Charles
Well-Known Member
As much as it sounds nice, they need more overnight accommodation?
ZSL London Zoo London Zoo discussion thread
- Thread starter Fallax
- Start date
I believe its still in the works, but will/has been shown to fellows/patrons or will be soon. They are not usually may too public.
Reptile House
Well-Known Member
When people hand over their hard earned money and it is not a cheap day out, they expect to go to the zoo to see living animals and be spellbound, not some crappy museum.
I would knock down the Reptile House, but retain the original frontage (nod to history) and build a decent Reptile House, that has world class exhibits. That new one looks embarrassing as it is so small and looks not to hold too much! I would have the new ‘Reptile House’ as a world class Amphibian House instead.
I would knock down the Reptile House, but retain the original frontage (nod to history) and build a decent Reptile House, that has world class exhibits. That new one looks embarrassing as it is so small and looks not to hold too much! I would have the new ‘Reptile House’ as a world class Amphibian House instead.
That seems a little harsh considering that the reptile house hasn’t even opened yet
.I also remember people on this forum saying that the new house will contain some very nice rarities.
…To add to the extortionately priced Lion Lodges!
Further to the earlier quote, there was talk at one time of moving all the Admin up to Whipsnade for cost purposes (that which they couldn’t strip back to a Call Centre format).
Bit much to call a potential museum that hasn't even opened yet 'crappy'. Some of us like museums and would welcome a zoo history museum in one of the oldest, most historic zoos in the world, if the building it is housed in has been determined not to be suitable for animals any longer. And if the new Galapagos Tortoise House is anything to go by, the new Reptile House should be of high quality; it might not of course, and the potential-not-even-open-museum might be 'crappy', but it's hard to make these value judgements until we've actually seen these things.
Thank you Tim, thought you would be the one to know about the history of the buildings best
‘Some’ might. I would visit if I was there. But you know full well people go to the zoo to see animals. And nobody on this forum is part of the demographic which makes up the majority of zoo visitors.
Looking at the main demographic of visitors, I would guess most actually go because it's someplace to take the kids and keep them entertained for a day, animals being just a part of that. I, and you, any of us, only know *for sure* why we as an individual, go to the zoo. You have your reasons, I have mine, that family over there has their own reasons, that student has their own reasons, that artist has their own reasons; there are as many reasons for visiting a zoo as there are visitors. Yes animals is the biggest draw, but it isn't the only one, and there are multiple reasons even for a single visitor
Of course there are, but it’s logical to assume most of people, ie where most of the money comes from and who they need to appeal to, go because of the animals. I’m sure many people go to museums because it’s ‘somewhere to take the kids’ but they don’t go because they expect live animals to be there!
Cobi
Well-Known Member
I see reasons for criticism of London and reasons for praise but I think it’s really important to note that the old reptile house is a small part of the zoo footprint and it is being replaced elsewhere.
It’s not like the lions, tigers, gibbons and Blackburn pavilion are being flattened for a giant V&A of zoos.
Given the rich history of London Zoo and the extensive work of ZSL I think a small area showcasing this is entirely reasonable and actually compelling.
I have been looking back at the posts about London Zoo from 2021. Most of this thread repeats the points that were made then: apart from some advocacy for the wholesale demolition of the Zoo's listed buildings (which I largely agree with, but don't expect to happen) and some for the elimination of the Library, archives and/or education facilities (which I think are bonkers).
Like most of the contributors in 2021, I haven't really changed my views. It's probably bad etiquette to quote one of my own posts, so I apologise to anyone who is offended or bored by the repetition. But here goes:-
Like most of the contributors in 2021, I haven't really changed my views. It's probably bad etiquette to quote one of my own posts, so I apologise to anyone who is offended or bored by the repetition. But here goes:-
My only further comment is that it has taken an awfully long time to get this project completed, and we are still waiting . .Last night I finally got the chance to look in detail at the plans for the new Reptile and Giant Tortoise exhibits.
Although I will miss the range and variety of species in the old Reptile House, I think there is much to like about these plans. Firstly, it is wonderful to see ZSL avoiding the use of big-name architects (and minor royals) and not planning buildings designed to last a century or more. These modest buildings are designed to be bright, warm, accessible and flexible. Of course they will also be cheap and easy to construct: I expect this is a consequence of the current crisis, but it is a very welcome one. I am reminded of George Mottershead's approach at Chester - build quickly and cheaply, and look for a chance to create something bigger and better eventually. Secondly it seems that most of the star exhibits from the Reptile House will be rehoused in the new exhibit and we can hope that they will be displayed better than they are at the moment. The emphasis on endangered species is welcome of course and I was pleased that there are some blanks in the list of species, because it's nice to have something to look forward to.
In addition, if I read the plans correctly, there will be large windows on either side of the entrance and exit corridor, looking into the kitchen and the breeding rooms for amphibians, reptiles and mountain chicken frogs, which should be very interesting. I was a little surprised that ZSL did not choose to separate the amphibians in an Amphibian Ark, but good accommodation and good practice matter much more than names. I did notice that they have chosen to feature some of the world's ugliest amphibians (giant salamanders, Titicaca frogs and caecilians) perhaps they will need notices on the walls saying 'Don't have nightmares'
I also noticed that a new species will eventually go on show in the current giant tortoise exhibit and that the plan mentions that some species which do not require special environmental conditions may be exhibited in the current Reptile House alongside the museum style exhibits. I would like to think that they might include some freshwater fishes from the old Aquarium.
That said, the new house has been built on an area which - barring occasional flight shows - wasn't being used for the display or keeping of animals. So unlike the aquarium, the North Bank aviaries and other areas cited in this thread already, we're neither losing nor gaining an exhibit area in overall terms.
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
And, given that we still have the Display's Lawn, which offered far more engaging shows than the Amphitheatre ever did, in my opinion, this loss is hardly felt either.
Regarding the museum, I personally don't have a problem with it, and think it could be interesting. I understand where people are coming from by claiming that its a waste of space within a zoo, but there are very few zoos on the planet more historic or influential than London Zoo, and having a display devoted to teaching said history is, in my opinion, a very good idea.
In an ideal world, sure the old reptile house would be upgraded and house animals, but the money isn't there. So I would rather it be used for something than another empty building - the last thing you want from a visitor experience is to enter the Zoo and see two closed buildings.
There is interest from visitors for the history, you see them stop and look at the signage in the tunnel which has the history of ZSL through the years. While I am sure most wouldn't purchase a ticket for a museum, it is a fun added extra. Equally ZSL have a huge collection of preserved animals - the current reptile house had some on the walls - kids love that kind of stuff, so it doesn't have to be a "boring" museum.
Plus there is talk of using the old reptile house for an event space too, indoor play style for kids.
There is interest from visitors for the history, you see them stop and look at the signage in the tunnel which has the history of ZSL through the years. While I am sure most wouldn't purchase a ticket for a museum, it is a fun added extra. Equally ZSL have a huge collection of preserved animals - the current reptile house had some on the walls - kids love that kind of stuff, so it doesn't have to be a "boring" museum.
Plus there is talk of using the old reptile house for an event space too, indoor play style for kids.
I imagine there’s some major hurdles regarding its use as a play area, primarily the lack of railings and the two spiralling ramps.
I don’t think there’s any way to safely add railings to the descending entry ramp without implanting it directly into the structure (unless a new structure is built directly next to it to stabilise the railing), and the spiral ramps are a major hazard. They’re likely to be quite slippery, they’re only designed to take the weight of penguins, and adding railings is not as viable as it would be for the first ramp.
Same issues would probably exist if it was used for climbing. Even with significant reinforcement (which would make the pool unusable), I don’t think there’d be any way of safely utilising them.
I could maybe see it being used as an after-hours pool area for people staying at the lodges, but there would need to be a lifeguard on duty to make sure people don’t try to climb up the spiral ramps (I wouldn’t give adults the benefit of the doubt in that regard either, there’s plenty of people who would try to do so despite the hazards).
I do think the most viable use (and one I haven’t seen attempted yet) would be your suggestion of it housing birds again. I think the best use would be for waterfowl, maybe even something like black swans if they can build a temporary housing next to the pool to accommodate them.
Alternatively (and perhaps controversially), they could demolish Three Island Pond to open up more space within the zoo, and move the flamingos and pelicans to the pool. It would probably be a downgrade for them though, and I can’t imagine people would be too happy about it.
I’m not entirely sure why the zoo hasn’t tried housing other birds there either way, but preserving it as a water structure is admirable (although it could do with some more impressive fountains in future, if they get the budget for it). I know they experimented with it as an enclosure for Chinese Alligators, but maybe that was just too big a change too fast?
Typhlonectes
Well-Known Member
If anyone has any knowledge they can share about Chinese Alligators being housed here I would be very interested to hear
DCzootripper
Well-Known Member
I have found this image you might be interested in
I too agree, they chose to keep porcupines and Chinese alligators, but didn't think to add a few ducks. ZSL moves in mysterious ways.