I am always extremely interested in the idea of giving zoo animals as big an outlook to their surroundings as possible. Here are some stunningly great examples of this idea, from a small zoo - Parken Zoo in the tiny city of Eskilstuna, Sweden:
The confinement of the poor cats to the petty prison cell shown above, at "Rare Species Conservation Centre", Sandwich, UK, is an insult in comparison.
@Binturong: the Guantanamo Prison comparison was sarcasm, hence the little smiley face at the end of my posting. I do know quite a lot about snow leopards as they are my favourite animals, and it is a travesty that major zoos all over the world often showcase them poorly in captivity.
The individual who posted this photo told me that it shows almost everything that there is to see. Dan is correct in calling it a prison, but Hix made a good point in suggesting that this enclosure is actually better than some of the other exhibits at the RSCC. This cage is disgracefully tiny for big cats, but some of the other enclosures at the RSCC are outright abominations. Anyone who thinks that the cages at this 2 acre "conservation centre" are acceptable has either incredibly low standards for zoo exhibitry, or else has simply not visited any outstanding collections around the world.
But how would you call this a "prison" when it's almost exactly the same size as the leopard cage at Howletts? You could argue that any animal enclosure is a "prison". I've seen this enclosure in person unlike many people on here, and it's by no means tiny. Don't bash a place until you've visited it, or you start sounding like you work for CAPS or Born Free
Not every single enclosure has to big with huge trees,different zoos have different ideas to enclosure designs look at the difference between The Aspinall Parks and San Diego?
Just because these are the zoo types we have grown up with doesnt mean other zoos are poorly designed.As it has been said this is about half the size of the enclosure and it is hard to say how big it is.
And to say that people who like the RSCC enclosures have very low zoo standards is not true i like some of the enclosures here they may be abit small but size is not the most important thing.If the animals are happy and enjoying their lives i think that is the most important thing.
Yes it could do with being made taller so the leopards could have a view around the surroundings.
Now like quite alot of you i have never seen the enclosures here but i have heard mixed reports about the place quite alot saying the enclosures being alot better when you have seen them in person.Photos are not 100% accurate.
Me and most of the other english members of the site have not been critisising the American Zoos as we all know they are some god-awful road side zoos with no regard for the animal welfare at all.
I know in England we have had plenty of these zoos but most of them are all phased out and i know the main concern of all Zoo Directors in the UK is how happy the animals are.
Sorry this may be abit extreme but it is what i feel i havent wished to affend anyone.
We should not be critising every single zoo enclosure we vaguley do not like we should be helping them strive forward with ideas to make them better.
Regards
The confinement of the poor cats to the petty prison cell shown above, at "Rare Species Conservation Centre", Sandwich, UK, is an insult in comparison.
I repeat my question before: do you have any basis for making this judgment based on the state of the specimens housed in this particular enclosure? Or are you just saying "I saw a picture, I don't like it; it's wrong?"
Because I've seen the enclosure, with animals in it, and they exhibit completely natural behavior. There are a number of height variations, places to climb, and places to hide. The animals behave completely naturally and are in excellent condition (two of the best looking Snow Leopards I've ever seen). You Haven't. You're making completely over the top comments based on an enclosure you have never seen.
Furthermore, one reason why the walls are relatively solid there is that while Snow Leopards do like to have sight lines, they also, like most big cats, require significant amounts of privacy to be successful in breeding. Enclosures without significant barriers to stop the public from being able to see them at all times aren't as suitable as ones that afford them (and most other cats) more privacy. If you actually knew anything about the species or big cats in general, you'd know that. But you quite clearly don't.
Let me make this very plain based on the postings you've made: you've made up your mind that RSCC is some type of experiment in animal cruelty, despite the fact that it has been visited and vetted by the heads of San Diego Zoo, Dallas Zoo, Bioparc Valencia, Parc Beauval, Free The Bears, etc. Every single one of them has made positive comments about the quality of the enclosures (and more importantly, their suitability for the species in question), and the health and wellbeing of the animals. Personally, I trust their opinion far more than yours.
So since you have seemingly no ability to actually listen to the opinions of anybody who has real experience of the facility, why don't you just do us all a favor and shut up? You hate the facility. That's clear. We all get it at this point.
I agree fully with Binturong, Snow Leopards are very secretive cats and the idea of these solid walls is something i think is a good idea giving the cats alot of privacy from nearby animals and most importantly the public. And from what ive heard and seen these Snow Leopards are in superb condition showing no stereotypic behavoir at all which is something to be very proud of.
Just because you dont like a certain enclosure doesnt mean the Animals dont too,To see something between the eyes of a human and snow leopard is very different. And i do agree on every picture of the Clouded Leopard/Puma and Snow Leopard enclosures have had some kind of negative comments we know you dont like it so you dont have to carry on with it.These our by no means any worse than other enclosures being opened this year and just because it is a small collection and new it is easier to pick on.
Regards
I'm sure that snow leopards do like their privacy, and there are also many other animals in zoos that require hiding opportunities away from the scrutiny of the general public. I'm beginning to think that it would be best if all zoos copied the 2 acre RSCC and built thick grey slabs of concrete around their animal exhibits. Wouldn't it be great if there were a series of blocks that represented the different biomes of the world? The grey ones could be for Himalayan animals, green blocks of concrete could be for tropical animals, and then ugly yellow blocks could be for the public bathrooms. There would have to be a lot of quality signage so that visitors didn't wander into the snow leopard enclosure by mistake, as the hideous set of walls looks quite familiar to many restrooms.
Another brilliant idea would be to walk the snow leopards around on leashes. I know that the pumas might get jealous, but their exhibit is even worse than the snow leopard one so they shouldn't get too offended.
