What separates the two troops of chimpanzees? I can recall seeing some type of barrier in place (via ZooChat photos) about a year ago, but was a moat constructed or is the barrier not visible in this particular photo? I can vividly remember my 2007 visit to Taronga Zoo and one of the great things for visitors is that this chimp exhibit has an expansive viewing area that can certainly hold large crowds of people.
There is a separate area at the western end of the exhibit (not visible in this shot). Currently there is only the single troop, and all chimps have access to both parts of the exhibit. The secondary "enclosure" can be closed off to separate the animals if a new animal(s) are acquired, or to separate young males when they reach puberty and become boisterous. I imagine it could be used for other things too - like an injured animal that needs to recover, a new mother and infant, or a lowly female that is being picked on.
I don't think that it is that ugly and certainly is not an immersion exhibit but it is a great exhibit for the chimps with many climbing and foraging opportunities as well as a large group so it is great watching the social interactions. The climbing structures are VERY high and give the chimps a wonderful vista of the harbour, and there also many different ropes and hammocks.
There are now also many more areas for the chimps to get away from each other. The meshed part of the exhibit has high poles enabling members to get away from the rest of the group, and now there is also a small cave area next to the right of this photo that the chimps can shelterin (although I only saw the old female Lulu sitting there).
I really like the renovated exhibit is it provides better viewing opportunities, is better for the management of the chimps but mostly because the visitor interaction has been increased with more viewing windows, a fake termite mound that can be seen into, a climbing net for kids to climb up (as a chimp would), a hollow log with a window at the end for kids to climb into (and partially into the actual exhibit) and also a rope that can be pulled from both sides of the glass (similar to the 'Lair' exhibit at Dreamworld).
It's a wonderful exhibit but you probably have to see it in person to realise. I also wonder whether the photo would give a different impression if it was a nice sunny blue sky on the day Hix took this one. It's amazing what a difference a blue sky and light can make to opinions.....
and now there is also a small cave area next to the right of this photo that the chimps can shelterin (although I only saw the old female Lulu sitting there).
I remember going on a school excursion and seeing the exhibit just after it opened. It was so innovative at the time and so many great vantage points. Being able to get close to the chimps in the "cave" was one of the many highlights. One of the reasons I fell in love with Taronga as a child.
