Best Lion enclosure in the Benelux

[felis silvestris]

This is just a bit of fun to judge the general consensus on the best enclosure for Lions in the Benelux. I have added a few photos from the gallery to make it easier for members to compare the different exhibits. If anyone wants to make an argument for a particular enclosure, please feel free to do so. Also, I would encourage people to list the enclosures in order of what they think is the best.

The Wolf and Wild dog threads are closing tomorrow, so if you want to vote or give an opinion on the exhibits do it soon before they close.

If you want to vote for Antwerp, Monde Sauvage, Bellewaerde Park, Pakawi, Hoenderdaell, Mondo Verde or Ouwehands then please vote for the “Other” option and specify which zoo you’re voting for.

Planckendael (Asiatic)



Rotterdam (Asiatic)



Antwerp (Barbary)



Amerfoort (Barbary)




Pairi Daiza



Monde Sauvage



Bellewaerde Park

Unfortunately there are no photos of this enclosure in the gallery. If someone could describe or provide a photo of it, that would be great.

Pakawi



Hoenderdaell



Burgers

 

[felis silvestris]

Emmen

Beekse Bergen

Gaia

Dierenrijk

Overloon

Mondo Verde

Ouwehands

Bouillon

Photo credits to @KevinB @KevinL @snowleopard@vogelcommando @twilighter @Tiger @Toddy

 

[snowleopard]

There is quite the range in quality when it comes to lion exhibits, with some of the enclosures clearly too small. My vote goes to Burgers' Zoo, even though it is obviously not a savanna setting and actually looks a lot like a tiger habitat. It doesn't bother me that the exhibit is heavily forested.

 

[lintworm]

Not a fan of Emmen as a zoo, but the huge lion enclosure with the kopjes works well for the lions and is imo the only one that combines looks with space and privacy.

 

[Mr Gharial]

I should add that the picture shown for Beekse Bergen is only the separation exhibit. They have another drive-through exhibit in a different section of the park. I'll see if I can find a photo in the gallery.

Edit: I think it's this one (by @KevinB)

 

[MennoPebesma]

I should add that the picture shown for Beekse Bergen is only the separation exhibit. They have another drive-through exhibit in a different section of the park.

Not a separation enclosure, but a just a second enclosure. Beekse Bergen has two lion enclosures in the Safari Park. There are also two in the Safari Resort. The largest enclosure (the one on the photo) is not a drive-through enclosure as there is a fence between the cars and the lions, but this enclosure can indeed be seen from both the car safari and the walking safari.

 

[Choco115]

For the first time I have to specify my choice. I think Emmen has a superb enclosure but it’s a bit too big and the viewing isn’t great. Burgers is great too but too much forest, so I’m going for a smaller enclosure which is fine for the lions. 3rd place goes to Gaia, 2nd to Overloon with some great viewing and a nice savannah like enclosure. But my vote goes to ‘other’: Antwerpen, a nice smaller enclosure (not too small though), with great viewing and lovely theming!

 

[Perseus6]

I personally really like Antwerps Exhibit so my other vote goes to it. It has nice differentiation, enrichment, different substrates and the option to separate a lioness with cubs. Even though it's on the smaller side.

 

[Philipine eagle]

For the first time I have to specify my choice. I think Emmen has a superb enclosure but it’s a bit too big and the viewing isn’t great. Burgers is great too but too much forest, so I’m going for a smaller enclosure which is fine for the lions. 3rd place goes to Gaia, 2nd to Overloon with some great viewing and a nice savannah like enclosure. But my vote goes to ‘other’: Antwerpen, a nice smaller enclosure (not too small though), with great viewing and lovely theming!

You certainly won't like Wuppertal's lion enclosure then

In every way there's a lot to like for Antwerps lion enclosure: aesthetically it is fantastic (certainly if you like 19c city zoos), there're some height differences, it has a really great canyon Hagenbeck stylisch view, it has grass and old trees but also an open view. Although my cast goes to Emmen, I like Antwerps lion enclosure a lot.

 

[felis silvestris]

(Apologies, I forgot to do these earlier)

Score update. Emmen are in the lead in the moment with over half the vote, with Burgers a distance behind. Several of these enclosures appear to be of high quality.

 

[felis silvestris]

Poll closed. Congratulations to Emmen for having the best Lion enclosure in the Benelux. A combination of a aesthetically pleasing for both the visitors and inhabitants perhaps gave it the edge. A mention should be given to Burgers for once again performing well with another high quality enclosure.

Emmen: 52.4%
Burgers: 33.3%
Antwerp: 9.5%
Gaia: 4.8%

 

[Choco115]

You certainly won't like Wuppertal's lion enclosure then

In every way there's a lot to like for Antwerps lion enclosure: aesthetically it is fantastic (certainly if you like 19c city zoos), there're some height differences, it has a really great canyon Hagenbeck stylisch view, it has grass and old trees but also an open view. Although my cast goes to Emmen, I like Antwerps lion enclosure a lot.

I am traumatized by the Wuppertal lion enclosure in fact. I walked all the way up the mountain in the heavy rain to see the lions, and when I got there I saw the most ridiculously enormous waste of space that was called a lion enclosure but… WITHOUT ANY LIONS!!!

 

[Perseus6]

I am traumatized by the Wuppertal lion enclosure in fact. I walked all the way up the mountain in the heavy rain to see the lions, and when I got there I saw the most ridiculously enormous waste of space that was called a lion enclosure but… WITHOUT ANY LIONS!!!

Yes same, supper big and empty, no separation or you know the separation enclosure was bad and a small inside area. Such a waste of potential. We spotted them using binoculars.

 

[Philipine eagle]

I am traumatized by the Wuppertal lion enclosure in fact. I walked all the way up the mountain in the heavy rain to see the lions, and when I got there I saw the most ridiculously enormous waste of space that was called a lion enclosure but… WITHOUT ANY LIONS!!!

Hm, it depends on the first time you viewed this enclosure I think, that's the one that sets your mind. I saw this for the first time in a really hot summer, with all the tall grass that was colouring brown. I didn't see any animal untill suddenly 3 majestic heads rised up above the grass, somewhere uphill in the enclosure. I thought that sight was so reallistic as an African savannah could be. Since then I trully find this enclosure simply fantastic.