Bearded Pigs at London Zoo

I visited London Zoo on the 29th of September 2011 and just thought I\'d upload some photos of the things that I found interesting from a first time visitor\'s perspective. This one is of the bearded pig exhibit that is part of Zoo World. I thought it was a good exhibit. There were quite a few pigs and I have to say they are a really charismatic species. They\'re way bigger than I expected and I watched this big group for ages.

This is a really interesting picture. It looks like there is no fence separating you and the pigs. just a couple of rocks, but actually the path that I think is a path is a moat and the rocks are not a fence but to keep in dirt.

This is the part of the notorious Casson building that originally held rhinos (the other half which now holds Bactrian camels, was designed for eklephants). The concrete apron slopes down to a dry ditch. Because this was taken with a wide-angle lens, the enclosure and the whole building look rather larger than they actually are.
Many of us feel that this building is a useless monstrosity in a 21st century zoo - but because it was designed nearly 50 years ago by a highly respected architect it is protected and it cannot even be modified in any significant way.

Alan

I found it to be a very interesting exhibit albeit one with no clear direction, which probably explains the fact it's simply called Zoo World. I was most surprised by how small it was in real life. I was expecting a grand building but it certainly isn't huge and it was also pretty gloomy inside and it did smell quite a bit. I would definitely not want to see it destroyed however. It truly is a one of a kind building and maybe with a lot of creativity it could be turned into something really cool. Who knows what the next 46 years hold for this building?

PAT said:

It truly is a one of a kind building and maybe with a lot of creativity it could be turned into something really cool. Who knows what the next 46 years hold for this building?

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The point is that creativity is not allowed if it would alter the structure of the building. The only thing that can change in the next 46 years is the choice of species kept in the building - unless ZSL can persuade English Heritage and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to vary the terms of the listing (protection) of the building.
Personally I don't think the interior is suitable for animal exhibits. I would like to close it completely (except to architecture students who could visit at 2 pm on the third Thursday of each month for a suitable fee). The outdoor enclosures are still usable, although not very interesting.

Alan

Amazing looking back at what looks like a thriving group of at least 9 (at least on the surface). Now from my understanding they are either all dead or a few elderly off exhibit. Other than that Berlin has one old individual, and Glady Porters stateside has an old pair.

RIP

So sad, I only actually ever saw one of these pigs in the last year they had them, and they are still to this day my favourite type of suid. So sad to see that only one zoo in the world has the bornean bearded pig.