Outdoor bonobo area 2 May 2009

BjoernN said:

The enclosure looks better than before, but it is still bad - no vegetation, to less shadow, no places to hide.....

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My sentiments entirely.

How does it compare with most of the other Bonobo enclosures in Europe? Would you say it is the worst?

No, not the worst....

The bonobos at Wuppertal have no outdoor enclosure and only 70 sqm indoor for 8 animals, absolutely cruel.

Worst bonobo indoor enclosure in Europe:
1.) Wilhelma Stuttgart
2.) Wuppertal Zoo
3.) Berlin Zoo
4.) Apenheul Apeldoorn


Worst outdoor enclosures:
1.) Wuppertal - no outdoor enclosure
2.) Wilhelma Stuttgart
3.) Berlin Zoo
4) Twycross Zoo

Bjoern, how would you rank the other Bonobo enclosures (not just the poor ones)? Which is the best one in your opinion?

Okay, I try to:

Best indoor enclosures:

cathegories: area, ceiling Height, ground-/soil structure, climbing options, enrichtment, places to hide etc.

1.) Leipzig Zoo
2.) Frankfurt Zoo
3.) Cologne Zoo
4.) Planckendael Zoo
5.) Twycross Zoo
6.) Apeldoorn Apenheul
7.) Berlin Zoo
8.) Wuppertal Zoo
9.) Wilhelma Stuttgart


Best outdoor enclosures:

1.) Leipzig Zoo, Apenheul
3.) Cologne Zoo
4.) Planckendael Zoo
5.) Twycross Zoo
6.) Berlin Zoo
7.) Wilhelma Stuttgart

no outdoor enclosures: Wuppertal Zoo, Frankfurt Zoo (under construction)

Well at least in the terms of the European Standards Twycross isnt as bad as we first thought and like we've all said with perhaps a net roof and some long grass and tough plants this could be a very good enclosure.
And perhaps rise on BjoernN's 'Leader Board' soon.

Let us hope so....

Nice list BjoernN. And I agree that Leipzig and Cologne are great places for the bonobos. Apenheul has a fantastic outdoor exhibit but a so-so indoor exhibit. I am looking forward to seeing the new Borgori-Wald in Frankfurt Zoo.

Toddy said:

Apenheul has a fantastic outdoor exhibit but a so-so indoor exhibit.

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When I saw Apenheul's indoor Bonobo area I thought it was pretty good, but I have only seen it once and that quite a long time ago. I remember the outdoor area was excellent though- as with the Gorilla island too (but by contrast the indoor Gorilla house is poor).

It seems the Twycross Bonobo exhibit is not so bad after all- but they could make it even better now by planting it up!!

Pertinax said:

When I saw Apenheul's indoor Bonobo area I thought it was pretty good, but I have only seen it once and that quite a long time ago. I remember the outdoor area was excellent though- as with the Gorilla island too (but by contrast the indoor Gorilla house is poor).

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The indoor bonobo area in Apenhuel is not a bad exhibit. It is very nicely furnished but has two big flaws in my opinion: It is too dark and a bit too small for a large group to spend their days in the winter. But like I mentioned before, it is not that bad and they have a truly luxurious outdoor island.

The gorillas on the other hand have an even better island at their disposal but an indoor housing that is complete crap! Check out the pictures I have uploaded in the Apenheul gallery:

Bonobo island
Bonobo island
Bonobo indoor exhibit
Gorilla island
Gorilla island
Gorilla indoor exhibit