Definately. In some circles it was even highly praised as 'innovative'. I think the moated design might have been copied to an extent from the Bronx Zoo 40/50's 'original'(since replaced by their Congo Forest exhibit) though the Bronx outdoor yards were larger, terraced with different levels, and not semi-circular- so you have ever diminishing size and quality of this 'model'- Bronx- Dudley -Chessington.
In 1966(?) Belle Vue Zoo opened their brand new ape house too- a rather similar design to this in so much as there were the three enclosures for Chimps, Gorillas and Orangutans, and it had the same semicircular high walls at the back, though the floors were sunken and the animals were viewed through glass, not over a moat. The outdoor areas were similar sized to Dudley's. That house became defunct after just ten years when the zoo closed in 1977, whereas Dudley's, with modifications, continues to this day.
Absolutely- the sealion moat is part of the original castle moat afaik so definately on the list. But the Apehouse is one Dudley white elephant they could get rid of entirely if they had the wherewithal to do so and replace it (they haven't).
Dudley has come on in leaps and bounds over the last 10 years, but I totally agree that this is an eyesore, the indoor area does look a little better now, but you cant make a silk purse out of a sows ear in this case, hope it goes sooner rather than later.
A lot of people seem to think the only thing to do here is completely flatten this building and build a brand new enclosure for the Orangs, and I completely agree with them - in an ideal world.
Presently, Dudley Zoo simply does not have the funds to do such a thing. I imagine that when they improved the outdoor area and radically changed the now rather nice indoors, Dudley had to break open the piggy bank and look down the back of a few sofas!
Since we have sort of established that nothing here is protected, I would love to see the moat filled in and the whole outdoor area brought forward to the mossy or even the grass terrace. Hopefully, this added space would allow them to have a few higher climbing opportunities to give the Orangs a better view, but of course I'm dreaming!
I think I have mentioned before on ZooChat that just to the left of the above image is a very large, wooded ex-lion enclosure that has the potential to make a brilliant Orang outdoor area, simply by adding access tunnels and changing the top of the existing fence.
Presently, Dudley Zoo simply does not have the funds to do such a thing. I imagine that when they improved the outdoor area and radically changed the now rather nice indoors, Dudley had to break open the piggy bank and look down the back of a few sofas!
I believe the indoor areas were revamped by on site staff and keepers themselves- from photos I've seen they did a good job too on an obviously very limited budget. The outdoor area may well have been improved the same way.
The real problem is the Orangutans here are more or less a 'leftover' from the days when this was a modern Apehouse displaying three species. I often think they would be better off going out of them completely and sending them to Zoos where they could be displayed in more modern exhibits, and then completely doing away with this house and moat altogether. I doubt whether many visitors would actually miss them being kept at Dudley.
I believe the indoor areas were revamped by on site staff and keepers themselves- from photos I've seen they did a good job too on an obviously very limited budget. The outdoor area may well have been improved the same way.
The real problem is the Orangutans here are more or less a 'leftover' from the days when this was a modern Apehouse displaying three species. I often think they would be better off going out of them completely and sending them to Zoos where they could be displayed in more modern exhibits, and then completely doing away with this house and moat altogether. I doubt whether many visitors would actually miss them being kept at Dudley.
A Dudley aficionado might be better placed than me to comment as to whether the Zoo's visitors would miss the orangs, but I would be sad to see yet another UK collection go out of them. In the last 25 years, Bristol, London,and Chessington have all gone out of the species, and I wouldn't put too much money on them remaining at Twycross, whose setup is arguably worse than Dudley's.
I can see both points of view here. Orangs, particularly Bornean orangs, are less of an attraction for the public than chimps or gorillas, and they are inevitably expensive to house properly because of their lifestyle and their strength and intelligence. On the other hand they are highly endangered and they are charismatic in their own way when properly displayed.
I'm sure we'd all like to see more good orang exhibits in British zoos, but realistically better exhibits may have to mean fewer exhibits.
A Dudley aficionado might be better placed than me to comment as to whether the Zoo's visitors would miss the orangs, but I would be sad to see yet another UK collection go out of them. In the last 25 years, Bristol, London,and Chessington have all gone out of the species, and I wouldn't put too much money on them remaining at Twycross, whose setup is arguably worse than Dudley's.
I would miss the orangs much more than if the chimps left, but I certainly wouldn't object to the removal of their house and I'm sure I speak for most Dudley visitors.
I have always admired Dudley's perseverance and can-do attitude. They are not known for getting rid of large/costly animals and still hold Lions, Tigers, Snow Leopards, Giraffe, Tapir, Sea Lions, Orangs, Chimps, Camels etc. and these days they are always taking small positive steps. Every time I visit Dudley I see at least one big improvement in some way, whether it be to do with the animals or not.
I have always admired Dudley's perseverance and can-do attitude. They are not known for getting rid of large/costly animals and still hold Lions, Tigers, Snow Leopards, Giraffe, Tapir, Sea Lions, Orangs, Chimps, Camels etc. and these days they are always taking small positive steps. Every time I visit Dudley I see at least one big improvement in some way, whether it be to do with the animals or not.
