We had time for a quick visit to the zoo today, so thought we’d go and have a look at some of the changes mentioned in these threads. For the first time I can remember I felt very unhappy as we went round the zoo– in fact, at times, I felt angry rather than simply unhappy. It may be just me, but I’m beginning to feel that I cannot understand at all what’s happening there. Firstly, why are both the rows of reptile houses off show in the Tropical House? As has already been said, there is now a permanent-looking wooden barrier in front of the former row of windows, and all that seems to be happening is that the path area is being replaced with deep plant beds. It’s not so much the irritation of not being able to see the reptiles any more, as the plethora of signs trying to imply that they’re apologetic about it, and that it is in someway for the visitors’ benefit that gets me. Why, oh why, can’t they replace these with an explanation of what’s going on, and why? How can they put up signs saying that they hope we’ll ‘understand’ what’ they’re doing, when they don’t bother to explain? They must be aware that many people have been visiting the zoo for decades, and are intelligent beings who care very much about it.
I felt the same about the area near Islands in Danger that used to be the round aviaries, the former children’s zoo (where are the porcupines?), and the old otter enclosure. All they seem to be doing is destroying parts of the zoo and replacing them with muddy, half planted beds and grassy areas – and all with NO explanations at all. The zoo’s slogan used to be ‘Always Building’ – now it should maybe be changed to ‘Always Demolishing’ or ‘Always Spoiling the Visitors’ View’.
Maybe there’s a good reason for these changes, and obviously the animal’s welfare is paramount. However, the zoo is an expensive day out for non-members, and I can’t see that these muddy patches and sudden closures of favourite areas are going to help attract visitors. I would think that even non-regular visitors might be happier about changes if good reasons were given, or details of what is planned in these areas for the future were given.
(The final straw, though in many ways less significant, was the tacky paper plates and cups in the Ark Restaurant – even soup now comes in a flimsy paper cup. How this endless use of new items is better for the environment than washing ordinary crockery and cutlery in a modern energy and water efficient dishwater I can’t imagine. It also gives the place a down-at-heel, tawdry feeling, in my opinion. Unfortunately this is not reflected in the high prices – something that is mentioned on countless on-line reviews of the zoo, but which is seemingly ignored by the zoo staff.)
I felt the same about the area near Islands in Danger that used to be the round aviaries, the former children’s zoo (where are the porcupines?), and the old otter enclosure. All they seem to be doing is destroying parts of the zoo and replacing them with muddy, half planted beds and grassy areas – and all with NO explanations at all. The zoo’s slogan used to be ‘Always Building’ – now it should maybe be changed to ‘Always Demolishing’ or ‘Always Spoiling the Visitors’ View’.
Maybe there’s a good reason for these changes, and obviously the animal’s welfare is paramount. However, the zoo is an expensive day out for non-members, and I can’t see that these muddy patches and sudden closures of favourite areas are going to help attract visitors. I would think that even non-regular visitors might be happier about changes if good reasons were given, or details of what is planned in these areas for the future were given.
(The final straw, though in many ways less significant, was the tacky paper plates and cups in the Ark Restaurant – even soup now comes in a flimsy paper cup. How this endless use of new items is better for the environment than washing ordinary crockery and cutlery in a modern energy and water efficient dishwater I can’t imagine. It also gives the place a down-at-heel, tawdry feeling, in my opinion. Unfortunately this is not reflected in the high prices – something that is mentioned on countless on-line reviews of the zoo, but which is seemingly ignored by the zoo staff.)
(Similarly, does anyone know what will be happening in the muddy areas where the children's zoo, otters and aviaries used to be? Will they all be picnic areas?)
