ZSL London Zoo London Zoo in the snow

markun

markun

Well-Known Member
London has practically closed down due to heavy (for the south of England) snow with heavily reduced public transport and many offices closed.

I walked down to the zoo but it was also closed. Some animals visible from the perimeter fences included the camels, llamas and alpacas which were running around the enclosure - someone in the park said what a shame it was for the (Bactrian) camels to be in the snow - I explained that they're from Mongolia and are quite at home in this weather.

The wallabies could be seen in their enclosure and the top door of the giraffe house was open with some giraffes sticking their heads out. The warthogs were also out and the hunting dogs were running around their enclosure. In the snowdon aviary the ibis and green peafowl were perched at the very top of the aviary.

Otherwise, not much could be seen, the lions' enclosure and most of the aviaries, eg Blackburn pavillion were all snowed up. Wish I could have had a proper look around the zoo in the snow! I took lots of pictures and will add them to the gallery when I can.
 
Good photos , glad to see it was not a real toucan covered with snow !
 
Infact the snow's been so severe, Marwell closed for the day too! How many other zoos around the country have done this?
 
^ i said that earlier but deleted it when i edited it opps! i was thinking the same.....
 
Interesting they would close for the day, I think going to the zoo when its snowed a fantastic experience esp to see the colder climate species enjoying themself :D
 
Yeah i agree, especially snow leopards they would make a great picture! my poor cat is too scared to even look out the door bless him!
 
This countrys useless a bit of snow falls and the place falls apart a couple of years ago i was walking round Copenhagen Zoo in over 6 inches of snow and no sign of them even thinking of closing the Zoo,one of my most enjoyable zoo visits.
 
I guess Copenhagen is a lot more used to these conditions than London. Pobably many staff members couldn't make it in which would be one reason for the closure. This hasn't happened in nearly 20 years so I think we can be forgiven for not being entirely prepared. but I would have loved to been able to see the animals in the snow...
 
zoogiraffe said:
This countrys useless a bit of snow falls and the place falls apart a couple of years ago i was walking round Copenhagen Zoo in over 6 inches of snow and no sign of them even thinking of closing the Zoo,one of my most enjoyable zoo visits.
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So sad but so true! r.i.p britain!
 
zoogiraffe said:
This countrys useless a bit of snow falls and the place falls apart.
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...because its so rare its not part of our psyche to be prepared for it as in e.g. Scandinavian or Alpine areas. Everyone seeks to blame someone for us not being 'prepared' and the total shutdown of transport systems etc, but really it has everything to do with heavy snowfall being such a rarity here.

Watch out for pictures in the newspapers of Siberian Tigers(or something) romping in the snow at such and such zoo...;)
 
Yesterday went to dudley zoo in the snow. There must be nothing better than photographing a snow leopard than in the snow. I was outnumbered by zoo staff but the weather really made it for some of the animals. A real experience if you get the chance. The sumatran tiger enjoyed it as well.
 
zoogiraffe said:
This countrys useless a bit of snow falls and the place falls apart a couple of years ago i was walking round Copenhagen Zoo in over 6 inches of snow and no sign of them even thinking of closing the Zoo,one of my most enjoyable zoo visits.
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Can I ask you what year this was? I also love to walk around in the zoo during a heavy snow fall. I have once walked around in Copenhagen Zoo with with snow up to my knees! And all the nordic animals were loving it:D

markun said:
I guess Copenhagen is a lot more used to these conditions than London.
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Actually, such an event is not that common in the Danish winter. It happens around once in an average year. Guess our viking genes just makes us ore adept at handling a little snowfall:p
 
I think one of the main issues is that dreaded phrase "Health and Safety". Too many places take it too literally and common sense breaks down. That is why so amny places close when we have snow etc. We are becoming a namby pamby state and everyone is afraid of being sued!!!.
 
twycrosszoo said:
I think one of the main issues is that dreaded phrase "Health and Safety". Too many places take it too literally and common sense breaks down. That is why so amny places close when we have snow etc. We are becoming a namby pamby state and everyone is afraid of being sued!!!.
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I think this is so true. I spent 5 years in North denmark, spent time in aalborg zoo in 40cms of snow & still was able to catch a bus home. I never heard of anyone getting injured or falling down. If the animals can handle it what are we moaning about, lets get on with it.
 
That's cos in Northern Denmark you're all prepared and ready for it. Over here it was the heaviest snow in 18 years and we just weren't expecting anything like it.
 
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