EvilKittie
Well-Known Member
weve done personal opinion on dudley but wondering what people would do if they had the zoo and infinite amount of money and access to all the animals in the world, e.g like the others thread like this.
Dudley Zoological Gardens Personal Vision on Dudley
- Thread starter EvilKittie
- Start date
I have not been to Dudley Zoo (tho I'm hoping to visit one day), but I have seen the photos on here, as well as aerial ones on Google and I am interested in the place. So, pretending that I had the money and power 
I would:
Rehome the orangs first; use some of the other listed pits and put ropes across, say, two or three to give the orangs the initive to climb up and climb over. It'd be more space anyway and wouldn't really damage or alter the pits' listed structure.
Somehow utilise the lawn (or some of it) inside the castle-as a hoofstock paddock, aviary/aviaries or maybe a small monkey house.
The chimps need better fencing and the introduction of a male or two (or more?) because it's unnatural otherwise.
The old Tecton Bird House, now a sandpit-that might make make a nice small mammal house for UK/European species of mice, etc. Or a reptile house. Or, somehow because it's listed, cage in the walkway around the outside to let the (small!) birds inside have an outdoor space.
I would use the old Tecton Bear Ravine too - surround the front with plexiglass, maybe put the orangs, the bear(s) or a species of big cat in here.
I'd give the Barbary Sheep some real rocks, substrate and maybe some shrubby, nor would an expansion go amiss (what's behind them on that tree covered slope?).
Lion enclosure looks ok, might benefit from a bit more planting to give the cats somewhere to hide away and maybe a boulder or two for them to climb on/over.
The lynx enclousure looks like it could do with being expanded into the trees behind it.
If there was the space, I'd hold a hybrid giraffe herd (single sex of course). I'd give the macaques, gibboms and spider monkeys more climbing equipment, give the penguins a deeper (and wider if there's nothing behind them) pool with land for nesting on and, if they're a breeding flock, give the flamingoes a muddy patch for nesting on (I think flamingoes all use mud for nest building, don't they
?)
I'd try to find a use for the old polar bear bit-porcupines possibly, or the meerkats, since there looks like (apologies if I'm wrong) there was a pool, so if this was filled in with earth/sand, etc, it'd provide deep digging for 'em. A little species of monkey might work; climbing frames could be used to give them a bit more height or it could be caged over for birds, but it seems a little low for that.
And I'll shut up
I know I've never been to Dudley and have only seen the photos, but I definately don't find it one of the worst zoos, yet I find it needs some definate fixing 
I do have a couple other ideas, but since I'm going by photos, I'm not how realistic they (or even the ones above) are, so I'll leve it there and wait to be be scolded 
I would: Rehome the orangs first; use some of the other listed pits and put ropes across, say, two or three to give the orangs the initive to climb up and climb over. It'd be more space anyway and wouldn't really damage or alter the pits' listed structure.
Somehow utilise the lawn (or some of it) inside the castle-as a hoofstock paddock, aviary/aviaries or maybe a small monkey house.
The chimps need better fencing and the introduction of a male or two (or more?) because it's unnatural otherwise.
The old Tecton Bird House, now a sandpit-that might make make a nice small mammal house for UK/European species of mice, etc. Or a reptile house. Or, somehow because it's listed, cage in the walkway around the outside to let the (small!) birds inside have an outdoor space.
I would use the old Tecton Bear Ravine too - surround the front with plexiglass, maybe put the orangs, the bear(s) or a species of big cat in here.
I'd give the Barbary Sheep some real rocks, substrate and maybe some shrubby, nor would an expansion go amiss (what's behind them on that tree covered slope?).
Lion enclosure looks ok, might benefit from a bit more planting to give the cats somewhere to hide away and maybe a boulder or two for them to climb on/over.
The lynx enclousure looks like it could do with being expanded into the trees behind it.
If there was the space, I'd hold a hybrid giraffe herd (single sex of course). I'd give the macaques, gibboms and spider monkeys more climbing equipment, give the penguins a deeper (and wider if there's nothing behind them) pool with land for nesting on and, if they're a breeding flock, give the flamingoes a muddy patch for nesting on (I think flamingoes all use mud for nest building, don't they
?) I'd try to find a use for the old polar bear bit-porcupines possibly, or the meerkats, since there looks like (apologies if I'm wrong) there was a pool, so if this was filled in with earth/sand, etc, it'd provide deep digging for 'em. A little species of monkey might work; climbing frames could be used to give them a bit more height or it could be caged over for birds, but it seems a little low for that.
And I'll shut up
I know I've never been to Dudley and have only seen the photos, but I definately don't find it one of the worst zoos, yet I find it needs some definate fixing I do have a couple other ideas, but since I'm going by photos, I'm not how realistic they (or even the ones above) are, so I'll leve it there and wait to be be scolded 
Looking at the zoo map, as i have never visited Dudley, would it be possible or feasible to build an aerial walkway as can be seen at the National zoo in Washington DC, between what is marked as the current orang utan enclosure and what seems to be one of the Tecton pits behind the enclosure, next to the guanaco and rhea?
Kiang,
You must be looking at an old map as the orangs and guanaco's are not near each other.
Hi Chizlit, this is the map i used as a reference, and it is dated 2009, the guanaco and rhea are shown to the right and below the orang utan area.
http://www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/PDF_files/MapGuide2009.pdf
i myself have never been to Dudley but like Jacobea i have seen plenty of pictures, and many maps.
What i would do would be,
I would turn the old Tecton Bird House into a Asiatic Lion Lookout as it would be a splendid lookout to see the Lions,I would then put the inside of the Bird House a Wild Cat Conservation Centre - Inside there would be displays on the threats that are endangering these magnificant animals aswell as stuffed specimins (from customs obviously).
The Old Tecton Bear Ravine will be made into a splendid Bengal Tiger Enclosure - The inside will have a large Tall Rock feature (Dartmoor Tiger Rock Style) in the middle giving the visitors eye level views from the Viewing area even though it would be quite some distance away it will also have a river running through it with mature trees in the enclosure.
This will be the Big Cat Area transforming two old Tecton Enclosures back into their former glory holding the magnificant animals they deserve.
The Tiger/Bear Pits will be converted into a Bear Complex - The Old Polar Bear pit will be resurfaced still holding its original rocky feeling with a pool,The 2 pits on the other side will remain mainly the same but with the adding of tough plants,longer grass,more climbing oppurtunities and a hill in the center of both enclosures also featuring a river the viewing side of the pit.They will be holding Asiatic Black Bear and the rarer Eurasian Brown Bear both very different subspecies and will both rotate into the middle enclosure on a fortnightly basis so it will increase enrichment with the smell of new bears giving something to do.All these improvement are trying to turn the atmosphere of 'pit' into a more open enclosure.Once again returning the complex to its former glory.
I have tried to keep to Dudley the area its in on a hill which will suite the habitat of the Asiatic Lions and Bengal Tigers as well as the mature woodland it has.
The next enclosure involves the complete demolish of the Orangutan enclosure and making the woodland around it into a completely different Orangutan enclosure like the islands seen in most zoos.
The area will be enclosed by high chain link fencing (like monkey world) - The trees will be linked by ropes and climbing frames along with long grass all presenting a very natural enclosure the indoor quaters will be a very large building equally as impressive as the Tecton designs but alot more fuctional and not made out of complete conctrete
Inside there will be a large area with loads of climbing oppurtunities with only one viewing window so the Orangs will have loads of privacy along with no viewing in the seperate dens.
The Chimp Enclosure will have a new fence with the arrival of a group of well bonded 3/4 male chimps the enclosure will also have tall rocks for the chimps to clmb onto aswell as long grass/tough plants and a small pond aswell as a climbing frame based around a mature tree giving the chimps access to a natural living climbing frame right in the centre so no chance of escaping.
As i havent visited Dudley i will just include these 5 enclosures as they are the most i know of
Hope it looks allright and sorry to ramble on quite alot!
What i would do would be,
I would turn the old Tecton Bird House into a Asiatic Lion Lookout as it would be a splendid lookout to see the Lions,I would then put the inside of the Bird House a Wild Cat Conservation Centre - Inside there would be displays on the threats that are endangering these magnificant animals aswell as stuffed specimins (from customs obviously).
The Old Tecton Bear Ravine will be made into a splendid Bengal Tiger Enclosure - The inside will have a large Tall Rock feature (Dartmoor Tiger Rock Style) in the middle giving the visitors eye level views from the Viewing area even though it would be quite some distance away it will also have a river running through it with mature trees in the enclosure.
This will be the Big Cat Area transforming two old Tecton Enclosures back into their former glory holding the magnificant animals they deserve.
The Tiger/Bear Pits will be converted into a Bear Complex - The Old Polar Bear pit will be resurfaced still holding its original rocky feeling with a pool,The 2 pits on the other side will remain mainly the same but with the adding of tough plants,longer grass,more climbing oppurtunities and a hill in the center of both enclosures also featuring a river the viewing side of the pit.They will be holding Asiatic Black Bear and the rarer Eurasian Brown Bear both very different subspecies and will both rotate into the middle enclosure on a fortnightly basis so it will increase enrichment with the smell of new bears giving something to do.All these improvement are trying to turn the atmosphere of 'pit' into a more open enclosure.Once again returning the complex to its former glory.
I have tried to keep to Dudley the area its in on a hill which will suite the habitat of the Asiatic Lions and Bengal Tigers as well as the mature woodland it has.
The next enclosure involves the complete demolish of the Orangutan enclosure and making the woodland around it into a completely different Orangutan enclosure like the islands seen in most zoos.
The area will be enclosed by high chain link fencing (like monkey world) - The trees will be linked by ropes and climbing frames along with long grass all presenting a very natural enclosure the indoor quaters will be a very large building equally as impressive as the Tecton designs but alot more fuctional and not made out of complete conctrete
Inside there will be a large area with loads of climbing oppurtunities with only one viewing window so the Orangs will have loads of privacy along with no viewing in the seperate dens.
The Chimp Enclosure will have a new fence with the arrival of a group of well bonded 3/4 male chimps
the enclosure will also have tall rocks for the chimps to clmb onto aswell as long grass/tough plants and a small pond aswell as a climbing frame based around a mature tree giving the chimps access to a natural living climbing frame right in the centre so no chance of escaping.As i havent visited Dudley i will just include these 5 enclosures as they are the most i know of
Hope it looks allright and sorry to ramble on quite alot!
Jacobea,
No scolding here! For someone that's never been to the zoo you seem to have a very good vision of what could / should be done.
Just a couple of minor points, the lynx enclosure is new , it's much bigger and better than the nasty thing they lived in for years, it can't have anymore room at the back or they would be in with the red pandas.
From memory behind the barbary sheep is just land with a few other sheep in it, so your idea to extend back into there would be great.
I've given a few ideas before so will not comment about what I think, but I like your ideas alot.
What do you think Kitty?
No scolding here! For someone that's never been to the zoo you seem to have a very good vision of what could / should be done.
Just a couple of minor points, the lynx enclosure is new , it's much bigger and better than the nasty thing they lived in for years, it can't have anymore room at the back or they would be in with the red pandas.
From memory behind the barbary sheep is just land with a few other sheep in it, so your idea to extend back into there would be great.
I've given a few ideas before so will not comment about what I think, but I like your ideas alot.
What do you think Kitty?
I have not been to Dudley Zoo (tho I'm hoping to visit one day), but I have seen the photos on here, as well as aerial ones on Google and I am interested in the place. So, pretending that I had the money and power
Rehome the orangs first; use some of the other listed pits and put ropes across, say, two or three to give the orangs the initive to climb up and climb over. It'd be more space anyway and wouldn't really damage or alter the pits' listed structure.
Somehow utilise the lawn (or some of it) inside the castle-as a hoofstock paddock, aviary/aviaries or maybe a small monkey house.
The chimps need better fencing and the introduction of a male or two (or more?) because it's unnatural otherwise.
The old Tecton Bird House, now a sandpit-that might make make a nice small mammal house for UK/European species of mice, etc. Or a reptile house. Or, somehow because it's listed, cage in the walkway around the outside to let the (small!) birds inside have an outdoor space.
I would use the old Tecton Bear Ravine too - surround the front with plexiglass, maybe put the orangs, the bear(s) or a species of big cat in here.
I'd give the Barbary Sheep some real rocks, substrate and maybe some shrubby, nor would an expansion go amiss (what's behind them on that tree covered slope?).
Lion enclosure looks ok, might benefit from a bit more planting to give the cats somewhere to hide away and maybe a boulder or two for them to climb on/over.
The lynx enclousure looks like it could do with being expanded into the trees behind it.
If there was the space, I'd hold a hybrid giraffe herd (single sex of course). I'd give the macaques, gibboms and spider monkeys more climbing equipment, give the penguins a deeper (and wider if there's nothing behind them) pool with land for nesting on and, if they're a breeding flock, give the flamingoes a muddy patch for nesting on (I think flamingoes all use mud for nest building, don't they
I'd try to find a use for the old polar bear bit-porcupines possibly, or the meerkats, since there looks like (apologies if I'm wrong) there was a pool, so if this was filled in with earth/sand, etc, it'd provide deep digging for 'em. A little species of monkey might work; climbing frames could be used to give them a bit more height or it could be caged over for birds, but it seems a little low for that.
And I'll shut up
OK I see your point from this map, but it doesn't show that it's an almost vertical drop of hundreds of feet, and it's heavily wooded too.
EvilKittie
Well-Known Member
they all seem very intesrting, im still thinking mine thru XD
Sounds like some sort of primate might enjoy that area, with trees to climb on right into the sky
Only hard thing would be rounding them all up again - imagine if one didn't want to come down from a 100ft up Also - thanks for the kinds words chizlit
I didn't look at a map for the lynx enclosure, so I had no idea there was anything at the back amongst the trees. There were a couple other things - I'm guessing Tecton Bird House and "Tropical Bird House" are one and the same building? In which case, my idea of moving the walls to the grass at the base of the building (although I've no idea how big it is) is probably not a good idea with the lions next door
Second - which is bigger, the wallaby walkthru (I gather it was the former elephant paddock?) or the giraffe's current paddock? I had an idea to put the hybrid giraffe herd where the wallabies were, if it were big enough, since their present home seems a bit small for more than two.
If only I had my own zoo
EvilKittie
Well-Known Member
Sounds like some sort of primate might enjoy that area, with trees to climb on right into the sky
Also - thanks for the kinds words chizlit
There were a couple other things - I'm guessing Tecton Bird House and "Tropical Bird House" are one and the same building? In which case, my idea of moving the walls to the grass at the base of the building (although I've no idea how big it is) is probably not a good idea with the lions next door
Second - which is bigger, the wallaby walkthru (I gather it was the former elephant paddock?) or the giraffe's current paddock? I had an idea to put the hybrid giraffe herd where the wallabies were, if it were big enough, since their present home seems a bit small for more than two.
If only I had my own zoo
their homes seems fine since they were breeding.
the tropical bird house might be referring to Monkey Tails?? chizlit could you confirm it?
I'm guessing they are both one and the same place, it did use to be a bird house with small cages around the inside of the house.
It's now a sort of fossil hunting place for kids, it must be a money making idea as it's an extra £2.50 to go inside, don't know how popular it is, but I'm guessing not very as I never see many people go in, so it seems like a waste of good space unless there is some safely reason why they can't put animals / birds back in here.
With regards to the wallaby walkthru, no this area is smaller than the current giraffe paddock the zzo are always saying how pleased they are with this area, but I don't think it's that exciting and I don't bother to go into it most time, unlike the lemur walkthru which I think is pretty amazing.
The biggest areas for the giraffes to go would be the chimp area (which is my big idea to move them there!), the bear ravine, the new lion enclosure (not a good idea as it's quiet steep), or the castle court yard ( don't know how this would work, but it would look amazing and bizarre at the same time!)
It's now a sort of fossil hunting place for kids, it must be a money making idea as it's an extra £2.50 to go inside, don't know how popular it is, but I'm guessing not very as I never see many people go in, so it seems like a waste of good space unless there is some safely reason why they can't put animals / birds back in here.
With regards to the wallaby walkthru, no this area is smaller than the current giraffe paddock the zzo are always saying how pleased they are with this area, but I don't think it's that exciting and I don't bother to go into it most time, unlike the lemur walkthru which I think is pretty amazing.
The biggest areas for the giraffes to go would be the chimp area (which is my big idea to move them there!), the bear ravine, the new lion enclosure (not a good idea as it's quiet steep), or the castle court yard ( don't know how this would work, but it would look amazing and bizarre at the same time!)
Sounds like some sort of primate might enjoy that area, with trees to climb on right into the sky
Also - thanks for the kinds words chizlit
There were a couple other things - I'm guessing Tecton Bird House and "Tropical Bird House" are one and the same building? In which case, my idea of moving the walls to the grass at the base of the building (although I've no idea how big it is) is probably not a good idea with the lions next door
Second - which is bigger, the wallaby walkthru (I gather it was the former elephant paddock?) or the giraffe's current paddock? I had an idea to put the hybrid giraffe herd where the wallabies were, if it were big enough, since their present home seems a bit small for more than two.
If only I had my own zoo
Or they could turn the birdhouse into museum of the history of the zoo, which I think many people would find interesting
I couldn't really tell the size either from the photos or the map (neither look massive anyway). If the walaby walkthru is where they kept elephants, I feel really sorry for the elephants
Good job they moved out, methinks. As for moving the giraffes to the chimp area, sounds like a good idea
It (the chimp area) looks large(r) and flat enough for giraffes, and chimps might even benefit from a location on, say, the ramparts. Hillier terrain - chimp enrichment?It covers 40 acres
Dudley Zoo covers 40 acres,Monkey Tails was originally a walk through aviary, which I still think is what it should be for Touracos,Monals etc,would like to see animals which are more in keeping with the terrain as the Zoo is dominated by the castle, maybe Mouflon Sheep at the back of the Flamingo exhibit.The Flamingo exhibit looks good but would certainly need upgrading,Zebra could be introduced into the Giraffe House/Area which is a decent size.Generally when I have been to Dudley Zoo thought it was quite good, do think the amusement area looks grotty and could be replaced by an exhibitfor Coatis which I think areoverlooked in uk zoos and one for Otters too.
Dudley Zoo covers 40 acres,Monkey Tails was originally a walk through aviary, which I still think is what it should be for Touracos,Monals etc,would like to see animals which are more in keeping with the terrain as the Zoo is dominated by the castle, maybe Mouflon Sheep at the back of the Flamingo exhibit.The Flamingo exhibit looks good but would certainly need upgrading,Zebra could be introduced into the Giraffe House/Area which is a decent size.Generally when I have been to Dudley Zoo thought it was quite good, do think the amusement area looks grotty and could be replaced by an exhibitfor Coatis which I think areoverlooked in uk zoos and one for Otters too.
EvilKittie
Well-Known Member
sorry chizlit in advance!
the paddock to the back of the fairground is home to a species of sheep (their name escapes me!) could you confirm how far this extends?
the paddock to the back of the fairground is home to a species of sheep (their name escapes me!) could you confirm how far this extends?
No need to be sorry, but I don't know where you mean?, as far as I can think there is nothing at the back of the fairground except deep (and high woodland).
I have to agree with you regarding the 'amusement area', it does took grotty and doesn't give a good impression as it's right by the main entrance.
I guess it's there as a money making pull, but don't know how much the zoo would make from it.
There used to be a pool in this area which housed coypu (very rare to see in the UK now), I used to like viewing them, but sadly they went (and the pool with it, no big loss as it wasn't big and looked tacky).
Do you want to put zebra in with the giraffe's? I don't think the area is big enough for both.
EvilKittie
Well-Known Member
sad thing is you could but pygmy hippos there and have space left over for a small mammal/primate.
chizlit you know where the kiddie train is?? behind there, there are some steps that lead up the hill in their i think its icelandic sheep, but you get a better view from above!
chizlit you know where the kiddie train is?? behind there, there are some steps that lead up the hill in their i think its icelandic sheep, but you get a better view from above!
Or they could turn the birdhouse into museum of the history of the zoo, which I think many people would find interesting
I couldn't really tell the size either from the photos or the map (neither look massive anyway). If the walaby walkthru is where they kept elephants, I feel really sorry for the elephants
As for moving the giraffes to the chimp area, sounds like a good idea
Sadly the old elephant area wasn't big at all, I think it was one of the reasons why the elephants left (also saving on big bills too I'd guess).
The chimp area is totally flat, so would be very suitable as an African savanah with giraffe, zebra and some antelope, it's pretty big so could house more than one species.
EvilKittie
Well-Known Member
well there is a small slop on the edges but its about twice the size of chesters (maybe)