I see what you're saying, but wouldn't you agree that enclosures very often look worse in photos? If so, then surely it's better to reserve judgement until the enclosure has actually been seen in person? I'm not saying that it's wrong to say "this enclosure looks bad in this picture", I just think it's wrong to say "this enclosure is terrible and this zoo should be closed down instantly" as several people have said about the RSCC judging from just pictures.
How long have you been reading stuff on Zoo Beat / Chat? Surely you should know by now that not having seen what it is that you are commenting on is no hindrance to being able to express raking criticism, in the strongest of terms.
I know that but i try to only comment on what i have seen myself and would like to think that others on here have the same standards as myself but it would appear not to be so.
Okay, well maybe it was a cruel trick of the light, but from that photograph it looks to me as if two pumas are being walked across a public area on leashes. I'm sure they are well-trained, but the fact that this is even necessary suggests that there are not enough suitable enclosures, or that the RSCC are collecting stock before they really have permanent facilities ready for them.
Why would a rare species conservation centre need some juvenile pumas? Are they subspecific and due to form a new european breeding programme? Are they for some future value-added 'big cat experience day'? Or did the owner just want some pumas?
Nope, they just have pumas. I loved the zoo but the amount of species they have is ridiculous to be honest. They apparently have 4 acres to expand onto, why get sun bears, an extra gibbon species, snow leopards and pumas whilst still on 2 acres?!
Maybe for the greater good of the species they house? Or on animal welfare grounds? Who even knows, and to be honest what's to suggest that when the other 4 acres is developed they won't just be tempted to keep on collecting more species to add to their collection.
Personally, I don't think that that is the RSCC's philosophy. However, there are very few enclosures at the centre which I would consider to be truly awful.
I meant that expanding enclosures was not their philosophy - I would imagine they will bring in new species instead (although, of course, this is just speculation).
I know that the pumas are hand reared and there doesn't appear to be too many customers around, so maybe they should be darted daily and moved? Darting them would seem a little stressful to me!
As for the other comments, the RSCC are a charity and despite all the lovely area specific trees, they unfortunately don't have a money tree!! I'm sure they would be thrilled if you would like to make a huge contribution for the improvement of enclosures (if needed) and for the amount of work that it would take to bring to heel the grounds around the zoo which they have apparently bought (not sure whether that is true though?)
And as you have pointed out time and time again, it is a small zoo, so to bring people through the doors in order to raise money to make improvements you need some variation. And, lets face it, the majority of zoo goers just want to see chimps and lions, they don't care about the enclosures. So by keeping the same animals year in and year out you're not going to attract a whole lot of people (unless they're poo flinging chimps!). If you don't attract a whole lot of people then you're not going to be able to make improvements are you?
