Hi Pacu,
It looks like there's still more to be done - many walls still had wet paint on when I visited. Being so used to the plain older structures, fluorescent colours and large murals look quite odd to me, but we'll see how they work once all the painting is finished. I must admit that I found the murals to be quite a clever use of the space, and thought they worked well in making the area more visually interesting. In the tiger viewing area, I much prefer a fresh coat of paint to the dirty grey walls that were there previously; but, as I say, I'm keen to see what it'll look like once finished. I'm also interested in seeing exactly what they've been doing to the lion enclosure.
Best,
Nayer
I think this works - for children, this is right next to animal adventure and fits into their 'Urban Oasis' branding for the zoo. The current cat situation means it would not be appropriate to start major construction work at this point; the lions have cubs for the first time in 10 years, and the problematic tiger swap with Dudley was reversed so that the compatible pair are back together, but are both really too old to breed now. Plus the planting done when the tiger enclosure got a facelift a few years ago has really matured and the space is more secluded for them. But I would be surprised (and pretty horrified) if London attempted keeping more tigers in the current cage after the current pair die.
I really like this approach of minor alterations to otherwise undesirable structures. I don't doubt for a minute that major redevelopment of the terraces will occur in the next few years but, for now, they are being brought to life in a very interesting way.
As for the lion viewing, the box hedge really put some distance between visitors and lions, so I imagine they're removing that, however what would be really interesting is if they drain the moat entirely and put glass pannelling in...I think there is a strong possibility of this.
As for the lion viewing,.... however what would be really interesting is if they drain the moat entirely and put glass pannelling in...I think there is a strong possibility of this.
That is what I would really like to see happen -as it would almost double their living space. They are doing some planting/landscaping in the enclosure at present I believe but I am not sure they are going this far with the moat.
