Talk about being damned by faint praise! Once again we have the argument "It could be worse" used to defend sub-standard (I've not been for many years but you've not convinced me otherwise) zoo exhibits.
Welsh Mountain Zoo WMZ News 2012
- Thread starter Javan Rhino
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- 2012 colwyn bay news wmz
Talk about being damned by faint praise! Once again we have the argument "It could be worse" used to defend sub-standard (I've not been for many years but you've not convinced me otherwise) zoo exhibits.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not using 'it could be worse' to defend the enclosure, just pointing out that it isn't the worst and that while it isn't a palace by any means, I think it is suitable for their size group
. It's not a bad size, they have climbing [and the best view that any chimpanzee has 
] and they have a good family group. My only complaint is the lack of vegetation, but that's not always possible with apes having a habit of pulling it all up.
I visited this zoo a few times in the 80s and on reading this post I was reminded of the hair raising drive, up the hills in first gear and the fear that the clutch was going to snap.
But even then it was a nice zoo (of its time) with some interesting animals and great views all round. They did a raptor flying display and had good exhibits for eagles. I also remember that the chimps were in a big cage which was a bit outdated even then, but they were in good condition and seemed reasonably content.
But even then it was a nice zoo (of its time) with some interesting animals and great views all round. They did a raptor flying display and had good exhibits for eagles. I also remember that the chimps were in a big cage which was a bit outdated even then, but they were in good condition and seemed reasonably content.
military macaws planned, red chested lemur is in from edinburgh, extension to the gibbons enclosure is planned also.
If you guys are so fussed about the states of some cages, try donating. Nagging gets you no where in life The money for the lemur enclosure was partly donated.
If you guys are so fussed about the states of some cages, try donating. Nagging gets you no where in life
The money for the lemur enclosure was partly donated.
Good news, but I hope the hybrids are staying.
We do that when we pay to go in through the gate. The standard of zoo exhibits should not depend on philanthropic gestures.
Unlike some other zoo's such as Chester, WMZ heavily relies upon the summer season to pay for its existance all year round. The winter months are practically dead (which happens to be the best time to go).
It all depends on what youd rather, a zoo with a few off par exhibits, but another thing to note is the animals are not unhappy. The opposite obviously there being no zoo with therefore less animals in the world.
This is never a real excuse, but things could be alot worse in terms of animal welfare. Make sure to visit this summer, providing Jakes enclosure is extended, the lemurs are out and about in their new enclosure it'll not fail to provide you with a good day out.
Yes i believe so, the military macaws are going to be in the display with the blue and gold macaws.
Also theres the fact that expansion can progress at a faster rate with charitable increased funds, WMZ doesnt rely upon donations in the slightest, It just makes things easier
The emphasis atm from what i gather is to increase the capability of the zoo to welcome guests with the remodelling of the front entrance from 2 to 3 gates, which is a big job in itself. There is also the need to replace the reptile and alligators houses, and then move the childrens farm ( i hear to the camels, with the camels moving down to the deer paddock which will need stables).
The list is on going...
So, how about that donation?
Also theres the fact that expansion can progress at a faster rate with charitable increased funds, WMZ doesnt rely upon donations in the slightest, It just makes things easier
There is also the need to replace the reptile and alligators houses, and then move the childrens farm ( i hear to the camels, with the camels moving down to the deer paddock which will need stables).
The list is on going...
So, how about that donation?
I agree, whilst it is easy to say that parts of WMZ are inadequate, nobody on here seems too interested in trying to do anything about it. The zoo have been raising funds for a new tropical house for at least my last 3-4 visits (so 3-4 years at least) and STILL they haven't reached the target amount.
I have to admit that I haven't donated as my current circumstances mean I can't afford to at the moment, but I visit at least once a year if I can and I highly encourage others to visit.
These plans sound very interesting and I hope that they become a reality
I agree, whilst it is easy to say that parts of WMZ are inadequate, nobody on here seems too interested in trying to do anything about it. The zoo have been raising funds for a new tropical house for at least my last 3-4 visits (so 3-4 years at least) and STILL they haven't reached the target amount.
I have to admit that I haven't donated as my current circumstances mean I can't afford to at the moment, but I visit at least once a year if I can and I highly encourage others to visit.
These plans sound very interesting and I hope that they become a reality
It's a massive project (big even by larger zoos standards) for the welsh mountain zoo, and this is their biggest project since the sealion pool. I honestly hope it goes well for WMZ as i love the place and its history.
Im glad you dont reject the zoo to the depths as some like to, i guess it all comes down to the half cup full/empty approach eh. We brits are bloody good at complaining after all
It's a massive project (big even by larger zoos standards) for the welsh mountain zoo, and this is their biggest project since the sealion pool. I honestly hope it goes well for WMZ as i love the place and its history.
Im glad you dont reject the zoo to the depths as some like to, i guess it all comes down to the half cup full/empty approach eh. We brits are bloody good at complaining after all
That we are
- and also note my first post that I said I think the zoo is excellent [for it's size and circumstance]. There isn't a single flawless zoo in the world, so when I point out enclosures I'm not a fan of or think need improving then it isn't so much a complaint, it's just where I think are the current flaws That we are
I read your comments and i whole heartedly agree with you if your views. You represent the good in zoo chat aha. However its the comments by SMR which i dont agree with.
"the one thing it has for it is its location"
It is rather funny in fact, that his is the zoos downfall and the root of all his slatings. If the zoo wasnt on such geographically undulating ground then both the Gibbons and Spider monkeys would have island enclosures (as envisaged by Robert Jackson so ive read). Also i believe the zoo would house a group of Elephants which was turned down due to unsuitable land. And lastly, due to its location, the zoo is paired competetively to Chester which as you all know is regarded very highely.
I would be more that happy to give you a tour around the zoo if you're visiting this summer, Javan Rhino.
Well the zoo did have elephants - where the camels are now. Also the actual location is rather stunning to be honest.
I've been to WMZ many times, including in the summer. What I took issue with, if people care to re-read this thread from the start, was JR's assessment of it being "excellent", a word that I see has cropped up again. Orangeperson is quite correct, "It could be worse" is hardly the same thing.
Suggesting that instead of criticising, people should donate to improve facilities is one thing but sustaining and improving the zoo, any zoo, is the reason people pay an entrance fee. There are enclosures at WMZ that could be greatly improved with a modest amount of funds, so it's difficult to understand why, instead of concentrating on areas such as the horrible snow leopard and monkey cages that are crying out for attention, they have just built a new lemur walk-in and are attempting to embark on a huge project in the form of the tropical building and learning centre.
Despite the enviable geographic location, many opportunities to use the surroundings are wasted at WMZ. For example, consider how Dudley have adapted an area of woodland to create what is an excellent lemur walk-through, and compare that to the development of the walk-in at WMZ, which uses an open, gale-swept field instead of one of the wooded area alongside, which are home to just a handful of ugly old squirrel and corvid cages.
Suggesting that instead of criticising, people should donate to improve facilities is one thing but sustaining and improving the zoo, any zoo, is the reason people pay an entrance fee. There are enclosures at WMZ that could be greatly improved with a modest amount of funds, so it's difficult to understand why, instead of concentrating on areas such as the horrible snow leopard and monkey cages that are crying out for attention, they have just built a new lemur walk-in and are attempting to embark on a huge project in the form of the tropical building and learning centre.
Despite the enviable geographic location, many opportunities to use the surroundings are wasted at WMZ. For example, consider how Dudley have adapted an area of woodland to create what is an excellent lemur walk-through, and compare that to the development of the walk-in at WMZ, which uses an open, gale-swept field instead of one of the wooded area alongside, which are home to just a handful of ugly old squirrel and corvid cages.
For the record, most zoos rely heavily on summer and school holiday visitors, Chester included. One of the reasons Chester has embarked on some major indoor projects is to try and even out the number of visitors in winter vs. summer.
Are you a member of WMZ staff Mzungo?
Have you thought about other variables atall Sir? such as disabled accessability to the squirrel and aviaries?
from my visits i dont think you could manage it, unless you were pushed down the exit drive - rather dangerous dont you think?I believe that people pay to visit a zoo in order to pay the wages of the staff, and also to feed the animals - improvements can be made from whatever is left over which is simple economics of a business. Please remember that all zoos are businesses where the customer has to be thought about equally, if not more than the animals. besides - no customers = no money to fund animals.
Please bare that in mind
zoochat should be talking about all aspects of a zoo, not just the animals - otherwise this site should be called captiveanimalchat.comIm not trying to start an arguement, im just sticking up for a zoo close to me both geographically and emotionally.
Mzungu.