What the best Lion exhibit in UK zoos or Safari Park
- Thread starter theli0n
- Start date
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
Wonburn’s stunning, 13 hectare (32 acre) reserve is in a league of its own, really, both in terms of size, beauty and (from experience and what others have mentioned) the activity of the pride. The only one that even comes close in terms of size is Longleat at 8 hectares, but that is the combined area of multiple paddocks whereas Woburn’s is just one.
Excluding safari parks and only looking at zoos, London’s is definitely the best that I have seen - very attractively-landscaped, plenty of privacy, multiple viewing options and, as of earlier this year, cubs to show for it all. I haven’t been, but Yorkshire’s enclosure looks good, too, as it is very big, but seems to be a little less beautiful and imaginative. In terms of beauty, I think Edinburgh's deserve a mention but it isn't quite in the same league as the others.
Photos:
@MagpieGoose - Woburn's 13 hectare drive-through
@Crowthorne - around half of London's enclosure (it expands to the left and right of the image and there is a second sector behind the mock rock wall)
@RonBurrgundy - Yorkshire's enclosure, not sure how much of the enclosure is in this image as I haven't visited myself
@felis silvestris - Edinburgh's enclosure
Strangely, given how popular the collection is, I couldn't find any photos showing any of Longleat's enclosures in the gallery.
Excluding safari parks and only looking at zoos, London’s is definitely the best that I have seen - very attractively-landscaped, plenty of privacy, multiple viewing options and, as of earlier this year, cubs to show for it all. I haven’t been, but Yorkshire’s enclosure looks good, too, as it is very big, but seems to be a little less beautiful and imaginative. In terms of beauty, I think Edinburgh's deserve a mention but it isn't quite in the same league as the others.
Photos:
@MagpieGoose - Woburn's 13 hectare drive-through
@Crowthorne - around half of London's enclosure (it expands to the left and right of the image and there is a second sector behind the mock rock wall)
@RonBurrgundy - Yorkshire's enclosure, not sure how much of the enclosure is in this image as I haven't visited myself
@felis silvestris - Edinburgh's enclosure
Strangely, given how popular the collection is, I couldn't find any photos showing any of Longleat's enclosures in the gallery.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
I would agree on YWP - the photo shows just one of the three outdoor enclosures which are all of a good size with a river feature dividing two of them and a waterfall at the end of another. Visitor viewing is also great with views without fencing in the way due to the use of the ground and the excellent raised paths. Good facilities for separation or having the cats together as needed and suits their rescue prides well.
I’d also shout Whipsnade as it is a good area with interesting viewing and room for the lions to be off sight if they want to - the window area can get crowded but on a rainy day with the lions to yourself a mere metre away it’s a bit of magic. The end of the enclosure has shady trees and cover (when the lions visited from Africa Alice the shy male was able to spend time in the bushes outside, out of trouble and made quite a home) and there’s a mix of elevation - the lions (the originals, Khari on his visit and the Africa alive pride and now the new Whipsnade pride) all like to watch the ostriches from the hill and the younger ones like a bit of a chase along the fence line).
Longleat / Woburn are always going to garner some good votes and for good reason - they are spacious and large with good landscaping. However it’s a matter of personal preference that lion car viewing isn’t a favourite of mine and while it is impressive you can’t linger in the same way to admire the spaces and cats. I like a lurk with a camera though and recognise this isn’t an average zoo goer thing and not really a reflection on enclosure quality overall! Good sized spaces for larger prides are quite a spectacle.
I’d also shout Whipsnade as it is a good area with interesting viewing and room for the lions to be off sight if they want to - the window area can get crowded but on a rainy day with the lions to yourself a mere metre away it’s a bit of magic. The end of the enclosure has shady trees and cover (when the lions visited from Africa Alice the shy male was able to spend time in the bushes outside, out of trouble and made quite a home) and there’s a mix of elevation - the lions (the originals, Khari on his visit and the Africa alive pride and now the new Whipsnade pride) all like to watch the ostriches from the hill and the younger ones like a bit of a chase along the fence line).
Longleat / Woburn are always going to garner some good votes and for good reason - they are spacious and large with good landscaping. However it’s a matter of personal preference that lion car viewing isn’t a favourite of mine and while it is impressive you can’t linger in the same way to admire the spaces and cats. I like a lurk with a camera though and recognise this isn’t an average zoo goer thing and not really a reflection on enclosure quality overall! Good sized spaces for larger prides are quite a spectacle.
theli0n
Well-Known Member
Thank YouWonburn’s stunning, 13 hectare (32 acre) reserve is in a league of its own, really, both in terms of size, beauty and (from experience and what others have mentioned) the activity of the pride. The only one that even comes close in terms of size is Longleat at 8 hectares, but that is the combined area of multiple paddocks whereas Woburn’s is just one.
Excluding safari parks and only looking at zoos, London’s is definitely the best that I have seen - very attractively-landscaped, plenty of privacy, multiple viewing options and, as of earlier this year, cubs to show for it all. I haven’t been, but Yorkshire’s enclosure looks good, too, as it is very big, but seems to be a little less beautiful and imaginative. In terms of beauty, I think Edinburgh's deserve a mention but it isn't quite in the same league as the others.
Photos:
@MagpieGoose - Woburn's 13 hectare drive-through
@Crowthorne - around half of London's enclosure (it expands to the left and right of the image and there is a second sector behind the mock rock wall)
@RonBurrgundy - Yorkshire's enclosure, not sure how much of the enclosure is in this image as I haven't visited myself
@felis silvestris - Edinburgh's enclosure
Strangely, given how popular the collection is, I couldn't find any photos showing any of Longleat's enclosures in the gallery.
theli0n
Well-Known Member
Thank you
I agree with Kalaw, Woburn’s lion reserve is huge. London’s is themed and landscaped nicely, but I personally dislike carnivore enclosure where the public can be above and look down on the cats (same goes for Edinburgh here). WMSP have a nice lion rock feature where the lions can often be seen on top of, but I think is comparatively smaller to the likes of Woburn and Longleat.
