The orangutans have one of the worst enclosures in Europe with no trees to climb into (only old fire hoses on which nobody wants to swing). They were all dwelling on the floor (totally unnatural) and there were pools of water in their enclosure - again, unnatural. No sign of enrichment either.
It may not be the best, but it is not the worse - having worked with the team there, they are a group of dedicated keepers who provide enrichment for the animals. Such as old coffee sacs and different enrichment toys built in-house. It may not be natural and in this photo they are not using the climbing frame - however in most cases when I've been when it's not raining they have been using it to use the space available.
About the puddles of water, I'm sure it had just been raining, and any enclosure will have a puddle or two in it.
As I said its not perfect, hence why the zoo is upgrading it over time. Finishing the new indoor enclosures last year and plans to extend the outside enclosures and to provide a more natural area. But it has been long overdue and it is going to be well worth it. http://www.zoochat.com/198/orangutan-indoor-enclosure-benji-223089/ Being one of the new revamped indoor enclosures. Thanks to Adrian for the photo
It may not be the best, but it is not the worse - having worked with the team there, they are a group of dedicated keepers who provide enrichment for the animals.
I would have to strongly disagree with that, IMO it is just about the very worst, certainly in Western Europe. The fact that the keepers are dedicated and provide enrichment etc cannot disguise the fact that it is an old 1960's concrete ape house and now an atrocious enclosure for 2012.
Lets look at the outside; No opportunity to swing on anything(ropes or firehoses), just a network of thick solid poles to climb up, down and around in the manner of Bears. In the wild Orangutan travel through the trees swinging on vines etc to cross spaces and also simply for the enjoyment of it. No such opportunity here, mainly because its difficult to attatch ropes or firehoses to this frame but its not impossible. No visual stimulus due to high encircling wall, apart from at the front.
Lets look at the inside- here there are some fire hoses etc as they can be attatched to the ceiling, but far more could be added (on the style of Chester). I do question the infilling of the ex public area with those big boulder/rocks though I presume they were used as the only cheap method to infill the big difference in height between the old raised cage floors and the public floor.
Providing sacks and other enrichment is fine of course but its no replacement for good housing. I fully appreciate the staff have done the best they can in revamping these enclosures but really the only thing to do with this house is demolish it and start again but Dudley do not have the money to do it.
Chester has the best Orangutan facilities in the UK [breeding wise], with I'd say Paignton closely behind (Not seen Monkey World's or Twycross', but I have been told Twycross' isn't very good).
Dudley and Blackpool are behind when it comes to the enclosures however, I've been told Blackpool plan to extend there Great Ape facilities within the next few years. Dudley's a collection which I am planning to visit in October/November. I believe they have revamped the indoor accommodation but not the outdoor area.
That's not brilliant either but I would rate it far better than Dudley's. Not sure if this is the outdoor, indoor or all that is available to them but it is light, has far superior climbing facilities and mesh all around they can climb on too. Dudley's is dark and gloomy, all concrete, has no mesh to climb on.
Dudley and Blackpool are behind when it comes to the enclosures however, I've been told Blackpool plan to extend there Great Ape facilities within the next few years.
Its because they are still using enclosures designed built in the 60's(Dudley) and early 70's (Blackpool). Blackpool's is almost as bad as Dudley IMO. Their Gorilla area is much better however. The Blackpool orangs have the original outdoor area all three species once used.
I believe he's kept inside a lot because he eats soil- this may have developed at Antwerp bcause of his regime there. I don't know the conditions there but the original Ape House was not unlike Dudley's though the islands were grassed. It was very overcrowded and some Apes never went outside at all for many years(a pair of Lowland Gorillas spring to mind).
However overcrowding isn't quite the same as bad housing- a house may be good but still not have enough enclosures/display areas for all the animals to be kept in ideal conditions, if you see what I mean.
