Twycross Zoo Twycross Zoo News 2011 #1

[Shorts]

Honestly, I was trying to temper my Twycross criticism in 2011 but I can't not comment on this..........

I see from their website that Twycross are planning what sounds like a fairly major overhaul of the snow leopard enclosure which seems a bit strange for an area that only opened middle of last year

This seems to me evidence that it was either badly designed or never properly completed in the first place (maybe they sacrificed finishing it to make a required opening date);

"fallen trees will be installed that will offer the snow leopards vital shade during the hotter summer months

I agree that it's likely that's to get the Snow Leopards to show better rather than hiding under rocks in corners.

a shrine will be installed that will add to the aesthetics of the enclosure

Because that's the first thing any sane person would spend spare money at Twycross on For ****'* sake.

Is that someone I hear swinging through the jungle

 

[Goretex]

I'm just going to say this before other zoo chatter's undoubtly will do that they should forget about this and just concentrate on doing something very major regarding their ape and monkey accomodation. They really should get on with this now instead of faffing around for what is for them trivia.

 

[A Fish]

I really do not understand the negativity towards Twycross, not just in the post from Godmoves but others that I have seen recently.

The reported improvements seem logical enough to me, the enclosure has, I think, matured well and looks better week by week, I can't help but think that fallen trees, properly placed, can only add further improvement.

I can understand the somewhat cynical suggestion regarding encouraging the Snow Leopards to spend more time on view, but cannot understand how the changes would appeal to a particular section of the community, or how or why anyone should need to. As a regular visitor I see people from many different backgrounds, all enjoying the facilities, all joined by an interest in the animals.

Perhaps the "find fault in anything Twycross does" posts are tinged with a touch of green?

Perhaps I have missed an earlier something, after all I am only A. Fish

 

[Shorts]

I really do not understand the negativity towards Twycross, not just in the post from Godmoves but others that I have seen recently.

To avoid repeating myself again, please read the first two paragraphs of post 56 (mine) in this thread.

Perhaps the "find fault in anything Twycross does" posts are tinged with a touch of green?

I've given up shooting fishes in barrels.

 

[A Fish]

I had not read your post 56 Shorts. Frustration is one thing, constructive criticism is another, we all, (well some of us anyway) can always do things better, or in a different order,

Perhaps my views are biased by the fact that not only do I love animals, Twycross is by far my favourite Zoo, preference is of course subjective, I like the Zoo I enjoy being there and feel happy and comfortable there. Yes I know the welfare of the animals is paramount and do not wish to start, or continue, now, a discussion about "animals in zoos"

I do visit many other Zoos, I like almost all of them, Chester and Paignton to name but two are excellent and to say I feel they are more "commercial" or attraction led, is not a criticism just a preference for the fact that Twycross is less so.

Of course Himalaya is a full weight "attraction", I am aware of this! For me it is just that, not the Zoo.

I would of course like to see a more rapid improvement to the Apes / Chimps facilities, I believe that plans are in hand, they cannot come quickly enough for me.

 

[Godmoves]

Don't hold your breath for any major improvements to Apes/Chimps at Twycross unless they can make the HimaLaya centre take a lot more money than it is presently managing hence (I think ) the bodging around there

 

[zoogiraffe]

I would of course like to see a more rapid improvement to the Apes / Chimps facilities, I believe that plans are in hand, they cannot come quickly enough for me.

Ah yes the wonderfull plans for the new Ape complex that have been on the go for well over 5 years,and yet they can re-build the waterfowl enclosures into the Bornean Longhouse Aviary and import real Bornean Log Canoes to add to the atmosphere of the exhibit,and a whole load of other things that have been built or re-built in that time.Of course the big question to ask is where the zoo is going to get the money from to build the new Ape complex given that they will not get a grant to pay for it like they did with Himalaya?

 

[johnstoni]

The problem with 'naturalistic' snow leopard enclosures is that the substrate, rocks/concrete/sandstone, get incredibly hot in full sun, but without the altitude there isn't sufficient cold winds blowing the heat away. I wonder how much time the Banham animals spend out on the rocks in summer.

 

[A Fish]

Hmm, Another bit of speculation possibly?, no disrespect but I hope there is less substance to your, and others thoughts financial than are being bandied about.

I am biased of course, but I have seen some published accounts ....

 

[A Fish]

My post would have followed Godmoves 156 had I been quick enough.

The Long house comments are valid of course but hardly compare to the planning, expense and long term policy relating to animal housing.

I just can't help feeling a re-occurring ill feeling against Himalaya, can't help thinking that the "Grant" bit is jealousy.

 

[Godmoves]

As always difficult to know what to believe about Twycross-- personally I believe very little especially if it comes from the top!

 

[A Fish]

As always difficult to know what to believe about Twycross-- personally I believe very little especially if it comes from the top!

Well, me too almost always but I like to make my mind up based either on facts, or what I believe. ( or would like to believe!) Even though I am A Fish, I'm only human!

I am not convinced about the amount of hard fact contained in some of the posts, Perhaps I would like to think that some is speculation, rumour, " what people want to believe" or just good old Chinese whispers.

I once heard someone say with full conviction that the equator was " A menagerie lion running round the middle of the earth"

 

[A Fish]

The problem with 'naturalistic' snow leopard enclosures is that the substrate, rocks/concrete/sandstone, get incredibly hot in full sun, but without the altitude there isn't sufficient cold winds blowing the heat away. I wonder how much time the Banham animals spend out on the rocks in summer.

Yes, you do have a point there, but considering the natural habitat of the Snow Leopard, I think that realistically the difference the rocks make would be minimal, I think that the, albeit small, shelters under the rocks may be cooler than a more conventional enclosure, or as in some Zoos, cage.

What about other countries, surely there are Snow Leopards in warmer countries than ours?

I suppose I really ought to make a clever comment about our summer ?
Perhaps not!

I like Banham very much by the way, we were there a couple of times late last year before being snowed in.

 

[Gentle Giant]

Also Marwell's Snow Leopard enclosure is good and has viewing glass running the complete length with naturalistic rock as a backdrop surrounding the woodland.

 

[zoogiraffe]

My post would have followed Godmoves 156 had I been quick enough.

The Long house comments are valid of course but hardly compare to the planning, expense and long term policy relating to animal housing.

I just can't help feeling a re-occurring ill feeling against Himalaya, can't help thinking that the "Grant" bit is jealousy.

Believe me there is no jealousy involved in any of my comments about Twycross,it is purely born from a frustration of things I have seen and heard with my own eyes and ears,and from people that have given years of service to the zoo and how some of them have been treated when they have HAD TO LEAVE the zoo for no fault of there own.

As for saying you have seen the published accounts so have many other people on here,as have I on paper any place can look like its make a profit when in fact it is running at a very serious loss!!

Given time the truth of what IS going on at Twycross will come out,and people will see that alot of the comments that I have made are not based on any form of speculation!!!

 

[Shorts]

The Long house comments are valid of course but hardly compare to the planning, expense and long term policy relating to animal housing.

Surely everything is effectively inter-linked on these matters. Money squandered on one project directly reduces the funds available for other projects. Additionally the fact that Twycross does not "use money well" (compared with other establishments) has implications for how soon they'll have money available for long term projects and how well they'd use any funds on those projects. Furthermore, from past experience, they seem to be very poor judges on what to prioritise.

I just can't help feeling a re-occurring ill feeling against Himalaya, can't help thinking that the "Grant" bit is jealousy.

Absolutely not, ideally more zoos would get some government assistance as to me they're at least as valid in imparting knowledge and expanding horizons as museums and libraries. However, it is frustrating that to get the grant big compromises had to be made (i.e. the absurd situation where the large entrance aviary has no scope for public viewing unless you want to loiter in the toilets). Incidentally a hole in the aviary netting was being repaired when I visited over Christmas which, given that it's less than a year old, is probably another example of poor Twycross forward planning.

 

[Little Lion Man]

I wonder how much time the Banham animals spend out on the rocks in summer.

Banham snow leopard enclosure provides plenty of shade. The large mature trees behind the enclosure behind the small cat enclosures aswell as the house from the other side. The snow leopards actually spent a a far amount of time on the roof of there housing which is tin which heats up more than rocks last summer.

 

[mazfc]

I don't really like to get embroiled in all the twycross financial arguments, so I only want to say that having seen the 'shrine' completed last weekend. I can only say it certainly didn't look an expensive project so I wouldn't worry about it taking money from other projects - I don't think breeze blocks costs that much! I just hope it looks good when it's finished as I personally love looking into the enclosure whilst eating my lunch.

 

[FBBird]

Twycross Zoo

It may be that Twycross is undergoing the sort of identity crisis that many collections, originated by charismatic and dedicated individuals, undergo when those individuals are no longer around. Look around the UK & you'll see what I mean; the crisis can go on & on.

 

[TARZAN]

It may be that Twycross is undergoing the sort of identity crisis that many collections, originated by charismatic and dedicated individuals, undergo when those individuals are no longer around. Look around the UK & you'll see what I mean; the crisis can go on & on.

I think you have a very valid point there.