Dublin Zoo's Gorilla enclosure in 1999

Are gorillas still kept in this absolutely awful outdoor exhibit. If so, it must be the worst in Europe? I would hate to know that there are even worse...

It's definitely scary to see some of the photos from the late nineties, as I always begin to worry that such exhibits are still in existence.

I think those comments are a bit harsh. From the photograph, what gives you reason to label it as "absolutely awful"?

It is very small and without much furnishing. The gorillas can´t hide away from the visitors or each other. I am glad to hear that a new exhibit is being built - see http://www.zoochat.com/58/free-contact-gorillas-51114/#post115434

You have to remember when this was built! There is certainely worst gorilla enclosures in the UK built later than this!

So when was it built?

Being a dedicated anglophile in general - partly because you chaps are supposed to be the most animal loving people in the world, partly beacuse of The Beatles and Winston Churchill - i am kind of saddened to hear that even worse enclosures than this exist...

gorilla

it was bulit in the very early 80s,in recent years there have been some changes.it is certainly not brilliant but the keepers do alot of enrichment,me been one of them!!!We have happy gorillas in my view,and they breed very well,and also have been able to bring in a new female two years ago and she has mixed in brilliant with them!!!!!so we must be doing something right!!!!!!!also alot of the other photos,all those areas have been totally replaced!

On the recent ITV series on London Zoo, when they came to collect Kesho from Dublin it looks like there is a lot more climbing equipment in here now.

Due you think the building of the new Gorilla enclosure will still go ahead as planned.?

Question is, what will become of this now?

This also housed giant pandas for a while in 1986 unless I'm mistaken.