Indeed it looks like an area that has been de-forested. I appreciate the practical difficulties of recreating something more accurate so perhaps the zoo is trying to convey the devastating effects of forest-clearance on orangutan habitat? It is certainly a is a poor reflection of genuine orangutan habitat.
I remember getting into quite a heated argument some years back with a senior keeper at Dublin Zoo. His point of view was that orangutans feel "oppressed" (his word) with (cage) bars above them. My argument was that cage bars were no more oppressive than a forest canopy and actually provide more opportunity for natural behaviours than an open-topped enclosure. I see this mentality prevails at Dublin Zoo ten years on...
My argument was that cage bars were no more oppressive than a forest canopy and actually provide more opportunity for natural behaviours than an open-topped enclosure. I see this mentality prevails at Dublin Zoo ten years on...
Most zoos shy away from roofed cages for Orangutans nowadays when they build new enclosures. Its very true they usually get far less climbing opportunity as a result, though aethsetically it is presumably more pleasing as an exhibit-done for the appearance but not necessarily so functional for the Orangs though.
In Chester's new Islands exhibit for their Sumatran orangs, there are two huge open outdoor enclosures, and one enormous 'cage' one- I definately prefer the latter.
A question about Dublin's new exhibit- from the description'renovated' does it mean its on the site of the previous enclosure, or a completely new area? And is the indoor house new, or just 'renovated' also..?
Indeed it looks like an area that has been de-forested. I appreciate the practical difficulties of recreating something more accurate so perhaps the zoo is trying to convey the devastating effects of forest-clearance on orangutan habitat? It is certainly a is a poor reflection of genuine orangutan habitat.
"Orangutan Forest was inspired by the natural environment of the Bornean orangutans, the tropical rainforests of Borneo."
It's a joke really to suggest this approximates orangutan habitat. The much-vaunted gorilla "bai" may be too open, but at least it's attractive. This exhibit is also too open and the fake trees are hardly aesthetic. Orangutans are a major design challenge, of course, but the classic poll-and-rope approach would have provided more climbing opportunities and probably looked better, too.
A question about Dublin's new exhibit- from the description'renovated' does it mean its on the site of the previous enclosure, or a completely new area? And is the indoor house new, or just 'renovated' also..?
I would make excelent whole zoo with 3 milions of euros. Why it is so expensive, or the prices are overestimated? Actually I am planing to start own zoo with just 15,000 euros.
The interior shown in one of the photos looks largely unchanged - I remember that skylight. Hopefully something has been done to the house as it was pretty basic and all the reflections made viewing the orangs very difficult. I'll be seeing for myself in a few weeks.
