Best UK Sea Lion enclosure

Best UK Sea Lion enclosure?

  • Banham

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • WMSP

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Blackpool

    Votes: 21 42.0%

  • Whipsnade

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Flamingo Land

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Longleat

    Votes: 8 16.0%

  • Belfast

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Colchester

    Votes: 21 42.0%

  • Dudley

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Other

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    50
  • Poll closed .
Panthera1981 said:
I actually liked some elements of London Zoo’s old sealion enclosure, it’s a pity some parts couldn’t have been incorporated at Whipsnade...or maybe I’m remembering it through rose-tinted glasses!
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London's sealion enclosure was actually very good, given its age! Rocky cliff and surround, little rocky islets, and easy viewing all round the perimeter. What's not to like... Compared to the tiny artificial-looking ex Dolphin pool at Whipsnade it was streets ahead IMO. When Whipsnade 'landscaped' the existing outdoor pool, they could have extended the tiny swimming area- the major flaw- but that would have involved a far more major expense, presumably why they didn't. I was looking a few weeks ago at the moated island the Sealions at Whipsnade used to live on- I think its almost better than what they have now.
 
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PaleoMatt said:
I gave my vote to Blackpool, compared to the rest it is extremely spacious AND saltwater, unlike a certain large lake... Though I will give credit where credit is due, Colchester looks great, especially with that underwater tunnel.

Unfortunately, I must say a lot of these are downright awful! Pleasurewood Hills especially so, never even heard of that place until now.

I was going to post an image of Welsh Mountain's enclosure but none of them are particularly good.
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My forecast for this vote would be Blackpool as winner, with Colchester 2nd....;)
 
PaleoMatt said:
Unfortunately, I must say a lot of these are downright awful! Pleasurewood Hills especially so, never even heard of that place until now.
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I used to live near Pleasurewood Hills as a youngster. It was a complete dive-I’m amazed the place is still going!

God only knows how they got a licence to keep sealion.
 
Zia said:
Actually - I've always thought WMSP's enclosure is awful too. Do they have any additional space other than what is seen in that picture?
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They have a tiny swimming pool off-show. It seems that most sea lions in the UK spend most of their time living in the small, un-naturalistic, tacky 'show pools' that they perform in.

WMSP used to have another pool that was on-show but this was turned into a small penguin exhibit a few years ago.

WMSP have shown to be rather poor in pretty much every one of these polls that they have appeared in.
 
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Benosaurus said:
They have a tiny swimming pool off-show. It seems that most sea lions in the UK spend most of their time living in the small, un-naturalistic, tacky 'show pools' that they perform in.

WMSP used to have another pool that was on-show but this was turned into a small penguin exhibit a few years ago.

WMSP have shown to be rather poor in pretty much every one of these polls that they have appeared in.
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Yes you are right they have only had 9 votes from 6 polls and that is higher than they would have received if I didn't split Elephant and Rhino categories into a safari and non safari section.
 
Benosaurus said:
They have a tiny swimming pool off-show. It seems that most sea lions in the UK spend most of their time living in the small, un-naturalistic, tacky 'show pools' that they perform in.

WMSP used to have another pool that was on-show but this was turned into a small penguin exhibit a few years ago.

WMSP have shown to be rather poor in pretty much every one of these polls that they have appeared in.
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Thanks - I do recall the penguin bit before it was converted and my memory is that it was really small and used to flog fish to feed the sealions.
 
How deep is Blackpool's enclosure? I'm voting Colchester for underwater appeal and it is deep and relatively dark. Shout out to Banham, as they painted their pool a darker colour and fitted a tarp structure to reduce the glare, apparently reducing the risk of sight issues for the sea lions.
 
migdog said:
How deep is Blackpool's enclosure? I'm voting Colchester for underwater appeal and it is deep and relatively dark. Shout out to Banham, as they painted their pool a darker colour and fitted a tarp structure to reduce the glare, apparently reducing the risk of sight issues for the sea lions.
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Yes, I remember reading something like this a little while ago. Should this glare issue be a black mark against Blackpool's exhibit?
 
Zia said:
I've plumped for Blackpool atm as I believe the underwater tunnel at Colchester is the reason they are unable to house a bull
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From what I recall being told, that isn't actually the case.

I have seen rather larger species than a bull Patagonian with underwater viewing elsewhere, anyhow!

amur leopard said:
I was not aware of any laws regarding this but did find it perplexing that they were kept in freshwater given that freshwater can have severe negative impacts on sea lion's skin and means that they are less buoyant in the water, causing an increase of stress and making it harder to swim.
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More pertinently, freshwater also tends to cause glaucoma and fungal eye infections in sealions.
 
migdog said:
The glass in the underwater tunnel isn't structurally strong enough for a male according to keepers I've spoken to at Colchester.
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Precisely, so it is not the presence of a tunnel that is the issue per se :) which is the implication I got from Zia's post.

And yes, that is more or less the story I heard too.
 
I'm sure there was a bull in the Colchester exhibit when it first opened, I think it died after a very short time though?
 
Whipsnade's enclosure has taken a bit of criticism, justifiably so, but its breeding record is reasonably good compared to others......
 
TeaLovingDave said:
More pertinently, freshwater also tends to cause glaucoma and fungal eye infections in sealions.
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Just to join the pedantry party, as I've wondered this before, does freshwater cause it, stricly speaking? Or does lack of bathing in saltwater cause it?
 
I think that if you're looking for an overall winner, it has to be Blackpool for a number of reasons: -
  • The whole pool is salt water, promoting good health of the species.
  • I can personally vouch for the great care provided, and the fantastic training that they receive (that is NOT me saying that this isn't the case for other collections).
  • They have the largest group in the UK, 2.7. individuals, with consistent breeding.
  • It is the largest artificial pool in the UK.
  • The viewing opportunities of the exhibit are great - with a nice arena and viewing windows either side.
 
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Maguari said:
Just to join the pedantry party, as I've wondered this before, does freshwater cause it, stricly speaking? Or does lack of bathing in saltwater cause it?
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From my understanding, which is based on a conversation with a keeper over a year ago... it's more the lack of salt water, rather than the fresh water actually doing anything negative. Obviously, a chemical imbalance can cause issues, but that's somewhat separate from the "fresh water" side of things, as salt water is also treated.
 
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