I agree with snowleopard, the time stoods still at the Berlin animal park, so take a look on the zebra exhibits, absoultly so shape, no enrichment, no grass, no trees, NOTHING.
The keeping of the big cats is a desaster, and seems, the park is keeping his big cats like a zoo before the second world war !
And it is possible, to do wonderful good exhibits for animals in protected old buildings, best examples are Vienna and Wroclaw. And thanks God, there are always opprtunties to destroy prtoedted buildings also, a few other zoo directors have done it before, it is very easy....So I'm sure, if Blaskiewitz is gone, his successor will hopefully do a new cranivore house.
I agree with snowleopard, the time stoods still at the Berlin animal park, so take a look on the zebra exhibits, absoultly so shape, no enrichment, no grass, no trees, NOTHING.
The keeping of the big cats is a desaster, and seems, the park is keeping his big cats like a zoo before the second world war !
And it is possible, to do wonderful good exhibits for animals in protected old buildings, best examples are Vienna and Wroclaw. And thanks God, there are always opprtunties to destroy prtoedted buildings also, a few other zoo directors have done it before, it is very easy....So I'm sure, if Blaskiewitz is gone, his successor will hopefully do a new cranivore house.
The house at Berlin zoo is pretty much exactly the same as this, and so what? Most people forget to mention that nearly all of the big cats (at the zoo at least) had access to 2, sometimes 3 of these indoor exhibits, and no they're not huge, but that doesn't really matter considering all they really do in here is sleep.
Like Sun Wukong mentioned on another thread, 99% of zoo's indoor big cat (and other species) indoor accomodation is pretty much the same as this size wise, they just don't show it to the public.
The house at Berlin zoo is pretty much exactly the same as this, and so what? Most people forget to mention that nearly all of the big cats (at the zoo at least) had access to 2, sometimes 3 of these indoor exhibits, and no they're not huge, but that doesn't really matter considering all they really do in here is sleep.
Like Sun Wukong mentioned on another thread, 99% of zoo's indoor big cat (and other species) indoor accomodation is pretty much the same as this size wise, they just don't show it to the public.
I am a bit disappointed by this post, especially since I remember that you have (rightfully) critizised the small enclosures at the Alfred Brehm building in other posts. The fact that the enclosures at Berlin Zoo are not much better is no excuse, is it?
@ zebraduiker: You misunderstood me, I totally agree with you, I was just quoting what the director Blaszkiewitz thinks.
@ ashley-h: The cats in the Tierpark do NOT have acess to more then one indoor or outdoor cage, because the house is so cramped full with animals. Conditions in the Zoo are definately better and the outdoor cages are larger, too. The lion and the tiger outdoor enclosures in the Zoo are actually pretty good. In the Tierpark, however, many cats do not have permanent acess to one of the small outdoor cages, because they have to share it with others. It`s not just that the indoor cages are too small, the house has too many animals in it which use the outdoor cages in shifts, and the outdoor cages are very small, too. I dont think that the indoor cages are the biggest problem because big cats spend a lot of time sleeping and even in german winter, most if not all could spend some hours outside. But the lack of spacious outdoor enclosures with natural vegetation, hiding spaces and enrichment.
Dan: I can't ever remember criticising them before, maybe just the ones for the cats who have no outdoor access? I think then they are too small, but just as sleeping quarters I think they're perfectly acceptable.
Yassa: I didn't know that, I just assumed it was similar to the zoo, so I used that as an example as I've never visited the Tierpark.
I have to confess that I rather like the Alfred-Brehm House in the Tierpark!
I fully appreciate that it could do with a lick of paint here and there and maybe a rethink on the number of animals in the house, but for me it is the spine tingling sounds, smells and close-up views of the cats that keeps me in this 'Zoo Cathedral' for at least an hour on the three occasions I have visited.
This is surely one of the best exhibits for getting people close to this amazing group of animals. Where it fails for me (as does the rest of the Tierpark and Zoo Berlin) is the lack of opportunity for people to find out about the cats and take some sort of action to help them in the wild - thats what zoos are about in my opinion.
I am of course talking about education! I have seen people gasp in awe at the experiences they have in the house and there is nothing to develop this further, so when visitors leave the area they probably only remember the small cages! I argue that this could be one of the best cat conservation houses in the world if there were games and activities for people to take part in! - I love it...
No matter how well an animal breeds, it should still be entitled to fresh air, space, enrichment and plenty of comfortable places to hide. I don't think there's anything wrong with this exibit, but I don't think it's suitable for a tiger, or any big cat. Something a lot smaller would be nicer/better
Dan: I can't ever remember criticising them before, maybe just the ones for the cats who have no outdoor access? I think then they are too small, but just as sleeping quarters I think they're perfectly acceptable.
I thought that you in general had the same view as those of us who think that the outdoor enclosures at The Alfred Brehm House are appallingly small and often poorly furnished.
Yes, the outdoor cages are tiny, the comment I made above was on the sleeping quarters which, I think, are fine as they are just that: Sleeping quarters to sleep in. I don't think the outdoor cages look good though, even though I've never been to the Tierpark.
