I haven't had a chance to visit PL since 2002, but certainly at that time this outdoor enclosure (for the bachelor group) hadn't changed from the photo. There are a couple of slides and things outside, plus a whole gym inside. Also, the Palace of the Apes enclosure has a fantastic indoor gym. The gorillas really seem to love the slides and ropes.
Howletts also have a lot of slides in their enclosures, which are always well used.
Just something i think i've picked up on. There seems to be a cultural difference in how exhibits are viewed by people either side of the Atlantic.
just generalising here based on some comments i've read...
- most North American users seem to value the aesthetics (at least from a human perspective) of an exhibit quite highly.
- most Europeans seem to consider the functional needs of an exhibit more than the aesthetics...
this might just be me reading the "wrong" comments though...
I think you're right Jimmy because even zoos like Bronx Zoo which has winters similiar to europe can manage to build an immersion rainforest exhibit outdoors and I can think of a lot more immersion exhibits in America than Europe (especially the UK.)
@CZJimmy: I agree with your assessment. I cannot imagine the Bronx Zoo putting a children's slide in their Congo Gorilla Forest, and that is arguably the best gorilla exhibit on the planet. I personally value the asethetics and those that follow my postings on ZooChat realize that I adore spacious, naturalistic habitats for zoo animals. Large woodland areas for tigers (Minnesota), massive paddocks for elephants (Indianapolis), dense jungles for gorillas (Bronx) or riverbanks with tons of vegetation for pygmy hippos (San Diego). Having said that I think that I can make an exception for the Howletts-style gorilla enclosures in that the exhibits allow the animals an absolute ton of enrichment...I just don't think it appears to be naturalistic one little bit. The Howletts enclosures are metal cages that are often not repeated in North America, with Columbus Zoo perhaps being the only single zoo on the continent that deliberately apes Howletts. Pun intended...lol!
Although does the Columbus cage have grass in it?
That seems like one of the most important parts of the deisgn is missing, as it gives so much enrichment.
The Columbus Zoo exhibit was created based on the Howletts design, and there is plenty of grass, lots of space, and a gorilla walkway on the raised metal platforms so it could be possible for an ape to cross the exhibit without once setting foot on grass.
