Best UK Penguin enclosure

[The_melford_manatee]

Outside my undecided top 3, my list would be

4 Chester
5 Lotherton
6 Flamingoland
7 Whipsnade
8 Bristol
9 Dudley
10 Newquay possibly

In Bristol, the area where the Penguins are held is only so good due to the seals nearby, the use of Arctic birds in the same exhibit and the starfish being breed beside the underwater tunnels.

As for Whipsnade, I believe that their Northern Rockhopper enclosure is very impressive but cannot say the same for the neighbouring African enclosure.

In my opinion,Chester’s enclosure is a slightly smaller and better planted version of London’s, but I prefer London’s due to the bubble window and the misty springs, not the size.

 

[Benosaurus]

I think this may be the one category Dudley does deserve a bit of recognition in

I agree. I'm surprised Dudley is in the 'other' category in this instance as I think theirs is one of the UK's better ones and is easily better than Bristol and the two Whipsnade enclosures. Dudley's naturalistic exhibit has a huge (largest?) land area and the foliage up the bank provides them with plenty of privacy, shelter and nesting material. Their colony is also one of the largest and most successful breeding groups in the UK, with around 70 - 80 parent-reared birds. Dudley’s penguin breeding programme was started back in 1991 and has even scooped a BIAZA conservation award. Their yearly success with Humboldt's has meant they have been able to help boost and even start many Humboldt penguin colonies at other collections around the UK.

However, that being said, I personally don't quite think it's the overall best enclosure in the UK because the pool, while deep, clean and ok size-wise, is dwarfed by a couple of other penguin pools in the UK.

 

[The_melford_manatee]

I do not like Edinburgh because it is too plain.It is essentially London or Chester but without the plants.The concept of the Penguin Parade does not meet my requirements on the Animal Healthcare factor but as can certainly see why you like it.

 

[Andrew Swales]

Their colony is also apparently one of the largest and most successful breeding groups in the UK, with around 70 - 80 parent-reared birds. Dudley’s penguin breeding programme was started back in 1991 and has even scooped a BIAZA conservation award. Their yearly success with Humboldt's has meant they have been able to help boost and even start many Humboldt penguin colonies at other collections around the UK.

Do Dudley do anything specific to try to ward off / prevent, Avian Malaria? The fear of this, outside your control, wiping everything out; has prevented other collections from making the huge investment needed to go into Penguins.

 

[The_melford_manatee]

I agree. I'm surprised Dudley is in the 'other' category in this instance as I think theirs is one of the UK's better ones and is easily better than Bristol and the two Whipsnade enclosures. Dudley's naturalistic exhibit has a huge (largest?) land area and the foliage up the bank provides them with plenty of privacy, shelter and nesting material. Their colony is also apparently one of the largest and most successful breeding groups in the UK, with around 70 - 80 parent-reared birds. Dudley’s penguin breeding programme was started back in 1991 and has even scooped a BIAZA conservation award. Their yearly success with Humboldt's has meant they have been able to help boost and even start many Humboldt penguin colonies at other collections around the UK.

However, that being said, I personally don't quite think it's the overall best enclosure in the UK because the pool, while deep, clean and ok size-wise, is dwarfed by a couple of other penguin pools in the UK.

Based on the photo, I see what you mean.I also agree it is not the best but certainly impressive.I cannot give a full opinion as I have never seen it myself.

 

[pipaluk]

I agree. I'm surprised Dudley is in the 'other' category in this instance as I think theirs is one of the UK's better ones and is easily better than Bristol and the two Whipsnade enclosures. Dudley's naturalistic exhibit has a huge (largest?) land area and the foliage up the bank provides them with plenty of privacy, shelter and nesting material. Their colony is also one of the largest and most successful breeding groups in the UK, with around 70 - 80 parent-reared birds. Dudley’s penguin breeding programme was started back in 1991 and has even scooped a BIAZA conservation award. Their yearly success with Humboldt's has meant they have been able to help boost and even start many Humboldt penguin colonies at other collections around the UK.

However, that being said, I personally don't quite think it's the overall best enclosure in the UK because the pool, while deep, clean and ok size-wise, is dwarfed by a couple of other penguin pools in the UK.

Perhaps I was a little harsh placing Dudley 9th, that was probably down to the pool, not taking into account the land. It might squeeze above Bristol, possibly Whipsnade, but don't think I could place it higher than 7

 

[Benosaurus]

Do Dudley do anything specific to try to ward off / prevent, Avian Malaria? The fear of this, outside your control, wiping everything out; has prevented other collections from making the huge investment needed to go into Penguins.

No idea sorry. However, I do know that they clean the pool at least once a week by doing a complete water change and scrubbing down the sides. I don't know if that would affect Avian Malaria though.

 

[britishzoofan]

I agree. I'm surprised Dudley is in the 'other' category in this instance as I think theirs is one of the UK's better ones and is easily better than Bristol and the two Whipsnade enclosures. Dudley's naturalistic exhibit has a huge (largest?) land area and the foliage up the bank provides them with plenty of privacy, shelter and nesting material. Their colony is also one of the largest and most successful breeding groups in the UK, with around 70 - 80 parent-reared birds. Dudley’s penguin breeding programme was started back in 1991 and has even scooped a BIAZA conservation award. Their yearly success with Humboldt's has meant they have been able to help boost and even start many Humboldt penguin colonies at other collections around the UK.

However, that being said, I personally don't quite think it's the overall best enclosure in the UK because the pool, while deep, clean and ok size-wise, is dwarfed by a couple of other penguin pools in the UK.

Yes you are right I probably did overlook Dudley and forgot to take into account the size of the land area. As you say I had discounted it due to the size of the pool, however on reflection it may be better than some others included in the poll.

 

[The_melford_manatee]

Do Dudley do anything specific to try to ward off / prevent, Avian Malaria? The fear of this, outside your control, wiping everything out; has prevented other collections from making the huge investment needed to go into Penguins.

Zoos have made significant investments into breeding more endangered penguin species.Here is a chart of all penguin species(not all can be found in British Zoos) with their IUCN status.

Least concern
King
Emperor
Adelaide
Chinstrap
Little

Near threatened
Gentoo
Magellanic


Vulnerable
Southern Rockhopper
Fiordland
Snares
Macaroni
Royal
Humboldt

Endangered
Northern Rockhopper
Erect-crested
Yellow-eyed
African
Galapagos

I find this shocking.Northern Rockhoppers and Africans are common in zoos, yet Endangered.If it wasn’t for the fear of avian malaria we would of certainly see more zoos make investments in the breeding of these animals.The same can be said for the Vulnerable(but common) Humboldt Penguin, the only species I am aware of being breed.

 

[The_melford_manatee]

No idea sorry. However, I do know that they clean the pool at least once a week by doing a complete water change and scrubbing down the sides. I don't know if that would affect Avian Malaria though.

Avian malaria has a strong effect on terrestrial birds as well, so it will not make much of a difference but is still essential in penguin healthcare.

 

[Rajang21]

In Bristol, the area where the Penguins are held is only so good due to the seals nearby, the use of Arctic birds in the same exhibit and the starfish being breed beside the underwater tunnels.

IMO, neighbouring exhibits such as Bristol's fur seals and aquaria should have no bearing on this poll, as it is specifically about penguin exhibits.

The concept of the Penguin Parade does not meet my requirements on the Animal Healthcare factor but as can certainly see why you like it.

If you don't mind me asking, what are your requirements for this 'healthcare' factor? That seems the sort of information (daily husbandry, veterinary care) that cannot easily be ascertained from a visitor perspective, nor indeed a photo if someone has not visited the collection.

In any case, the penguins at Edinburgh can choose to participate in the Parade or not.

 

[The_melford_manatee]

Dudley's naturalistic exhibit has a huge (largest?) land area and the foliage up the bank provides them with plenty of privacy, shelter and nesting material.

On the ratio of and to water space I think Colchester is the winner. It has three exhibits and provides the Penguins with more land space than water space by far.Two colours rotate between the enclosures.It is not in the top nine only because one of the exhibits is fully indoors and another(the main outdoor area) seems rather clinical.I believe the clinical design is to keep out avian malaria but it does not appeal anyways.

 

[The_melford_manatee]

IMO, neighbouring exhibits such as Bristol's fur seals and aquaria should have no bearing on this poll, as it is specifically about penguin exhibits.



If you don't mind me asking, what are your requirements for this 'healthcare' factor? That seems the sort of information (daily husbandry, veterinary care) that cannot easily be ascertained from a visitor perspective, nor indeed a photo if someone has not visited the collection.

In any case, the penguins at Edinburgh can choose to participate in the Parade or not.

You have a perfectly good point.I am ignoring the other areas at Bristol, which is why it is so low on my rankings.

I did not know about the option to participate in the parade.I prefer Edinburgh now you say that.

Healthcare is husbandry and the ability to keep out avian flu while providing a natural enclosure.

You do have a good point though.

 

[Rajang21]

On the ratio of and to water space I think Colchester is the winner. It has three exhibits and provides the Penguins with more land space than water space by far.Two colours rotate between the enclosures.It is not in the top nine only because one of the exhibits is fully indoors and another(the main outdoor area) seems rather clinical.I believe the clinical design is to keep out avian malaria but it does not appeal anyways.

Colchester has two penguin exhibits, neither of which is indoors.

 

[The_melford_manatee]

One is indoors,though maybe not fully.

The third is off display,I believe.

 

[pipaluk]

Zoos have made significant investments into breeding more endangered penguin species.Here is a chart of all penguin species(not all can be found in British Zoos) with their IUCN status.

Least concern
King
Emperor
Adelaide
Chinstrap
Little

Near threatened
Gentoo
Magellanic


Vulnerable
Southern Rockhopper
Fiordland
Snares
Macaroni
Royal
Humboldt

Endangered
Northern Rockhopper
Erect-crested
Yellow-eyed
African
Galapagos

I find this shocking.Northern Rockhoppers and Africans are common in zoos, yet Endangered.If it wasn’t for the fear of avian malaria we would of certainly see more zoos make investments in the breeding of these animals.The same can be said for the Vulnerable(but common) Humboldt Penguin, the only species I am aware of being breed.

Certainly African penguins are breeding in the UK, not sure if Rockhopper have for a while, but the Whipsnade group hasn't been established long

 

[The_melford_manatee]

I also obtain most of my information from asking keepers though you are correct in saying it is difficult for a guest to obtain.It is, and for that reason was the least important factor in the poll.

 

[The_melford_manatee]

Certainly African penguins are breeding in the UK, not sure if Rockhopper have for a while, but the Whipsnade group hasn't been established long

Really?Which zoos are breeding Africans?

 

[Quincey]

The main pool in Edinburgh is Europe's largest outdoor penguin pool at 65 metres long and 3.5 metres deep at its deepest point, containing 1.2 million litres of water. They also have the smaller "nursery" enclosure where they have achieved a lot of success recently in breeding the Northern Rockhoppers. As previously mentioned, the Parade is entirely voluntary for the penguins and if they don't want to do it then it simply doesn't happen. Edinburgh gets my vote for these reasons.

 

[pipaluk]

Really?Which zoos are breeding Africans?

Whipsnade not sure of any others though