Glancing through the 60 photos of Dudley Zoo in the gallery is not a pretty sight, as other than the fairly new lynx exhibit there isn't anything of quality at the establishment. I'm sure that there are some decent enclosures that simply have not been uploaded onto ZooChat, but the chimpanzee, orangutan and bear pits are all substandard and badly outdated. Some of the other exhibits are simply green fields that are simplistic and probably quite inexpensive to design.
Glancing through the 60 photos of Dudley Zoo in the gallery is not a pretty sight, as other than the fairly new lynx exhibit there isn't anything of quality at the establishment. I'm sure that there are some decent enclosures that simply have not been uploaded onto ZooChat, but the chimpanzee, orangutan and bear pits are all substandard and badly outdated. Some of the other exhibits are simply green fields that are simplistic and probably quite inexpensive to design.
The snow leopard enclosure is not bad either & the lemur wood is of a good standard but that is around it. Some of the enclosures for smaller monkeys, gibbons etc are ok but generally this zoo has past it's sell by date & any animal of any size should never be kept there in my opinion.
I agree with PAT. Although I wouldn't say I despise pine, this looks more natural and was probably a tenth of the price of pine. Although saying that, if it was so cheap then why does the enclosure look so empty on other photos? It's things like that which really annoy me with zoos: They could easily and cheaply build more climbing frames, so why not do it?!
Although saying that, if it was so cheap then why does the enclosure look so empty on other photos? It's things like that which really annoy me with zoos: They could easily and cheaply build more climbing frames, so why not do it?!
Because no-one can be bothered to upgrade the climbing facilities. This large outdoor enclosure has never contained much in the way of interest for the chimps- no hillocks or landscaping, just a few basic climbing frames which now look as if they are rotting in situ. Its as if it was too much effort to add proper climbing and other facilities. It rather reflects Dudley Zoo as a whole though...
Dudley zoo has always rather reflected its industrialised and urban Midlands situation. It is probably the most depressing major animal collection in the UK. Through its history it has always struggled with poor finances, planning issues, a very steep location- its built round a hill, and lots of concrete and outdated buildings which can't be replaced because they are listed. The animal collection is not bad but much of it has never been exhibited in very sympathetic or first class exhibits.
Dudley Zoo has always has a rather 'tired' feel to it- the Orangutan and Chimp facilities still being good examples of this.
Dudley zoo has always rather reflected its industrialised and urban Midlands situation. It is probably the most depressing major animal collection in the UK. Through its history it has always struggled with poor finances, planning issues, a very steep location- its built round a hill, and lots of concrete and outdated buildings which can't be replaced because they are listed. The animal collection is not bad but much of it has never been exhibited in very sympathetic or first class exhibits.
Dudley Zoo has always has a rather 'tired' feel to it- the Orangutan and Chimp facilities still being good examples of this.
I just had a thought which the zoo has probably already thought of. Dudley Council own the zoo & if they want to keep control why do they not go into partnership with english heritage. The EH could take over the castle & help pay for the upkeep of the listed enclosures. This would get better promotion of the castle & zoo, free more money up for the zoo to invest in the animals & hopefully bring in more revenue. This would please the people who want to keep these listed enclosures safe as EH will invest more than the zoo can. Maybe this is a mad thought but at least it will stay in council hands & each attraction can improve. A castle with a zoo in it or a zoo with a castle can't be bad..
I'm sure they must have looked at every possible way of trying to raise the Zoo's profile....;
Some months ago they announced a £ multimillion cash injection to upgrade the zoo but I'm wondering,will it go the way of previous similar plans which have been announced and then quietly dropped. Especially in view of the economic climate.
