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.
Blackpool's outdoor Orangutan area now has slightly improved over the years by adding more climbing frames/more enrichment. I believe the plan is to extend the Orangutan enclosure to the lawn. The current Orangutan enclosure is much more suited to them rather than the Gorillas.
I would like to see Blackpool get away from the artificial style of the climbing equipment etc but they can only do it by extending or significantly modernising the whole enclosure. Hopefully that will happen though probably not on an equivalent level to e.g. Chester's.
Going back to the Dudley enclosure(above) - I think this enclosure, probably rightly, produces more adverse comment on here than just about any other, at least in the UK.
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.
Those pictures show the entire outside space; there is a poky indoor area as well.
I'm pretty sure the whole exhibit (tiny indoor and not-any-better outdoor) would fit comfortably in one of the three outdoor 'segments' of Dudley's house (in all three dimensions). It's abysmally small.
They've done their best with what they have in terms of climbing etc but there just isn't enough space. The fact there is mesh to climb is the only thing in its favour. It's a shame because I have a soft spot for Barcelona after several visits (been there more times than Marwell or Edinburgh, in fact).
Dudley's exhibit may be no Marie Le Fevre, Realm of the Red Ape, Borgoriwald or Pongoland (to put it mildly) but at least the animals can move about a bit!
I would agree it's not the best but come on we get it, IT'S NOT THE BEST OK.
Everytime someone posts a picture of an Orangutan or the Enclosure we get the same replies OK WE GET IT, IT'S NOT THE BEST
AT least Dudley doesn't have to borrow millions to build an enclosure
Banging another well-worn drum, the obvious issues with this facility, Dudley's lack of resources to do much about it, and the current shortage of orang-utan holders in the UK, all make me regret once again London's failure to build for orangs rather than gorillas.
Banging another well-worn drum, the obvious issues with this facility, Dudley's lack of resources to do much about it, and the current shortage of orang-utan holders in the UK, all make me regret once again London's failure to build for orangs rather than gorillas.
There are currently eight collections in the UK which house Bornean Orangutans. These are Blackpool, Chester, Colchester , Dudley, Dublin, Monkey World, Paignton and Twycross. Of these only Chester, Dudley, Monkey World and Twycross have bred them within the last five years. If London opted to take the Orangutan option rather than the Gorilla way than maybe we would of had another breeding group. Chester have the best facilities in the UK and bred a pair in 2009.
Dudley bred a female in March 2011, the first successful birth for Jazz (Born at Dudley) and Jurong (Chester born, came from Dublin). IMO Paignton's have the best outdoor exhibit, plenty of climbing facilities as well as natural foraging areas.
Not all Zoo's can upgrade there exhibits straight away, and I believe that the second phase of the Orangutan exhibit at Dudley will be sorting out the outdoor areas.
Going back onto London and if they acquired Orangutans instead of Gorillas. From my experience with the Blackpool Apes, the Orangutans are much more placid and relaxed. Gorillas are a bit more skittish, I don't know if London's Gorillas are very active but Orangutans are a much better display when displayed appropriately.
I would agree it's not the best but come on we get it, IT'S NOT THE BEST OK.
Everytime someone posts a picture of an Orangutan or the Enclosure we get the same replies OK WE GET IT, IT'S NOT THE BEST
AT least Dudley doesn't have to borrow millions to build an enclosure
Well if you are having ago at the zoo I think you are about it borrowing millions to build an exhibit,just remember that zoo is putting up well over half the money itself,from its own funds which is something Dudley couldn't do.I'm also pretty sure no bank would lend them millions either because they don't have the visitor numbers to help repay any loan!!!
@zoogiraffe what I was saying is the zoo doesn't have the funds to spend millions on any enclosure and as you say any bank wouldn't lend it the money anyway.
To borrow money no matter what for just causes a false economy because one day it will come back to haunt you/
Edit - P/M me if you want any more updates from Dduely with your e-mail addresses please
