ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2015
- Thread starter Jedd Cullinan
- Start date
Apparently the range of old owl aviaries just before the entrance to the Snowdon are now earmarked for renovation or demolition ?
Yes the Snowdon does need urgent attention, especially the netting which is falling apart in places.
The Mappins - mentioned by many, are in need of a proper make-over , the "outback" exhibit has never really managed to excite anyone has it!!
They've had planning permission for 4 hornbill aviaries for several years on the northbank, would be nice to see that whole area redeveloped along with the Snowdon, be it for Colobus or birds, with new owl aviaries and something a bit different, eagles and cassiowaries I always thought would go nicely there, I guess I'm not going to see the Mappins restored in my life time...
I wouldn't rule out them being developed in the next 10-15 years...
Do you really think that there is a chance that the Mappin Terrace will be restored or is this just a hopeful dream?
Your probably looking at tens of millions at least! You also have to consider that the only thing preventing the entire structure from total collapse is the Aquarium, so that will have to be renovated too.
I'm not sure about necessarily being restored but developed, yes I think there is a chance. And when I say developed I also mean incorporating existing structures into the plans like they have for the tigers and lions.
If you look at a plan or a map of the zoo and go round it considering what has been done over the last 15/20 years and how they've worked round, it does jump out to you that it's time must be coming.
Seven or eight years ago the rumours were a bio dome.
However, I think their next big project will be in the centre of the zoo with smaller projects before and after. But any Snowdon aviary grant may effect this.
I wish I had your confidence that ZSL will do something with the Mappin Terrace. My doubts are around the cost of such a project, I think that the money needed would be a real obstacle. I know how much money was needed to put the Land of the Lion into reality and any work on the Mappin Terrace would certainly cost a lot more than £5-6 million
The harsh reality is that the more modern redevelopment that is done around the area, the more of an eyesore it becomes. A similar, though less extreme, scenario is the Lubetkin Elephant House at Whipsnade.
Sooner or later ZSL's hand will be forced on the matter. Theoretically, outside investment might be easy to attain due to the Mappins cultural significance. I'd be surprised it wasn't a continual sore point with the ZSL Fellows.
It certainly is with this one!
I can recall seeing brown bears, polar bears, sloth bears, American black bears and Asiatic black bears on the Mappin Terraces.
Although not on the Mappin Terraces, I also remember seeing sun bears and spectacled bears elsewhere in the zoo back in the 1960s. With ‘Chi-Chi’ the giant panda too, I think that there was a time when London Zoo's collection included every bear species; something I doubt we’ll ever see again.
The Mappins were looking very green when I was there a couple of weeks ago and didn't much resemble the orange outback they were recently remodelled to be. Despite the disruption of the lion development, I thought the zoo was looking pretty good and the Casson Pavillion felt quite integrated (it probably helped that I saw both tapir being target trained in there). The Mappins will always hold fond memories for me but they were looking very empty. I spent some time working out what I thought a solution could be, taking account of all I have read about the structure and concerns that larger, more active animals might find a way to escape (or fall off). I concluded that the goat hills really can't be anything other than a landmark setting now but that the real problem at the moment is that any animals out on the terraces are too far away from the visitors. The solution, I think would be to reinstate a walkway along the terrace which used to be in front of the bears. This could be done without steps, it could be a slope no steeper than the disabled access in Tiger Territory. That would give reasonable sized enclosures at an 'upper' and 'lower' level. The Mappins would be terraces again and even if the current species were retained, viewing would be much more interesting (although there would be plenty of scope for different species). I'm not especially excited by wallabies and rhea or emu but they are more interesting if you can see them properly and I have concluded with such good viewing opportunities elsewhere in the zoo, it is a feeling of detachment rather than uninteresting species that might really be the problem. I think this would be a moderate cost solution to a significant problem. With my zoo history hat on, I would also like to see some historical information about the structures displayed, this could be tied in with information about how the terraces had been redeveloped for modern use.
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Funny we're all discussing the Mappina, I was talking to my friends this week that the area at the top of the stairs to the right of the red kangaroo dens should be opened and turned into a koala exhibit. Then their outdoor enclosure could be the enclosure formerly used for Hanuman langurs, lar gibbons and red-bellied lemurs. I personally think koalas would be a great addition and they don't need much space; all they need is warmth, climbing opportunities and a decent eucalyptus provider.
The Mappin Terraces are Grade II listed buildings. However desirable, such schemes are quite impossible. And, in my opinion, London needs the Aquarium much more than a couple of bears
Alan
Despite the aquariums age and natural limitations because of that, it still remains a very important part of the zoo, the aquarium keepers, like the reptile keepers, are true enthusiasts it their field, and it shows in the design and standard of the exhibits,and their obvious commitment to conservation is shown through the diverse range of species being bred both on-show and off-show. As long as the aquarium remains functional it will remain as it is.
I can`t say what will happen with the Mappins, the current exhibit is weak in terms of impact yes - but resolving it is a rather more complex issue.
volvox
Well-Known Member
In the meantime, London Zoo may well have to deal with the impact of the building of HS2 railway: London Zoo issues hedgehog ultimatum to HS2 - News - Hampstead Highgate Express
If it loses its car park as well as disruption to the bus routes, as some roads will be closed/rerouted, life will be challenging for both zoo and hedgehogs.
If it loses its car park as well as disruption to the bus routes, as some roads will be closed/rerouted, life will be challenging for both zoo and hedgehogs.
PERHAPS THEY MIGHT be able to nick a bit of the park as compo
I think THAT'S about as likely as HS2 actually going ahead....