Whipsnade has always been an "animal park" to me. Set more in parkland than formal gardens. A “safari park” needs to have an actual drive-through component to qualify!
It is very different, but they are both the same at first principles - collections of captive animals with an assortment of other attractions attached. And to me they are very much both zoos, just very different styles of zoo.
Okay, at this point aren't we really dealing with semantics? I prefer to think of these things as "Zoological Facilities", and then further categorize them into "Marine Parks, "Safari Parks", "Traditional Zoos", "Amusement Parks", "Aquariums", etc...
Okay, at this point aren't we really dealing with semantics? I prefer to think of these things as "Zoological Facilities", and then further categorize them into "Marine Parks, "Safari Parks", "Traditional Zoos", "Amusement Parks", "Aquariums", etc...
Okay, at this point aren't we really dealing with semantics? I prefer to think of these things as "Zoological Facilities", and then further categorize them into "Marine Parks, "Safari Parks", "Traditional Zoos", "Amusement Parks", "Aquariums", etc...
Okay, at this point aren't we really dealing with semantics? I prefer to think of these things as "Zoological Facilities", and then further categorize them into "Marine Parks, "Safari Parks", "Traditional Zoos", "Amusement Parks", "Aquariums", etc...
"Zoological Facilities" is a good umbrella term to describe any facility displaying animals. I would never describe an aquarium as a zoo, but a zoological facility is certainly applicable. I would not describe an animal park with only natives as a zoo, but as a fauna park. A to my mind a Safari Park must definitely have a drive-through component (that is, you drive your car, not ride through in a bus), but it is still a zoo unless it only has natives.
A gorilla is an animal. A beetle is an animal. They are very, very different and are categorised as so. But they are still both animals.
I think it is also important to remember that this discussion group is made up of people from all over the world, and what we have been taught - especially with regards to semantics and definitions - probably varies from region to region.
About the enclosure - the poster says they had a special tour and I think this photo must have been from a keeper area underneath the visitor area. As I recall, the visitor viewing area looks down onto this bath, not straight at the side. And yes there is a much larger natural area that is part of this exhibit, as well as a second exhibit.
About semantics - many places that are zoos do try to use different names for marketing. The native wildlife zoo in my city is called Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, which is the worst name I can think of (even though it's a great facility). Although they do offer some extra features that many zoos don't (such as a cave and cactus garden), they are most definitely NOT a museum. My favorite (in the ridiculous category) is the catch phrase that another Arizona zoo - Out Of Africa - uses on their brochures and website. Not a zoo, drive-thru or circus, it's an experience! How's that for marketing!
You see, I wouldn't call the ASDM a museum or a zoo, because it doesn't have exotics only natives. A fauna park, or wild animal park maybe, but not a zoo. A Zoological Facility? Yes.
@Hix: Does ASDM display wild animals in confined exhibits within a continual institution to the (paying) public? Yes? Then it's a zoo-just like a fauna/ wild animal park/zoological facility is a zoo.
Although its true to say the camera never lies, it has been a bit economical with the truth in this case. The perspective of this shot makes the pond/fountain feature look dominant whereas I remember it being a small feature in relation to the rest of this very large enclosure, which does extend uphill and around the back.
This shot is taken from the public viewing as I remember it. My shot on the second page of this gallery was taken from a little way to the left of here, with a 300mm lens, it gives a good idea of distance.
As for DAK being a zoo.. yeah 'course it is, whatever the marketing spin. Its a zoo complemented by many and varied forms of entertainment apart from live animals, but if a visitor spends a good proportion of the day watching animals in enclosures then that's a zoo to me.
Whatever the definition, it remains one of the best single family days out I have ever had.
