View over the mid- and lower sections of the external exhibits at Living Coasts, and environs. In the mid/foreground, a group of visitors are gathered at the Fur Seal Cove exhibit; whilst further beyond, in the mid-distance, a smaller group can be seen at the Penguin Beach exhibit.
I love the angle of this photo and essentially the facility is one gigantic aviary with a series of exhibits within the framework of the netting. Is that accurate? In Tim Brown's book The IZES Guide to British Zoos & Aquariums (2009) Living Coasts is described as "a world class zoological attraction and one of Britain's very best zoos". Bold words for such a small establishment!
I love the angle of this photo and essentially the facility is one gigantic aviary with a series of exhibits within the framework of the netting. Is that accurate? In Tim Brown's book The IZES Guide to British Zoos & Aquariums (2009) Living Coasts is described as "a world class zoological attraction and one of Britain's very best zoos". Bold words for such a small establishment!
I'd say that is an accurate description. I think Tim's generally correct but would emphasise that it's a "world class zoological exhibit" rather than a world class zoo. If you think about it as a small zoo which is essentially one great exhibit you'd be on the right path. In a major zoo it'd be one very well done section of a bigger whole.
It's all very good, except for the seal enclosure (originally meant for Se Otters) which, in my opinion, is too small and only qualifies as "barely adequate".