Colchester Zoo Dragons of Komodo

J

James27

Well-Known Member
Does anyone have any pictures of this exhibit? Just wondering what it's like, as this species isn't in many zoos. Have looked on Flickr with no luck.
Thanks :)
 
sorry i dont want to appear stupid or anything but which zoo are we talking about?
 
foz said:
sorry i dont want to appear stupid or anything but which zoo are we talking about?
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LA, I believe.



After a quick search of the gallery, I found these pictures courtesy of mstickmanp:

http://www.zoochat.com/578/dragons-komodo-exhibit-los-angeles-zoo-42490/

http://www.zoochat.com/578/komodo-dragon-exhibit-los-angeles-zoo-42670/

http://www.zoochat.com/578/dragons-komodo-exhibit-los-angeles-zoo-42613/

http://www.zoochat.com/578/dragons-komodo-los-angeles-zoo-61803/

Hope this helps :)
 
ashley-h said:
Does anyone have any pictures of this exhibit? Just wondering what it's like, as this species isn't in many zoos. Have looked on Flickr with no luck.
Thanks :)
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Sorry, when I was there I couldn't get a good photo of the enclosure because the waterfall was causing so much spray, so instead I just took photos of the dragons themselves. They had a very good sized enclosure with logs, rocks and, as I mentioned, a waterfall running into a pool. There was quite a lot of foliage in the enclosure as well. Hopefully someone else will be able to post a photo for you.
 
Ok, thanks. Just curious as the Orang enclosure seems pretty poor. And I was on about Colchester, thought I'd put it in the Colchester forum :-s
 
Dragons of Komodo is quite a strange building. It has been built at great expense for 1.2 adult dragons, but it has only held 2 young ones so far (although I think some other species have been kept there temporarily). If you think of a very large glass shoebox with a concrete back wall, modelled to resemble old red sandstone - but with a rather unpleasant deep blood-red colour, quite unlike any rock I have ever seen. The interior is partitioned into three sections - small, large and small, by more red concrete. There is a water feature and some planting, but it does not look as good as London's or Chester's dragon displays.

Alan
 
Alan's description is, as ever, very fair. It's another real Colchester enclosure. Lots of straight lines. Lots of glass. Probably quite good from the animals' point-of-view. Lots of rather garish and not always logical interpretation. Could have done with an architect on board who thought about the aesthetics.
 
Sounds interesting, but like I've said before, if the animals like it then I don't care what it looks like :)
 
ashley-h said:
Sounds interesting, but like I've said before, if the animals like it then I don't care what it looks like :)
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Colchester is clearly the zoo for you, then!

Clearly, something has to work form an animals' point of view. if it doesn't, it's no good as an enclosure, no matter how beautiful it might look. but if it does work, then surely it should look good too? There are a million different ways in which this can be accomplisheded. Some prefer the naturalistic approach. I'm rather partial to a bit of Victorian grandeur, myself. But is there anyone out there who likes the shoebox shape with unconvincing rock-work look? (judging by the number of people who make it to Colchester each year, yes there are...)
 
Well, maybe not the zoo for me, as judging from pics I don't think the Orangs will be happy in their new enclosure
Edit: I misread your post, and I agree with what you say exactly. I like the Victorian look too, think the Blackburn pavillion in London is great for the animals and visitors alike, but I'd prefer animal welfare over aesthetics.
 
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