. There is however still a good selection of exhibits that deserves a mention.
Cultural theming is something that is quite easy to get wrong and most attempts aren't original. The number of loam huts, crashed planes and land rovers and Maya temple ruins in zoos is nearly uncountable and most aren't particularly great either. The desert enclosure in Wildlands is however more original. A few leftover train compartments were found near Frankfurt and successfully transported to Emmen. While their German origin is still visible to the attentive visitor, they have a distinct Asian feel now and fit well in between the onager and Bactrian camels. Not only does it break a sightline, it offers good close-up views from the inhabitants. This is an important lesson: even theming needs to be functional and it is often best done somewhat more low-key.
@vogelcommando
@vogelcommando
Most zoos that think about sightlines (Burgers' Zoo, not Beauval) try to make sure cross viewing between visitors is as limited as possible and they try to give the illusion visitors enter the animal habitat, not vice versa. Dierenpark Amersfoort designs many of its enclosures the other way around. They either seem to encroach in the visitor area, are seemingly connected to the paths or sightlines run straight through the enclosures via "pathways" that allows seeing visitors on the other side. This building style is especially prevalent in the Ancient City area, which in itself is an interesting attempt at cultural theming based on ancient Egypt and Persia.
@KevinB
@KevinB
Amersfoort has more interesting enclosures. It is a private zoo with a relatively low budget and a focus on children, but that doesn't mean it is of zero interest to zoo nerds. For enthusiasts the highlight is the nocturnal house, the only one of any scale in the country. Even more interesting is that most of it is a walkthrough, which is pretty unique on a European scale.
@KevinB
@KevinB
The hype of mega aviaries has also reached the Netherlands, while the "Snavelrijk" in Dierenpark Amersfoort is impressive, but not huge, the aviary in Dierenrijk is impressive at over 6000 square metres with free-flying pelicans, goliath herons and dozens of ibises. Dierenrijk is however one of those zoos to claim to have Europe's biggest aviary even though it isn't by a large margin, nor has it ever been.
Dierenrijk
@snowleopard
Animal rights organizations and zoos are often clinching, but that is not necessarily the case. One of the best brown bear enclosures on the continent, with a size of nearly 1.5 hectares is in fact a forest for rescued brown bears. The animals mostly come from Eastern Europe from dancing bears to former circus bears and in some cases also from other zoos. This Bear forest in Ouwehands Dierenpark offers them a worthy retirement. A small part was separated from the main enclosure and now functions as one of the better Malayan sun bear enclosures on the continent.
@Elko
@lintworm
The Netherlands is not the best place to go to for modern zoo architecture where the buildings are not only functional. The reticulated giraffe house in Diergaarde Blijdorp is an exception, better known as "the onion", this house is good for the giraffes, nice to look at and integrates surprisingly well in the landscape.
@Tiger
@Tiger
If there is any zoo aspiring zoo designers should go to, whether you are on a budget or not, is Gaiazoo. The level of landscaping here is extremely high, especially given the budget. Less then 20 years ago a whole new zoo was built for slightly more than 20 million euros. Refurbishments all around the zoo cannot have cost much more. This means that creating a spacious and good-looking zoo is cheaper than some of the most expensive single exhibits have cost. Expensive mock rock is not necessary if smart use of altitude differences and vegetation can do the trick too. I wanted to include the whole Taiga zone as an exhibit for this thread, but thought it would stretch the limit of the term exhibits too much. I still want to highlight it though, as it really is a low key triumph and a very pleasant, but relatively simple, zoo experience.
Forest reindeer enclosure (formerly musk ox)
@KevinB
Wolverine enclosure
@KevinB
One of the European mink enclosures
@Mr Gharial
With the exception of Antwerp the rest of the Belgian zoo world long stood in the shadow of its northern neighbour. This is much less the case nowadays. Belgium now has three good major zoos and smaller zoos are catching up too. Zoo Antwerp is once more one of the zoos with the best preserved historical architecture in the world and with it's beautiful gardens it has a unique atmosphere. For years the great ape house was an eyesore though. While the original enclosures are still in use, spacious, if somewhat open outdoor enclosures have been added for the gorillas and chimpanzees. The current exhibit is a mix of styles, but offers more privacy and options to split up groups than most other ape enclosures and that with limited space. Each species has multiple small indoor cages, the "winter garden" enclosures and the new grassy outdoors. This offers a highly stimulative environment at a relatively small scale, proving size is not all that matters.
@KevinB
@Tiger
@Valvas
With the new Sumatran orangutan accomodation Dierenpark Planckendael again shows that the KMDA (owner of both Zoo Antwerp and Planckendael) knows how to exhibit great apes. With multiple indoor and outdoor enclosures it is well adapted to the modern age and having the indoors in a (existing) greenhouse allows for green indoors too. Though the apes will decide themselves whether that is going to last.
@KevinB
Pairi Daiza was not always known for the grandiose delusions it is now sometimes prone too. At the start this young zoo really shone by integrating the original Cistercian buildings into the zoo. The capybara, lowland tapir and giant anteater enclosure borders an old tower and a historical water mill, which now houses the zoo brewery. It is one of those reminders that Pairi Daiza can also integrate human history and natural history in a low key way.
@KevinB
@Maguari
The Low Countries region has some of the highest densities of people and zoos in the world. With 15 exhibits on the list (10 in the Netherlands, 5 in Belgium) the region already has a good representation and many other exhibits got a mention in the similar exhibits section. There is however still a good selection of exhibits that deserves a mention.
Cultural theming is something that is quite easy to get wrong and most attempts aren't original. The number of loam huts, crashed planes and land rovers and Maya temple ruins in zoos is nearly uncountable and most aren't particularly great either. The desert enclosure in Wildlands is however more original. A few leftover train compartments were found near Frankfurt and successfully transported to Emmen. While their German origin is still visible to the attentive visitor, they have a distinct Asian feel now and fit well in between the onager and Bactrian camels. Not only does it break a sightline, it offers good close-up views from the inhabitants. This is an important lesson: even theming needs to be functional and it is often best done somewhat more low-key.
@vogelcommando
@vogelcommando
Most zoos that think about sightlines (Burgers' Zoo, not Beauval) try to make sure cross viewing between visitors is as limited as possible and they try to give the illusion visitors enter the animal habitat, not vice versa. Dierenpark Amersfoort designs many of its enclosures the other way around. They either seem to encroach in the visitor area, are seemingly connected to the paths or sightlines run straight through the enclosures via "pathways" that allows seeing visitors on the other side. This building style is especially prevalent in the Ancient City area, which in itself is an interesting attempt at cultural theming based on ancient Egypt and Persia.
@KevinB
@KevinB
Amersfoort has more interesting enclosures. It is a private zoo with a relatively low budget and a focus on children, but that doesn't mean it is of zero interest to zoo nerds. For enthusiasts the highlight is the nocturnal house, the only one of any scale in the country. Even more interesting is that most of it is a walkthrough, which is pretty unique on a European scale.
@KevinB
@KevinB
The hype of mega aviaries has also reached the Netherlands, while the "Snavelrijk" in Dierenpark Amersfoort is impressive, but not huge, the aviary in Dierenrijk is impressive at over 6000 square metres with free-flying pelicans, goliath herons and dozens of ibises. Dierenrijk is however one of those zoos to claim to have Europe's biggest aviary even though it isn't by a large margin, nor has it ever been.
Dierenrijk
@snowleopard
Animal rights organizations and zoos are often clinching, but that is not necessarily the case. One of the best brown bear enclosures on the continent, with a size of nearly 1.5 hectares is in fact a forest for rescued brown bears. The animals mostly come from Eastern Europe from dancing bears to former circus bears and in some cases also from other zoos. This Bear forest in Ouwehands Dierenpark offers them a worthy retirement. A small part was separated from the main enclosure and now functions as one of the better Malayan sun bear enclosures on the continent.
@Elko
@lintworm
The Netherlands is not the best place to go to for modern zoo architecture where the buildings are not only functional. The reticulated giraffe house in Diergaarde Blijdorp is an exception, better known as "the onion", this house is good for the giraffes, nice to look at and integrates surprisingly well in the landscape.
@Tiger
@Tiger
If there is any zoo aspiring zoo designers should go to, whether you are on a budget or not, is Gaiazoo. The level of landscaping here is extremely high, especially given the budget. Less then 20 years ago a whole new zoo was built for slightly more than 20 million euros. Refurbishments all around the zoo cannot have cost much more. This means that creating a spacious and good-looking zoo is cheaper than some of the most expensive single exhibits have cost. Expensive mock rock is not necessary if smart use of altitude differences and vegetation can do the trick too. I wanted to include the whole Taiga zone as an exhibit for this thread, but thought it would stretch the limit of the term exhibits too much. I still want to highlight it though, as it really is a low key triumph and a very pleasant, but relatively simple, zoo experience.
Forest reindeer enclosure (formerly musk ox)
@KevinB
Wolverine enclosure
@KevinB
One of the European mink enclosures
@Mr Gharial
With the exception of Antwerp the rest of the Belgian zoo world long stood in the shadow of its northern neighbour. This is much less the case nowadays. Belgium now has three good major zoos and smaller zoos are catching up too. Zoo Antwerp is once more one of the zoos with the best preserved historical architecture in the world and with it's beautiful gardens it has a unique atmosphere. For years the great ape house was an eyesore though. While the original enclosures are still in use, spacious, if somewhat open outdoor enclosures have been added for the gorillas and chimpanzees. The current exhibit is a mix of styles, but offers more privacy and options to split up groups than most other ape enclosures and that with limited space. Each species has multiple small indoor cages, the "winter garden" enclosures and the new grassy outdoors. This offers a highly stimulative environment at a relatively small scale, proving size is not all that matters.
@KevinB
@Tiger
@Valvas
With the new Sumatran orangutan accomodation Dierenpark Planckendael again shows that the KMDA (owner of both Zoo Antwerp and Planckendael) knows how to exhibit great apes. With multiple indoor and outdoor enclosures it is well adapted to the modern age and having the indoors in a (existing) greenhouse allows for green indoors too. Though the apes will decide themselves whether that is going to last.
@KevinB
Pairi Daiza was not always known for the grandiose delusions it is now sometimes prone too. At the start this young zoo really shone by integrating the original Cistercian buildings into the zoo. The capybara, lowland tapir and giant anteater enclosure borders an old tower and a historical water mill, which now houses the zoo brewery. It is one of those reminders that Pairi Daiza can also integrate human history and natural history in a low key way.
@KevinB
@Maguari
Another perceptive summary full of exhibits that I rate highly indeed....yet again, from a number of correspondents, we have the notion of "too small" and "crammed" without it being very specific. Dont get me wrong, Im not for tiny enclosures and I`m certainly not the long-dead English zoo eccentric Clin Keeling who claimed to"love" beastwagons....but why would the personal judgements of the current time be the correct ones? Could it be,that in fifty years time, the Zoochatters of the day regard notions of size and space in zoos today as being incredibly dated and retrograde. That David Field`s notion of a pair of Fossas needing the whole of the Mappin`s Terraces in London was basically naive. I stand by my assertion that zoo animals are essentially on display,or else there are few arguments for keeping many of them.Kansas City Zoo has a Chimp exhibit where the apes can get up into a bunch of trees,the only problem is that they seem so far way that they might as well be crows sat up on the branches. Im really not convinced that HUGE enclosures really do make that much difference...or will it be like Parc des Felins or Howletts where carnivore enclosures have a worn track around the perimeter with little evidence of any further usage of the space (a situation that probably wouldnt change if the enclosures were ten times the size).
Have thoroughly enjoyed this thread @lintworm, admire your commitment and knowledge. Feel honoured to have some of my photo used too. The thread has made me realise how much I have to see, but also grateful for how spoiled we are for choice here in Europe.
I'm off to Kolmarden on Thursday, so looking forward to ticking another enclosure on this list off!
I'm off to Kolmarden on Thursday, so looking forward to ticking another enclosure on this list off!
France
As a zoo country France has long been in the shadow of Germany and the UK and despite being home to the world's second oldest zoo there long wasn't much of a zoo tradition. That is changing now with a boom of (often private) zoos all over the countryside. French zoos as a whole might be very mammal focused, but the trend of mega aviaries, sometimes including large mammals, started here. While not the country to visit for zoo history, some of the oldest zoo structures of the continent are still standing. At the Menagerie, Jardin des Plantes in Paris the 1805 bear pit (now red panda and binturong and the 1812 rotunda (formerly pachyderms, now only giant tortoises) are about the oldest zoo structures outside of Vienna.
@TheoV
@lintworm
While not the St. Louis Zoo cypress swamp, the 1888 Grande Voliere in the Menagerie was unique for its time and this large aviary still holds up well.
@lintworm
The current front runner when it comes to enclosures is the Bioparc Zoo de Doué-la-Fontaine. Making perfect use of the terrain and mining history of the area, there is a variety of enclosures in quarries, either original or constructed for the exhibits itself. The famous okapi and South-American aviaries were in the original list, but the black rhino valley could have been there too. Especially as there is no exhibit on the list with rhinos as main inhabitant, bar two mixed species savannas.
@lintworm
@Maguari
In addition to the two mega aviaries, there are two more aviaries in the Bioparc. The European aviary is an original quarry and very pretty in a low-key way. The 2000 square metre dry African aviary is new and still much more artificial, but promises to become a stunning place too.
@Antoine
@lintworm
Some recent developments in the Bioparc have raised some more eyebrows, with interesting landscape choices. The Carnivore Craters are mostly good for their inhabitants and the lion enclosure is too large if anything, but the landscaping can put one off:
@lintworm
Another good rhino enclosure lies just to the west in the Parc de Branféré this up and coming zoo has high levels of enclosure design, but lacks a star enclosure, even though the new (but still unrepresented in the gallery) okapi complex could become that. The Indian rhino valley is however stunning, though relatively simple in design its size and line-up do make up for it. On over 1 hectare the Indian rhino share the place with blackbuck, nilgai, barasingha and hog deer
@lintworm
Parc de Branféré might also be home to Europe's best pygmy hippo outdoor enclosures, with a pair of well wooded enclosures that have both large land and large water parts.
@lintworm
Large mixed-species enclosures with ungulates are a staple in the many newer zoos in the French countryside. What is also surprisingly common are North-American mixed species exhibits where bison and black bear are mixed. This mix exists in Planete Sauvage and Thoiry as a drive-through, but the most beautifully designed enclosure for these species might well be located in the Parc Animalier de Sainte-Croix in northern France. No enclosure pictures of this place have been uploaded to the gallery, but this zoo focusing mostly on European and North American species is a rising star in Europe.
Another high quality zoo that is still largely unknown is the Parc Animalier d'Auvergne, multiple exhibits made the "similar exhibits" section. The forested hilly upper area of this zoo is well suited to create large natural looking exhibits. It does this for a variety of primates, carnivores and hoofstock, but the red squirrel exhibit might be the most extreme example
@literaturezoologique
Crocodile zoos are a type of zoo that is rather rare in most of the continent, but more common in France. The general idea in the French places is to have one or two giant enclosures for Nile crocodiles and or Mississippi alligators with smaller enclosures around. These giant enclosures with large numbers of large crocodilians are certainly an impressive sight. The best example might well be the nile crocodile pool in La Ferme aux Crocodiles in Pierrelatte.
@Gavial
@Gavial
While birds are a feature missing from most zoos, there are a few dedicated bird parks. The Parc des Oiseaux in Villars-les-Dombes is the largest in France and one of the largest on the continent. It's large mixed-species aviaries are often well-planted and very nice to look at.
@Gavial
@Gavial
While Nausicaa might be mostly known nowadays for its main tank with the giant manta. It also boasts one of the most interesting coral reef displays. A shallow lagoon visible both from above and below offers some great up-close views for small fish.
@lintworm
@lintworm
As a zoo country France has long been in the shadow of Germany and the UK and despite being home to the world's second oldest zoo there long wasn't much of a zoo tradition. That is changing now with a boom of (often private) zoos all over the countryside. French zoos as a whole might be very mammal focused, but the trend of mega aviaries, sometimes including large mammals, started here. While not the country to visit for zoo history, some of the oldest zoo structures of the continent are still standing. At the Menagerie, Jardin des Plantes in Paris the 1805 bear pit (now red panda and binturong and the 1812 rotunda (formerly pachyderms, now only giant tortoises) are about the oldest zoo structures outside of Vienna.
@TheoV
@lintworm
While not the St. Louis Zoo cypress swamp, the 1888 Grande Voliere in the Menagerie was unique for its time and this large aviary still holds up well.
@lintworm
The current front runner when it comes to enclosures is the Bioparc Zoo de Doué-la-Fontaine. Making perfect use of the terrain and mining history of the area, there is a variety of enclosures in quarries, either original or constructed for the exhibits itself. The famous okapi and South-American aviaries were in the original list, but the black rhino valley could have been there too. Especially as there is no exhibit on the list with rhinos as main inhabitant, bar two mixed species savannas.
@lintworm
@Maguari
In addition to the two mega aviaries, there are two more aviaries in the Bioparc. The European aviary is an original quarry and very pretty in a low-key way. The 2000 square metre dry African aviary is new and still much more artificial, but promises to become a stunning place too.
@Antoine
@lintworm
Some recent developments in the Bioparc have raised some more eyebrows, with interesting landscape choices. The Carnivore Craters are mostly good for their inhabitants and the lion enclosure is too large if anything, but the landscaping can put one off:
@lintworm
Another good rhino enclosure lies just to the west in the Parc de Branféré this up and coming zoo has high levels of enclosure design, but lacks a star enclosure, even though the new (but still unrepresented in the gallery) okapi complex could become that. The Indian rhino valley is however stunning, though relatively simple in design its size and line-up do make up for it. On over 1 hectare the Indian rhino share the place with blackbuck, nilgai, barasingha and hog deer
@lintworm
Parc de Branféré might also be home to Europe's best pygmy hippo outdoor enclosures, with a pair of well wooded enclosures that have both large land and large water parts.
@lintworm
Large mixed-species enclosures with ungulates are a staple in the many newer zoos in the French countryside. What is also surprisingly common are North-American mixed species exhibits where bison and black bear are mixed. This mix exists in Planete Sauvage and Thoiry as a drive-through, but the most beautifully designed enclosure for these species might well be located in the Parc Animalier de Sainte-Croix in northern France. No enclosure pictures of this place have been uploaded to the gallery, but this zoo focusing mostly on European and North American species is a rising star in Europe.
Another high quality zoo that is still largely unknown is the Parc Animalier d'Auvergne, multiple exhibits made the "similar exhibits" section. The forested hilly upper area of this zoo is well suited to create large natural looking exhibits. It does this for a variety of primates, carnivores and hoofstock, but the red squirrel exhibit might be the most extreme example
@literaturezoologique
Crocodile zoos are a type of zoo that is rather rare in most of the continent, but more common in France. The general idea in the French places is to have one or two giant enclosures for Nile crocodiles and or Mississippi alligators with smaller enclosures around. These giant enclosures with large numbers of large crocodilians are certainly an impressive sight. The best example might well be the nile crocodile pool in La Ferme aux Crocodiles in Pierrelatte.
@Gavial
@Gavial
While birds are a feature missing from most zoos, there are a few dedicated bird parks. The Parc des Oiseaux in Villars-les-Dombes is the largest in France and one of the largest on the continent. It's large mixed-species aviaries are often well-planted and very nice to look at.
@Gavial
@Gavial
While Nausicaa might be mostly known nowadays for its main tank with the giant manta. It also boasts one of the most interesting coral reef displays. A shallow lagoon visible both from above and below offers some great up-close views for small fish.
@lintworm
@lintworm
Sadly no, l visited May 2022, hoping to see it, as l had also seen this pic in the gallery.
Attachments
Thank you for your compliment, it means a lot to have multiple people call this the best thread ever on zoochat. I am glad all the work went into something meaningful for others.
It would be fun to see a worldwide thread at least or one for North America, but I am not in any position to write either, as I have visited only 10 zoos outside of Europe
. Though that means I have visited a few that should appear like Auckland Zoo's New Zealand section or Jurong's waterfall aviary.
Great Britain and Ireland
These two islands together host one of the largest concentrations of zoochatters worldwide. And while there is also a large number of zoos, especially in England, they are relatively uniform and only a few can compete with the better ones on the mainland. But the islands have more to offer than the ubiquitous chain link and wooden fences! Only Chester Zoo managed to secure multiple entries in the list and could have had a few more. There is one enclosure that I think one should have visited to really understand why it works so good. As someone who hasn't visited Chester yet, it missed out, something I wasn't thanked for by several of you
. I am of-course talking about the fruit bat forest, which is basically a giant shed with countless Rodriquez fruit bats and Seba's short-tailed bats.
@MagpieGoose
Another exhibit complex that is among the best of its kind and, like Realm of the Red Ape does for orang utan, offers countless possibilities to bring together and separate individuals is the black rhino complex "Tsavo Black Rhino Reserve". A large number of simple paddocks and multiple buildings offer a very effective home for this solitary species and while not flashy it does precisely what it means to.
@MagpieGoose
@MagpieGoose
Another stunning enclosure in Chester is for their giant otters. This is a refurbished sea lion exhibit and it works extremely well for these large carnivores.
@twilighter
One of the rising stars in the British zoo scene is the Yorkshire Wildlife Park. It's strength lies in creating large to huge enclosures. While they are relatively simple, sometimes too much so, and not too aesthetically pleasing with all the obvious fencing, the concept obviously works. Their Point Lobos Californian sea lion lakes are something else compared to your average sea lion pool.
@Mr.Weasel
One of the most famous sea lion "enclosures" anywhere is the half mile lake in Longleat Safari Park. This is Europe's first safari park and its most iconic exhibit must certainly be this huge natural lake with common hippo and Californian sea lions, as well as exhibits for colobus and gorilla. While offering lots of space, keeping pinnipeds in unfiltered freshwater isn't the best health wise.
@MagpieGoose
A different type of safari can be found in Scotland. The Highland Wildlife Park offers some of the most stunning vistas of any zoos, especially on their drive-through reserve which is inhabited by animals that are well adapted to the cold such as wisent and Bukhara deer.
@karenZOO
@MagpieGoose
The other side of the island offers one of the most African looking drive-throughs, with views of the English channel. The Port Lympne Reserve achieves this by the large number of hawthorns as acacia replacements, which are actively browsed by the resident giraffes. The addition of non-African species like deer somewhat reduces the African feeling. But this is still a beautiful drive-through with stunning vistas.
@MagpieGoose
@Maguari
Apart from safaris, the keeping of birds also has a great tradition in the United Kingdom. And while some aristocratic estates have transformed into full-blown zoos, the Waddesdon Manor is still very much a traditional estate. Built by the de Rothschildt family this manor has a clear link with natural history and the rococo style aviary complex from 1889 is a showpiece of that interest. This beautifully preserved aviary is stylish from the outside and very well-planted inside and has great breeding results of quite a number of rare bird species.
@ro6ca66
@ro6ca66
The keeping of waterfowl is still something the UK zoos excel in, in large part thanks to the multiple Waterfowl & Wetland Trust (WWT) establishments across the country. While the age of blue ducks is over, there are still some gems left. The Coastal Creek aviary in the WWT Arundel Wetland Centre, with its large variety of sea ducks, including the only scooters on public display in Europe, is such an example.
@MagpieGoose
The WWT Slimbridge Wetlands Centre has recently opened a large wader and duck aviary, the waterscape aviary, highlighting different wetland habitats. While this aviary was already mentioned in entry 61, the Boddenaviary in Marlow, no pictures were present in the gallery yet. Something that is now rectified:
@gulogulogulo
@gulogulogulo
If not for it's unfortunate closure, the main aviary of Living Coasts would have been an easy choice for the main list. But it was not to be, this means that the continent lost what was probably its best sea bird display and a much-loved specialist collection.
@TNT
The island of Ireland is much lighter on zoos than its larger neighbour. But given the difference in population, this is not completely unexpected. the Dublin Zoo is the most popular establishment and this is a good example of how you can make up for other flaws by a very strong horticultural department. Thinking about plants can make any enclosure look attractive and natural and the Dublin ape enclosures are a prime example of that. Dublin is also home to one of the very few O-lines for orang utan on the continent.
@TheoV
@MagpieGoose
The second major zoo in the Republic of Ireland is the FOTA Wildlife Park. While much more low-key it offers some interesting enclosures, of which a large aviary for white-tailed eagles and seals (both harbour and grey) is probably the most unique.
@TheoV
@TheoV
These two islands together host one of the largest concentrations of zoochatters worldwide. And while there is also a large number of zoos, especially in England, they are relatively uniform and only a few can compete with the better ones on the mainland. But the islands have more to offer than the ubiquitous chain link and wooden fences! Only Chester Zoo managed to secure multiple entries in the list and could have had a few more. There is one enclosure that I think one should have visited to really understand why it works so good. As someone who hasn't visited Chester yet, it missed out, something I wasn't thanked for by several of you
. I am of-course talking about the fruit bat forest, which is basically a giant shed with countless Rodriquez fruit bats and Seba's short-tailed bats.@MagpieGoose
Another exhibit complex that is among the best of its kind and, like Realm of the Red Ape does for orang utan, offers countless possibilities to bring together and separate individuals is the black rhino complex "Tsavo Black Rhino Reserve". A large number of simple paddocks and multiple buildings offer a very effective home for this solitary species and while not flashy it does precisely what it means to.
@MagpieGoose
@MagpieGoose
Another stunning enclosure in Chester is for their giant otters. This is a refurbished sea lion exhibit and it works extremely well for these large carnivores.
@twilighter
One of the rising stars in the British zoo scene is the Yorkshire Wildlife Park. It's strength lies in creating large to huge enclosures. While they are relatively simple, sometimes too much so, and not too aesthetically pleasing with all the obvious fencing, the concept obviously works. Their Point Lobos Californian sea lion lakes are something else compared to your average sea lion pool.
@Mr.Weasel
One of the most famous sea lion "enclosures" anywhere is the half mile lake in Longleat Safari Park. This is Europe's first safari park and its most iconic exhibit must certainly be this huge natural lake with common hippo and Californian sea lions, as well as exhibits for colobus and gorilla. While offering lots of space, keeping pinnipeds in unfiltered freshwater isn't the best health wise.
@MagpieGoose
A different type of safari can be found in Scotland. The Highland Wildlife Park offers some of the most stunning vistas of any zoos, especially on their drive-through reserve which is inhabited by animals that are well adapted to the cold such as wisent and Bukhara deer.
@karenZOO
@MagpieGoose
The other side of the island offers one of the most African looking drive-throughs, with views of the English channel. The Port Lympne Reserve achieves this by the large number of hawthorns as acacia replacements, which are actively browsed by the resident giraffes. The addition of non-African species like deer somewhat reduces the African feeling. But this is still a beautiful drive-through with stunning vistas.
@MagpieGoose
@Maguari
Apart from safaris, the keeping of birds also has a great tradition in the United Kingdom. And while some aristocratic estates have transformed into full-blown zoos, the Waddesdon Manor is still very much a traditional estate. Built by the de Rothschildt family this manor has a clear link with natural history and the rococo style aviary complex from 1889 is a showpiece of that interest. This beautifully preserved aviary is stylish from the outside and very well-planted inside and has great breeding results of quite a number of rare bird species.
@ro6ca66
@ro6ca66
The keeping of waterfowl is still something the UK zoos excel in, in large part thanks to the multiple Waterfowl & Wetland Trust (WWT) establishments across the country. While the age of blue ducks is over, there are still some gems left. The Coastal Creek aviary in the WWT Arundel Wetland Centre, with its large variety of sea ducks, including the only scooters on public display in Europe, is such an example.
@MagpieGoose
The WWT Slimbridge Wetlands Centre has recently opened a large wader and duck aviary, the waterscape aviary, highlighting different wetland habitats. While this aviary was already mentioned in entry 61, the Boddenaviary in Marlow, no pictures were present in the gallery yet. Something that is now rectified:
@gulogulogulo
@gulogulogulo
If not for it's unfortunate closure, the main aviary of Living Coasts would have been an easy choice for the main list. But it was not to be, this means that the continent lost what was probably its best sea bird display and a much-loved specialist collection.
@TNT
The island of Ireland is much lighter on zoos than its larger neighbour. But given the difference in population, this is not completely unexpected. the Dublin Zoo is the most popular establishment and this is a good example of how you can make up for other flaws by a very strong horticultural department. Thinking about plants can make any enclosure look attractive and natural and the Dublin ape enclosures are a prime example of that. Dublin is also home to one of the very few O-lines for orang utan on the continent.
@TheoV
@MagpieGoose
The second major zoo in the Republic of Ireland is the FOTA Wildlife Park. While much more low-key it offers some interesting enclosures, of which a large aviary for white-tailed eagles and seals (both harbour and grey) is probably the most unique.
@TheoV
@TheoV
Chester's giant otter enclosure is fantastic (though I don't see them outside too often) and it somehow didn't cross my mind at all until now. All in all, great picks here.Great Britain and Ireland
These two islands together host one of the largest concentrations of zoochatters worldwide. And while there is also a large number of zoos, especially in England, they are relatively uniform and only a few can compete with the better ones on the mainland. But the islands have more to offer than the ubiquitous chain link and wooden fences! Only Chester Zoo managed to secure multiple entries in the list and could have had a few more. There is one enclosure that I think one should have visited to really understand why it works so good. As someone who hasn't visited Chester yet, it missed out, something I wasn't thanked for by several of you
@MagpieGoose
Another exhibit complex that is among the best of its kind and, like Realm of the Red Ape does for orang utan, offers countless possibilities to bring together and separate individuals is the black rhino complex "Tsavo Black Rhino Reserve". A large number of simple paddocks and multiple buildings offer a very effective home for this solitary species and while not flashy it does precisely what it means to.
@MagpieGoose
@MagpieGoose
Another stunning enclosure in Chester is for their giant otters. This is a refurbished sea lion exhibit and it works extremely well for these large carnivores.
@twilighter
One of the rising stars in the British zoo scene is the Yorkshire Wildlife Park. It's strength lies in creating large to huge enclosures. While they are relatively simple, sometimes too much so, and not too aesthetically pleasing with all the obvious fencing, the concept obviously works. Their Point Lobos Californian sea lion lakes are something else compared to your average sea lion pool.
@Mr.Weasel
One of the most famous sea lion "enclosures" anywhere is the half mile lake in Longleat Safari Park. This is Europe's first safari park and its most iconic exhibit must certainly be this huge natural lake with common hippo and Californian sea lions, as well as exhibits for colobus and gorilla. While offering lots of space, keeping pinnipeds in unfiltered freshwater isn't the best health wise.
@MagpieGoose
A different type of safari can be found in Scotland. The Highland Wildlife Park offers some of the most stunning vistas of any zoos, especially on their drive-through reserve which is inhabited by animals that are well adapted to the cold such as wisent and Bukhara deer.
@karenZOO
@MagpieGoose
The other side of the island offers one of the most African looking drive-throughs, with views of the English channel. The Port Lympne Reserve achieves this by the large number of hawthorns as acacia replacements, which are actively browsed by the resident giraffes. The addition of non-African species like deer somewhat reduces the African feeling. But this is still a beautiful drive-through with stunning vistas.
@MagpieGoose
@Maguari
Apart from safaris, the keeping of birds also has a great tradition in the United Kingdom. And while some aristocratic estates have transformed into full-blown zoos, the Waddesdon Manor is still very much a traditional estate. Built by the de Rothschildt family this manor has a clear link with natural history and the rococo style aviary complex from 1889 is a showpiece of that interest. This beautifully preserved aviary is stylish from the outside and very well-planted inside and has great breeding results of quite a number of rare bird species.
@ro6ca66
@ro6ca66
The keeping of waterfowl is still something the UK zoos excel in, in large part thanks to the multiple Waterfowl & Wetland Trust (WWT) establishments across the country. While the age of blue ducks is over, there are still some gems left. The Coastal Creek aviary in the WWT Arundel Wetland Centre, with its large variety of sea ducks, including the only scooters on public display in Europe, is such an example.
@MagpieGoose
The WWT Slimbridge Wetlands Centre has recently opened a large wader and duck aviary, the waterscape aviary, highlighting different wetland habitats. While this aviary was already mentioned in entry 61, the Boddenaviary in Marlow, no pictures were present in the gallery yet. Something that is now rectified:
@gulogulogulo
@gulogulogulo
If not for it's unfortunate closure, the main aviary of Living Coasts would have been an easy choice for the main list. But it was not to be, this means that the continent lost what was probably its best sea bird display and a much-loved specialist collection.
@TNT
The island of Ireland is much lighter on zoos than its larger neighbour. But given the difference in population, this is not completely unexpected. the Dublin Zoo is the most popular establishment and this is a good example of how you can make up for other flaws by a very strong horticultural department. Thinking about plants can make any enclosure look attractive and natural and the Dublin ape enclosures are a prime example of that. Dublin is also home to one of the very few O-lines for orang utan on the continent.
@TheoV
@MagpieGoose
The second major zoo in the Republic of Ireland is the FOTA Wildlife Park. While much more low-key it offers some interesting enclosures, of which a large aviary for white-tailed eagles and seals (both harbour and grey) is probably the most unique.
@TheoV
@TheoV
Great Britain and Ireland
@MagpieGoose
@MagpieGoose
@MagpieGoose
@twilighter
@Mr.Weasel
One of the most famous sea lion "enclosures" anywhere is the half mile lake in Longleat Safari Park. This is Europe's first safari park and its most iconic exhibit must certainly be this huge natural lake with common hippo and Californian sea lions, as well as exhibits for colobus and gorilla. While offering lots of space, keeping pinnipeds in unfiltered freshwater isn't the best health wise.
@MagpieGoose
@TheoV
This lake 'exhibit' at Longleat will be illegal if the proposed changes to the UK Zoo Licencing laws come into force. They clearly state that pools, ponds and lakes within animal exhibits cannot be fed by run-off from land or buildings - thus banning all natural water areas, as by default these are fed by 'run-off' from land. This impending legislation has huge implications for organisations like the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, too.