It is a very impressive entrance, sadly the rest of the zoo ranges from impressive to in-need-of-a-bulldozer. What were your thoughts on the zoo Hexaprotodon? Highlights? Lowlights?
Highlights for me were the reptile house, chimp outdoor exhibit (quite a large immersion type exhibit with plenty of space for four chimps), the brown bear enclosure (with great underwater viewing in their swimming pool) and the Pygmy hippo enclosure. Lovely breeding group of White Crowned Mangabey - probably my favourite primate species.
The monkey rock was totally over populated IMO and the Siberian tiger enclosure needs extending ASAP as it's far too small. Overall though I enjoyed it - reminded me of a small version of London Zoo maybe 10 - 15 years ago.
I should add that it reminded me of London more because it is a zoo in two halves linked by a tunnel and it sits in the corner if a city park surrounded by embassy's and posh hotels - a bit like Regents Park! The exhibits are quite different to ZSL's - several converted grotto type enclosures. There are similarities between the elephant houses and good reptile collection I suppose. It's clearly also a previously huge collection that's been scaled down. Well done Doug Richardson for taking on the task when he was director!
