Although it looks nothing like the grassland habitat of the Maned Wolf, this exhibit is nonetheless an excellent example of habitat immersion. The barrier (dry moat) is completely hidden by vegetation.
Although it looks nothing like the grassland habitat of the Maned Wolf, this exhibit is nonetheless an excellent example of habitat immersion. The barrier (dry moat) is completely hidden by vegetation.
This is exactly what zoos should be aiming for, instead of being complacent and having huge fences and walls separating visitors from the captive animals. I have no idea how large the maned wolf exhibit is at the Singapore Zoo, but the "immersion" enclosure appears to have mixed thick vegetation with a close proximity to humans via a dry moat. Why don't more zoos attempt this, rather than simply putting up a wire fence?
This is exactly what zoos should be aiming for, instead of being complacent and having huge fences and walls separating visitors from the captive animals. I have no idea how large the maned wolf exhibit is at the Singapore Zoo, but the "immersion" enclosure appears to have mixed thick vegetation with a close proximity to humans via a dry moat. Why don't more zoos attempt this, rather than simply putting up a wire fence?
I have no idea how large the maned wolf exhibit is at the Singapore Zoo, but the "immersion" enclosure appears to have mixed thick vegetation with a close proximity to humans via a dry moat.
its not large
this photo gives a very good effect but as in most immersion displays it does depend on your viewpoint as to how effective the illusion is. When you're actually standing at this exhibit there is no denying its a zoo enclosure.
Not wanting to be snarky though, because it is nice.
Displaying a primarily grassland species in a rainforest-style exhibit because it's easier to hide the barriers?
What about presenting animals in their natural habitat? This doesn't seem to fit with the ideals of landscape immersion to me! It's a hidden barrier (looks quite well done, but I haven't seen in in person) but immersion it ain't.
(of course, personally I'd much rather zoos use the local landscape and vegetation rather than spending money dressing it up!)
I would have to agree. surly if the habitat doesn't match that of the animal all the education benefits of immersion habitats are gone? they could have kept the moat and still replicated the pampas grasslands that maned wolves belong in.
Put tapirs or okapis in this exhibit (I have no idea if it is large enough for either) and the effect would be wonderful. It's not the immersion technique that is at fault, it's species selection.
