Mercedes new home
Just got back from visit to Edinburgh, taking in HWP as well.
I have to say that I'm not very impressed with the state of Mercedes new home. It's wonderful that she's got all that space to wander around in, but the pool is almost an afterthought. Would it not have been better to dig out a larger pool, concrete it, to allow easy cleaning, and put a little shoreline of pebbles, instead of leaving it a marsh! With help from the Army, surely this could have been achievable?
Also, the off-show accommodation seems to leave a lot to be desired. If they do plan to bring in other bears in later years, where are the cubbing dens? As it stands, it doesn't seem very substantial.
Also, she is supposed to be off-show at HWP for 2-3 weeks, as I understand it, for her to settle in. Where ? Surely they aren't going to confine her to the housing in her enclosure? For 2-3 weeks ? She would get stressed rather than settle in. Are they still going to be working on the exhibit while she is off-show ? If so, why move her so soon?
When you see what they did with the new Tiger exhibit, Mercedes new home seems a bit of a wasted opportunity.