Dudley Zoological Gardens 1960's Polar Bears at Dudley. (plus 2 ID's)
- Thread starter Dawn B
- Start date
It's amazing how they got away with such low walls.
taun
Well-Known Member
If I remember correctly it was one of the better polar bear enclosures in UK at the time.
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
If you look carefully you can still see part of this enclosure behind the South-east Asian Aviary.
karenZOO
Well-Known Member
Very interesting to see the Polar bear enclosure in use at Dudley!
I was wondering, how it worked! I took some overhead photos during my recent (1st) visit and could not work out the water level! I had assumed the over hanging ledge the polar bear is on was a diving board or something into the water but by the looks of things I cannot see where the water level went up to ??
Have they since filled in some of the bottom of the enclosure?
I was wondering, how it worked! I took some overhead photos during my recent (1st) visit and could not work out the water level! I had assumed the over hanging ledge the polar bear is on was a diving board or something into the water but by the looks of things I cannot see where the water level went up to ??
Have they since filled in some of the bottom of the enclosure?
adrian1963
Well-Known Member
Some of the outdoor part of the enclosure was ultered so they could house the red panda's in there but they changed there minds and placed the red panda's opposite the giraffe's. It appears that some of the pool area as been filled. This was also due to be refurbished under the old modwen investment but as usual for Dudley council it did not happen.
Dawn B
Well-Known Member
Ill make a note of that and look when I visit again next week.
By co-incidence I just found this
Upton-by-Chester Local History Group
If the photo is enlarged the brown bear enclosures can be seen.
There is a tree on the right of the picture, to the left are the two bear enclosures (originally one held Punch and Judy the polar bears). To the left of these enclosures is the sealion enclosure and then the old reptile house which stood where the penguins are now.
Upton-by-Chester Local History Group
If the photo is enlarged the brown bear enclosures can be seen.
There is a tree on the right of the picture, to the left are the two bear enclosures (originally one held Punch and Judy the polar bears). To the left of these enclosures is the sealion enclosure and then the old reptile house which stood where the penguins are now.
And what did you think of all the Tecton buildings?
karenZOO
Well-Known Member
Hi Chizlit, I thought they were amazing lol (hides) and a very unused asset by Dudley as I think they are much more impressive than the castle which they seem to use as part of the draw!
I really thought they would stick out like a sore thumb but they really blend into the landscape quite well, I dont think they would work elsewhere.
The first one we came across at the Guanaco/Rhea enclosure was in such an awful state (what was the original use of this ?) but after climbing the steep path the one in the lion enclosure was amazing! The angles/curves and the view made it very striking! Did not go in was going to come back but never did!
The kiosks are they used at all in the summer?
The pits I thought was a very well designed set of buildings but not for animals I hated looking down on the tiger, the bear slightly better as he was up at eye level but again the design merged so well with the hillside! Was the front of the building once toilets? looks a lot like a bus stop with toilets
I wont go on anymore (as I could for hours lol) found some of the colours bit garish like the activity centre and cafe!
One criticsm is the map! Although it pictures some of the buildings it makes no mention of them at all, it is very chaotic with lots of out of date information and bits stuck over bits, some animals not on it at all! I think they should follow Colchester map design - a standard map with possible new enclosures on it and a photocopied handout for feeding times etc.
Dudley need to highlight these buildings a lot more, the castle although an interesting asset has had some shocking restoration over the years!
Last thought I think the buildings should not house animals and should be used just as architectural design to enhance the landscape or made into exhibits or visitor facilities!
Well you did ask
I really thought they would stick out like a sore thumb but they really blend into the landscape quite well, I dont think they would work elsewhere.
The first one we came across at the Guanaco/Rhea enclosure was in such an awful state (what was the original use of this ?) but after climbing the steep path the one in the lion enclosure was amazing! The angles/curves and the view made it very striking! Did not go in was going to come back but never did!
The kiosks are they used at all in the summer?
The pits I thought was a very well designed set of buildings but not for animals I hated looking down on the tiger, the bear slightly better as he was up at eye level but again the design merged so well with the hillside! Was the front of the building once toilets? looks a lot like a bus stop with toilets
I wont go on anymore (as I could for hours lol) found some of the colours bit garish like the activity centre and cafe!
One criticsm is the map! Although it pictures some of the buildings it makes no mention of them at all, it is very chaotic with lots of out of date information and bits stuck over bits, some animals not on it at all! I think they should follow Colchester map design - a standard map with possible new enclosures on it and a photocopied handout for feeding times etc.
Dudley need to highlight these buildings a lot more, the castle although an interesting asset has had some shocking restoration over the years!
Last thought I think the buildings should not house animals and should be used just as architectural design to enhance the landscape or made into exhibits or visitor facilities!
Well you did ask
Yes I did ask and I'm glad you answered.
Glad you semed to almost like the zoo as it sometimes doesn't get the best of reviews .
To try to answer some of your questions, yes it's a real shame about the guanaco enclosure, I have to admit that of all the tecton buildings this one despite it's current state is my favourite, it is called the bear ravine, so that will answer what used to be in there, someone said on here that it used to hold wolves, but I'm not so sure about that (one of the education staff at the zoo sid he didn't think wolves where ever in there either.
I think it would be a good place to put the giraffes, it would give them more space.
No the kiosks are not used anymore, there were plans to reopen some of them, but I guess English heritage would know more about why that hasn't happened, I get the feeling that the zoo and EH don't always see eye to eye, and I can see the zoo's point of view that these buildings are holding the zoo back from making improvements as they are not allowed to touch them in any major way.
Yes they were toilets in front of the tiger / bear pit they haven't been open for years, guess they got unsafe.
I'll agree with you about the map, it's not really as useful as it could be, but I think the layout of the zoo also makes it difficult for the map to make sense for first time visitors.
.Glad you semed to almost like the zoo as it sometimes doesn't get the best of reviews .
To try to answer some of your questions, yes it's a real shame about the guanaco enclosure, I have to admit that of all the tecton buildings this one despite it's current state is my favourite, it is called the bear ravine, so that will answer what used to be in there, someone said on here that it used to hold wolves, but I'm not so sure about that (one of the education staff at the zoo sid he didn't think wolves where ever in there either.
I think it would be a good place to put the giraffes, it would give them more space.
No the kiosks are not used anymore, there were plans to reopen some of them, but I guess English heritage would know more about why that hasn't happened, I get the feeling that the zoo and EH don't always see eye to eye, and I can see the zoo's point of view that these buildings are holding the zoo back from making improvements as they are not allowed to touch them in any major way.
Yes they were toilets in front of the tiger / bear pit they haven't been open for years, guess they got unsafe.
I'll agree with you about the map, it's not really as useful as it could be, but I think the layout of the zoo also makes it difficult for the map to make sense for first time visitors.
Hi Chizlit, I thought they were amazing lol (hides) and a very unused asset by Dudley as I think they are much more impressive than the castle which they seem to use as part of the draw!
I really thought they would stick out like a sore thumb but they really blend into the landscape quite well, I dont think they would work elsewhere.
The first one we came across at the Guanaco/Rhea enclosure was in such an awful state (what was the original use of this ?) but after climbing the steep path the one in the lion enclosure was amazing! The angles/curves and the view made it very striking! Did not go in was going to come back but never did!
The kiosks are they used at all in the summer?
The pits I thought was a very well designed set of buildings but not for animals I hated looking down on the tiger, the bear slightly better as he was up at eye level but again the design merged so well with the hillside! Was the front of the building once toilets? looks a lot like a bus stop with toilets
I wont go on anymore (as I could for hours lol) found some of the colours bit garish like the activity centre and cafe!
One criticsm is the map! Although it pictures some of the buildings it makes no mention of them at all, it is very chaotic with lots of out of date information and bits stuck over bits, some animals not on it at all! I think they should follow Colchester map design - a standard map with possible new enclosures on it and a photocopied handout for feeding times etc.
Dudley need to highlight these buildings a lot more, the castle although an interesting asset has had some shocking restoration over the years!
Last thought I think the buildings should not house animals and should be used just as architectural design to enhance the landscape or made into exhibits or visitor facilities!
Well you did ask
Hello everyone.My name is Mick .Just joined the site.Main reason is to try and get some old photo,s of Dudley zoo.Went there as a child and had a love affair with the place ever since!Fondest memory is of the elephants,polar bears and the aerial chair lift.
Would be gratefull to anyone posting pictures of the above from the 60,s.Cheers,Mick.
Would be gratefull to anyone posting pictures of the above from the 60,s.Cheers,Mick.
adrian1963
Well-Known Member
does anyone know why the pictures have been removed from Dawn B's original thread
Reading thru some of her later threads she said she wanted to leave zoochat, so maybe she did.