Thanks so much for uploading these new pictures of the snowleopard exibit, Jodea. I have been so curious about this exhibit (that I saw 35 years ago, then containing polar bears)! I must confess to be a bit disappointed by the large amount of water, though. This seems like an unnecessary feature, probably due to that staircase leading down to a viewing platform that one can see in this particular picture. This platform - of course - was not there when the exhibit contained polar bears (and when there was MUCH more water). I can´t understand why it was built, especially given that (also newly built) roofed construction from which you get such a good look into the exhibit. Without those staircases and the unnecessary platform the leopards could have been given more space.
Note to mstickmamp: perhaps my lines above somewhat answers the question you raise. The tradition in the Swedish zoos is to create as big enclosures for the animals as possible by simply fencing in a piece of genuine Swedish nature - in this case a mountain around which you build walls high enough to contain polar bears. The idea of "immersion" is totally absent. And basically "fake rocks", too. This is such an interesting point - come to think of it - that I will create a thread about it in the forum.
