Best UK Orangutan enclosure Reboot

[felis silvestris]

This is the first of a few threads I'm making of reboots of species covered by @britishzoofan before in his threads during lockdown, I will be redoing them but only the species which there have been major changes in.

These will also probably be far less frequent than the ones I've made before.

I decided to leave Twycross off the list since a new enclosure for them is being constructed so there is no point in adding in the exhibit they're currently in, which wouldn't stand a chance anyway. I thought it was still a good idea to make this thread even if the thread didn't have the new Twycross enclosure in it, since I grouped both species together and there are some new enclosures and holdings.

This is just a bit of fun to judge the general consensus on the best enclosure for Orangutans in the UK. I have added a few photos from the gallery to make it easier for members to compare the different exhibits. If anyone wants to make an argument for a particular enclosure, please feel free to do so. Also, I would encourage people to list the enclosures in order of what they think is best.

If there are any outdated photos, collections that no longer hold them or people have photos for exhibits not in the gallery or with poor photos please let me know.


Blackpool (Bornean)

@Jacob Blackwood

@Gigit

Chester (Bornean)


@gulogulogulo

@MagpieGoose

Colchester (Bornean)


@gulogulogulo

@MagpieGoose

Dudley (Bornean)


@Benosaurus

@Gigit

@MagpieGoose

Paignton (Bornean)


@TNT

@gulogulogulo

Monkey World (Bornean and Sumatran)

@Gigit

Wingham (Bornean)

@MagpieGoose

@MagpieGoose

Chester (Sumatran)

@gulogulogulo

@MagpieGoose

Port Lympne (Sumatran)

These are brand new to the zoo so there are no photos in the gallery, though I've heard that they're in one of the many gorilla enclosures, though I don't know what one since I haven't visited. If anyone could provide a photo of it that would be greatly appreciated.

Jersey (Sumatran)

@molinea

@jerseygorilla

 

[Kalaw]

The Bornean Orangutan enclosure at Chester (Realm of the Red Ape) is a masterpiece. The height, mesh roof and hanging ropes of the three indoor stalls encourage the most arboreal of apes to spend time of the ground where so many other zoos fail, as does the height of the two cage-like outdoor areas (which tower onto the roof of the building and can be seen from several other points in the zoo). And, of course, it also has two island-like habitats, so large and well-planted that they alone would put this exhibit into contention for the title here, never mind once everything else is factored in. I have heard members who are better-travelled than myself claim that this isn't just the best orangutan exhibit in the UK, but in all of Europe - and although I am not experienced enough to reliably comment on this, from what I can tell, I would agree.

In terms of runners-up, the only one that comes close is, ironically, also at Chester, that being the Sumatran enclosure in Islands (although the indoor area was closed on my visit so I can't fully comment), although having never seen it in person, Jersey also looks excellent. Monkey World is decent in terms of size, and Paignton would be in contention were the live trees still present, although I have never been all that fond of either collection's indoors.

@MagpieGoose - this photo best demonstrates the 'cage-like outdoor areas,' although this particular example is for the Sumatrans in Islands, as there were no images on the gallery for the Borneans in RotRA

 

[Lafone]

Have to agree that Chester has great enclosures, from the houses through to the outside spaces.

Of the two I've enjoyed the Sumatran area more on my couple of visits due to the different areas inside and the excellent viewing for visitors, coupled with super climbing and landscaping and good use of all the available space. But there was little to choose between them. The Bornean area had poorer viewing in contrast, the limited windows / shut in feel made it harder to enjoy the space as a visitor with kids banging on the glass etc. Visitor access clearly isn't a factor for the orangs though.

As Kalaw mentioned, the particular highlight in both enclosures at Chester is the amount of climbing and height changes available indoors.

I'd also credit Dudley for their recent enclosure expansion as it is an excellent new space, a definite change for the better and, like the enclosure at Chester, both groups of orangs make good use of it.

The Colchester enclosure is pretty good but the outdoor space lacks the views and vistas for the orangs in my view and it feels a bit old fashioned outdoors, though the house itself seems pretty good.

I haven't seen the others so can't really comment on / vote on those. But looking at the pictures there is quite a division between zoos holding their orangs in planted enclosures with natural spaces and climbing and those taking a wood chip floor and frame approach, with only Dudley falling a little in the middle with a bit of both.

 

[Fallax]

Honestly think I slightly prefer the Sumatran enclosure at Chester, viewing area is nicer looking and the orangs are just as, if not more active. I also find the viewing for the outdoors to be a lot better, especially with that big tree.

Only other one I have seen is Blackpool and it's probably one of the weakest enclosures at the zoo. It isn't awful but the outdoors definitely needs an update.

 

[TriUK]

I believe that Chester & Jersey, rightly dominate this conversation. Personally, I hate to see Orangs slumped on the floor, often concrete, wrapped in sacks and blankets. Indoor areas especially should encourage them to get off the floor.
Paigntons outdoor islands used to be world class, however, tree disease, flooding and Orang behaviour has reduced the islands to looking like a palm oil diorama of deforestation, although, I do believe an island makeover and upgrade is imminent.

 

[Tankyboi]

Port Lympne I believe there in the old chimp dome area and later in the year will have access to the gardens where the 5 young bachelor boys was.

 

[Benosaurus]

There is a thread where you can rank the above outdoor areas if you wish...

Rank these UK orangutan outdoor enclosures - ZooChat

 

[felis silvestris]

There is a thread where you can rank the above outdoor areas if you wish...

Rank these UK orangutan outdoor enclosures - ZooChat

I forgot about that, though this is different since this is a temporary poll and some of the enclosures are new or others are off the list. If people want to see some of the photos on there I would recommend it.

This is Port Lympne’s enclosure, if the statement from @Tankyboi is correct (remember they will access to a larger section in the future)

@MagpieGoose

 

[TriUK]

I forgot about that, though this is different since this is a temporary poll and some of the enclosures are new or others are off the list. If people want to see some of the photos on there I would recommend it.

This is Port Lympne’s enclosure, if the statement from @Tankyboi is correct (remember they will access to a larger section in the future)

@MagpieGoose

View attachment 694544

I should hope so, that’s basically a small/medium sized bird aviary! Shockingly poor in 2024!!

 

[Pertinax]

I should hope so, that’s basically a small/medium sized bird aviary! Shockingly poor in 2024!!

Probably a lot more space than they had in Zurich though. Orginally built for their chimps, also used by Gorillas. It has the height for climbing of course. Despite its age I'd say satisfactory until they have the open 'garden' space too.

 

[pendraig_milnerae]

I am utterly convinced that Twycross will reach the top of this list once they finish building the new orangutan area as part of the NECC development. At the moment, their enclosure is really not very good, space-wise it could be a lot worse and there's very little in the way of climbing, plus the heated floors just encourage the orangs to spend time on the ground (in my experience, if an orangutan can be lazy it will be). Conversely, the new space will consist of 3 massive outdoor enclosures and a large indoor space of a similar style to what they already have in Gibbon Forest, both with beyond-sufficient climbing to (hopefully) keep them off the ground. Given Twycross's recent track-record with Chimpanzee Eden and Gibbon Forest being some of the best spaces for their respective species in the country, I'm utterly convinced the new area will follow suite.

 

[Kalaw]

I should hope so, that’s basically a small/medium sized bird aviary! Shockingly poor in 2024!!

Having never seen it in person, it doesn't seem that bad, particularly as the indoor area appears to be of a decent size, which is difficult to judge. It has a decent amount of space, ample climbing apparatus, and additional elevation on all sides thanks to the chain fencing - it's only aesthetically woeful. I know that Howletts also do scatter feeds for their gorillas, taking advantage of this fencing, and given that both are Aspinall collections I suppose there is a possibility of that being applied here as well, which would offer excellent enrichment. I agree that building an improved enclosure in the future (which I believe is the plan) should be a goal, but for only two orangutans whose outdoor enclosure at Zurich was at least three times smaller, it isn't by any means awful, and probably not even the worst of the lot (in terms of outdoor areas, Colchester and Blackpool appear considerably worse, although I have never seen the latter in person so can't really comment there).

 

[pendraig_milnerae]

Having never seen it in person, it doesn't seem that bad, particularly as the indoor area appears to be of a decent size, which is difficult to judge. It has a decent amount of space, ample climbing apparatus, and additional elevation on all sides thanks to the chain fencing - it's only aesthetically woeful. I know that Howletts also do scatter feeds for their gorillas, taking advantage of this fencing, and given that both are Aspinall collections I suppose there is a possibility of that being applied here as well, which would offer excellent enrichment. I agree that building an improved enclosure in the future (which I believe is the plan) should be a goal, but for only two orangutans whose outdoor enclosure at Zurich was at least three times smaller, it isn't by any means awful, and probably not even the worst of the lot (in terms of outdoor areas, Colchester and Blackpool appear considerably worse, although I have never seen the latter in person so can't really comment there).

It’s definitely not too bad in person, and it’s a lot bigger than these photos make it seem. I can agree it looks rather not-great, a lot of the Aspinall primate enclosures at both parks (especially for gorillas) are built to be functional at the cost of being rather unattractive, and this seems to be an alright enclosure for the two orangs at the minute, especially with all the climbing structure already in there and how easy it is to simply tie more to the mesh if needs be. However, it probably isn’t great if they want I house more orangs and I think in the long term a new enclosure would suit their two young males a lot better.

 

[Pertinax]

Colchester and Blackpool appear considerably worse, although I have never seen the latter in person so can't really comment there).

IMO Colchester is the worst of all for the simple reason the Orangutans have no views, just concrete walls to look at. Its rather like an old fashioned bear pit. Horrible enclosure.

Blackpool's outdoor area was originally the outdoor area for both gorillas and Orangs living in the original tiny ape house until the Gorillas moved to the newer larger wing they still use now. The idea was that the two species used the outdoors at different times and I think there may have been chimps as well. Its a very old enclosure now, very ugly and needs replacing but possibly they haven't got the funds.

 

[felis silvestris]

Poll closed. Congratulations to Chester’s Islands enclosure for having, once again, the Best Orangutan enclosure in the UK, beating it’s other enclosure by a decent margin to win. It really shows the dominance of Chester in terms of Orangutan husbandry, with both zoos racking up nearly every vote.

I decided that I will make threads for most of these species, apart from some very one-sided ones like Jaguars, but there will be more soon, once a week.

Chester (S): 60.9%
Chester (B): 26.1%
Monkey World: 6.5%
Dudley: 4.3%
Blackpool: 2.2%

 

[TriUK]

Thanks for organising this poll & thread Felis

 

[TriUK]

I’m so happy to be writing this, but I think Paignton will climb the virtual ‘best…’ enclosure rankings with the new climbing structures on the main islands. It will still lag behind in terms of indoor accommodation, but it is looking positive. Well done PZ!!