its a pain they cant knock this down because i heard the reason why they wont get rid of it is because it is a historical heritage site :L . i think the whole thing looks hideouse
Unlike some other parts of London Zoo [such as the Casson Elephant House -- with all that overhead perching space for the elephants], the Mappin Terraces still have the potential to be visually effective and functional [for the tenants] animal housing. They just haven't got it right yet.
Though I haven't been to London Zoo yet, whenever I've seen photos of the Mappin Terraces, I've akways thought that they'd make a good exibit for a New Mexico/American West theme with animals like puma or coyotes up front and bighorn sheep on the mesa like structures.
Personally I feel that the structures, themselves, may that be the Mappins or that Casson, are absolutely stunning, its just a case of theming the areas in the correct manner...
Though I haven't been to London Zoo yet, whenever I've seen photos of the Mappin Terraces, I've akways thought that they'd make a good exibit for a New Mexico/American West theme with animals like puma or coyotes up front and bighorn sheep on the mesa like structures.
While I also like this Outback exhibit I do feel it's wasted on an area that could have much better use.
One of my ideas is to do something similair to Chesters 'Europe on the edge' aviary-net the area over. Waterfowl and waders could use the moat at the front, cranes, storks and maybe some birds of preys. I know this has already been done in the Snowdon aviary (which I really like!) but this would allow them to put something more exciting on North Bank.
Another idea could be some kind of bear-you could make lots of climbing structures for spectacled/sun bears as there's also a pool-but is it big enough? be as harsh as you like on these ideas1
Emus are absent from some of the bigger UK zoos (Chester, Colchester, Edinburgh) but with over 300 European zoos (including over 40 UK collections) keeping the species I wouldn't exactly call them a rarity!
As I remember, it looked pretty good with the original setup; goats & sheep on the 'mountains' at the back, bears in front of them, pigs in front at ground level, with birds on the long pool at the front. Enclosures were small by today's standards, but could possibly have dividing walls knocked down to create fewer, larger units. Concrete bases could be covered with softer substrates, as has been done to create the Outback. I have a vague recollection that the mountain area is no longer structurally sound, and that's the real reason it's no longer in use. Barbary Sheep on the skyline are one of many things missing from today's London Zoo, along with the cry of the Fish Eagle & the barking of Sealions.
While I disagree that the terraces would have worked if separate enclosures were just combined within their respective levels, I do share your nostalgia about the sounds and sights of the zoo from that time. A short part of the footage in this link shows a fantastic comparison between the Mappins of 1980 (from 'An American Werewolf in London) and the exhibit we know today (go to 8:35):
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGzEDcp5xF4]YouTube - An American Werewolf in London 1981 ( FILMING LOCATION video) John Landis Horror[/ame]
I would like to see either snow or amur leopards within this enclosure (with a bit of work obviously!)
Once again it comes down to money, i guess having wallabies and emus is a much cheaper exhibit and does not require extensive reburb to the old sloth bear enclosure.
