The Malayans at Edinburgh Zoo are quite often to be seen outside, as I recall.
Javan Rhino's Summer Break
- Thread starter Javan Rhino
- Start date
The Malayans at Edinburgh Zoo are quite often to be seen outside, as I recall.
These were all my worries about the 'new' Port Lympne, and every Zoochatter who has been since the changes has reported the same problems. Such a shame...
Because these species were already in these enclosures before they became 'off limits' to pedestrians. It would not be very difficult to relocate both species into the pedestrianised area but I somehow I doubt they will bother- unless they had loads of complaints which seems unlikely.
I have mentioned it on their facebook. Had I found somebody to ask and had a bit more courage, I would have tried the cheeky 'any chance' card.
Anyway, Howletts.
The Good
- I should stress that this is a point I should have made about every other place as I've had no complaints on this front: Friendly staff. I did notice it most at Howletts though. Always happy to take the time to answer questions, point you in the right direction or just generally talk to you about their section, the best part of an exhibit to see an animal, the feeding times etc.
- A stunning collection again, some great rarities on the primates and cats front and some nice hoofstock as well. I thought the gorillas here were more the 'active, interesting Aspinall gorillas' I came to expect (next to no activity from them at PL), but these were quite interesting to watch. Also loved the elephant herd, of which there was a calf of no more than 4-5 days old if I remember correctly.
- A similar collection to Port Lympne, yet more manageable and it seemed easier to get around (though I still got lost a few times, looking for woodland walk and finding myself by one of the species that really captivated me: Grizzled leaf monkey).
- Probably not relevant to a review of the zoo as a whole, but this is certainly the BEST guide book I have ever seen. It goes into detail about all of their species/subspecies, rather than just the tigers, elephants and gorillas. Even the non-ABC's get a mention. Should add that the PL guide is of equal quality - not a flimsey few pages but an actual BOOK!
The Bad
- Yes the gorillas breed well, and yes this is more of an aesthetics from the point of the visitor - the gorilla cages seemed a bit too 'traditional.' I have no problem with this, they are the best gorilla keepers in the UK at least (maybe Europe or even the world?), but as a fan of naturalistic enclosures the idea of slides and straw and no trees or plants etc. then it was a little off-putting [sorry
].
- Other than the gorillas, a few small and outdated enclosures (leopards spring to mind).
Anyway, Howletts.
The Good
- I should stress that this is a point I should have made about every other place as I've had no complaints on this front: Friendly staff. I did notice it most at Howletts though. Always happy to take the time to answer questions, point you in the right direction or just generally talk to you about their section, the best part of an exhibit to see an animal, the feeding times etc.
- A stunning collection again, some great rarities on the primates and cats front and some nice hoofstock as well. I thought the gorillas here were more the 'active, interesting Aspinall gorillas' I came to expect (next to no activity from them at PL), but these were quite interesting to watch. Also loved the elephant herd, of which there was a calf of no more than 4-5 days old if I remember correctly.
- A similar collection to Port Lympne, yet more manageable and it seemed easier to get around (though I still got lost a few times, looking for woodland walk and finding myself by one of the species that really captivated me: Grizzled leaf monkey).
- Probably not relevant to a review of the zoo as a whole, but this is certainly the BEST guide book I have ever seen. It goes into detail about all of their species/subspecies, rather than just the tigers, elephants and gorillas. Even the non-ABC's get a mention. Should add that the PL guide is of equal quality - not a flimsey few pages but an actual BOOK!
The Bad
- Yes the gorillas breed well, and yes this is more of an aesthetics from the point of the visitor - the gorilla cages seemed a bit too 'traditional.' I have no problem with this, they are the best gorilla keepers in the UK at least (maybe Europe or even the world?), but as a fan of naturalistic enclosures the idea of slides and straw and no trees or plants etc. then it was a little off-putting [sorry
]. - Other than the gorillas, a few small and outdated enclosures (leopards spring to mind).
An unexpected addition to the zoo tour and a very nice one at that: Wildwood Discovery.
The Good
- A chance to see some native species that I've never seen or rarely seen in my life in the wild (and living in perfect British woodland habitat, that seems odd). Thinks like weasels, badgers, foxes, owls etc. It was nice to see a park looking into things like this.
- Interesting enclosures and gives you as much chance as possible to see everything (there were a couple of no-shows, but can hardly complain - I managed to see two of the beavers out and about).
- A nice manageable collection, good to fit in for just a few hours, but could easily spend all day if you wanted to (if you are doing photography or waiting for things to come out).
The Bad
- I'll be honest, I really can't think of too much bad. My main niggle though is that they had sold out of guide books - I've never been to a zoo/wildlife park that's managed to sell out of guide books before. This is because they are awaiting the new edition - but places usually have a fair few copies left over when the new editions go on sale :s. That is picky though, since I felt I had to come up with something.
The Good
- A chance to see some native species that I've never seen or rarely seen in my life in the wild (and living in perfect British woodland habitat, that seems odd). Thinks like weasels, badgers, foxes, owls etc. It was nice to see a park looking into things like this.
- Interesting enclosures and gives you as much chance as possible to see everything (there were a couple of no-shows, but can hardly complain - I managed to see two of the beavers out and about).
- A nice manageable collection, good to fit in for just a few hours, but could easily spend all day if you wanted to (if you are doing photography or waiting for things to come out).
The Bad
- I'll be honest, I really can't think of too much bad. My main niggle though is that they had sold out of guide books - I've never been to a zoo/wildlife park that's managed to sell out of guide books before. This is because they are awaiting the new edition - but places usually have a fair few copies left over when the new editions go on sale :s. That is picky though, since I felt I had to come up with something.
as a fan of naturalistic enclosures the idea of slides and straw and no trees or plants etc. then it was a little off-putting [sorry
I'm sure you'd be a little more forgiving if you saw a Gorilla coming down a slide -one of the most awesome and joyous things I've ever witnessed at a zoo!
Then again, I'm sometimes very easily amused
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Some of us already knew that,I still remember a very wet day at Yorkshire Wildlife Park!!I'm sure you'd be a little more forgiving if you saw a Gorilla coming down a slide -one of the most awesome and joyous things I've ever witnessed at a zoo!