South Lakes Wild Animal Park South Lakes 2011 news

[zoogiraffe]

It was actually quite a shock when I arrived, a lot of the visitors turned away and moved on to the next exhibit which I thought was rather disrespectful after asking for a pound to see a baby rhino after the park allowing them in for nothing!

Actually I would probably be one of those that would walk away,seeing as i'm not a great fan of the building that they are in,my main reason for not liking it is the indoor housing for the Baboon's,which in my opinion is the worse indoor housing for a primate species in the country,and given my dis-like of some of Twycross's thats not good.

 

[Jordan-Jaguar97]

I agree with the housing although, I did like seeing the young rhino.

 

[TARZAN]

Thank you for the report Jordan.

What was the donation for?

Yes, could this be clarified, is the donation for a rhino conservation project, or something similar, or simply for zoo funds?

 

[TARZAN]

Actually I would probably be one of those that would walk away,seeing as i'm not a great fan of the building that they are in,my main reason for not liking it is the indoor housing for the Baboon's,which in my opinion is the worse indoor housing for a primate species in the country,and given my dis-like of some of Twycross's thats not good.

I agree, the baboons have a spacious outdoor enclosure, however I would describe their indoor accommodation as far from ideal.

 

[TARZAN]

Yeah, but not arguably as bad as misleading people into coming to your zoo (and buying food, guidebooks and souvenirs) by saying there's free entrance and then charging extras to see something they'd expected to see for free. It's a theoretical thin end of a wedge -the rhetorical question is how many extras get charged for before the entrance is no longer deemed free (the answer my friend is bolwing in the wind).

If the zoo wants to allow visitors in during the winter period completely free of charge, all well and good. they are still getting people in, albeit free of charge who will most probably still spend money in the cafe, gift shop etc. It must be to the zoos financial advantage to do this as this is the second year they have done this. If the zoo are advertising free admission, that is what it should be, free admission to view the entire collection, not the entire collection minus the latest baby rhino, who you have to pay£1 to see,personally by doing this, they are turning the baby rhino into nothing more than some fairground side show.I know it is just a pound, but its the principal, just like another well known zoo charging£1 admission for literal babes in buggies.

 

[mazfc]

Yes, could this be clarified, is the donation for a rhino conservation project, or something similar, or simply for zoo funds?

Yes that's what I meant by my question too? £1 to rhino conservation - not a problem (that's a donation); £1 to go to the park (that's an entrance).

For the former I'd give gladly, for the latter I'd walk away with a slightly sour taste in my mouth. A donation implies it's voluntary, therefore, you should get to see the baby anyway.

 

[dublinlion]

If some of the "Zoo fans" are complaining about paying a quid (for a free zoo visit) and it is after all optional, then what hope of the general freebie seeking public wanting to contribute. It really shows how difficult it is for these zoos to prosper and raise funds for the often requested improvements and new exhibits.
If more people were willing to contribute, then maybe this zoo could "afford" to improve the baboon enclosure.

 

[Javan Rhino]

If some of the "Zoo fans" are complaining about paying a quid (for a free zoo visit) and it is after all optional, then what hope of the general freebie seeking public wanting to contribute. It really shows how difficult it is for these zoos to prosper and raise funds for the often requested improvements and new exhibits.
If more people were willing to contribute, then maybe this zoo could afford to improve the baboon enclosure.

I think the problem is that the zoo are promoting free entry until a certain date, but now they've had a baby that will up attendance they're seeking ways to get money.

They are claiming free entry: To me that means you are able to see everything for free. I would probably pay a donation if voluntary, but as people say it's the principal that they're going back slightly on what they're promoting.

 

[dublinlion]

They are claiming free entry: To me that means you are able to see everything for free. I would probably pay a donation if voluntary, but as people say it's the principal that they're going back slightly on what they're promoting.

I accept that point but I still see it as nitpicking as after all, paying the quid extra is optional.
I imagine this zoo like many others is struggling to make ends meet anyway. it seems foolish to offer free admission as (ime) most people seem to undervalue anything thats free.

 

[Mr T]

Maybe they should close the rhino house then to stop the crowds bothering the new born. That would really annoy the visitors to the park!

Also make a note that it is free ENTRY! Not free use of all the facilities and entry to houses. Lots of places such as museums and galleries are free to enter and new exhibitions cost money to see. I agree that maybe the park should mention the fact you will need to pay to see the baby, but nowhere does it say come and see our new baby rhino for free.

 

[Shorts]

Maybe they should close the rhino house then to stop the crowds bothering the new born. That would really annoy the visitors to the park!

I don't think that would irritate visitors as much really (provided they hadn't promoted the birth heavily). After all it's fairly commom for zoos to shut off houses when an animal has given birth or recieving treatment for illness. If that's the argument they should block the animal off and explain why not charge extra which just makes them look sneaky.

Also make a note that it is free ENTRY! Not free use of all the facilities and entry to houses. Lots of places such as museums and galleries are free to enter and new exhibitions cost money to see. I agree that maybe the park should mention the fact you will need to pay to see the baby, but nowhere does it say come and see our new baby rhino for free.

It doesn't say you can see any particular exhibit free, but "free entry", I believe, implies that there would be no additional charges for viewing specific animals (I think this would be most peoples' interpretation). Again it seems sneaky (desparate?) when any visitors will probably be spending a fair amount on food and souvenirs.

I also agree with a previous poster that there's something a bit "sideshow" about charging extra for a specific animal. From a very idealisitic perspective I also don't think it's great for education, effectively reinforcing the view that some wildlife is more interesting/important (and therefore more important to save) than others. I know the public will always be enamoured with ABC's but zoos should be reinforcing the saving of whole ecological systems and biodiversity (no matter how effective or not it might be) rather than encouraging the status quo. I know this is an idealistic perspective but given South Lakes is so proud of its conservation efforts you'd hope they'd take the high moral ground.

I think your point that the zoo should clearly publicise the fact that "some exhibits require a fee to view" is spot on though I'm not sure they would do this as this is clearly at odds with their "free entrance" boast and might put people off visiting (again by not doing so it looks underhand). Which brings me back to the start.

 

[Waddi]

I visited SLWAP yesterday and wasn't forced to make a donation to see Indiana, I was informed that there was a bucket for donations which I gladly added to, but they wouldn't have stopped from seeing the baby Rhino if I hadn't made a donation, they were however restricting the number of visitors inside the Rhino house at one time, but I wasn't rushed out so someone else could come in and no flash photography was allowed which is fair enough.

Can anyone tell me where and when the Cheetahs went?
What happened to the Red Panda?
What Happened to Rocky the Wallaby that lived around the red panda enclosure?
Where have the sulawesi Macaques gone?

Both Giant Otters were out and about, very active all day.
All 4 Bears were very active and foraging around their enclosure for scattered food.
Hippo's were restricred from accessing their pool which was empty of water anyway.
Rhino's and Giraffe were restricted from accessing their mixed Savannah.
Throughout the day I saw Kadi and the Lions have access to outside (obviously not at the same time) and although I didn't see it myself I believe at some time throughout the day Nina had access to the outside enclosure used by the Jags, which was her enclosure.
Tapirs and Capybara were restricted to hard standing, which meant I got to have a quick sneaky scratch and tickle with Libby.
Walk through vultures was open by request only between the times of 12:30 and 13:30.

 

[Pootle]

I visited SLWAP yesterday and wasn't forced to make a donation to see Indiana, I was informed that there was a bucket for donations which I gladly added to, but they wouldn't have stopped from seeing the baby Rhino if I hadn't made a donation, they were however restricting the number of visitors inside the Rhino house at one time, but I wasn't rushed out so someone else could come in and no flash photography was allowed which is fair enough.QUOTE]

As usual two sides to every story, sensible in restricting the number of people viewing the baby and a bucket for donations is very different from the conclusions jumped to by many reading the previous ten or so posts. Until I read this post about someone who actually visited the place I too was thinking they where being a bit cheeky offering free admission with one hand and taking baby rhino viewing money with the other, nice to know it was a genuine donation bucket not a restrictive one. To be honest when I go to SLWP in the next month I will donate at least a £5 considering the free entry offer.

 

[Nisha]

The Cheetah's went to Whipsnade in 2008 (as a short term arrangement whilst Whipsnade waited for the delayed Northern Cheetah) and were later moved to other European collections from there

 

[Waddi]

well although we got free admission into the park itself, we then spent money in the cafe, spent money in the shop, gave donations to the Zoo itself aswell as the Wildlife Protection charity and the Sumatran Tiger Trust.

Thanks Nisha for that Information about the Cheetahs.

 

[Shorts]

I visited SLWAP yesterday and wasn't forced to make a donation to see Indiana, I was informed that there was a bucket for donations which I gladly added to, but they wouldn't have stopped from seeing the baby Rhino if I hadn't made a donation, they were however restricting the number of visitors inside the Rhino house at one time, but I wasn't rushed out so someone else could come in and no flash photography was allowed which is fair enough.

All entirely reasonable, no arguments there. Which only leaves the question, "were we mis-informed by Jordan or have South lakes changed policy?".

 

[Pertinax]

Before entering the House I had to pay a donation of a pound to see the youngster.

I think it was just the phrasing of this that was misleading. Putting money (voluntarily) in a Donations bucket is quite a different matter to an unexpected compulsory charge.

 

[TARZAN]

I think it was just the phrasing of this that was misleading. Putting money (voluntarily) in a Donations bucket is quite a different matter to an unexpected compulsory charge.

So, to see the baby rhino was the pound compulsory or were you just requested to make a pound donation?, there is a difference and in fairness to the South Lakes Zoo I think this needs to be clarified once and for all.Thinking of extra charges at zoos, (although in the recent case of the South Lakes baby rhino there is currently no initial entrance charge) reminds me of the time when London made an additional charge for both the children's zoo and also the aquarium, the charges were, according to my first London guide book from the mid sixties,aquarium, adults two shillings(10p) children under 14 one shilling(5p), children's zoo both adults and children one shilling(5p). Also the admission prices for the zoo were, Mondays, adults five shillings(25p), children under 14 three shillings(15p), all other days adults seven shillings and sixpence(37 and one half penny), children under 14 four shillings(20p), it does not mention, however if there is a charge for children under two!, I wonder how these admission prices would compare with what is being charged today,are they more or less in real terms?

 

[Waddi]

So, to see the baby rhino was the pound compulsory or were you just requested to make a pound donation?, there is a difference and in fairness to the South Lakes Zoo I think this needs to be clarified once and for all.

Neither for me, I was welcomed into the rhino house and asked to keep noise to a minimum, told that flash photography was prohibited and that the Rhino house was operating a one way system and to exit through the door at the opposite end. I was then informed about a donations bucket and any spare change would be appreciated. No pressure, no obligation.

I returned for a second viewing of Indianna later in the day and wasn't even informed about the donations bucket on that occassion.

Maybe Jordan was just unlucky enough to get a cocky doorman that thought they would take fund raising into their own hands.

 

[mazfc]

I think it was just the phrasing of this that was misleading. Putting money (voluntarily) in a Donations bucket is quite a different matter to an unexpected compulsory charge.

Yes that is an entirely different kettle of fish, a donation bucket is totally different to a fee. I'm glad we've heard from other visitors to clarify this.