ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2014

I thought the hummingbirds were in a couple of enclosures inside the Blackburn Pavillion - in the room between the main aviary room and the entrance (exit) hall.
 
I saw one at the end of May but I think it was the only one. There were sunbirds in the aviaries on either side of it.
 
From today's Evening Standard:

Visitors to London Zoo could soon be getting a lot closer to its lions.

Bosses want to demolish the existing enclosures to build a 'lion 360 experience' with high-level walkways, according to plans lodged with Westminster council.

It would nearly triple the size of the existing 750 square metre enclosure built in the seventies and would also give visitors the chance to see primates and vultures. But there are concerns its size could impact on the zoo's Grade I listed penguin pool.

The application, due to be heard by councillors on Tuesday states: "The proposals would be to create a more naturalistic setting for Asian lions taking influences from the Gir forest where the only population of Asiatic lions exist in the wild. The high-level platforms and walkway will be faced in a variety of materials, render, timber (bamboo) and corrugated steel.

"The proposal would enlarge the enclosure areas whilst maintaining the same site area of 7,685 square metres to contain Asiatic lions, primates and vultures."

The site was formerly home to the zoo's cattle, sheep and deer in the late 19th century.

Designers revised the plans to minimise the impact on the zoo's trees.
 
Panthera1981 said:
How would it impact the old penguin pool? Very odd!
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They may have complaints/funny ideas about perspectives etc. I imagine it would not be too difficult to get around any such objections with some tweaks to the design or changes to its footprint perhaps.

I guess it will prove to be the Lion equivalent of 'Tiger Territory'. Now for the name; 'Lion Forest' or 'Lions of Gir' perhaps?
 
Pertinax said:
They may have complaints/funny ideas about perspectives etc. I imagine it would not be too difficult to get around any such objections with some tweaks to the design or changes to its footprint perhaps.

I guess it will prove to be the Lion equivalent of 'Tiger Territory'. Now for the name; 'Lion Forest' or 'Lions of Gir' perhaps?
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I prefer "Lion Forest", sounds nicer,also a number of visitors will not know what Gir means. I fully appreciate how important the Lubitkin penguin pool is as a piece of architecture, however, as it is well and truly redundant in the role that it was originally designed and built for is it not a bit silly that it could get in the way and make things a little difficult for the building of another impressive showcase exhibit for an animal of such importance as the Asian lion, and thus holding the zoo back when it is trying to move forward in the right direction?
 
My guess would be, 'Lion Forest'. This would seem to fit with Tiger Territory, Gorilla Kingdom, Penguin Beach and Rainforest Lookout. Although I am not keen on such branding, I think it works well for those visiting with children and the casual visitor. When done properly, it is also a way for the crowd puller animals to promote the 'supporting cast' as it is so often claimed by zoos that they do. The plans look good but as has previously been said, it is a great shame that the capital's zoo will now have just two species of cat.
 
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Pacu said:
My guess would be, 'Lion Forest'. This would seem to fit with Tiger Territory, Gorilla Kingdom, Penguin Beach and Rainforest Lookout. Although I am not keen on such branding, I think it works well for those visiting with children and the casual visitor. When done properly, it is also a way for the crowd puller animals to promote the 'supporting cast' as it is so often claimed by zoos that they do. The plans look good but as has previously been said, it is a great shame that the capital's zoo will now have just two species of cat.
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Two species of cat. No bears, raccoons, mustelids other Asian short-clawed otters, viverrids, hyenas or Malagasy carnivores. If anybody wants to look for a showcase of carnivore diversity, they won't find it at London in the future.
 
IanRRobinson said:
Two species of cat. No bears, raccoons, mustelids other Asian short-clawed otters, viverrids, hyenas or Malagasy carnivores. If anybody wants to look for a showcase of carnivore diversity, they won't find it at London in the future.
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And all the more reason to do something substantial with the Mappins, Snowdon and interior Casson!

And my vote's for "Lions of London," even if that may be confusing to the casual zoo visitor!:D
 
ZSL....

Don't get me started on the North Bank. It used to be an ornithological delight, with the Pheasantry, Owl aviaries, and the range of Goose and Crane paddocks. Never seen a good reason for getting rid of any of it.
 
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