Kalaw
Well-Known Member
Reading this excellent thread by @snowleopard inspired me to create a similar thread, this time for exhibits!
Using whatever definition of ‘exhibits’ that you please, create a list of your five favourite exhibits in the nation. Whether it's for a sentimental connection, interesting design, exciting species or the sheer grandeur, I was curious to know what the people of ZooChat consider to be the best.
You are not required to explain your choices, but I would strongly suggest that you do so. It will be interesting to see if any exhibits feature multiple times, as I doubt there will be many...
On that note, here is my personal list:
1. Blackburn Pavilion (London Zoo) - Even after seeing it 21 times, I am yet to take its charms for granted. Being in a Victorian building, surrounded by Scarlet-chested and Splendid Sunbirds, Ultramarine Grosbeak, Collared Trogon and others, the use of wire to wall the enclosures (and the fact that two of them are walkthroughs) allowing for the calls and wingbeats of the birds to echo freely, is nothing short of magical. A paradise for bird-lovers, zoo architects, species-list hunters and zoo enthusiasts in general, it is by far the best bird house in the nation in my eyes, and my personal favourite exhibit in the British Isles.
2. Spirit of the Jaguar (Chester Zoo) - Despite being among the most photogenic of large mammals, Jaguars are so often sidelined in zoos, kept in unimaginative boxes which would hardly be adequate for a lynx. As such, seeing them given an enclosure bigger and prettier than many lion and tiger enclosures, with a huge, forested and heated indoor area to top it all off, is very satisfying. Combine that with a wonderful sloth enclosure (featuring live trees), a delightfully landscaped terrarium, Leafcutter Ants, Titicaca Water Frogs and a lovely, savannah-themed enclosure which houses an ever-changing selection of carnivores (Bush Dogs when I visited), and you have a fantastic exhibit.
3. Aquarium and Butterfly House (Whipsnade Zoo)* - With Bristol’s and London’s both closed, the Aquarium, although small, is the greatest in the country. Several rarities, like La Palma and Mezquital Pupfish, Sainthouse’s Killifish and Flagtail Butterfly Tetra, many of which endangered and connected to ZSL’s conservation projects, catch the eye of the zoo enthusiast, while the wonderfully presented tanks (many of which paludariums with lizards or snakes above) are equally lovely. Combine that with a spacious, lively Butterfly House, featuring Crested Wood Partridge, Vampire Crabs, Peter’s Elephantnose Fish and even Dwarf Crocodile, and you have a lovely building, that provides a welcome contrast with the sprawling, grassy fields elsewhere at Whipsnade.
4. Bear Wood (Wild Place Project) - Perhaps had I not seen several Brown Bears climbing trees at eye level, exploring a genuine pool, and vanishing in and out of wonderfully convincing bushes, I would not like this enclosure as much, but I did. The fact that it is an almost untouched British woodland works to the exhibit’s favour, given that its main role is to educate and promote the rewilding of certain species, now sadly extinct in the British Isles. It also arguably has the greatest enclosures in the country for Brown Bears, Grey Wolves, Eurasian Lynxes and Wolverines (although I personally disagree on the latter). All it is missing is a display for European ectotherms!
5. Walled Gardens (Cotswold Wildlife Park) - In a zoo known for repurposing quintessentially British buildings to create excellent exhibits, this exhibit feels like the crowning achievement. Within the walls of a single garden is a wonderful aviary, a lovely walkthrough Tropical House with White-browed Coucal and Green-naped Pheasant-pigeon, a huge Wrinkled Hornbill enclosure, African Openbill Storks, Bornean Eared-frog, wonderful enclosures for otters and prairie dogs, an excellent botanical department and, of course, Crowned Sifaka. Whether you prioritise exhibit quality, collection or history at zoos, this exhibit is a delight.
* I know that they opened separately, but are within the same building, and are seen through the same one-way route.
With honourable mentions to Tiny Giants and the Reptile House at London, Realm of the Red Ape at Chester, Budongo Trails and Penguin Rock at Edinburgh, the Snow Leopard and Polar Bear enclosures at HWP, the Amphibian Room at Shaldon Zoo, Spicer's Field at Whipsnade, Sitatunga enclosure at Exmoor and Waterscapes Aviary at Slimbridge Wetlands Centre. And, if they were still open, Crocodile Swamp at Paignton, the Aquarium at London and Twilight World at Bristol would all be strong contenders for the list.
Using whatever definition of ‘exhibits’ that you please, create a list of your five favourite exhibits in the nation. Whether it's for a sentimental connection, interesting design, exciting species or the sheer grandeur, I was curious to know what the people of ZooChat consider to be the best.
You are not required to explain your choices, but I would strongly suggest that you do so. It will be interesting to see if any exhibits feature multiple times, as I doubt there will be many...
On that note, here is my personal list:
1. Blackburn Pavilion (London Zoo) - Even after seeing it 21 times, I am yet to take its charms for granted. Being in a Victorian building, surrounded by Scarlet-chested and Splendid Sunbirds, Ultramarine Grosbeak, Collared Trogon and others, the use of wire to wall the enclosures (and the fact that two of them are walkthroughs) allowing for the calls and wingbeats of the birds to echo freely, is nothing short of magical. A paradise for bird-lovers, zoo architects, species-list hunters and zoo enthusiasts in general, it is by far the best bird house in the nation in my eyes, and my personal favourite exhibit in the British Isles.
2. Spirit of the Jaguar (Chester Zoo) - Despite being among the most photogenic of large mammals, Jaguars are so often sidelined in zoos, kept in unimaginative boxes which would hardly be adequate for a lynx. As such, seeing them given an enclosure bigger and prettier than many lion and tiger enclosures, with a huge, forested and heated indoor area to top it all off, is very satisfying. Combine that with a wonderful sloth enclosure (featuring live trees), a delightfully landscaped terrarium, Leafcutter Ants, Titicaca Water Frogs and a lovely, savannah-themed enclosure which houses an ever-changing selection of carnivores (Bush Dogs when I visited), and you have a fantastic exhibit.
3. Aquarium and Butterfly House (Whipsnade Zoo)* - With Bristol’s and London’s both closed, the Aquarium, although small, is the greatest in the country. Several rarities, like La Palma and Mezquital Pupfish, Sainthouse’s Killifish and Flagtail Butterfly Tetra, many of which endangered and connected to ZSL’s conservation projects, catch the eye of the zoo enthusiast, while the wonderfully presented tanks (many of which paludariums with lizards or snakes above) are equally lovely. Combine that with a spacious, lively Butterfly House, featuring Crested Wood Partridge, Vampire Crabs, Peter’s Elephantnose Fish and even Dwarf Crocodile, and you have a lovely building, that provides a welcome contrast with the sprawling, grassy fields elsewhere at Whipsnade.
4. Bear Wood (Wild Place Project) - Perhaps had I not seen several Brown Bears climbing trees at eye level, exploring a genuine pool, and vanishing in and out of wonderfully convincing bushes, I would not like this enclosure as much, but I did. The fact that it is an almost untouched British woodland works to the exhibit’s favour, given that its main role is to educate and promote the rewilding of certain species, now sadly extinct in the British Isles. It also arguably has the greatest enclosures in the country for Brown Bears, Grey Wolves, Eurasian Lynxes and Wolverines (although I personally disagree on the latter). All it is missing is a display for European ectotherms!
5. Walled Gardens (Cotswold Wildlife Park) - In a zoo known for repurposing quintessentially British buildings to create excellent exhibits, this exhibit feels like the crowning achievement. Within the walls of a single garden is a wonderful aviary, a lovely walkthrough Tropical House with White-browed Coucal and Green-naped Pheasant-pigeon, a huge Wrinkled Hornbill enclosure, African Openbill Storks, Bornean Eared-frog, wonderful enclosures for otters and prairie dogs, an excellent botanical department and, of course, Crowned Sifaka. Whether you prioritise exhibit quality, collection or history at zoos, this exhibit is a delight.
* I know that they opened separately, but are within the same building, and are seen through the same one-way route.
With honourable mentions to Tiny Giants and the Reptile House at London, Realm of the Red Ape at Chester, Budongo Trails and Penguin Rock at Edinburgh, the Snow Leopard and Polar Bear enclosures at HWP, the Amphibian Room at Shaldon Zoo, Spicer's Field at Whipsnade, Sitatunga enclosure at Exmoor and Waterscapes Aviary at Slimbridge Wetlands Centre. And, if they were still open, Crocodile Swamp at Paignton, the Aquarium at London and Twilight World at Bristol would all be strong contenders for the list.
), immersion is not a preference of mine and in many cases I enjoy a "classic" wood and wire zoo exhibit (when done properly, of course). I hope I can be forgiven for including some recently closed exhibits, as those two in particular instantly came to mind. In no particular order, here are my top five!
The Conger Eel was my favourite part of the aquarium at the height of the window was astonishing! Glad to know I wasn't the only one who thought that CWP's Gundi enclosure was noteworthy.
