It seems that the desire to have an open top enclosure meant it was situated out in the open though I would have preferred to see a (covered) enclosure within the woodland, much more suitable IMO for Lynx, but I think the type of exhibit takes precedence here? (They didn't want a 'cage' even if in more suitable surroundings)
It also looks like they uprooted a tree within the enclosure to give some climbing facility but it still looks bare and rather rough and ready to me.
I quite the like the idea of this recent development, but it is indeed rather rough and ready. The animals, I am sure, do pretty well, but is so often the case with British zoos, no thought seems to have been given to the way in which visitors approach and view the various enclosures. I'm not saying it should - necessarily - be themed to look like an ancient woodland, but some planting, some thought abut viewpoints, something to remove the enclosures from being at the side of the road which snakes through Whipsnade - all of these would have made a big difference (a big difference to the cost, too, I appreciate). Most of Whipsnade's recent developments have been done well, and have been ambitious - lions, cheetahs, the cafe. This, though, is a bit small time.
Calling the exhibits they made small time is pretty harsh. Not many zoos can boast making Lynx, Boar, Elk and Wolverine exhibit being produced all at the same time and all on a tight budget greatly improving an area of the zoo.
Theming the area with planting? Have you seen the amount of trees that have been planted in the area all British varieties which fit in with the theme of "the woods of Old England." Takes a bit of time for a tiny acorn to become a mighty oak!
As for the scruffiness the exhibit had only been open a few months when the photo was taken. Give it some time to mature out a bit and it will easily be up there with the best in the Country.
Calling the exhibits they made small time is pretty harsh. Not many zoos can boast making Lynx, Boar, Elk and Wolverine exhibit being produced all at the same time and all on a tight budget greatly improving an area of the zoo.
Theming the area with planting? Have you seen the amount of trees that have been planted in the area all British varieties which fit in with the theme of "the woods of Old England." Takes a bit of time for a tiny acorn to become a mighty oak!
As for the scruffiness the exhibit had only been open a few months when the photo was taken. Give it some time to mature out a bit and it will easily be up there with the best in the Country.
Fair points all, and possibly I am guilty of wanting something to look perfect before it has had a chance to bed down. But while I really applaud that species list, I do think that these enclosures look as if they've just been plonked down in a fairly thoughtless fashion. The educational displays are pretty good, and you are right when you say that this area of the zoo has been vastly improved by this development.
something to remove the enclosures from being at the side of the road which snakes through Whipsnade - all of these would have made a big difference (a big difference to the cost, too, I appreciate). Most of Whipsnade's recent developments have been done well, and have been ambitious - lions, cheetahs, the cafe. This, though, is a bit small time.
I think the problem is that they have to design any new exhibits close to the roads as most people won't walk more than a few yards from their car or the bus to see an animal exhibit. If they had built a more 'lynx-friendly' enclosure landscaped among the existing mature trees(behind in the photo) as I would have preferred, then I can imagine less people would bother to find or notice it.
I agree the enclosure will mature as grass etc grows and the 'raw' look will eventually be lost. For the Lynx though I still don't think its an ideal enclosure as there is a distinct lack of cover and a very open feel, but I can see why they've located it in the open where it is.
I think in tough economic times this European animal display was actually quite a clever thing for Whipsnade to undertake and it was done relatively on the cheap- apart from the carnivores the other(Moose/Boar)enclosures are simple post and deer/sheep netting and so were not very expensive to construct, and they've cleverly tied the whole thing in with their existing European animals(Bear/Wisent/Wolf) which has made that whole area more interesting.
Has anyone had a good view of the Lynx?
We saw some ears by the tree stump when it first opened and another pair of ears in the grass at the other end of the enclosure, but not even a whisker since!
If so, what is a good time to visit the enclosure, to get to see them?
