Is this the Asian lion enclosure? Looks like it. The tree with the carved animals is the remains of a big old Cedar that was unsafe and had to be lopped.
Is this the Asian lion enclosure? Looks like it. The tree with the carved animals is the remains of a big old Cedar that was unsafe and had to be lopped.
the Gorillas, chimps and orangutans used to live in a building(the original Lion House) on exactly this site before the 1974 'modern' Ape House was built. The famous Gorilla 'Alfred' lived in the cage nearest the zoo entrance, about where the people in blue are in your photo. There was also a concrete terrace of raised steps so more people could stand and view the outdoor cages on busy days and the cedar tree stood directly next to that.
In the Lion House which was next door- where the Nocturnal House is now.
it is rather confusing... the first(I think) Lion House was on the site of the Asian Lion enclosure- then another one with more cages was built next door and the original one was used to house the Apes. An extension was built onto it in the 1950's to house Gorillas.
Then in 1974 the Apes moved into the modern Ape House which replaced the(second) Lion House. The big Cats moved across to the modern 'five' cat cages. Eventually when Gorilla island was built, the Ape House was converted into the Nocturnal House as it is now, and the five cat cages had already become one large enclosure for the Lions.
In the Lion House which was next door- where the Nocturnal House is now.
it is rather confusing... the first(I think) Lion House was on the site of the Asian Lion enclosure- then another one with more cages was built next door and the original one was used to house the Apes. An extension was built onto it in the 1950's to house Gorillas.
Then in 1974 the Apes moved into the modern Ape House which replaced the(second) Lion House. The big Cats moved across to the modern 'five' cat cages. Eventually when Gorilla island was built, the Ape House was converted into the Nocturnal House as it is now, and the five cat cages had already become one large enclosure for the Lions.
The Chimpanzees were in the (1974) house but they dwindled away until the last one, 'Eve' was sent to Twycross. I think she may still be there. Afterwards that house only had Gorillas & Orangutans.
Yes, the Sumatran orangutans(3) left when Gorilla Island was built and the Ape House became the Nocturnal house. One pair went to Spain and the other to Jersey(the old pair are dead, the Jersey one has gone to France).
Last gorillas(2) from the old house went to London and they started with new animals when Gorilla island opened.
The Chimpanzees were in the (1974) house but they dwindled away until the last one, 'Eve' was sent to Twycross. I think she may still be there. Afterwards that house only had Gorillas & Orangutans.
Yes, the Sumatran orangutans(3) left when Gorilla Island was built and the Ape House became the Nocturnal house. One pair went to Spain and the other to Jersey(the old pair are dead, the Jersey one has gone to France).
Last gorillas(2) from the old house went to London and they started with new animals when Gorilla island opened.
I beleive Bobby and Zaire (Zaire definately) lived in the Sobell pavillions at London before upgrading to Gorilla Kingdom. London didn't bring in a new group for GK (only individuals).
Jock arrived at Bristol from London when Bobby left Bristol for London.
