Best UK Tiger enclosure

[pipaluk]

I would be interested to head peoples justification for voting for London (currently in the lead with 8 votes)

Agreed, I would like to see the reasons too. Perhaps it's just that it is so much better than the awful Land of the Lions and along with the Penguin exhibit is definitely one of London's best 2 exhibits.
I should have mentioned earlier that I actually think Twycross is a good enclosure too and will improve in time it's just a bit bare at the moment.

 

[Shirokuma]

This shows the Knowsley tiger enclosure from a visitor experience perspective and a sense of the enclosures themselves although the views aren’t perfect.

This shows a bit more. I haven’t been but it looks very impressive.

 

[pipaluk]

It is even more impressive when you see it!

 

[britishzoofan]

I should have mentioned earlier that I actually think Twycross is a good enclosure too and will improve in time it's just a bit bare at the moment.

Yes, along with Paignton this was another that just missed the cut as a stand alone option. I agree that in a few years it will have improved significantly.

 

[pipaluk]

The most interesting stat so far is 30 votes and not one for Chester!
I think this is right, as even though it is one of the newer ones and not bad at all, I don't think it's one of Chester's best efforts and would not make the best 5!

 

[TriUK]

This shows the Knowsley tiger enclosure from a visitor experience perspective and a sense of the enclosures themselves although the views aren’t perfect.

This shows a bit more. I haven’t been but it looks very impressive.

It looks fantastic!

 

[Benosaurus]

I think many of us will agree that the best overall tiger exhibits are the ones that not only have excellent housing and outdoor area, but the ones that also have at least two separate enclosures, where both enclosures are large and of good quality.

Of course this is not necessary if the collection is not a breeder of tigers, but out of interest how many UK zoos that do intend to breed tigers have at least two good standard outdoor enclosures for them? I can think of YWP, London, and now Knowsley, but are there any others?

 

[pipaluk]

I think many of us will agree that the best overall tiger exhibits are the ones that not only have excellent housing and outdoor area, but the ones that also have at least two separate enclosures, where both enclosures are large and of good quality.

Of course this is not necessary if the collection is not a breeder of tigers, but out of interest how many UK zoos that do intend to breed tigers have at least two good standard outdoor enclosures for them? I can think of YWP, London, and now Knowsley, but are there any others?

None of Colchester, Chester or Twycross second enclosures are particularly small, but not in the same league as YWP or Knowsley!

 

[TNT]

I should have mentioned earlier that I actually think Twycross is a good enclosure too and will improve in time it's just a bit bare at the moment.

Whilst I've only seen images, I'd have to agree.. it just needs some time to settle in (just like Leopard heights at YWP). The paddock looks great, with fantastic indoor accommodation as well.

 

[Panthera1981]

I would be interested to head peoples justification for voting for London (currently in the lead with 8 votes)

Some of my reasons were stated earlier on in the discussion, but it’s a VAST improvement on the godawful enclosure the tigers had on the old Lion Terraces! Did tigers ever breed when they were housed there? I only ever remember seeing a lot of pacing.

 

[Quincey]

Of course this is not necessary if the collection is not a breeder of tigers, but out of interest how many UK zoos that do intend to breed tigers have at least two good standard outdoor enclosures for them? I can think of YWP, London, and now Knowsley, but are there any others?

Edinburgh has 2 enclosures, the newer one with the tunnel viewing area which has 2 paddocks, and the older enclosure which also has 2 areas. Each enclosure also has it's own indoor housing for the tigers. Plans for a 2nd enclosure at HWP were mentioned a few years ago, although this has yet to materialise.

 

[Ned]

Some of my reasons were stated earlier on in the discussion, but it’s a VAST improvement on the godawful enclosure the tigers had on the old Lion Terraces! Did tigers ever breed when they were housed there? I only ever remember seeing a lot of pacing.

But is this a reason to vote it best in the UK?

 

[amur leopard]

I've stated my reasons in favour of London upthread but I'll add a bit more. London has an added complication to almost all the other zoos in this competition - they don't have natural woodland to work with really, and they don't have much space. I think the viewing angles are well done and they have done exceedingly well with what they have. of course I may be influenced by a variety of factors. It is my home zoo, and I have had some really nice experiences there. However, right now, it is only home to one male, and it serves him well. I remember it feeling slightly cramped for two, but now it a great exhibit, with a sizeable pool, great closeup viewing opportunities and good signage.

 

[Tim May]

Did tigers ever breed when they were housed there?

Yes, tigers did breed in the previous enclosure on London Zoo's Lion Terraces.

 

[pipaluk]

I've stated my reasons in favour of London upthread but I'll add a bit more. London has an added complication to almost all the other zoos in this competition - they don't have natural woodland to work with really, and they don't have much space. I think the viewing angles are well done and they have done exceedingly well with what they have. of course I may be influenced by a variety of factors. It is my home zoo, and I have had some really nice experiences there. However, right now, it is only home to one male, and it serves him well. I remember it feeling slightly cramped for two, but now it a great exhibit, with a sizeable pool, great closeup viewing opportunities and good signage.

So it is the best tiger enclosure in the UK? But it is only any good for one tiger but for 2 it is poor ? How does that work?

 

[Panthera1981]

But is this a reason to vote it best in the UK?

I can only vouch for the places I’ve visited, so I’ll stand by my decision. However, judging by the video and once Boris finally makes a concrete decision about something/anything, maybe I should book a ticket for Knowsley!

 

[Sand Cat]

Out of interest, is Longleat being included in this poll or not? I note that other safari parks are included here, but I don't think they have drive-through areas for tigers whereas Longleat do.

 

[pipaluk]

Out of interest, is Longleat being included in this poll or not? I note that other safari parks are included here, but I don't think they have drive-through areas for tigers whereas Longleat do.

Drive throughs should not be compared to zoo enclosures, Knowsley isn't a drive through and I don't think Blair Drummond is either?

 

[britishzoofan]

Out of interest, is Longleat being included in this poll or not? I note that other safari parks are included here, but I don't think they have drive-through areas for tigers whereas Longleat do.

Yes, you are correct I didn't include Longleat because of the drive thru component which doesn't make it a fair comparison in my view. However, for some reason I failed to omit Woburn and WMSP, so please ignore both those options. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

 

[snowleopard]

All 9 of the options look to be very impressive, although I have not been voting in any of the lion or tiger polls as I haven't seen the exhibits in person and many of them look to be excellent. I've seen tiger exhibits with underwater viewing on numerous occasions in North America and Europe, but how many of the selections on this thread have that feature? It's a fantastic element to any tiger enclosure, as tigers will freely use their pools on a hot day and the public can be enthralled to see the big cats underwater.