I don't want to be unkind, and I'll admit that I've never visited FF. but this photo, and the other photos alongside, do flag up the big problem with zoos developed from a farm - they seem always to be short of woodland. After eighty years of being a zoo, and longer since it was abandoned as a farm, Whipsnade still suffers from this.
If I had the choice of visiting this place or Manor House which does have quite a nice wooded area,I would take this place every time because it has a far better collection of animals!They also don't have owners that have a problem with animals being in a cage!!
Like Ian, I've not been to this place, but looking through the pictures - for which thanks, Bele - I must admit it doesn't look especially alluring. This paddock takes functionalism to a new height (depth?), and whilst I would happily overlook functionalism in the right context, I'm not sure that it is enough for a commercial operation displaying a pretty common animal.
The original RRH enclosure at Folly Farm was aesthetically much better , but the wooded enclosure turned into a sea of mud ( there are pictures on the FF gallery ). This replacement is probably much better in terms of animal welfare . I would reckon that only a tiny proportion of visitors to FF find it as it is tucked away in a quiet corner.
Also the original pair were meant to be non-breeding - the male was castrated . However , the female was already pregnant on arrival and later produced 4 piglets . Perhaps the original enclosure would have been workable for the 2 animals it was designed for . To be fair they have kept all 6 animals , not disposed of the unexpected extra 4 .
do flag up the big problem with zoos developed from a farm - they seem always to be short of woodland. After eighty years of being a zoo, and longer since it was abandoned as a farm, Whipsnade still suffers from this.
Agree. It does look rather a bleak and open site, the presence of the Pylons rather confirms that too. Woodland is a very valuable asset for Zoos and Wildlife Parks. Of course its a case of what is available in the first place although planting can help longerterm.
