The photo 'Bear mountain at its best' is along the lines of how I would like to see them replant the Lion enclosure- but using thorn trees- e.g. Acacias to replicate Indian(Gir) dry forest.
I also like these photos of the Mappins now. I'm assuming the doorway in the first photo was for a small indoor area for the birds kept in the pool, although I doubt any of them would have made use of it.
Aethsetically I think the current outback exhibit works well as it embraces the tall 'mountains' at the top into the vista, whereas 'Bear Mountain' didn't really do that. It must be very difficult for the Zoo to find a suitable transformation of this whole area which was originally modelled on the old Hagenbeck style of exhibit, without being able to completely demolish it.
