Port Lympne has an excellent record of keeping malayan tapir, has bred several and at one point (not sure if still has) had by some distance the eldest one in Europe!
There housing can't be as bad as some would like to think
Best UK Malayan Tapir enclosure
- Thread starter britishzoofan
- Start date
There housing can't be as bad as some would like to think
He's still there, and he's actually the oldest of his kind...period!
Tapir becomes world record holder
Thanks! So I think this shows Port Lympne 's indoor facilities can't be that poor!
I'm fairly sure it was you that has pointed out that breeding record doesn't equal quality in several past matches
much as you have also noted that "best" doesn't always mean "biggest". For a start, of the four UK collections holding the species the one with the most regular breeding in recent years is Edinburgh, and I think we're agreed that is the worst of the three mainland exhibits by far!That said, Port Lympne definitely does have a very strong breeding record
albeit one which has stalled somewhat in the last decade.
I think breeding record and having long lived tapir is a valid point when people are suggesting Port Lympne 's housing is not adequate! I haven' t actually mentioned the size of PLs enclosures as I don't think that matters as they are of higher quality than Chester's currently comparatively bare paddocks! That said I like Chester's exhibit, there's nothing wrong with it, it is comfortably 2ndI'm fairly sure it was you that has pointed out that breeding record doesn't equal quality in several past matches
That said, Port Lympne definitely does have a very strong breeding record
Some links to some pictures of the inside of PL's tapir house;
Port Lympne - Tapir Safari | Hello Wanderer UK
port lympne Archives - Milbourn Equine
Hire Port Lympne Wild Animal Park And Mansion | Whole Venue | VenueScanner
And a video;
Obviously doesn't look as new as Chester's on-show indoor area but still seems fine and a good size too.
Port Lympne - Tapir Safari | Hello Wanderer UK
port lympne Archives - Milbourn Equine
Hire Port Lympne Wild Animal Park And Mansion | Whole Venue | VenueScanner
And a video;
Obviously doesn't look as new as Chester's on-show indoor area but still seems fine and a good size too.
I’m in agreement here. Chester have the more modern facilities, and once the foliage has grown in it’ll no doubt be even stronger of a contender as far as onshow facilities go...but the fact that Port Lympne’s very nearly became a UK breeding ground for Sumatran rhino says just how fantastic said paddocks are!
And yeah, by the by, I’d argue that their indoors can’t be too bad if they have a tapir who has managed to reach his 40s
I must say, I’ve seen some video of the tapir stables and they do seem snug, and have indoor pools too!
EDIT: just as I mention said video it’s posted! Amazing
And yeah, by the by, I’d argue that their indoors can’t be too bad if they have a tapir who has managed to reach his 40s
I must say, I’ve seen some video of the tapir stables and they do seem snug, and have indoor pools too!EDIT: just as I mention said video it’s posted! Amazing
There are so many bare tapir enclosures in the UK (South American and Malayan). I wonder why zoos don't just find out what that species of plant is that survives and grows so readily in PL's exhibit then just return and plant a load of them back in theirs.
I think it's something called "placing your exhibit in pre-existing woodland"
so not really something that can be pulled off with mere landscaping and planting.
I think it's something called "placing your exhibit in pre-existing woodland"
I'm referring specifically to that abundant Phormium type plant (or maybe it's a species of tall hardy grass?).
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Well to answer your first two questions, yes and yes, for the record Chester has by far the best keeper enrichment, and by far the best keeper work area and kitchen.
Thanks, but obviously that question was not aimed at you, but people who were basing their argument on one photo with zero knowledge. I've seen the exhibit at Chester several times and Port Lympne even more often. Not inside, but nor had those making the claims!
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
I know it wasn't aimed at me, but how sure are you that the people commenting have not seen the off show. As I know at least one of them was with me viewing one of them, all in all a very educational day and much learnt during it by all present. Just for the record I have seen all four enclosures on and off show. Unlike some people commenting on how crap Edinburgh is well at least I have seen it, yes it's not brilliant but they have a reasonable breeding record, not a patch on Belfast which I think used to have the most productive pair in Europe.
This seems like a very bizarre thing to say. Chester clearly has a fantastic enclosure, and one of the best Malayan Tapir enclosures I've seen both in the US and Europe. Personally I like PL's better simply due to the thick overgrowth, but given time I can't say I don't think Chester's will age better. I don't understand why people voting for a clearly great exhibit means they have "blind devotion" to the collection. PL has a very comfortable lead currently, so where's the accusation of bias for the Aspinalls?
~Thylo
Quite - I notice that nine of the Port Lympne votes are from people from outside the UK.... which is a much higher percentage than the non-UK votes in some of the other rounds, yet no one is crying foul on this count this time
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I’m not shaming or accusing PL of having bad housing for the tapir, I was simply explaining how important it is to have adequate indoor housing for said species. And I’m actually quite aware of what PL tapir housing looks like. I was never critical of it, and PL’s outdoor enclosure is better, but personally I prefer Chester’s onshow housing combined with decent outdoor paddock.
Although it seems to me that just from what others are saying Chester might edge the indoor area (and although it seems that netted photograph isn’t actually indoors, it is nonetheless a truly brilliant idea) Port Lympne has by far the best outdoor area. It is truly outstanding and arguably the best of its kind on the planet. Tapirs, in my opinion, get a really raw deal in Zoo’s and some of their enclosures are shocking but this enclosure is cream of the crop.
I genuinely place that tapir enclosure as one of the most immersive and natural enclosures I have ever seen (up their with Kilimanjaro Safari and Congo Gorilla Forest). It has been well documented that PL benefits from a wonderful area of natural British woodland but it does go to show that you do not have to spend big bucks to make an enclosure feel authentic, natural and truly immersive.
I genuinely place that tapir enclosure as one of the most immersive and natural enclosures I have ever seen (up their with Kilimanjaro Safari and Congo Gorilla Forest). It has been well documented that PL benefits from a wonderful area of natural British woodland but it does go to show that you do not have to spend big bucks to make an enclosure feel authentic, natural and truly immersive.
Score update. Port Lympne currently have a large lead over Chester in second. Both have excellent exhibits for Tapirs. However, it would appear the outdoor densely vegetated paddocks have given Port Lympne the advantage.
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. I'm not suggesting that everyone is doing this.