Very close at the moment with Highland just 3 votes ahead of YWP. Whoever ends up the victor it can definitely be agreed the UK has two extremely high quality Polar Bear exhibits.
Best UK Polar Bear enclosure
- Thread starter britishzoofan
- Start date
....and all that with more or less zero attempt by anyone to explain what would potentially make YWP superior to HWP
I happen to be a little biased as I did a short stint at YWP as a placement student. But have also been lucky enough to visit HWP a number of years ago.
YWP have an interesting layout with their main PB area. This is because although there is a visual barrier of fencing along the public footpath, if you look over this fencing on your right, then you're able to see the mesh tunnel systems they have leading to the inside quarters. This leaves nothing to imagination, as public can view husbandry and training if they get the right timing.
I don't recall insider quarters being viewable when visiting HWP, which isn't very much a problem, but it is always interesting for visitors to see the sheltered areas.
Ultimately both are very great designs! Especially compared to others in the world and exhibits which have previously housed Polars (like Dudley's enclosure)!
*Pictures taken at YWP
YWP have an interesting layout with their main PB area. This is because although there is a visual barrier of fencing along the public footpath, if you look over this fencing on your right, then you're able to see the mesh tunnel systems they have leading to the inside quarters. This leaves nothing to imagination, as public can view husbandry and training if they get the right timing.
I don't recall insider quarters being viewable when visiting HWP, which isn't very much a problem, but it is always interesting for visitors to see the sheltered areas.
Ultimately both are very great designs! Especially compared to others in the world and exhibits which have previously housed Polars (like Dudley's enclosure)!
*Pictures taken at YWP
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When you consider what YWP have done, using a somewhat blank canvas... you can't deny that they've done a fantastic job with their "Project Polar"... so in that respect, you could say they've won.
However, when you look at the climate and natural terrain at HWP, along with their breeding success... HWP just get the win in my mind (Not that breeding is possible at YWP with only boys)
However, when you look at the climate and natural terrain at HWP, along with their breeding success... HWP just get the win in my mind (Not that breeding is possible at YWP with only boys
)
I would be quite interested to know how many people voting for YWP have done so because it is the only one of the two exhibits they have visited
I can see one or two people voting who have seldom ever posted on the forum and who live locally, for a start!When you consider what YWP have done, using a somewhat blank canvas... you can't deny that they've done a fantastic job with their "Project Polar"... so in that respect, you could say they've won.
However, when you look at the climate and natural terrain at HWP, along with their breeding success... HWP just get the win in my mind (Not that breeding is possible at YWP with only boys
Of course, as I have pointed out one could turn that argument around and note that HWP have managed to produce two excellent enclosures despite the constraints of uneven terrain, weather conditions meaning building work is difficult for about a third-to-half of the year and lower money flow, as opposed to precisely the blank canvas YWP had to work with
Absolutely, I couldn't agree more!Of course, as I have pointed out one could turn that argument around and note that HWP have managed to produce two excellent enclosures despite the constraints of uneven terrain, weather conditions meaning building work is difficult for about a third-to-half of the year and lower money flow, as opposed to precisely the blank canvas YWP had to work with
....and all that with more or less zero attempt by anyone to explain what would potentially make YWP superior to HWP
Where I think YWP does score is that it offers generally better viewing of the bears (i.e. not from a car window and/or through a load of mesh). I know there are some good viewpoints at HWP (I've been there a few times for the record) but overall I think YWP offers better viewing opportunities to more people at any one time -to be fair this might not be much of an issue as HWP never seems that busy when I visit. I also think there's half an argument that YWP exhibit(s) are better landscaped.
....and all that with more or less zero attempt by anyone to explain what would potentially make YWP superior to HWP
I'll bite!
I nearly didn't bother with this poll, as I admit I haven't seen Edinburgh for myself. However, I felt that YWP deserved my support as when I saw that exhibit, I was genuinely blown away - its one of the few times that an animal enclosure has made me feel really emotional. I think part of that was because my only previous experience of polar bears was as a small child, seeing them in a barren concrete environment at Flamingo Land... I'm not really saying YWP is the best, but its hugely special to me personally, and always will be.
Besides, I thought these polls were intended to be "a bit of fun"?
taun
Well-Known Member
I remember that feeling seeing YWP enclosure for the first time and being blown away. Esp...as my only other experience of Polar bear enclosures in the UK was Chester. Although as child it appeared HUGE!
Poll closed. Congratulations to Highland who have won the vote for Best UK Polar Bear enclosure with a margin of 7 votes over YWP. This was an excellent competition between two collections I suspect will do well in these best enclosure competitors, with Highland coming out on top due to in the end the more natural terrain within their exhibit and larger sized enclosures.
Highland: 59.0%
YWP: 41.0%
Highland: 59.0%
YWP: 41.0%