In theory renovation would be possible, if finance were available and the Zoo and English Heritage could agree on a plan; but I fear that it could not include access to the top level because of the old barred fences there, which would surely be unacceptable for the Zoo Licence.
Incidentally the best animals I ever saw on the Mappins were Dall sheep on the lowest level in the late '70s - I presume they were being quarantined under the old FMD regulations, but I don't know if they survived or where they went.
Not surprised Bighorn Sheep died out rapidly when moved from a presumably parasite free artificial rock, to a much less suitable grass paddock.
As suggested above, part of the attraction of London Zoo was that it used to be full of animals.
Many kept in substandard conditions in ones and twos. I'd like to see a bit more diversity - and rarity - in the current collection but let's not look back through rose-tinted spectacles.
Some of the loss of diversity has been through deliberate management choice, and wasn't necessary on welfare grounds. As an example, the Clore lost a huge chunk of diversity when the rainforest exhibit was created, thus obliterating half of the Moonlight World. Much the same exhibit could have been created by linking together the courtyard exhibits, which are now offshow.
I don't think people such as FB Bird and Pertinax are nostalgic for the likes of the old Monkey House, with a single Red Uakari kept alongside an albinistic Mona Monkey, and two male Hoolock Gibbons.
As I've said before, I don't regret the loss of elephants from London. The Parrot House was appalling, and by the early 1980s the bear dens on the Mappin Terraces were anachronistic. But more intelligent redevelopment and species management within ZSL , coupled with far better commercial sense, ought to have kept a bigger collection of birds and mammals onsite, without compromising welfare standards, than has been achieved.
I don't think people such as FB Bird and Pertinax are nostalgic for the likes of the old Monkey House, with a single Red Uakari kept alongside an albinistic Mona Monkey, and two male Hoolock Gibbons.
No I'm not. It was an incredible place but certainly highly unsuited for most of the occupants. And I really don't look at the past animal housing generally through rose-tinted spectacles either. Much of it was very archaic which was admittedly what allowed some of the impressive collections of primates, cats and ungulates for example, to be held. But IMO it seems to have gone from the postage-stamp era to the other extreme rather so that the 'modern' London Zoo just doesn't feel full of animals as it used to any more.
Incidentally the best animals I ever saw on the Mappins were Dall sheep on the lowest level in the late '70s - I presume they were being quarantined under the old FMD regulations, but I don't know if they survived or where they went.
