Rare Species Conservation Centre RSCC, The rare species conservation centre & zoological garden, Sandwich, Kent

Fishing cats are already there! They are between the exit of "New Guinea" and the entrance of "Amazon" in a small, aviary-type enclosure which, in my opinion, does not have enough to keep the occupant from boredom.
 
Yes, but I think Al said that that's a temporary enclosure. So they should be getting a new one, where I don't know. I hope they expand the place eventually.
 
I've visited the White Oak Conservation Centre in Florida, which is hundreds of acres in size. I've also been to Mountain View Conservation Centre in British Columbia, which is 250 acres in size. Then there is the infamous RSCC, which is less than 2 acres in size. Perhaps it is because I live in Canada, where it is not uncommon for people to have 2 acres as their backyard, but to me the size of the RSCC is undeniably inadequate. The host of photos from the establishment that are in the ZooChat gallery show that many of the exhibits are average at best, and several are substandard in the views of many. The establishment is simply a tiny plot of land with an admittedly fantastic collection of rare animals, but there is nothing exemplary about the place other than the species that are on view. I really do hope that public awareness raises the profile of the RSCC, and it is able to expand and create world class exhibits in the future. All the best to the management and staff, and I'll try and refrain from making any more negative comments about the centre as there are more than enough of those from many other individuals on this forum. No one has asked me to post on this thread, but I feel that the abuse heaped on the RSCC can come from others besides myself. I really do hope that it succeeds, although instead of erecting more subpar enclosures perhaps there could be a sustained concentration on fewer animals and better exhibits.:) Peace, love and empathy.
 
I get the impression money ain't an issue due to the imports and that, and it's actually really nicely built, what with all the signposts and that being themed etc. Most of the enclosures are average, some are too small and some are good. I just hope it does expand and when it does I hope it doesn't really add much more to its collection.
 
ashley-h said:
I get the impression money ain't an issue due to the imports and that, and it's actually really nicely built, what with all the signposts and that being themed etc. Most of the enclosures are average, some are too small and some are good. I just hope it does expand and when it does I hope it doesn't really add much more to its collection.
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Amen to that! Although the enclosures are mostly pretty average (and, incidentally, there are very few zoos in which most of the enclosures are average) the theming of the place is excellent.

And snowleopard, I do hope that one day you will do a road trip of British zoos so that you can visit the RSCC and, at the very least, understand myself and Ashley-h's view-points. Until then, RSCC arguments won't be the same without you ;)

Incidentally, you seem to be saying that a zoo needs several hundred acres if it is to provide adequate enclosures for its inhabitants. Yet, on your road trip thread, you see nothing wrong with Central Park's size, at least not from a welfare point of view. In my opinion, bigger is not necessarily better.
 
No, there's no point in having a map lol. But the new Guinea area is indoors, although there's only one of species in there from new Guinea. And thanks redpanda, no one believed me about the theaming before! And I know what you mean, the bear enclosure looks pretty permanent, but if they're serious about breeding them then I think they seriously need to build them a new exhibit with separation facilities. And that's a good point, most zoos have some good, some bad and some average exhibits. 95% of them (Imo) being average is a pretty good standard.
 
Did you all know that they are also growing a sequoia tree on property?

Come and see our American Giant Sequoia Redwood Tree at RSCC, it was planted as a seedling in 2004 and already it is over 12 feet tall! The Giant Sequoia is the world's largest tree and they can grow to over 300 feet tall, and they can live to be over 3,500 years old. They are found naturally growing in the pacific northwest of the U.S.A. Some have grown so large that they even have roads going through them!
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Cat-Man said:
I find it hard to Know were the new guini area i (im gonna ask it again) Map anyone?
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If you know where the Amazon hall is, it is adjacent to that, with only a mesh wall separating the two, and acts as an exit.

The place is so small that a map is somewhat pointless, if you are really desperate to know the layout find the thread I made at the time of my visit and then look for my review of the RSCC, this tells you pretty much where everything is (even if I do say so myself).
 
Cat-man, you're lucky I'm bored with too much spare time lol.
rscc-map-87563

Made that meself, the indoor exhibits (otters, tamarin etc) are in the two tunnel like buildings. And that's weird about the tree, it'll grow to be bigger than the zoo itself!
Edit: Balls, it didn't work. Here's the link: http://www.zoochat.com/722/rscc-map-87563/
 
Where exactly IS the RSCC? Is it rural, or urban?

Because if it's rural, surely they'd do well to put some of the money (I gather the owner has a fair bit) into buying another few acres? Not that it has to be a giant zoo, but perhaps it could benefit from a little more space (as two acres does sounds a bit cramped).
 
It's in a rural area. I think it has 4 acres it can expand onto, but it hasn't yet, don't know why.
 
ashley-h said:
Hmmm, common sense really lol. Thanks though, I'm still wondering where the Aardwolf and fishing cats ar going to go, there is actually no room left.
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According to the current plans the Aardwolf enclosure will be built in front of the Pileated Gibbon and Puma/Clouded Leopard enclosure (between these enclosures and the visitor walkway, next to the New Guinea Singing Dogs).
 
Really...? That really small space...? Ok this is starting to get a bit stupid now, seems as though the fishing cat won't have much more room than his temporary cage.
 
If they've got two extra acres, why not use the land and build the new aardwolf enclosure there? Not to mention move a few of the others into bigger cages. Seems stupid to cram them all onto two acres :(
 
Design

Jacobea said:
If they've got two extra acres, why not use the land and build the new aardwolf enclosure there? Not to mention move a few of the others into bigger cages. Seems stupid to cram them all onto two acres :(
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As a FZS with over 40 years experience of animals, I would love to be asked for my input into design of enclosures, cages, nutrition and all those things that might not be known. Also, I live within 10 minutes by car. Not been asked however. :(
 
Do they know you're there though? I do still wonder why it hasn't been expanded, maybe they will in the future.
 
Maybe planning permission is holding things up. Especially in a rural area this might cause problems.

I am enjoying the discussion members are having in the gallery about some of these enclosures. I will visit later this summer with view to taking some more photographs.
 
I am not certain if they actually own the adjoining land which they would like to expand on to . When I was there a couple of years ago I was told they hoped to buy it in future .There was previously reference to this on their web-site , not sure if this is still there now though .
 
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