Dudley Zoological Gardens Update on Dudley Zoo
- Thread starter EvilKittie
- Start date
I agree the enclosure is big and it's good, but you can't get away from the fact that it's bare. Look at the lions old enclosure where the hunting dogs are now, that was full of greenery, and I've no complaints about that.
If you look at lots of the main complaints a bout Dudley on here they are about the lack of something or other, (esp the chimps outdoor area and the orangs), it doesn't cost much to put right and slowly the zoo are doing their best to put things right.
If you look at lots of the main complaints a bout Dudley on here they are about the lack of something or other, (esp the chimps outdoor area and the orangs), it doesn't cost much to put right and slowly the zoo are doing their best to put things right.
Wellyboots
Member
Very true, havent they fnished the outdoor chimp area? Im sure iv seen it on here somewhere (havent visited for a few months)
You have to think that the hunting dogs are alot more active than the lions(well everytime ive been they have been!) So if the lions are asleep for 20-odd hours of the day, chances are they may be hidden behind a bush!!
taun
Well-Known Member
So are you saying you would prefer the animals to be in a barren enclsoure with no where to hide, just so you can see them?
Wellyboots
Member
no, else i would be demanding concrete enclosures. you have totally twisted my words there.
taun
Well-Known Member
Just be careful what you post, as your having a go at people who are suggesting improvements and are offering constructive criticism. This comes across that you don’t care about the enclosures as long as you can see the animals.
The hunting dogs are not so active, the last two times I've been they have just been lying down, but in view of the glass viewing points (maybe they have heat pads there?), while the lions tend to just lie and sleep under the tecton building (old bird avairy) and are very difficult to view.
The outdoor chimp area now has a much bigger and better wooden climbing frame, but the chimp area isn't the real problem with Dudley, the orang area is the number one place of concern.
EvilKittie
Well-Known Member
the orang building is listed :S
yep sadly it is I know, but either the zoo needs to do something to make it look better and more interesting for the orangs without messing with its listed status or more them to a better area in the zoo, although there is nowhere suitable that I can think of without costing lots of money for a conversion.
Nothing 'sadly' about it - it's a very important building both architecturally (as I've said before - Tecton buildings are much rarer than Bornean Orangs!) and in terms of the history of Dudley Zoo and zoos in general. It's never going to be a great Ape House by modern standards, but I'm sure there's something else (even just some smaller primates) for which it could be very good. As you say, however, that's unlikely to happen until Dudley can afford a new orang enclosure.
chessplayer
Member
The orang enclosure is not a listed building. It was opened in 1962 and made out of plain old bricks. So there is lots that could be done.
I'm not sure if you are aware or not that Dudley's Ape House was built in the 1960's, so is not of Tecton design or listed status. It originally housed Gorillas, Chimps and Orangs and has already been altered(for just the Orangutans) by the removal of one of the dividing walls in the outdoor areas- listed building status would not allow that.
It seems more the problem is they can't afford to build, or remodel, somewhere better for the Orangutans so that is why they stay put.
Chessplayer, you got me thinking now! I can see that damn orang house in my mind now and you know what I think you are right! It is just made of brink painted white!
So apart from the money problem side there is no reason why the zoo can't at least 'tart up' this enclosure, which is an eyesore (sorry if folks don't agree).
Better solution would be to rip it down and start again.......
Pertinax,
Thanks for confirming what chessplayer said, I like many assumed that it was Tecton, but now thinking about it and having it's vision in my mind I know it isn't!
I'm even old enough to remember when it also housed gorillas and chimps.
The indoor areas had good viewing, but they were small and basic, and we all know about the outdoor parts.
There doesn't seen to be an ongoing solution to rehousing at the moment does there?>>>>>
Another thing that gets me about this enclosure is the constant clicking of the electric fence, it must drive the poor orangs crazy, it annoys me and I only have to listen to it for a short while.
Then I stand corrected. But I'd still hate to see it demolished!
EvilKittie
Well-Known Member
the buildings moat is listed, due to how it was built.
In that case, perhaps eventually they could demolish the building and keep a species there that could use the moat...
I don't know what is special about the Ape House Moat though to afford it Listed status- it is a fairly typical design AFAIK.
Are you sure you aren't mistakenly referring to the 'Castle moat' here, which surrounds the Castle keep and has held Sealions, Killer Whale etc.? That is much older and no doubt is listed.
I don't know what is special about the Ape House Moat though to afford it Listed status- it is a fairly typical design AFAIK.
Are you sure you aren't mistakenly referring to the 'Castle moat' here, which surrounds the Castle keep and has held Sealions, Killer Whale etc.? That is much older and no doubt is listed.
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chessplayer
Member
Just wondering were you got this info from? How did the construction of the moat differ from the house itself?
EvilKittie
Well-Known Member
the orang keeper its was one of the first arched moats made of pure concrete
