I feel that the exhibit space would be adequate at best for a single leopard. I feel that some climbing structures would be excellent and allow the cats to get some good height, but as the leopards are being brought in for conservation purposes primarily, a male leopard will probably follow soon after our female. Another complaint is if they don't tear down that ugly fence, as it seriously gets in the way for good photos.
But you say there are 2 cages, is that right? If so then surely it would be fine if the other enclosure is the same as this one? And then all they have to do is build a decent off exhibit area in case the leopards won't mix and then rotate the male and female. Would that make sense? I'm about as far removed from Beardsley as possible so feel free to tell me to shut up...
As for the fence issue, a glass panel would definitely be your friend there!
That's what I thought when I first saw the photos but trust me, in person, these two exhibits are very small. I don't know why the photo makes it look so large but many people, including myself, think that this exhibit is just the right size for the zoos two Canada Lynx (and if Canada Lynx aren't smaller than an Amur Leopard, I don't know what is).
Assuming normal construction standards, the bars on the fence are about four feet apart. This means that the enclosure is about 28 feet by 28 feet or roughly 784 sq. ft.
That's a nice bit of maths!
784 square feet doesn't sound to small and I'm fairly certain that there must be smaller recent build cat exhibits knocking around.
That's a nice bit of maths!
784 square feet doesn't sound to small and I'm fairly certain that there must be smaller recent build cat exhibits knocking around.
Of course the size and scope of this future exhibit are vitally important, and as long as it is well furnished then it has tremendous potential. I visited Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo a few months ago and the main issue is the absolutely horrendous aesthetic appeal of this enclosure. The public sees a metal cage that was common 100 years ago, but if the entire front section was replaced by glass all of a sudden folks would spend longer at the "habitat" and possibly be an inch away from an Amur leopard. Awesome!
Thank you everyone for putting in your input, and it's interesting to hear everyone's opinions. In case of size, maybe I am just remembering how it was too small for the Andean Bear, but after reading jbnsn's estimated size, I'd say that it might not be as bad as I originally thought, although there is a slight bit of space to the left of the first cage that they could extend the exhibit too.
The system with the two adjoining cages works great. An animal can occupy both enclosures if it's the only animal out on exhibit, and a potential breeding pair can meet each other face to face through the fences. This is similar to the Amur Tiger exhibits.
They plan to knock down the old holding areas and build new ones that are more modern. Another reason why the bear was sent away was due to safety issues with holding, so this is necessary. I'm not sure what off-exhibit area will be like. I also read that they might add new viewing areas. I'd personally like mesh fence or cable wires over this ugly thick chain-link in the first cage perhaps, and then glass panels for this exhibit. It would definately be a much better experience for the guest than just watching them from several yards away through the fence. Hopefully with the new leopards, Beardsley will get more $$$, and be able to update other outdated exhibits, or work more on South American Adventure.
I'm proposing that this would be a better exhibit for the lynx based on the one they have now.
I think we are all forgetting, the building for the Amur Leopard exhibit includes rockwork and other enrichment so, while empty the exhibit might seem large enough to hold one big cat (and if that's so then why is everyone complaining about the Amur Tiger exhibits?), but how much running space will the animal have if everything that's planed to go into the exhibit it added to these two cages?
I'm proposing that this would be a better exhibit for the lynx based on the one they have now.
I think we are all forgetting, the building for the Amur Leopard exhibit includes rockwork and other enrichment so, while empty the exhibit might seem large enough to hold one big cat (and if that's so then why is everyone complaining about the Amur Tiger exhibits?), but how much running space will the animal have if everything that's planed to go into the exhibit it added to these two cages?
The rockwork and enrichment items (I'm guessing platforms, climbing frame etc) would give more vertical space which the leopard would utilise. I'm not sure how large the tiger enclosure is so do not want to comment but they wouldn't make the most of an enclosure of this height.
I'm not arguing, just throwing in an outsiders opinion!
The rockwork and enrichment items (I'm guessing platforms, climbing frame etc) would give more vertical space which the leopard would utilise. I'm not sure how large the tiger enclosure is so do not want to comment but they wouldn't make the most of an enclosure of this height.
I'm not arguing, just throwing in an outsiders opinion!
I don't remember this exhibit being as tall as the picture makes it seem. Also, the Amur Tiger exhibit is home to 1.1 Amur Tigers and is too small, just ask anyone whose been to the Beardsley Zoo anytime recently. Many people have a problem with the size of the Tiger enclosure and has problems with this enclosure when it was home to Joaquin the Andean Bear but everyone seems ok with an Amur Leopard being in here Honestly I think these animals should be given the largest amount of space Beardsley can offer and while I know Beardsley isn't the richest zoo in the world, I think it can efford to at least make this exhibit deeper and add glass viewing.
Many people have a problem with the size of the Tiger enclosure and has problems with this enclosure when it was home to Joaquin the Andean Bear but everyone seems ok with an Amur Leopard being in here
The enrichment and area needs of a spectacled bear are completely different from an Amur leopard, bigger would be better for both but as I've mentioned a leopard would be able to utilise platforms and logs attached higher up that a bear would not be able to. In my opinion bears should have a little more space to forage and roam, a leopard should be able to climb!
Incidentally I've seen leopards in enclosures apparently smaller than this in the past couple of years in the UK, see West Midlands Safari Park and Twycross for examples. Go back 15-20 years and this would've been luxury for some cats I saw.
Honestly I think these animals should be given the largest amount of space Beardsley can offer and while I know Beardsley isn't the richest zoo in the world, I think it can efford to at least make this exhibit deeper and add glass viewing.
And if Beardsley were a rich zoo then I'm sure they would give the animals a lot more room and improve this enclosure beyond belief but as they're not then they will have to make the best of what they have. Replacing the bear was the best thing they could do and I'm sure the leopard will be fine here!
The enrichment and area needs of a spectacled bear are completely different from an Amur leopard, bigger would be better for both but as I've mentioned a leopard would be able to utilise platforms and logs attached higher up that a bear would not be able to. In my opinion bears should have a little more space to forage and roam, a leopard should be able to climb!
Incidentally I've seen leopards in enclosures apparently smaller than this in the past couple of years in the UK, see West Midlands Safari Park and Twycross for examples. Go back 15-20 years and this would've been luxury for some cats I saw.
Actually, if I remeber correctly, the bear had a tree that it could climb and people still complained about the size and, as I said before, I don't think this exhibit is that tall. Maybe if they added glass viewing, connected the two sides, and made it taller it would be ok in my book.
And if Beardsley were a rich zoo then I'm sure they would give the animals a lot more room and improve this enclosure beyond belief but as they're not then they will have to make the best of what they have. Replacing the bear was the best thing they could do and I'm sure the leopard will be fine here!
Actually, if I remeber correctly, the bear had a tree that it could climb and people still complained about the size and, as I said before, I don't think this exhibit is that tall. Maybe if they added glass viewing, connected the two sides, and made it taller it would be ok in my book.
It is too small for a bear and most people are now used to seeing bears in open enclosures, obviously a cage looks worse. Also, with a leopard you'd be able to place far more climbing equipment in here as it would not need to be as sturdy as that which would be required by a bear.
If you think it's small then fair enough, I can't change your opinion as you have seen it and I haven't. It looks okay to me though.
