I think part of this is that in the UK we're used to theming being used as much to 'jazz up' an otherwise unremarkable exhibit rather than to enhance a good one, or else retro-fitted as a 'quick fix' for a dated enclosure.
I think the scale of 'Islands' and the fact it has been scratch-built to include it allow it to feel like the theming is appropriate, unlike the various dodgy temples and concrete termite mounds we normally put up with (and Chester has examples of both..!).
Chester have at least gone into this properly - done 'the full Hannover' on it - unlike most of their previous attempts (only the Tsavo aviary/wild dog section is similarly 'full-on-themed').
I think Tsavo is another great example of how well the styling of an exhibit can add value and context (although the birthing dens do look a little bit Fred Flintstone) I absolutely love the Tsavo area of the zoo (my favourite area before Islands opened!). It is so simply done and apparently only cost approx £300k!!! I hope they extend the Tsavo theme across the rest if the African savannah zone.
@Zooplantman: perhaps there are some U.K. zoo fans who have realized that expensive, heavily-themed complexes at a local zoo can actually be a good thing and in this case surely the best part of a specific zoo. Maybe some folks understand that it is possible for a zoo to present animals in a functional exhibit and then also apply a lot of "window dressing" to immerse visitors into the experience. Then again there might be others who would rather see the inhabitants of Islands in standard enclosures without all the bells and whistles.
Immersion and theming are similar concepts and I'm a fan of both. One can tour a fairly obscure zoo in southern Michigan (Binder Park) and feel as if they are going to the bathroom in an African nation. How great is that? Doesn't it add to the zoo-going experience? Check out this photo:
@Zooplantman: perhaps there are some U.K. zoo fans who have realized that expensive, heavily-themed complexes at a local zoo can actually be a good thing and in this case surely the best part of a specific zoo. Maybe some folks understand that it is possible for a zoo to present animals in a functional exhibit and then also apply a lot of "window dressing" to immerse visitors into the experience. Then again there might be others who would rather see the inhabitants of Islands in standard enclosures without all the bells and whistles.
Immersion and theming are similar concepts and I'm a fan of both. One can tour a fairly obscure zoo in southern Michigan (Binder Park) and feel as if they are going to the bathroom in an African nation. How great is that? Doesn't it add to the zoo-going experience? Check out this photo:
I am one of those UK zoo fans who can't get enough of the theming and immersion exhibit. I've only been to San Diego zoo in the US and it has some undoubtedly stunning immersion exhibits.
I don't like to see an animal in a functional exhibit/cage/enclosure. One of the reasons I am 'Chesterzoofan' is because I think they do a better job than most of creating interesting immersion exhibits. Granted they are only at the start if this journey with lots more to come.
I was at Islands a soon as the zoo opened the other day. The sun shone, I was the only visitor in sight and for a moment I could suspend reality and imagine I was actually in a far flung Island. For me this connection with the environment and animals is better than standing in front of a fenced rectangular enclosure.
I think Chester could have gone even further with Islands theming, but it isn't finished yet and more keeps getting added, so I will wait until it is complete for a full assessment.
I was at Islands a soon as the zoo opened the other day. The sun shone, I was the only visitor in sight and for a moment I could suspend reality and imagine I was actually in a far flung Island. For me this connection with the environment and animals is better than standing in front of a fenced rectangular enclosure.
Not sure if I have already said this but I do wonder how this will work for the bulk of the year when Cheshire's weather is less than tropical. Or even under snow.
Not sure if I have already said this but I do wonder how this will work for the bulk of the year when Cheshire's weather is less than tropical. Or even under snow.
A large proportion of the planting is evergreen (bamboo, laurel etc) so the core or base planting will be all year round. Granted it will not look like a tropical Island....but considering approx 80% of visitors come in the summer months when there will be leaves on the trees and the perennials will be in full bloom I think Islands will be seen in its full glory by majority of visitors.
Not sure what they will do if the lazy river freezes over though....??!
A large proportion of the planting is evergreen (bamboo, laurel etc) so the core or base planting will be all year round. Granted it will not look like a tropical Island....but considering approx 80% of visitors come in the summer months when there will be leaves on the trees and the perennials will be in full bloom I think Islands will be seen in its full glory by majority of visitors.
Not sure what they will do if the lazy river freezes over though....??!
They fit reinforced bows to the boats, change the drive mechanism down to a lower gear and give each boat guide an extra bright blue fleece and a St Bernard with a small keg of Brandy
I think one way of evaluating the non-animal related aspects of Islands is to think in terms of added value for the visitor. I am sure that the zoo will be looking for feedback from visitors when the dust settles, and possibly modifying various features in response. These features will need quite a lot of care and maintenance if they are to maintain their impact.
Not sure if I have already said this but I do wonder how this will work for the bulk of the year when Cheshire's weather is less than tropical. Or even under snow.
I went round Hannover Zoo (which is almost all 'fully-themed', and for the most part by the same designers as Islands) in the snow in 2013. A few animals (mostly ungulates) were kept in but otherwise it was quite a fun experience. Africa was odd - Yukon Bay of course looked perfect! You lose the sense of place to a degree for a tropical exhibit complex but it doesn't ruin the exhibit completely.
Plus, unlike Hannover's Africa, Islands has a major indoor building, where it will be tropical all year round.
