But I think it is irresponsible, ungentlemanly and ignorant of you to start throwing insults around at "Aspinall", as you do. It is unclear from your grammatical construction whether you are calling the late John Aspinall - erstwhile owner of Howletts - a "fascist", or suggesting that Damian Aspinall - current owner (sort of) - is a "late fascist"; either way, what you say is potentially libellous, and it does not reflect well on you.
Aspinall used to plot ways of over-throwing the democratically elected government of the United Kingdom. He was, like it or not, an extreme right-wing agitator. Inconvenient but true.
This from my point a view seems a silly question because an animal in captivity is in a cage, does not matter how you dress it up it's still a cage.
However, saying that I truly didn't appreciate the Howlett's gorilla "cages" until I visited for myself. I have agree with many here that it takes your breath away watching them in there environment and is the one of the best experiences I have had with Gorillas. All other "cages" that I have seen gorilla exhibited in other than maybe Bristol have not come close to these "cages".
In Australia there are only 2 zoos with gorillas, in large naturalistic exhibits, and across Europe there aren't many of the Howletts-style barred enclosures left.
This subject always whips up plenty of discussion. I'll make a few comments here;
1. Taronga Park's so-called 'naturalistic' enclosure is a converted Giant Panda exhibit with rock walls, water moat etc. It is actually too small for the Gorilla group of about 8 animals (which thrives and breeds freely nevertheless) and the ground is very bare as a consequence. Because of the 'ground only' design, the group probably has about 1/10th of the space available to them to use in this enclosure as a Howlett's enclosure affords their animals. The same can be said for many of the other modern 'open' Gorilla exhibits in zoos around the World, despite their attractive appearance.
2.Howlett's 'barred' enclosures are NOT at all like the old traditional barred cages of the past as seen in other urban zoos. They are enormous, barn-like structures, specially designed for the Gorillas, which most zoo cages never have been. Nowadays the older ones are showing their age, particularly the oldest, original block of cages but the fact they are still in good working order testifies to the original sound design.
3. At Port Lympne, where large open grassy enclosures are attatched to the meshed 'cages' the Gorillas have to be lured out with food to use them, otherwise they mainly prefer to stay in the covered areas.
4. Any 'naturalistic' exhibit which could provide the cover and climbing facilities provided by these Howletts enclosures would be hard to find anywhere. Though aethsetically preferable, its almost an impossibility to create the canopy effect of the rainforest, though as Yassa said, a very few do come close and they would be my preferred choice too over the Howlletts cages, but only where they can match them for the ability to supply the animals overall needs so well and I think still very few(any?) do that.
5. Viewing and photography-not good at Howletts but that wasn't what they were designed for. Ironically the best place to take Gorilla photos in Britain for a long time was Twycross, and we all know about their enclosures.
6 Breeding record- is so high because they nowadays have so many Gorillas so it is pretty much exponential - the style of enclosure has little to do with it- but the husbandry and group compositions of the animals ARE the influential factors here.
6 Breeding record- is so high because they nowadays have so many Gorillas so it is pretty much exponential - the style of enclosure has little to do with it- but the husbandry and group compositions of the animals ARE the influential factors here.
They certainly should do as maternal behaviour seems to at least partially learned from observation/experience of other young. But its interesting to note that some females in the Howlett's groups have always been neglectful mothers and they still have to resort to handrearing.
Its also interesting that to my knowledge Howletts have never reintegrated any of their 'orphans' back into their natal groups at a later date, as a number of other zoos have done very successfully. I think nowadays they send them back to Africa instead.
I agree, and just because zoos don't have bars doesn't mean the antis will turn around and say captivity is now fine. At least with the mesh they get to utilise the whole 3D space as opposed to just the floor and a few climbing frames like in so many other gorilla enclosures (actually, this goes for primates as a whole I would say).
Its also interesting that to my knowledge Howletts have never reintegrated any of their 'orphans' back into their natal groups at a later date, as a number of other zoos have done very successfully. I think nowadays they send them back to Africa instead.
At least with the mesh they get to utilise the whole 3D space as opposed to just the floor and a few climbing frames like in so many other gorilla enclosures (actually, this goes for primates as a whole I would say).
Its interesting that Chessington, who copied the Howletts design exactly for their existing Gorilla enclosure, are now going to opting for another 'cage' style design for the new one they are soon to build. I think if they can't provide a heavily forested environment for the outdoor enclosure (which they obviously can't) then a 'cage design' actually makes more sense.
Or it could be said how said that people think a gorilla captive born or WC. Is going to be more enriched in a "naturalistic" exhibit so common in USA. I have seen many of the US naturalistic exhibits. The amount of enrichment offered is miniscule compared to what is offered in this picture.
It seems some US posters want to feel secure in knowing that the exhibit appeals to their emotions. NOT the gorillas needs! That is trully what is sad.
Well put ! zooman my friend , i think you were correct in what you said , i think gringo posters ( no offence by the way , thats just what we Mexicans call you Americans ) should visit the Aspinall parks before ridiculing them. I think the Aspinalls parks together are conservation heavyweights compared to other zoological gardens.
