About half of the one acre Garden of the Apes, adjacent to Palace of the Apes. This shows the large climbing frame that they have to play on. April, 2009
People who have never visited Port Lympne will not realise that this photo only shows half of this enclosure. To the left the ground slopes down the hill to a section shaded by the trees in the enclosure and around it. This has a more diverse vegetation, with clumps of nettles and other herbs as well as grass and logs, it looks more natural and in the summer you can often see several gorillas foraging and playing in this area. There is also the large, split-level outdoor cage to the right which has a deep litter of straw, like the Howletts cages, and the house behind it, where the animals can get right away from the visitors. I think that this choice of three different environments is of great benefit to the apes.
hehehe good comment catman , i too wish i had enough space for this in my back garden for my youngest son , but unfortunately there isnt enough room space wise
[ote=Arizona Docent;241124]@Jose - I will be visiting Port Lympne in less than 3 weeks, so we'll see if my opinion changes after a first-hand viewing.[/quote]
great , im glad you have decided to visit port lympne many zoochatters who criticise the parks dont make the effort to go and see what they are criticising and im sure if they only had some firsthand viewing they wouldnt be so dogmatic in their opinions, ill be interested to see if your opinion changes , so when you return to United states or find some spare time to use the internet , send a post about your trip to see if you still think the same way , port lympne and the Aspinall parks have a magic about them so im sure you will change your mind , my respect
Your use of the epithet "gringos" is very inflammatory and insulting (as I suppose you intend it to be). I'd hate to resort to the many equivalent phrases one could use to refer to Mexican citizens, so I will refrain....
I'm fine with the fact that you and others may believe these rudimentary enclosures are appropriate for the animals that reside in them. Just don't try to argue that they are good EXHIBITS. That is a very different thing....
I'm fine with the fact that you and others may believe these rudimentary enclosures are appropriate for the animals that reside in them. Just don't try to argue that they are good EXHIBITS. That is a very different thing....
They are good exhibits, but for very different reasons to why CGF or other US equivalents are. Whilst immersion exhibitry is great for getting the visitors' blood pumping and to demonstrate natural habitat, the Aspinall cages have a very special "feel" about them.
There were seating areas in the kitchen garden where ordinary people would just sit for hours watching the troups antics and, personally, I don't think I have ever been more moved by a display of animals. Even my parents, who couldn't care less about zoos, said that it was an experience they will treasure. And, in the end, isn't the idea of creating bonds between us and the animals what zoos are all about?
This is in no way diminishing the success of CGF; I am just saying there is more than one way to inspire people and make them care.
I'm fine with the fact that you and others may believe these rudimentary enclosures are appropriate for the animals that reside in them. Just don't try to argue that they are good EXHIBITS. That is a very different thing....
Please check the meanings of the words 'rudimentary' and 'exhibit' in a dictionary - then go to the Port Lympne Gallery and look at all the photos of the 'Palace of Apes' and the gorillas who live there.
This may help you to understand how bizarre your previous comment appears to those of us who have visited Port Lympne.
Please check the meanings of the words 'rudimentary' and 'exhibit' in a dictionary - then go to the Port Lympne Gallery and look at all the photos of the 'Palace of Apes' and the gorillas who live there.
This may help you to understand how bizarre your previous comment appears to those of us who have visited Port Lympne.
I have a long list of words and phrases I am tempted to direct you to "look up" as well, but I will resist. There's really no point in re-igniting an argument about approaches to animal exhibit philosophy that are simply irreconcilable, however....
I will continue to hold that zoos should not only provide enriched and stimulating habitats for their animals, but should also create visitor experiences that support the most critical conservation message of all: that animals and environments are inextricably linked; and that to "save" animals their natural habitats must be saved as well. Showing animals in a human garden/playground runs counter to that basic point, no matter how much the animals may presumptively "enjoy" living in it, or how much people may take pleasure in seeing them in such incongruous settings.
You and others are content to accept and even celebrate this method of exhibition--my observations won't change that. But as this is a forum of opinion I will continue to express mine: there is a better way to present wild animals than putting them in a suburban back yard.
