Best UK Koala Bear enclosure

[TeaLovingDave]

Longleat has a small private area that the Koalas are sometimes allowed in

Edinburgh has off-show housing which the Koalas can access at any time, so would beat Longleat on this count.

There are two large outdoor enclosure,one of which has a pleasant stream running through it

Edinburgh also has a pretty large outdoor exhibit - larger, I believe, than both Longleat exhibits combined - which is sheltered from the elements and gives the inhabitants plenty of space and climbing area. There are no images in the gallery, but Google Streetview provides the following image viewed from afar:

 

[Shorts]

Edinburgh also has a pretty large outdoor exhibit - larger, I believe, than both Longleat exhibits combined - which is sheltered from the elements and gives the inhabitants plenty of space and climbing area. There are no images in the gallery, but Google Streetview provides the following image viewed from afar:
View attachment 441783

This might be because it's very rarely used -I've never seen it in use over many visits, covering about a decade, and would be interested in anyone here's seen it in use. The fact, as you pointed out, that it's sheltered from the elements makes it's seeming under/non-use all the more curious.

Note that Longleat has three outdoor exhibits in total (though one for the odd male only).

I wonder how many people voting here have seen both exhibits given they're (very roughly) opposite ends of the country and given the newness of the Longleat exhibit (which I thought was pretty impressive overall). I don't think the photos really do either exhibit justice.

Longleat scores points for having more Koalas and the experience of seeing them without a glass barrier in between (I'm sure this may have it's downside from a husbandry perspective but it does add something extra to the visitor experience). In my opinion it also has significantly superior theming and educational/supporting information -possibly because it's newer and/or because they had a better budget.

I know the vote's for best enclosure but if it were for exhibit (complex), with the addition of the side exhibits (Hairy-nosed Wombat!) I'd choose Longleat every time.

 

[Zia]

This might be because it's very rarely used -I've never seen it in use over many visits, covering about a decade, and would be interested in anyone here's seen it in use. The fact, as you pointed out, that it's sheltered from the elements makes it's seeming under/non-use all the more curious.

Note that Longleat has three outdoor exhibits in total (though one for the odd male only).

I wonder how many people voting here have seen both exhibits given they're (very roughly) opposite ends of the country and given the newness of the Longleat exhibit (which I thought was pretty impressive overall). I don't think the photos really do either exhibit justice.

Longleat scores points for having more Koalas and the experience of seeing them without a glass barrier in between (I'm sure this may have it's downside from a husbandry perspective but it does add something extra to the visitor experience). In my opinion it also has significantly superior theming and educational/supporting information -possibly because it's newer and/or because they had a better budget.

I know the vote's for best enclosure but if it were for exhibit (complex), with the addition of the side exhibits (Hairy-nosed Wombat!) I'd choose Longleat every time.

I have seen both. Edinburgh multiple times and Longleat once. I would agree on your point re the under-use of the outdoor area at Edinburgh - never seen it used regardless of the weather on the day. I was honestly suprised to see Koala outside on our one visit to see Longleats new complex.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

I am voting for Longleat for the following reasons:..........two large outdoor enclosure,one of which has a pleasant stream running through it

Looking at the photograph of the exhibit in question.....

Not only is this not exactly what I would call a large enclosure, from the look of things the "pleasant stream" you speak of so glowingly actually cuts the usable space within the exhibit in half so it is even smaller than it seems!

would be interested in anyone here's seen it in use.

Once, albeit about 7 years ago now I reckon! I have a feeling that it is used by the animals a bit more often than it is opened to the public.

Longleat scores points for having more Koalas and the experience of seeing them without a glass barrier in between (I'm sure this may have it's downside from a husbandry perspective but it does add something extra to the visitor experience). In my opinion it also has significantly superior theming and educational/supporting information -possibly because it's newer and/or because they had a better budget.

I have a feeling they currently have the same number, actually as for the educational material provided, Edinburgh puts up a pretty good showing in this regard, having improved the presentation and signage within the exhibit in recent years. One of the few areas in which Edinburgh has improved in recent years!

 

[Shorts]

Not only is this not exactly what I would call a large enclosure, from the look of things the "pleasant stream" you speak of so glowingly actually cuts the usable space within the exhibit in half so it is even smaller than it seems!

Once, albeit about 7 years ago now I reckon! I have a feeling that it is used by the animals a bit more often than it is opened to the public.

Regardless of squabble over size -at least, it seems, you've have a chance of seeing them outside at Longleat!

... as for the educational material provided, Edinburgh puts up a pretty good showing in this regard, having improved the presentation and signage within the exhibit in recent years. One of the few areas in which Edinburgh has improved in recent years!

That's good to hear (not been up for a couple of years) as it was looking sparse/tired last time I saw it. Longleat's look/theming, though, is another level (though to be fair you'd expect that given there's well over a decade between them and Longleat's is, essentially, still brand new).

 

[DavidBrown]

Looking at the photograph of the exhibit in question.....

Not only is this not exactly what I would call a large enclosure, from the look of things the "pleasant stream" you speak of so glowingly actually cuts the usable space within the exhibit in half so it is even smaller than it seems!

Not if their koalas have taken up swimming or rowing.

When was the last time London Zoo had koalas?

 

[TeaLovingDave]

When was the last time London Zoo had koalas?

A brief 18-month period in the late 1980s, with the last animal dying in 1991. Also the only other time the species has been in the UK within living memory.

 

[J C]

Haven’t been to Edinburgh so wouldn’t like to comment on there enclosure but longleat I visited last year and was very impressed not as an enclosure but an exhibit, to exhibit the animals as they do to see them with little more than a waist high garden fence between you and the koalas is pretty breathtaking. I saw all four at the time inside being vocal to each other and some movement then later in the day two of the girls outside, to be able to be about a meter away from them and look them in the eye and feel them breathing with out any glass between or other barrier was quite an experience I would find hard to forget

 

[Tim May]

When was the last time London Zoo had koalas?

A brief 18-month period in the late 1980s, with the last animal dying in 1991. Also the only other time the species has been in the UK within living memory.

Actually London Zoo's last koala was sent to Lisbon Zoo in 1992.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Good to know!

 

[Panthera1981]

When was the last time London Zoo had koalas?

I vaguely recall them being housed in the old roundhouse that once held gorillas. The exhibit was very basic. I don’t know how many London kept though.

If you can get a hold of a copy of Molly Dineens “The Ark” the koala play a significant role in one of the episodes.

 

[The_melford_manatee]

Looking at the photograph of the exhibit in question.....

Not only is this not exactly what I would call a large enclosure, from the look of things the "pleasant stream" you speak of so glowingly actually cuts the usable space within the exhibit in half so it is even smaller than it seems!



Once, albeit about 7 years ago now I reckon! I have a feeling that it is used by the animals a bit more often than it is opened to the public.



I have a feeling they currently have the same number, actually as for the educational material provided, Edinburgh puts up a pretty good showing in this regard, having improved the presentation and signage within the exhibit in recent years. One of the few areas in which Edinburgh has improved in recent years!

You do have a point but it is far larger than the photo makes it seem and there is an additional outdoor enclosure on the other side which you have not shown.Unfortunately I have no photos of the enclosure.

 

[Tim May]

... I don’t know how many London kept though.

Two females were received from San Diego in 1989. Sadly one died in 1991 and, as mentioned above, the survivor was sent to Lisbon Zoo in 1992

 

[Cat-Man]

Two females were received from San Diego in 1989. Sadly one died in 1991 and, as mentioned above, the survivor was sent to Lisbon Zoo in 1992

From what i’m led to believe, they were supposed to be the superstars that replaced the presence of Panda’s at Regents Park. They never made the splash they were supposed to.

 

[britishzoofan]

Score update. Edinburgh currently have a large 22 vote lead over Longleat. It would appear most members recognise both are good exhibits, however Edinburgh edges it in most cases. They are certainly two completely different ways of exhibiting the species, Longleat obviously without glass and Edinburgh with. I would be interested with all other things being equal which individuals prefer in terms of with/without glass.

 

[ShonenJake13]

Score update. Edinburgh currently have a large 22 vote lead over Longleat. It would appear most members recognise both are good exhibits, however Edinburgh edges it in most cases. They are certainly two completely different ways of exhibiting the species, Longleat obviously without glass and Edinburgh with. I would be interested with all other things being equal which individuals prefer in terms of with/without glass.

The issue is that we’re talking about two different subspecies with (marginally) different environments and (completely) different appearances. The northern subspecies is smaller and is less furry, as the climate it’s found in is far more arid and tropical as it’s closer to the equator. The southern subspecies, despite also living in a largely warmer climate than the UK, has to deal with lower temperatures given that its found in areas further away from the equator, and thus has evolved to be bigger with a thicker coat.
If southern koalas were more prevalent in Europe then I’m sure there would be more open topped enclosures and we would see koalas in more outdoor situations, but the fact is that Longleat is the only true European (I’m not counting that Israeli zoo ZTL lists) zoo with southern koala, and therefore the only zoo where koalas are more likely to be seen outdoors in chillier weather and can withstand wind tunnel style environments...

People may try and argue that surely that makes Longleat a better enclosure as it’s more suited to the UK, but that’s not the game here. The game is which enclosure best suits its inhabitants, and both do so in a multitude of ways. But, as has been the case previously when matches are close/hard to compare, the second resort is husbandry and breeding record. And the truth is that Edinburgh’s stand-out husbandry and large amount of breeding says it all.

(Don’t get me wrong, I really like Longleat’s, but prefer Edinburgh’s!)

 

[Zia]

People may try and argue that surely that makes Longleat a better enclosure as it’s more suited to the UK, but that’s not the game here. The game is which enclosure best suits its inhabitants, and both do so in a multitude of ways.

The thing is in this game - there are no rules. It is just what the 'best'. What each person bases that on is entirely up to them.

 

[ShonenJake13]

The thing is in this game - there are no rules. It is just what the 'best'. What each person bases that on is entirely up to them.

Exactly at not point have I said that I believe people are choosing the wrong zoo, or that Longleat‘s isn’t a decent enclosure. I’m just trying to explain my position for Edinburgh, as frequently people (such as yourself) call certain people out for voting and not explaining!

I’m also aware there are no concrete rules; I’m using the logic that has been used by many partakers in past rounds where each main competitor has a strong facility.

 

[Zia]

as frequently people (such as yourself) call certain people out for voting and not explaining!

Don't recall doing that at all.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

The thing is in this game - there are no rules. It is just what the 'best'. What each person bases that on is entirely up to them.

And yet when you think people are merely voting for their favourite collection and have no other reason for thinking an exhibit is the best you call them out - so obviously some level of discussion and debate over what makes a collection "best" is required, elsewise it's just a popularity contest!

Don't recall doing that at all.

Ahem....

I would like to understand why people are voting for Chester over PL in this insance? (other than just blind devotion to Chester obv).

My point was simply that some people are voting consistently for their personal favourite collection. I'm saying I would like to hear the reasons from people who are not doing this.