I would disagree. This hardly looks like an enclosure suitable for such a highly intelligent primate. Then again, if they are given good environmental enrichment several times a day then they might still be well off. But as far as enclosures go, I would say this would hardly qualify as a holding area, much less a show area. What kind of conservation message do you give when you see them in this small, clean and obviously man made enclosure. What makes it even more disturbing is that there is so much natural vegetation near by. Capuchins could easily be enclosed with electrical fencing, giving them access to trees where they could forage for insects and buds.
Who? I never have but I think this enclosure is fine. There are plenty of climbing opportunities. Also we should remember this is a brand new enclosure so is a little 'sterile.' Presumably like there old enclosures they will plant them up which will make them fine.
And you have obviously never visited Shaldon or you would not be saying they could be kept behind an electric fence,as the place is in a wood and all the canopy above is joined to the trees that are outside the zoo,the only way that they could put them behind an electric fence would be to cut a whole pile of the trees down losing the feel of the place,also they weren`t allowed to cut dowm any of the exisiting trees on this extension as the whole wood is PROTECTED!!!!
I like this enclosure and zoo very much. I dont understand what you mean by conservation messages? Just because zoos exhibit different species in non-immersive enclosures does not mean you can not educate people about how endangered they are and why there is a captive breeding programme to save the speicies. I believe Shaldon for its size gives more money to various primate conservation organisations than alot of opther much larger collections. The capuchins do indeed receive alot of enrichment. As for the hot wire comment as zoogiraffe has already mentioned it would be impossible in this area with such a large canopy, also buffy headed capuchins are notoriusly more difficult to keep behind it than some other species. Perhaps you could get of your high horse and vist the place before you make such comments.
I like this enclosure and zoo very much. I dont understand what you mean by conservation messages? Just because zoos exhibit different species in non-immersive enclosures does not mean you can not educate people about how endangered they are and why there is a captive breeding programme to save the speicies. I believe Shaldon for its size gives more money to various primate conservation organisations than alot of opther much larger collections. The capuchins do indeed receive alot of enrichment. As for the hot wire comment as zoogiraffe has already mentioned it would be impossible in this area with such a large canopy, also buffy headed capuchins are notoriusly more difficult to keep behind it than some other species. Perhaps you could get of your high horse and vist the place before you make such comments.
It's great to hear that you are of a different opinion! Then we can have an interesting discussion and I would love to hear what it is about this enclosure you think is so good. I will elaborate on what, in my mind, makes this cage unsuitable for displaying yellow-breasted capuchins. Firstly, about sending a conservation message; I think when you show an animal in a cage like this, which is completely unlike the animals natural environment, and... I have no other word to describe it then "neat", I believe that some people will see a caged animal rather then one of the most endangered primates in the world. In other words, I believe you can engage more people if you show them this primate climbing trees, searching through the foliage and jumping between swinging branches. Simply displaying them in nature, up in the trees. I think it does them more justice. I doesn't have to be an immersion exhibit or a ridiculously expensive indoor rainforest. Any tree does it for me. I don't know if I'm doing a good job explaining my thoughts, but what I'm trying to say is that I'm afraid for a lot of people these capuchins will be degraded to "just a monkey in a zoo" when they are housed and displayed in something that looks like something you could build in your back yard.
Further, I think it's too small. Capuchins are among the most cognitively advanced animals in the world, it is my belief that they benefit from a much larger, more complex environment then this cage. But, like I also wrote in my first comment, this could to some extent be taken care of by using clever enrichment devises and such. Still, I think capuchins deserve better and especially this species since it is of high conservation value. If they are not taught to search for food in a natural way and to travel through trees they way they are supposed to they might have a very hard time learning it. Miami Monkey Jungle released Cebus apella sp. into a large forested area. They didn't leave their release cage for years, as they were too afraid to venture out into something unknown (which was trees) and they there for stayed with what they knew (which was a metal wire cage with branches firmly attached).
Maybe you can't fence in a few trees in this zoo, I haven't visited so I don't know the local conditions. And, mind you, I'm not saying Shaldon is a horrible place, just that I, personally, don't like this enclosure. In the discussions here in the zoochat galleries I think we must be allowed to comment on what we see in the pictures even if we haven't visited the place and seen everything with our own eyes. I'm sort of saddened by Al's comment about me "getting off my high horse" as I was merely expressing an opinion, which I didn't find very radical when I first wrote it.
Please tell me more about yellow-breasted capuchins escaping hot-wire.
Firstly please accept my apology for any harsh comments! You are completely right that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I have seen many capuchins in many zoos and have found that regardless wether an enclosure has a tree or is enclosed the capuchins still exhibit perfectly normal/natural behaviours. I am a firm believer of enrichment and have no problem with an nice enclosure as this for a small group of these beautiful primates. I have visited this zoo several times and have watched the capuchins completely engrosed in differing enrichment items and with added natural branches. Likewise I have visited zoos with the same species high in a tree with visitors walking past and saying 'what's that?' ' oh it might be another monkey!' The distance itself is enough to stop people even seeing it! I believe that an enclosure like this with the right interpretation can often therefore do more for the species. As for hot wired enclosures I have heard of several stories from zoos with this species simply climbing over it and escaping often with negative consequences therefore being enclosed is often the safest option both for the primate and the visitors. Like I said before this zoo is able to contribute to not only the captive breeding of the species but also the insitu conservation of it! The many visitors who visit this amazing collection I'm sure appreciate them for what they are!
