Dudley Zoological Gardens Personnal opinions on Dudley

[Dawn B]

I take it you like just going to the zoo's for easy photo's and not a challenge like most other photographers.

Another rude comment from you Adrian, what a shame you have behaved this way on a public forum. But as they say the proof is in the pudding!

 

[karenZOO]

Bunfight anyone

 

[Dawn B]

Buns? cant we use something with a bit more bite?

My problem is a member who was TOTALLY different to my face, and who is now rude and condescending on a public forum. The same member who told me to come to this site.

Secondly a persons opinion is just that, I respect everyones opinion, although I dont agree with some of them, maybe a litle of that here would be good?

Thirdly, if everyone paints a rosey picture of these places and is not honest in their thoughts, how will things improve? Public pressure does wonders you know, god knows Ive tried!!

 

[taun]

Secondly a persons opinion is just that, I respect everyones opinion, although I dont agree with some of them, maybe a litle of that here would be good?

Thirdly, if everyone paints a rosey picture of these places and is not honest in their thoughts, how will things improve? Public pressure does wonders you know, god knows Ive tried!!

You are certainly entitled to your opinions, and as far as I can see you make some valid points.

 

[taun]

I e-mail quite a few pro wildlife photographers who will tell you that zoo's like chester, london, whipsnade. edinburgh, and many more of the big zoo's and parks are in it for the money and nothing else they would rather go to the small zoo's and get realistic photographs of realistic animals doing what they do naturally.

The zoo's you have mentioned are all registered charities? (or have I missed something). So do you have evidence to back up such a wild claim?

I know you are quoting other peoples emails here, but you of all people who is on this forum and have visited these zoo's should release that this statement seems weird!

On a side note, we as a forum are becoming quite unfriendly, considering we seem to like the same things (zoo's). I know there will be a bit of tit for tat concerning local zoo's, as I know some people on here rate there local zoo the "best" in the UK. Where as I feel different about that but thats their opinion on the matter, let's not get into petty arguements.

 

[Maguari]

I e-mail quite a few pro wildlife photographers who will tell you that zoo's like chester, london, whipsnade. edinburgh, and many more of the big zoo's and parks are in it for the money and nothing else they would rather go to the small zoo's and get realistic photographs of realistic animals doing what they do naturally.

Pure speculation but I wonder if larger zoos get more requests for professional photography and so have set up procedures and standard charges for it. Smaller zoos are probably more likely to make a figure on the spot or to allow them just to go ahead in exchange for some publicity. This might give the impression of the big zoos 'just being after money' from professional photographers, when in truth they're just better prepared for it!

 

[Dawn B]

You are certainly entitled to your opinions, and as far as I can see you make some valid points.

Thank you Taun, Im not here to cause aggro just offer an honest opinion. I was told to come here by another member, who for the most part talked in our first conversation about photography. Since then he has been rude to say the least.

Im certainly not anti Dudley or any other Zoo, but I am somebody who will speak up and contact the relevant people if I see something I disagree with, as I have with Dudley on a couple of occasions without as much as an acknowledgement.

 

[Dawn B]

Pure speculation but I wonder if larger zoos get more requests for professional photography and so have set up procedures and standard charges for it. Smaller zoos are probably more likely to make a figure on the spot or to allow them just to go ahead in exchange for some publicity. This might give the impression of the big zoos 'just being after money' from professional photographers, when in truth they're just better prepared for it!

Certainly is speculation, you are correct, Adrian is making sweeping statements he cannot back up.

I dont know of any Zoo, open to the public regularly that does photography days in a normal day, although I have been to a couple on days which they are not open to the public. One such place was Hamerton Zoo, and also the British Wildlife Centre.

 

[taun]

Thank you Taun, Im not here to cause aggro just offer an honest opinion. I was told to come here by another member, who for the most part talked in our first conversation about photography. Since then he has been rude to say the least.

Im certainly not anti Dudley or any other Zoo, but I am somebody who will speak up and contact the relevant people if I see something I disagree with, as I have with Dudley on a couple of occasions without as much as an acknowledgement.

You will like Dan on these forums then

 

[Dawn B]

oooooooo must look him up!

 

[zoogiraffe]

Well its my opinion that they are awful, total lack of environment enrichment and lack of space for wide ranging animals. I have witnessed harsh treatment to them too.

Could you point me to pictures of newer, worse enclosures, as Id very much like to see them, it will help me understand your feelings better on this as I cant imagine anything newer being any worse.

Yes I mean the Jaguar, its a shame its always inside.

Well if you want to know worse Giraffe enclosure`s/house`s try Noahs Ark,Blackpool but for the outdoor enclosure only.

 

[Dawn B]

Thanks Zoogiraffe, Ill certainly try to get there. Ive not been to Blackpool Zoo at all.

 

[zoogiraffe]

Thanks Zoogiraffe, Ill certainly try to get there. Ive not been to Blackpool Zoo at all.

Personnaly i wouldn`t waste your time visiting Noahs if you look at the photos on here you will realise that it makes even the very worse bits of Dudley look like the Ritz and thats Noahs best bits.Blackpool is worth a visit.

 

[adrian1963]

I feel very strongly about Dudley Zoo if I have unintensionaly upset anybody with my comments then I appollogise for that as I didn't mean to upset or irritate anyone
Dawn I to have sent many E-Mails off to Dudley zoo and recieved absolutly nothing back from them.
Yes I did say I liked Chester zoo but it's like everything else you can like it but there is still room for improvement this goes for every zoo.
I again will appologise if I have upset or irratated anyone

 

[Dawn B]

Personnaly i wouldn`t waste your time visiting Noahs if you look at the photos on here you will realise that it makes even the very worse bits of Dudley look like the Ritz and thats Noahs best bits.Blackpool is worth a visit.

Thanks, Ill check out those pictures.

 

[Maguari]

Certainly is speculation, you are correct, Adrian is making sweeping statements he cannot back up.

Just to clarify, I was referring to my own comments as 'pure speculation', not Adrian's.

 

[solocatman]

This is my first time on here so here goes
I have many years of photographic experience to many to mention in the field of natural history photography, I find that by visiting zoo’s around the world you will always get differencing options as to whether this is zoo is better or that zoo is better.
I under no circumstances would ever go on to a worldwide forum like this and actually slag off a zoo for it’s working conditions, the only way to help such zoo’s is to give advice on improvements and how to implement them.
As for someone to come on here and say that a person is pro one zoo and not pro animal welfare it’s beyond belief if that person is pro that zoo then surely they are pro animal welfare.
I have over 40 years experience in the field of natural history photography and would class Dudley as not the best zoo for tourists but then again I would class it highly as a zoo I would visit more regularly if I had the time
I would like improvements made to certain enclosures and certain animals moved but at present I would like to see the pathways more accessible disabled people with wheelchairs as there are too many uneven surfaces and to many steep inclines. I do know that the zoo is built around a hill but some of the inclines could be moved slightly this then make easier movement for disabled people and in some cases even give the animals more room to roam around their enclosures.
I noticed that Adrian and Dawn where having words on Dudley Zoo I found this to be slightly amusing as both are right in their own way on some points
Dawn your point about the smell from the penguin pool was firstly uncalled for as you could have put the remark in better way and secondly I have been to many zoo’s worldwide I find that most penguin or any other pool to smell after a few days, but I have to say that most pools that have man made area’s around them don’t smell so much as others (by man made I mean those with the glorified pebbles and rocks)
This forum I understand is for people to express their views and not be vilified for them but I did notice a slight bit of silly anger from Adrian and Dawn why don’t you two just agree to disagree and get on with it
Oh and by the way I would never pay to go on a photography shoot organised by any of the big zoos because I did go on one year ago and found to my horror the animals they used where just for that purpose.
Most of the big zoos nowadays are visitor orientated and not conservation orientated.
I also love a bit of banter between people on forums like this and maybe if the actual zoo director's were to read some of the remarks then perhaps British Zoos would be alot better for everyone to enjoy

 

[karenZOO]

Welcome Solocatman Well said

If you ever have the urge to do a 'tip' post for zoo photography please feel free

I have not visited Dudley yet and all this has made me want to visit more to have an opinion lol I knew it was built on a hill but hope its not to steep lol (Colchester zoo my home zoo is a little slopey in places)

 

[taun]

Most of the big zoos nowadays are visitor orientated and not conservation orientated.

Many of the zoos raise funds to support in-situ conservation projects, so I do not understand this remark?

 

[Dawn B]

This is my first time on here so here goes
I have many years of photographic experience to many to mention in the field of natural history photography, I find that by visiting zoo’s around the world you will always get differencing options as to whether this is zoo is better or that zoo is better.
I under no circumstances would ever go on to a worldwide forum like this and actually slag off a zoo for it’s working conditions, the only way to help such zoo’s is to give advice on improvements and how to implement them.
As for someone to come on here and say that a person is pro one zoo and not pro animal welfare it’s beyond belief if that person is pro that zoo then surely they are pro animal welfare.
I have over 40 years experience in the field of natural history photography and would class Dudley as not the best zoo for tourists but then again I would class it highly as a zoo I would visit more regularly if I had the time
I would like improvements made to certain enclosures and certain animals moved but at present I would like to see the pathways more accessible disabled people with wheelchairs as there are too many uneven surfaces and to many steep inclines. I do know that the zoo is built around a hill but some of the inclines could be moved slightly this then make easier movement for disabled people and in some cases even give the animals more room to roam around their enclosures.
I noticed that Adrian and Dawn where having words on Dudley Zoo I found this to be slightly amusing as both are right in their own way on some points
Dawn your point about the smell from the penguin pool was firstly uncalled for as you could have put the remark in better way and secondly I have been to many zoo’s worldwide I find that most penguin or any other pool to smell after a few days, but I have to say that most pools that have man made area’s around them don’t smell so much as others (by man made I mean those with the glorified pebbles and rocks)
This forum I understand is for people to express their views and not be vilified for them but I did notice a slight bit of silly anger from Adrian and Dawn why don’t you two just agree to disagree and get on with it
Oh and by the way I would never pay to go on a photography shoot organised by any of the big zoos because I did go on one year ago and found to my horror the animals they used where just for that purpose.
Most of the big zoos nowadays are visitor orientated and not conservation orientated.
I also love a bit of banter between people on forums like this and maybe if the actual zoo director's were to read some of the remarks then perhaps British Zoos would be alot better for everyone to enjoy

I offered an opinion, it wasnt me that started any name calling or insults was it, perhaps if you read the posts properly you would of seen that!

Secondly, YOUR opinion is just that, my comments are the truth and I stick by them. Also if you had read the posts you would see that my concerns were taken to the relevant people only to be ignored, a thing Dudley seem to do regularly, and not only in the complaints line either!!

Whether you rate the place or not holds no interest for me, this thread was on PERSONAL opinions on the Zoo which I duly stated!