Granted they are not the clear blue waters that some would like, just this picture is of an extreme case and normally the pools are not as bad as this photo.
I've seen the enclosure over many decades and this is perhaps the worst I've seen it, so I know what you are saying. The photo was probably taken, perhaps unfortunately, at the low point of their maintenance/pool cleaning cycle.
Presumably being for a similar species, it might somewhat resemble 'Tiger Territory' with that big span of meshed roofing which seems to be the currently fashionable design. When I saw it I did think about the cost of all that meshed over 'above ground' space which the animals don't actually use, but whether you agree with it or not, I think this is what London zoo have become famous for over the years- this creation of expensive new architectural designs for their major species.
I have to admit I did like the Tiger Territory design and look forward (forgetting the issues of cost for a minute) to seeing what they do for the Lions.
Presumably being for a similar species, it might somewhat resemble 'Tiger Territory' with that big span of meshed roofing which seems to be the currently fashionable design. When I saw it I did think about the cost of all that meshed over 'above ground' space which the animals don't actually use, but whether you agree with it or not, I think this is what London zoo have become famous for over the years- this creation of expensive new architectural designs for their major species.
I have to admit I did like the Tiger Territory design and look forward (forgetting the issues of cost for a minute) to seeing what they do for the Lions.
To be very fair to London Zoo, the Royal Parks will never allow a realistic perimeter fence. I remember as a child visiting Bristol Zoo for the first time and being quite shocked by the size of the surrounding walls, so used had I become to London's park railings! So a meshed over enclosure might be no surprise.
In response to
this is what London zoo have become famous for over the years - this creation of expensive new architectural designs for their major species
Again we are having the same conversation over and over. The issue is not what is held on the Lion Terraces it is what they are held in. You can't 'tart up' all that concrete as the recent efforts show.
You can't just stick 'a combination of chain link fencing, a glorified garden shed, some judicious use of internal barriers and planting' on that site as I'm sure most people appreciate.
The recent developments at both zoos show that ZSL have the capacity to have regular, high profile developments. This isn't the last five million quid in the bank, building a lion enclosure to match the standard of the rest of the zoo doesn't mean nothing else will ever be done or that animals are suffering as a result of some kind of extravagant luxury.
One of my biggest issues with the lion development is that it will lead to a loss of yet more mammal species, as no new enclosures have been built at London to move those that are about to become homeless!
Many people already complain that London has hardly any animals, if several more are lost to be replaced by a wonderful £5m exhibit for a few sleeping or invisible lions, this situation will only worsen!
Gibbons, servals, Francois' langurs, Sulawesi macaques. That's the four species currently held on the terraces in addition to the lions. None of them are displayed to their best potential. The whole area is a gloomy mishmash of species bearing no relation to each other.
The lion project also includes a primate enclosure. So total mammal species count may (or may not, as we don't actually know what plans are, they may well be staying elsewhere in the zoo) go down by three. Whilst I hope they stay, I would rather fewer species are held in decent enclosures than maintaining the current count in their mediocre circumstances.
Gibbons, servals, Francois' langurs, Sulawesi macaques. That's the four species currently held on the terraces in addition to the lions. None of them are displayed to their best potential. The whole area is a gloomy mishmash of species bearing no relation to each other.
The lion project also includes a primate enclosure. So total mammal species count may (or may not, as we don't actually know what plans are, they may well be staying elsewhere in the zoo) go down by three. Whilst I hope they stay, I would rather fewer species are held in decent enclosures than maintaining the current count in their mediocre circumstances.
While adding cheetahs to the list, I would say I have to agree with this point. I want to see an enormous collection at London, but how long do visitors spend looking at the tigers, in their new enclosure, compared to how long they spent looking at them when they were in their old Lion Terraces enclosure? How long do people spend with the lions, at the moment?
I very much hope that the lion exhibit will feature smaller supporting exhibits, for birds and small mammals. It should do! But with or without such additions, a new lion area is imperative for the continued progress of the zoo.
Those who are sold on the new London Zoo, with fewer and fewer species, will not change their minds. Those who feel that London should be a great centre of diversity, and that the main focus of development ought to be Whipsnade - where this photo shows there are defects requiring attention - feel that they're wrong.
And incidentally, if sooty wants to see an enormous collection at London, he appears to be on the wrong side here. The revamp of the Casson Pavilion has failed to use any of the enormous internal space, and nothing in the plans for the lion exhibit seem to suggest much else.
Those who are sold on the new London Zoo, with fewer and fewer species, will not change their minds. Those who feel that London should be a great centre of diversity, and that the main focus of development ought to be Whipsnade - where this photo shows there are defects requiring attention - feel that they're wrong.
And incidentally, if sooty wants to see an enormous collection at London, he appears to be on the wrong side here. The revamp of the Casson Pavilion has failed to use any of the enormous internal space, and nothing in the plans for the lion exhibit seem to suggest much else.
Lets also not forget the impending missed opportunity ZSL will have when the Asian lions relocate to Whipsnade:building a temporary offshow facility when what could be constructed could be an exhibit that houses a new carnivore species (snow leopard,hyaena?) when they return to London.
Lets also not forget the impending missed opportunity ZSL will have when the Asian lions relocate to Whipsnade:building a temporary offshow facility when what could be constructed could be an exhibit that houses a new carnivore species (snow leopard,hyaena?) when they return to London.
