So the windows were a bit dirty but this is a pic of Tian Tian's inside enclosure. Its maybe a couple of metres longer than the pic but there are no other features in it. Yang Guang's is pretty much the same.
So the windows were a bit dirty but this is a pic of Tian Tian\'s inside enclosure. Its maybe a couple of metres longer than the pic but there are no other features in it. Yang Guang\'s is pretty much the same.
It does look a rather sterile environment, but for an animal that eats, sleeps and spends it's waking moments conserving energy, what more does it need.
I think any climbing furniture may have been seen as a risk with the concrete floor.
And lets be honest, murals in an indoor area can be a hit or a miss and do nothing to stimulate or improve the inhabitants.
Actually, looks 20 years behind the times compared to modern exhibits for other bear species.
Why inside room at all? Chinese mountains are colder and wetter than Scotland. Why a wall around outside enclosure - so visitors will not peek without paying?
Actually, looks 20 years behind the times compared to modern exhibits for other bear species.
Why inside room at all? Chinese mountains are colder and wetter than Scotland. Why a wall around outside enclosure - so visitors will not peek without paying?
Remember that this has been converted from the old gorilla exhibit - once that decision had been made, other choices were constrained. The indoor exhibits allow each panda to be on-show if work needs to be done in the outdoor enclosures. Moreover I don't think it would be acceptable to have no indoor housing for basic animal welfare reasons - and I think that would bring the zoo's licence under question too.
Looks very basic but I really don't think it is a problem. It will protect the pandas from the elements and seems to have natural light. The pandas will probably have access to the outdoor areas for most of the time so if they are inside they probably still have the option to go out if they want. The indoor area will be easy to clean and as mentioned climbing structures could be a health and safety nightmare considering the concrete floor.
Its my guess these indoor enclosures provide for the Pandas' needs okay, a platform or raised area to sleep or sit on, and room to move around. They don't do a lot else. At London the older Sobell Pavilion indoor area for their Pandas was quite similar too. I think the zoos that have Pandas bank on them using the more lavish outdoor areas much of the time the public are in the zoo-its all about displaying them, after all, but whether that's a correct assumption I think depends on the individual Pandas.
It's also done on recommendation from China as well! Does the National Zoo in DC have warmer summers than Scotland? (I'm waiting for a barrage of "Everywhere has warmer summers than Scotland!") lol
