Cat House enclosure @ Chester Zoo; circa 1987

The Cat House was roughly where Miniature Monkeys is now, and ran parallel to the enclosure where the Rhea and Guanaco are now. It consisted of a long building with enclosures, of varying sizes, down each side. I have photos of Puma, Ocelot, Persian Leopard and this one of a black Leopard. I also remember Scottish Wildcat and Jungle Cat being on show here. You couldn't get into the Cat House, just see the cats in the outdoor areas, through large windows.

not a bad enclosure, i acctually quite like it

This building seemed to suit the cats, but the management didn't think it fitted in with a modern zoo's image. I quite liked it.

It looks brilliant actually it doesnt look like it was built that long ago!

It was my favorite place in Chester Zoo. I was gutted when I returned to Chester Zoo in 1999 and it had been demolished. They had other cages for small cats around the cat house as well. I also remember the three legged Leopard although I'm not certain if it was black or not. Would love Chester to resurrect the Cat House in a modern form.

There was a three-legged clouded leopard a very long time ago. Also kept were margay, serval,Geoffrey's cat, lynx, caracal, jaguarundi, ocelot, puma, and others I forget. Jaguars were kept in the cat house until the construction of a separate set of cages alongside the house where the vicuna are now, where they bred.

Pygathrix said:

Jaguars were kept in the cat house until the construction of a separate set of cages alongside the house where the vicuna are now, where they bred.

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And here is a picture

http://www.zoochat.com/42/jaguar-enclosures-chester-zoo-25-may-35737/

Pygathrix said:

There was a three-legged clouded leopard a very long time ago. Also kept were margay, serval,Geoffrey's cat, lynx, caracal, jaguarundi, ocelot, puma, and others I forget.

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I especially remember the pampas cat; that was a particular favourite of mine.

bongorob said:

This building seemed to suit the cats, but the management didn't think it fitted in with a modern zoo's image. I quite liked it.

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I did too- the enclosures were spacious and well landscaped. I never figured why it was demolished when it was , its only shortcoming seemed perhaps the 'block' feel of the rectangular design with the rows of enclosures on each side. Perhaps that was enough?

Tim May said:

I especially remember the pampas cat; that was a particular favourite of mine.

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A species I'd dearly love to see; but also a species held in the cat house which is unlikely to return to European collections at all.