Chimp Enclosure - Dudley 2006

Thanks for uploading these photos!

Thats quite a bare exhibit.
Has it always been like that or did the chimps tear it up?

Hi there

No problem.

No sure. They advertise it as 'one of the biggest chimp enclosures in Europe' and it is pretty big but probably smaller than Belfast and Whipsnade in UK. As you say, very bare, but is relatively young so don't think there has ever been much furniture in it.

I think this is part of the zoo that is going to be sold off and the chimps moved to the old polar bear/ lion/ tiger tecton house (with the orangs). Will post some pictures of this enclosure later.

Cheers
D

Thats good news then.

Those Bornean Orangs are in a very poor enclosure.

Indeed. The old Dudley Ape house has been universally slated for years.

Not sure you will think the new enclosure much of an improvement though, still very 'old school'. Interesting from a historical and architectural perspective but, in my opinion at least, not that useful as an animal enclosure.

D

Yes, I've heard its just going to be a roof over the old polar bear pit, right?

Or maybe one of the other enclosures as they are bigger.

I hope no other zoos are getting ideas from this enclosure.Imagine what a chimp could do by getting a branch to lever apart the hotwires.The whole group would be out in minutes.Admittedly , this is more like an orang trick , but certain chimps would do it.

Quite astonishing to look at this image now that the newer image has been uploaded into the gallery. There's a world of difference between them...

atleast they heading in the right way

I suppose the sell-off plan is now out?!!

Have they done anything now in terms of enrichment?