Okapi enclosure at Chester Zoo July 2008

I love the thick undergrowth, and it's nice to see a zoo that doesn't take a lawnmower to some of its hoofstock enclosures.

Mowing hoofstock yards are important when controling parasites.

I do believe the grass is mowed in this enclosure from time-to-time, but allowed to grow back

The photo gives the impression that the enclosure is bigger than it really is. The two outside paddocks are not large and in my opinion the okapi area is disappointing overall. While it is interesting to have okapis and giraffes close together the use of the old camel house (which adjoins the giraffe house) has really limited the possibilities of expansion and display.

Its alot better than bristols tiny enclosures though.

It's probably about the same size as Bristol's, if not smaller, it really does look much bigger in this picture than it actually is.

Is it bigger than London's?

I agree, my first reaction at this photograph was that it looks bigger than it is. In my opinion though, Chester would have known about the eventual 'Heart of Africa' plans at the time of aquiring the Okapi and the Secret World of the Okapi is just 'temporary.' Otherwise, could they not expand into the current Visayan Warty Pig enclosure? A new bridge could cross the canal by the Andes Garden then to get to the giraffe house.

Even if HoA does not go ahead, the plan as I understand it is to demolish the Cattle House and use the land to expand the Okapi complex.

Maguari said:

Even if HoA does not go ahead, the plan as I understand it is to demolish the Cattle House and use the land to expand the Okapi complex.

Click to expand...

Ahhh interesting . I really hope Heart of Africa does go ahead, because that is the main part of Natural Vision, and I really look forward to seeing gorillas at the zoo. I love gorillas, but the nearest ones are at Blackpool so I don't see them that often .