Best UK Indian Rhinoceros enclosure Reboot

[felis silvestris]

This is just a bit of fun to judge the general consensus on the best enclosure for Indian Rhinoceroses in the UK. 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 best.

If there are any outdated photos, collections that no longer hold them or people have photos for exhibits not in the gallery or with poor photos please let me know.

I know this thread hasn't had as much change as some other threads, but I'd like to see if there will be any vote difference, and Port Lympne is new (no enclosure photos available though)

There won't be any more rhino threads after this since Black and White rhinos had no changes in holders or enclosures since 2020.

WMSP

@MagpieGoose

Chester

@gulogulogulo

Whipsnade

@MagpieGoose

@MagpieGoose

Edinburgh

@felis silvestris

@felis silvestris

Port Lympne

There are no photos of the exhibit in the gallery, though I believe it is in the safari near to the Andean bears. If someone can describe or provide a photo of the enclosure here, that would be great.

 

[Pertinax]

Port Lympne

There are no photos of the exhibit in the gallery, though I believe it is in the safari near to the Andean bears. If someone can describe or provide a photo of the enclosure here, that would be great.

Afaik the male G.I. rhino at PL lives in one of the old Elephant enclosures, presumably with access to a paddock area as well, though I don't know how much any of it has been converted more for his needs.

 

[pendraig_milnerae]

I’m going to advocate for WMSP, not only for the very spacious main enclosure with its watery ha-ha border, which the rhinos make frequent use of, but there’s also the indoor housing, which is quite similar to the Whipsnade rhino house, if more spacious, with large pools on one side and land area on the other.

 

[Pertinax]

I’m going to advocate for WMSP, not only for the very spacious main enclosure with its watery ha-ha border, which the rhinos make frequent use of, but there’s also the indoor housing, which is quite similar to the Whipsnade rhino house, if more spacious, with large pools on one side and land area on the other.

Not open to the public though is it, being a safari drive through?

 

[SSLees]

Not open to the public though is it, being a safari drive through?

No, you can't access the Indian Rhino's at WMSP by foot sadly. And it's too far away for them to make a viewing area to walk to by foot like they did with the White Rhinos.

Though if the drive through is quiet, they will let the females out to explore the main paddock. Still have photos of them out with their calf from couple of years ago. Never with the male though.

See. While I've been and work at WMSP, I'm actually going to go for Whipsnade on this one.

I’m going to advocate for WMSP, not only for the very spacious main enclosure with its watery ha-ha border, which the rhinos make frequent use of, but there’s also the indoor housing, which is quite similar to the Whipsnade rhino house, if more spacious, with large pools on one side and land area on the other.

You are right on that. For an enclosure, it's very good for them. They have a lot of space in the main area. The inside of the house is similar to Whipsade if my memory from the VIP experience going inside it is anything to go by, with their own pools and separate rooms. And they do have a smaller area alongside it.

But I'm going with Whipsade for looking just a bit bigger than WMSP's outdoor area. But I'd still rank WMSP very close too.

I was going to vote for Edinburgh for the design of the indoor area. But the outdoor looks small from the picture provided. Just not sure if that's their main area or if it's a smaller area for them to go out away from the public?

 

[Kalaw]

For me this has to be Whipsnade, and it isn't really close. Of the others, West Midlands, which I haven't visited so am solely judging of photos, looks great but can't compare - Chester is decent and Edinburgh's is atrocious.

Whipsnade has the largest indoor area of the lot, and one of just two (unless Port Lympne's are as well?) to be onshow. Each stall has deep pools which is vital for this, the most amphibious of rhino species - according to the zoo's website, these pools use "unique water treatment systems linked to a reed bed system to filter waste water before it drains away." Of course, the rhinos won't care, but it is a nice fact from a sustainability perspective. All of the pools are also heated, and brings the cost of the exhibit to £1 million at the time, likely much more adjusting for inflation and probably making it the most expensive rhino enclosure in British zoo history - again, not that the rhinos themselves notice, but it is nice to note. There is also a second, smaller house that is offshow.

The outdoor field is also massive with mud wallows and a great variety of substrates - as this species grazes, the amount of grass is no doubt appreciated, although thankfully all of the enclosures in the UK for this species barring Edinburgh also offer that. There are a very good number of separation options within the 'yard' spaces attached to either house - even an entirely separate enclosure for mothers with calves. The amount of visitor viewing options is also very impressive, with an overhead bridge, ground-level viewing and even the opportunity to view them from your cars, as the road in Passage through Asia runs very close to it.

For me, this is the easiest poll to decide upon a winner since the Orangutan poll (although even then, there was at least the debate of which one of the Chester enclosures deserves it). I've always found 'Rhinos of Nepal' to be one of the most underappreciated areas of Whipsnade - easily among its very best exhibits and yet not discussed near enough.

 

[Pertinax]

For me this has to be Whipsnade, and it isn't really close. Of the others, West Midlands, which I haven't visited so am solely judging of photos, looks great but can't compare - Chester is decent and Edinburgh's is atrocious.

Whipsnade has the largest indoor area of the lot, and one of just two (unless Port Lympne's are as well?) to be onshow. Each stall has deep pools which is vital for this, the most amphibious of rhino species - according to the zoo's website, these pools use "unique water treatment systems linked to a reed bed system to filter waste water before it drains away." Of course, the rhinos won't care, but it is a nice fact from a sustainability perspective. All of the pools are also heated, and brings the cost of the exhibit to £1 million at the time, likely much more adjusting for inflation and probably making it the most expensive rhino enclosure in British zoo history - again, not that the rhinos themselves notice, but it is nice to note. There is also a second, smaller house that is offshow.

.

But how often do you see a Rhino in there? . There seem to be major drawbacks with this house- for some reason ever since it was opened, the rhinos are often seen using the old sheds and small yards though I still don't fully understand why. One reason is that I think the pools in the Rhinos of Nepal building are deemed unsafe for small calves- though there are no calves at Whipsnade at present(afaik) and unlikely in the short term future. Also I know the two females Behan and Beluki are/were reluctant to enter the bathing pools due to the design of the slope. I think I have only ever seen one rhino (often the bull) at a time in that building though it looks good.

Having said that overall I'd still rate Whipsnade as the best- the inside viewing and newer house- even if its underused- and close proximity you can get to the rhinos at either the indoor building or the old outside yards, plus extensive outdoor paddocks.

I would place WMSP a fairly close second. 3. Chester I feel is a bit small and no indoor viewing. 4. Edinburgh, which I haven't seen, is the old Giraffe area which I know from past visits is quite small but they only hold an immature bull or two in it. Joint 4 or 5(?) Port Lympne- only because though I haven't seen it I know whereabouts the rhino lives and its converted elephant accomodation with(presumably) no inside viewing.

 

[Kalaw]

But how often do you see a Rhino in there? . There seem to be major drawbacks with this house- for some reason ever since it was opened, the rhinos are often seen using the old sheds though I still don't fully understand why. One reason is that I think the pools in the Rhinos of Nepal building are deemed unsafe for small calves- though there are no calves at Whipsnade at present(afaik) and unlikely in the short term future. Also I know the two females Behan and Beluki are/were reluctant to enter the bathing pools due to the design of the slope. I think I have only ever seen one rhino (often the bull) at a time in that building though it looks good.

I find it interesting that you label the RoN stables as 'underused,' as from experience there is always at least one indoors (as you say, usually the bull), which cannot be said for most rhinos in zoos. The White Rhinos elsewhere at Whipsnade are a good example of this - the only other zoo in the UK where I have seen rhinos indoors as regularly is at Paignton with their Black Rhinos. Perhaps I have just got lucky, or you have just got unlucky, in terms of what the rhinos were doing at the times of our visits.

The females are always confined to the maternity yard when calves are present, so the pools being too deep is not a risk. Your comments around the steepness of the slope are interesting, and I can see how that will be an issue, so thanks for adding that point. Not that it limits their access to water, however, as there is also an outdoor pool in the main field, which I recently found out was very deep after watching a pair of rhinos fully submerge themselves in it on my most recent visit, which was quite a surprising experience.

On another note, how two members have voted for Edinburgh here is beyond me. Not to sound provocative, as everyone is entitled to their own votes, but the Edinburgh enclosure is the smallest of the lot by far, has no grass despite Indian Rhinos being grazers, no sizable water source despite this species being the most semi-aquatic of rhinos, and no sizable separation options. The only thing it has going for it is the decent guest viewing, with the opportunity to view it from two angles and indoors, but even in that aspect Whipsnade surpasses it. I would be very interested to hear from the two members who voted for said collection...

 

[Pertinax]

I find it interesting that you label the RoN stables as 'underused,' as from experience there is always at least one indoors (as you say, usually the bull), which cannot be said for most rhinos in zoos.

The females are always confined to the maternity yard when calves are present, so the pools being too deep is not a risk. Your comments around the steepness of the slope are interesting, and I can see how that will be an issue, so thanks for adding that point. Not that it limits their access to water, however, as there is also an outdoor pool in the main field..

I've been going off and on since Rhinos of Nepal opened. I've very rarely seen a female in there, they are often confined to the yards, or are brought into the yards, not into the newer house, after being in the paddock. I don't understand why the three stalls in the R of N aren't used permanently by the three adult rhinos and the old sheds not used at all anymore.

Why are the females confined to those old yards(and sheds presumably) when they have calves- if it isn't the depth of the indoor pools? Not sure on your statement here...

Also re. the indoor pools in the R of N building. I once saw a keeper trying to lure/encourage one of the females into the bathing pool by throwing lettuce heads in the water for her- but though she wanted to get them she wouldn't go... also I think these two females spent many years without deep bathing water(only sprayers?) after leaving London Zoo- where I saw them bathing in the Cotton Terraces moat as part grown animals. As large bulky mature rhinos they maybe had problems re-adjusting to the deeper baths on offer after so long without?

 

[Kalaw]

I've been going off and on since Rhinos of Nepal opened. I've very rarely seen a female in there, they are often confined to the yards, or are brought into the yards, not into the newer house, after being in the paddock. I don't understand why the three stalls in the R of N aren't used permanently by the three adult rhinos and the old sheds not used at all anymore.

Why are the females confined to those old yards(and sheds presumably) when they have calves- if it isn't the depth of the indoor pools? Not sure on your statement here...

Also re. the indoor pools in the R of N building. I once saw a keeper trying to lure/encourage one of the females into the bathing pool by throwing lettuce heads in the water for her- but though she wanted to get them she wouldn't go... also I think these two females spent many years without deep bathing water(only sprayers?) after leaving London Zoo- where I saw them bathing in the Cotton Terraces moat as part grown animals. As large bulky mature rhinos they maybe had problems re-adjusting to the deeper baths on offer after so long without?

I trust that you are more knowledgeable on both rhino welfare and Whipsnade's setup than I am, so will take your word for it here. I always assumed that the were separated due to the risk of bull aggression, and the old stables used even when the new ones are open due to the fact that they offer privacy, something that rhinos being sensitive and easily provoked may need. Never had confirmation of this assumption from a keeper, so I am likely wrong.

Your suggestion about long periods of time without pools being influential could be accurate, although I would doubt it because, as mentioned, I have recently seen the females fully submerge themselves outdoors. Only the indoor pools seem to be an issue, and even then only for the females...

 

[Pertinax]

. Only the indoor pools seem to be an issue, and even then only for the females...

Oh yes, they'll use the outdoor ones okay. In fact they may have had them all the time since they arrived at Whipsnade so what I said above isn't quite correct. Its the indoor ones there seems to be an issue with. (I've seen the bull Hugo bathing indoors- he loves it but probably had access to the indoor pool at Basel(?) all his life before coming to Whipsnade).

Re. privacy, other zoos like Basel with similar houses keep the bull and cows in adjacent stalls without problems.

I'm hoping to be there again in a few weeks so will be looking closely again at what's going on.

 

[Kalaw]

Re. privacy, other zoos like Basel with similar houses keep the bull and cows in adjacent stalls without problems.

Was referring more to privacy from visitors, which I have been informed by zookeepers at other collections that it is vital for rhinos (poor eyesight leads to them being easily startled). With the entirety of the outdoor paddocks visible from multiple angles, and the stable public as well, the old stables are the only offshow areas they have access to. However, I am not entirely certain that this is accurate, as most collections that house rhinos don't offer all that many offshow areas, unless (as is the case with Chester and West Midlands in this thread) their indoors are entirely offshow...

 

[Benosaurus]

WMSP: Big windswept field.

Whipsnade: Bigger windswept field.

Chester: Big field with lots of tree cover.

Edinburgh: Tiny mud patch.

Port Lympne: ???


The standard doesn't seem too high here, but Chester gets my vote.

 

[Pertinax]

Was referring more to privacy from visitors, which I have been informed by zookeepers at other collections that it is vital for rhinos (poor eyesight leads to them being easily startled). With the entirety of the outdoor paddocks visible from multiple angles, and the stable public as well, the old stables are the only offshow areas they have access to. However, I am not entirely certain that this is accurate, as most collections that house rhinos don't offer all that many offshow areas, unless (as is the case with Chester and West Midlands in this thread) their indoors are entirely offshow...

Most rhino in captivity do become very tame, so I don't think privacy is particularly an issue. Its true they can become easily startled if caught unawares. I've walked into an empty (people-wise) rhino house before now and a rhino has been startled by my sudden appearance, but its rare. Most rhino(or many) are displayed indoors in open -fronted stalls though.

 

[Pertinax]

Chester: Big field with lots of tree cover.




The standard doesn't seem too high here, but Chester gets my vote.

Chester's is the most attractive with the willow trees overhanging etc. I don't much like them keeping the Brow-antlered deer with them though, it must be difficult very uneven ground for them and very bare too. No indoor viewing is a downside too.

 

[Rajang-GOAT]

I have seen Whipsnade and Chester in person and my vote has gone to Whipsnade, thanks to the quality of their exhibits as well as the number and amount of separation options. WMSP probably be a close second for me because it seems nice and large and fairly similar to the outdoor areas at Whipsnade. Chester would be just behind because, although I do like the main outdoor paddock with its trees, hill and pond, it is possibly important to bear in mind that when the breeding pair are separated (as they were last April with the female having a calf with her, probably still the case now), one of the two gets most or all of the main paddock with the other rhino getting a sectioned off area of the paddock or the pretty much off show sand paddock behind the house. I am not familiar with the enclosure at Port Lympne, but I would guess it is likely to be better than Edinburgh (for reasons mentioned by others above), who I think have previously announced plans for a new exhibit so hopefully that isn't too many years off.

 

[felis silvestris]

Poll closed. Congratulations to Whipsnade for, once again, retaining their title as the Best Indian Rhinnoceros enclosure in the UK. The amount of enclosures and their size held off runners-up Chester and West Midlands.

Whipsnade: 62.5%
WMSP: 18.8%
Chester: 12.5%
Edinburgh: 6.3%

 

[SSLees]

At this rate, I'll be very surprised if there's a poll you do where Whipsnade doesn't win. Then again, just shows how much they've committed to their animals.

 

[rhinofan12]

At this rate, I'll be very surprised if there's a poll you do where Whipsnade doesn't win. Then again, just shows how much they've committed to their animals.

Maybe penguins but then I think the sister zoo london would win

 

[Kalaw]

Maybe penguins but then I think the sister zoo london would win

Edinburgh is far ahead of London for penguins. Whipsnade would also likely fall short on brown bears to BZP and wolverines to HWP off the top of my head, with a few other possibilities.

But indeed the standard at Whipsnade is exceptional. I truly believe that it is the closest the UK has to a ‘second best zoo,’ (after Chester, of course), and while I will admit that my enormous sentimental attachment to the place may play a part in that statement, even pushing that aside I can’t think of anywhere that comes close, at last so far as the sheer quality and welfare is concerned.