This is the main exhibit which on this day the male ('Drake') had access to. Behind this exhibit is two smaller exhibits which the female ('Freya') had access to.
I am uncomfortable with how exposed the site is for a leopard. There isn't even a group of trees to hide in. Where the animal might lay beneath one of the evergreens it is still exposed. No refuge that I can see.
Well I hope you aren't referring to the horrid and tiny enclosure that the Amur Leopards are currently housed in? It looks to me like the old Chimpanzee enclosure with a few bits of tree trunk strips fixed to the frame work,
I did say previous Leopard enclosure. It was the converted tiger enclosure redone for Leopards after the tigers left. Not enormous but it was nicely done. For some reason when they moved them into the current (converted chimpanzee) area they did not make the same effort with landscaping as with the other, perhaps for reasons of cost/economic state of things there.
Yorkshire's enclosure is no doubt much larger than Twycross. I was trying to demonstrate how effective landscaping can improve even a smaller enclosure. IMO that previous Leopard enclosure was the best enclosure there but its used for something else now.
I am uncomfortable with how exposed the site is for a leopard. There isn't even a group of trees to hide in. Where the animal might lay beneath one of the evergreens it is still exposed. No refuge that I can see.
That is my overall feeling. I accept its a new enclosure on previously open ground so there were no established trees or vegetation they could incorporate. The trees in the enclosure will grow but for Leopards, which do like cover, it is not very natural at present. Hence my saying its my least favourite enclosure (from the photos) here.
That is my overall feeling. I accept its a new enclosure on previously open ground so there were no established trees or vegetation they could incorporate. The trees in the enclosure will grow but for Leopards, which do like cover, it is not very natural at present. Hence my saying its my least favourite enclosure (from the photos) here.
I did say previous Leopard enclosure. It was the converted tiger enclosure redone for Leopards after the tigers left. Not enormous but it was nicely done. For some reason when they moved them into the current (converted chimpanzee) area they did not make the same effort with landscaping as with the other, perhaps for reasons of cost/economic state of things there.
Yorkshire's enclosure is no doubt much larger than Twycross. I was trying to demonstrate how effective landscaping can improve even a smaller enclosure. IMO that previous Leopard enclosure was the best enclosure there but its used for something else now.
Sorry if there was any mis-understanding Pertinax,i wasn't having a dig.
Do you know what is currently housed in the old Leopard enclosure at Twycross,as they hardly have any big cats left there now. Could it be the Striped Hyena one,that is probably the best landscaped enclosure there,but pretty small.( I cant believe they used to house tigers in it if it is that one )
And Drake the Leopard spends the majority of his day up on the various platforms. I have never seen him,or his brothers before him,try and hide away under any undergrowth.He much prefers to be able to see what is happening around him rather than skulking away.
Sorry if there was any mis-understanding Pertinax,i wasn't having a dig.
Do you know what is currently housed in the old Leopard enclosure at Twycross,as they hardly have any big cats left there now. Could it be the Striped Hyena one,that is probably the best landscaped enclosure there,but pretty small.( I cant believe they used to house tigers in it if it is that one )
And Drake the Leopard spends the majority of his day up on the various platforms. I have never seen him,or his brothers before him,try and hide away under any undergrowth.He much prefers to be able to see what is happening around him rather than skulking away.
No, it was just a misunderstanding. I don't know what is in that enclosure currently. From memory the Hyaena(s) was/is in the ex Lion enclosure which of course was equally small for Lions!
As Leopards are essentially climbers and in the wild they spend a lot of time resting in trees where they feel safer away from Lions and Hyaenas, then this enclosure at YWP provides for that well. As I said, functional rather than attractive though.
More attractive than the new, ex-chimp leopard enclosure but rather low and with only one enclosure, which meant any separated animals had to be shut in.
I agree with Pertinax, it is a very stark enclosure, with very little opportunity for hiding out of the public`s gaze, had this been a primate enclosure, for something like macaques, it would be much more appropriate.
But not for a semi-large carnivore, the type of platforms and poles are not really ideally suited. Ok they use it, fair enough, but it still does not seem right to me. I am surprised because this is by and large an excellent, progressive zoo run by experienced zoo-people.
I have to agree here too. On point one- animals will, by and large, always make the best use of whatever is available to them equipment-wise but that doesn't necessarily reflect its suitability. To argue that 'they use it a lot' still doesn't mean it is the best or most ideal that could be provided.
Point two- that is my feeling too about this enclosure. Somewhat out of line with everything else they have done so far.
I have to agree here too. On point one- animals will, by and large, always make the best use of whatever is available to them equipment-wise but that doesn't necessarily reflect its suitability. To argue that 'they use it a lot' still doesn't mean it is the best or most ideal that could be provided.
Point two- that is my feeling too about this enclosure. Somewhat out of line with everything else they have done so far.
