before anyone insults it, it was built for dlphins in the 70s (when this would have been acceptable) and that is why there is only a keeper land. but they need new housing. Londons old one was better
The little pool that houses the hippos was better than this? They have one of the largest pools in the UK: it's twelve feet deep so it's got one hell of a water volume. There's no need for them to have a new enclosure. It's completely acceptable, just because it looks like a swimming pool
I think its a very good enclosure and makes for some great viewing
Its certainly one of the deepest ive seen,It doesnt need Rocks, Many Sea Lion enclosures around the country have Rocks to create a beach effect but a beach effect would be very difficult to create in here
Its great the way it is
Actually, there is ample land space outside to create a 'beach' around the pool. There is a large flat area of concrete between the bottom of the seating and the actual water's edge. When I saw this exhibit for the first time (a few weeks ago), the sea lions appeared shut inside. Is this normal practice at Whipsnade, as in, do they have outdoor access only for the shows, or is it a winter thing?
Actually, there is ample land space outside to create a 'beach' around the pool. There is a large flat area of concrete between the bottom of the seating and the actual water's edge. When I saw this exhibit for the first time (a few weeks ago), the sea lions appeared shut inside. Is this normal practice at Whipsnade, as in, do they have outdoor access only for the shows, or is it a winter thing?
Then they should be fine staying outside in the winter. I don't know of any northern US zoo with California Sea Lions that doesn't keep them outside during the winter. Part of their range is more north.
I think the indoor area was constructed for public shows with the dolphins in poor weather and I presume it's still used this way for sea lion shows. I guess the water would have been heated a little for the dolphins (they were relatively small, so they were not of native British origin). I would be very surprised if they bother to do that for the sea lions.
