Right, here's the reviews of the additional zoos I've visited so far.
Best Zoo/Wissell Zoo
I'll discuss these both at the same time as they are similar sizes and have a lot of factors in common. They are obviously never going to compete with the larger zoos of the world but visiting them is still worthwhile. There are a number of small zoos in the UK which are similar in size/scope and I would say that these Dutch zoos do it better. Like similar sized UK zoos the enclosures are not as grand as at larger zoos but seem generally adequate and were well furnished -all the animals were in very good condition. The factors that make them better are the well designed "one fairly circular route sees everything" layout and the visitor facilities (cafe/toilets) which often appear to be a late afterthought for most similar sized UK zoos. They were both very well landscaped and planted which again is the exception rather than the norm in most UK smaller zoos. Animal-wise the highlights were the Wallaroos at Best (a number of other rare species listed on zootierliste were unfortunately absent) and the Crab Eating Raccoons (amazing) and Agile Mangabeys at Wissel. My wife was also particularly enchanted by the mice on display near the entrance at Best -those "living" and eating inside a loaf of bread were fantastically whimsical. Of the two zoos I would say that Wissel was better as it was overall more pretty (more wood, less metal and better landscaped with the use of water) and didn't really have any enclosures I would call inadequate (Best's enclosures for the Yellow Throated Martins (beautiful creatures) and Lynx seemed a little on the small side to me -then again I won't condemn too much as I do not know the history of, or plans for, the animals). Also Best's enclsoure for the Binturong (which, given it's quite small, I assume/hope is only temporary) is both innovative and bizarre.
Owl De Paay
Talking of bizarre, that's the one word I would use to describe (though not necessarily condemn) Owl De Paay. Bizarre points awarded for the following:
1. Inconsistent quality of labelling (some comprehensive, other rudimentary or absent);
2. Apart from a nice collection of owls (particularly various Eagle Owls) there's no real logic to collection of animals, here's a Corsac Fox, there's a Kea, there's some Red River Hogs. It seems the collection has grown by obtaining what's available at any given time rather than through any plan or focus. Similarly the layout was a bit illogical and you felt like you were wandering around lost on someones private land on a number of occassions;
3. Strange mixing of animals (Porcupines and chickens? Wallaby Walkthrough with more birds than Wallabies);
4. Guinea Pigs fed to Snowy Owls was something I'd never seen before;
5. Reptile House on stilts;
6. A very large inflatable device in the pond in the goat enclosure;
7. The "paddock spectacle" (more later).
Whilst the enclosures for birds were generally adequate (and similar sizes to a lot of UK places) the enclosures for mammals were more at the "just/barely adequate" level and some were, in my opinion, too small. Efforts had largely been made to furnish the enclosures to a reasonable level and I rather liked the (seemingly newer) Binturong enclosure which was well done. As at everwhere (zoos & otherwise) I've visited in The Netherlands staff were friendly and the "language barrier" was virtually non-existent -it was through asking one of the staff that I got to see my first Greater Grisson (the prime reason for my visit) which was hidden away in an area that I wasn't sure I was allowed to walk along.
Finally to the "paddock spectacle", the most bizarre (and frankly hilarious) sight I've seen at a zoo. Imagine the following animals mixed together in a small paddock: albino Peacock, family of Cows, young bull, three Donkeys, a few Sheep, Great Dane Dog, huge Shire Horse and a Bactrian Camel. Then imagine selctions of all them (except the Camel) running around the paddock at high speed, sometimes with keepers in tow, to no obvious purpose. The punch-line, for myself and my wife, was when one of the Donkeys started running up and down the paddock braying loudly -we were doubled up laughing (almost crying) at this point. If the keepers had been dressed as clowns the spectacle would have been more complete but no more bizarre. When I looked accross to the nearby road a large group of cyclists had stopped to witness the spectacle. Bizarre happening, bizarre place.
Apenheul
One word, wow! The whole place was near perfect: great selection of animals behaving naturally in good-sized groups, breathtaking large and good enclosures, large number of free-ranging/no barrier species, fantastic educational signs and displays (particularly liked the "early men" in the Bonobo enclosure), Sifakas, Proboscis Monkeys!!!!!
The place is so impressive and the setting within an existing park is beautiful. It's the only place, except Howletts/Port Lypmne, where I've seen a large group of Gorillas acting naturally and (although I love and will always defend the Aspinall collections) the setting here is so much better. The whole group coming over the hill to the ampitheatre for feeding was genguinely awe-inspiring.
If there's a better place for the display of primates in Europe I've not heard about it and I'd want to visit it (personally I can't imagine it can/will be bettered). Totally, totally, recommended. Even if you're not a "primate person" I think this place would impress.
Finally, there's a place in the UK not far from where I live, who's name shall not be mentioned (it doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same post as Apenhuel), which bills itself as "The World Primate Centre". If any of them ever visited Apenhuel they should/would be ashamed of themselves. Displaying a large number of primates (debatably) averagely is no match to displaying a smaller number spectacularly well -in my experience (whilst there may be better in the USA) Apenhuel truely "The World Primate Centre".
Best Zoo/Wissell Zoo
I'll discuss these both at the same time as they are similar sizes and have a lot of factors in common. They are obviously never going to compete with the larger zoos of the world but visiting them is still worthwhile. There are a number of small zoos in the UK which are similar in size/scope and I would say that these Dutch zoos do it better. Like similar sized UK zoos the enclosures are not as grand as at larger zoos but seem generally adequate and were well furnished -all the animals were in very good condition. The factors that make them better are the well designed "one fairly circular route sees everything" layout and the visitor facilities (cafe/toilets) which often appear to be a late afterthought for most similar sized UK zoos. They were both very well landscaped and planted which again is the exception rather than the norm in most UK smaller zoos. Animal-wise the highlights were the Wallaroos at Best (a number of other rare species listed on zootierliste were unfortunately absent) and the Crab Eating Raccoons (amazing) and Agile Mangabeys at Wissel. My wife was also particularly enchanted by the mice on display near the entrance at Best -those "living" and eating inside a loaf of bread were fantastically whimsical. Of the two zoos I would say that Wissel was better as it was overall more pretty (more wood, less metal and better landscaped with the use of water) and didn't really have any enclosures I would call inadequate (Best's enclosures for the Yellow Throated Martins (beautiful creatures) and Lynx seemed a little on the small side to me -then again I won't condemn too much as I do not know the history of, or plans for, the animals). Also Best's enclsoure for the Binturong (which, given it's quite small, I assume/hope is only temporary) is both innovative and bizarre.
Owl De Paay
Talking of bizarre, that's the one word I would use to describe (though not necessarily condemn) Owl De Paay. Bizarre points awarded for the following:
1. Inconsistent quality of labelling (some comprehensive, other rudimentary or absent);
2. Apart from a nice collection of owls (particularly various Eagle Owls) there's no real logic to collection of animals, here's a Corsac Fox, there's a Kea, there's some Red River Hogs. It seems the collection has grown by obtaining what's available at any given time rather than through any plan or focus. Similarly the layout was a bit illogical and you felt like you were wandering around lost on someones private land on a number of occassions;
3. Strange mixing of animals (Porcupines and chickens? Wallaby Walkthrough with more birds than Wallabies);
4. Guinea Pigs fed to Snowy Owls was something I'd never seen before;
5. Reptile House on stilts;
6. A very large inflatable device in the pond in the goat enclosure;
7. The "paddock spectacle" (more later).
Whilst the enclosures for birds were generally adequate (and similar sizes to a lot of UK places) the enclosures for mammals were more at the "just/barely adequate" level and some were, in my opinion, too small. Efforts had largely been made to furnish the enclosures to a reasonable level and I rather liked the (seemingly newer) Binturong enclosure which was well done. As at everwhere (zoos & otherwise) I've visited in The Netherlands staff were friendly and the "language barrier" was virtually non-existent -it was through asking one of the staff that I got to see my first Greater Grisson (the prime reason for my visit) which was hidden away in an area that I wasn't sure I was allowed to walk along.
Finally to the "paddock spectacle", the most bizarre (and frankly hilarious) sight I've seen at a zoo. Imagine the following animals mixed together in a small paddock: albino Peacock, family of Cows, young bull, three Donkeys, a few Sheep, Great Dane Dog, huge Shire Horse and a Bactrian Camel. Then imagine selctions of all them (except the Camel) running around the paddock at high speed, sometimes with keepers in tow, to no obvious purpose. The punch-line, for myself and my wife, was when one of the Donkeys started running up and down the paddock braying loudly -we were doubled up laughing (almost crying) at this point. If the keepers had been dressed as clowns the spectacle would have been more complete but no more bizarre. When I looked accross to the nearby road a large group of cyclists had stopped to witness the spectacle. Bizarre happening, bizarre place.
Apenheul
One word, wow! The whole place was near perfect: great selection of animals behaving naturally in good-sized groups, breathtaking large and good enclosures, large number of free-ranging/no barrier species, fantastic educational signs and displays (particularly liked the "early men" in the Bonobo enclosure), Sifakas, Proboscis Monkeys!!!!!
The place is so impressive and the setting within an existing park is beautiful. It's the only place, except Howletts/Port Lypmne, where I've seen a large group of Gorillas acting naturally and (although I love and will always defend the Aspinall collections) the setting here is so much better. The whole group coming over the hill to the ampitheatre for feeding was genguinely awe-inspiring.
If there's a better place for the display of primates in Europe I've not heard about it and I'd want to visit it (personally I can't imagine it can/will be bettered). Totally, totally, recommended. Even if you're not a "primate person" I think this place would impress.
Finally, there's a place in the UK not far from where I live, who's name shall not be mentioned (it doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same post as Apenhuel), which bills itself as "The World Primate Centre". If any of them ever visited Apenhuel they should/would be ashamed of themselves. Displaying a large number of primates (debatably) averagely is no match to displaying a smaller number spectacularly well -in my experience (whilst there may be better in the USA) Apenhuel truely "The World Primate Centre".
, it's really nice to read about places that you regularly visit.
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