I apprehend that your hope will be disappointed. It is unbelievable that they built such an unnatural, ugly concrete indoor exhibit for apes in 2013!
For the record: I really like the Wilhelma Stuttgart in general. But this new ape enclosure (at least the indoor part) is a shame and a vaste of money.
There is a lot of misinformation/speculation going on here. Lighten up, people. The picture above shows one of the three new Bonobo indoor enclosures. I think it is number 3 on the following drawing: http://www.foerderer-der-wilhelma.de/pics/galerie/baustellenfuehrung/big/b_Stationen.GIF
The Bonobo part of the building is the part on the bottom of the drawing.
The indoor enclosures will have organic (mulch) floor! And they will have much more furniture for climbing and other enrichment (the Bonobos will have a TV for example). Keep in mind, that the pictures here on Zoochat do not show the finished enclosures!
You can also see the size and place of the Gorilla indoor exhibits and the Gorilla and Bonobo outdoor enclosures in the linked drawing. A picture of the Bonobo outdoor exclosure can also be found here: File:Wilhelma Menschenaffenhaus Baustelle 4.JPG - Wikimedia Commons
Well, maybe I was a little harsh in advance. But still: Don't you think that this all has could be done with less (thick) concrete (elements)? As the example of Allwetterzoo Muenster shows, only parts of the concrete will be hidden by growing plants after years. The whole impression there is still: a concrete zoo.
I really wonder why the responsible people in Stuttgart didn't copy the gorilla indoor exhibit of Zoo Schmiding (Austria)? There may be also some construction mistakes, but the whole impression is much more natural then some graphics about Stuttgarts new exhibits. But agree: Let's wait with judging until the Wilhelma enclosures are finished.
Concrete or ugly fake rock, I don't know what I like better....
Maybe it could be done with less concrete elements, but just wait and see how it will turn out....
I find this a very interesting design, maybe not very beautyfull at the moment, but still very interesting.
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The indoor enclosures will have organic (mulch) floor! And they will have much more furniture for climbing and other enrichment (the Bonobos will have a TV for example). Keep in mind, that the pictures here on Zoochat do not show the finished enclosures!
good to hear about the Mulch flooring which I thought likely from the look of design of the Gorilla indoor enclosure. I think we appreciate that the final look of the enclosures will be different from the current stages also.
Can you answer the question about the nursery-raised Gorilla babies- is there provision for more direct contact with the adult group with this design?
@zoomaniac:
I too would prefer a more natural looking exhibit, but the most important thing is, that the enclosures will provide everything the Gorillas and Bonobos need. And I think that will be the case. I guess the animals won't care, whether they sit on fake rocks or concrete.
@zoomaniac:
I too would prefer a more natural looking exhibit, but the most important thing is, that the enclosures will provide everything the Gorillas and Bonobos need. And I think that will be the case. I guess the animals won't care, whether they sit on fake rocks or concrete.
To the first phrase: Agree, although I am not as optimistic as you are.
To the last phrase: Yep, they won't care. But there is a third choice: Bring in as as much as possible natural elements (not only bark mulch, but also trunks and other stuff). Will see what will be done in this point.
But even if the animals don't care, the PAYING COMMON VISITORS do! So better invest in a little more expensive artificial rock work (Schnickschnack, Regenwalddeko) then make people feel sad by watching at concrete or bath room looking enclosures, so that they didn't want to come back for another visit.
I don't mean they should create faked vulcanos, village huts or place land rovers into the exhibits! But it's 2013, not 1969. The way zoo visitors want to be educated and entertained has changed.
I would say it may be quite likely that the animals do care if they are sitting on concrete all the time, in as much as if they had a choice I'm sure they would spend a lot of time on natural substrates in preference.
I would say it may be quite likely that the animals do care if they are sitting on concrete all the time, in as much as if they had a choice I'm sure they would spend a lot of time on natural substrates in preference.
I agree. And we will see how they will use the mulch floor and the new outdoor exhibits with lots of natural substrates. But the choice I pointed out was between artificial rocks (as used in many modern zoos) and plain concrete. Because apart from the looks it's basically the same thing.
I agree. And we will see how they will use the mulch floor and the new outdoor exhibits with lots of natural substrates. But the choice I pointed out was between artificial rocks (as used in many modern zoos) and plain concrete. Because apart from the looks it's basically the same thing.
