I'm sure Marwell Dalek can explain this better, but on both sides of the enclosure there used to be (until quite recently) tepees positioned where the round wooden base can be seen in the picture. There was access into these tepees from the path that surrounds the whole enclosure, but otherwise there is a stand-off barrier (except where the panes of glass are positioned at the front of the enclosure). The glass you mentioned was behind the tepee but now looks quite exposed
The tent on the empty base was a Yurt (or were there 2 of them?), bought from the Snow Leopard Trust I think. The enclosure is great for the cats IMO, especially when there were 3 in there (just Yasmin now of course). It's curiously difficult to portray via photos, you need to experience it live really.
Yes, there were two yurts. The one here gave information on the snow leopards and himalayas in general, and the second on how the local people co-exist with them. A shame they were taken down, Marwell has a distinct lack of engaging interpretation in my opinion.
And I agree, it's a hard enclosure to photograph. ZooChatters, head to Marwell if you want to make you're decisions.
