ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2015

The fact that they've finally released an artists impression of this scheme does nothing to alter my opinion that this is a monumental waste of space for a zoo the size of London, particularly when it's sacrificed so many species in the last 20+ years. Granted the scheme works very well at Whipsnade but it has something that London doesn't-acres of space.

For the footprint that this will swallow up they could, or rather should, have created an exhibit based on the plight of Asian vultures or pangolin.

Maybe the new slogan should be "Let's work for Profit" rather than "Let's work for Wildlife."
 
Lodges at Land of the Lions

Panthera1981 said:
The fact that they've finally released an artists impression of this scheme does nothing to alter my opinion that this is a monumental waste of space for a zoo the size of London, particularly when it's sacrificed so many species in the last 20+ years. Granted the scheme works very well at Whipsnade but it has something that London doesn't-acres of space.

For the footprint that this will swallow up they could, or rather should, have created an exhibit based on the plight of Asian vultures or pangolin.

Maybe the new slogan should be "Let's work for Profit" rather than "Let's work for Wildlife."
Click to expand...

I understand that there will different opinions about the proposed lodges but I think your comment " Let's work for Profit" is rather harsh. London Zoo are making progress as can be seen by the recent lemur walk through and the spider walk through due to open in a few days. London Zoo is a charity and therefore has to raise money from various sources otherwise there is no zoo in London. If people wish to support London Zoo, then the lodges will be of benefit and additional types of animals can then be brought to the Zoo
 
Regent said:
If people wish to support London Zoo, then the lodges will be of benefit and additional types of animals can then be brought to the Zoo
Click to expand...

Not that there will be any room for them :p as this development will be reducing the precious-little space at ZSL London even more.........
 
TeaLovingDave said:
Not that there will be any room for them :p as this development will be reducing the precious-little space at ZSL London even more.........
Click to expand...

From what I can remember following a tour of the building site which will become the new Land of the Lions, the lodges will be situated on what use to be walkways for the old lion exhibit. I have only been a member of Zoo Chat for a couple of months but I am surprised how much negative comments are made about London Zoo. There have been comments about Lemur walk through, the new arrangement for Annam leaf turtles and even the cost of the guide. I for, one enjoy visiting London Zoo and in my own small way try and support them as best I can. Hence, why I am attending the Safari in the City Gala Dinner (Wed 20 May) and also going along to Sunset Safari on Friday 19 June( this event replaces Zoo Lates)
 
This is particularly distressing for me as I visited on Saturday and for the first time actually enjoyed the zoo. I feel like the quality of the new exhibits is excellent; even if people might not be excited about the choice or number species within them.
Lots will be said about how they could have put exhibits in this area and it's a completely valid point. A smaller number will argue that this will raise vital money for conservation work in- and ex-situ, which is also true.
I want to make the point that this significant fraction of land is being given over to a use that will benefit only those of the public rich enough to pay what will be presumably a very steep cost. From an education perspective this is a very poor use of limited space.
 
FunkyGibbon said:
From an education perspective this is a very poor use of limited space.
Click to expand...

Hit the nail on the head right there!

Regent, I have no problem with London Zoo-it was the first zoo I ever visited and the majority of the recent redevelopment has been of an excellent standard which has produced results (Tiger Territory).

However, as FunkyGibbon has stated, this development will only benefit the priveliged few, and bears no educational purpose whatsoever. ZSL manages schemes concerning Asian vulture and pangolin, yet there is NOTHING of either animal present at either collection for the public to physically relate to. There's only a limited amount on the website! These could have easily been incorporated into the new lions theme along with the langurs.

London has precious little space it can ill afford to lose, particularly on a scheme like this. I'd be interested to know if a comparable city zoo like Bristol would contemplate such an idea.

Enjoy your Sunset Safari-I look forward to your review!:D
 
I LOVE London Zoo but I think this is a monumental waste of space. I'd like to know what the keepers think about this...
 
In the Land of the Lions new exhibit, there will be a classroom with books and interactive resources since education is vital. On my many visits to London Zoo and speaking to many of the staff, they all are looking forward to the opening of the Land of the Lions in 2016
 
Lets try to get this into proportion. ZSL cannot make a profit: as a registered charity, regulated by the Charity Commission, it can generate a surplus in a financial year, but it can only use that money to further its stated charitable aims. I expect that the cost of staying in the lodges will seem very high to many of us (Central London hotel price plus a stiff premium for the novelty, I suppose), but if people are prepared to pay, the Society will get extra income. It doesn't appeal to me personally, but I am not offended by it.
I don't agree with the waste of space argument either, because there is so much unused or underused space within the zoo's boundaries already. As long as some of the extra income is invested in building new exhibits or upgrading old ones to increase the zoo's education and conservation work with all its visitors, I think we should all be satisfied.
In particular I want to see the aye-ayes in their new accommodation, so if ZSL wants to get money from my pocket this year they know what to do ;)

Alan
 
I won't comment too much on the lodges, as I already have in the past. I agree 100% with those who say London Zoo cannot afford to waste space, why not add some new species for once?
I say this having enjoyed my stay in the lodge at Whipsnade last month. There is plenty of space for non-animal related usage there, but London is a different matter!
 
Limited green spaces and promoting a non animal collection project cannot let posters get away from the reality that ZSL / Regent's Park needs to balance its books and does not receive any government / municipal subsidies to make ends meet. Obviously, no love lost on those lamenting this, but ... it is a continueing story here. :rolleyes:

I myself have no problems with any planned lodgings within the zoo grounds if and when they are used to enable ZSL to further its ex situ and in situ conservation projects. Given that ZSL is a registered charity - as gentle lemur quite succinctly put it -, it cannot make a profit and needs to weld back any left-overs back into its conservation charity.

Further to the subject of overnight stay facilities at the new Project Asiatic Lion ZSL-site, ...... if - by sheer grace of having enjoyed the overnight facilities - some financially very viable prospects see it fit to support the ZSL / Society's aims with some of their cash they need to get rid off ....., so much the better ... if they spent it on giving ZSL some more leg way that way!!! :D

As an aside: surely will be interesting to see where the aye aye will get / be housed eventually.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
As an aside: surely will be interesting to see where the aye aye will get / be housed eventually.
Click to expand...

The newly opened section of the Clore has a signed exhibit for Aye-ayes with a notice saying they are not yet arrived/on show.

Your point about attracting wealthy donors is a good one that I hadn't considered. I have absolutely no issue with ZSL raising additional funds, I just wish it didn't come at a cost to most of the viewing public. There are lots of things that ZSL could do that would raise even more money, like open a casino on the north bank, that would be going too far. It's not enough to show that something is profitable, it should also be considered in the wider context of the Society's aims and this is where I think this falls short.
 
I'm still waiting for the aye-ayes.

Is there anything about palm oil on display at the zoo? With all of its visitors they have a lot of potential influence regarding such matters.
 
ZSL have achieved some significant surpluses over the last few years, some impressive new exhibits have no doubt played their part in those results and I'm sure the new lion enclosure will play it's part in the future success of the Society, which I applaud. The issue of losing more species, is really only relevant to keen zoo-goers, which I count myself as one!
I hope the future redevelopments of the north bank, Mappin Terraces, elephant house, Snowdon Aviary etc will restore some interesting, rare and endangered species, Bears, eagles, cassowaries, gharials, cockatoos, koalas would be great or even return some such as the Francois Langurs and condors, I can dream!!!
 
I went to a staff/vols preview of the spider walkthrough yesterday (it will open to the public tomorrow) – it's really lovely, with two varieties of orb spider on display, plenty of each, and surprisingly close to the viewer! – right in front of your nose, so to speak, so you can really examine their markings (which are beautiful). I couldn't stay long so can't list all the species (sorry!) but the exhibit really demonstrates how varied spiders are, from tiny social spiders to tarantulas, and is very involving. They also have a raft spider on display, though she was being a little shy when I walked through. There's lots of information and it's not too child-orientated... there's a sort of "safe" introductory area with spiders behind glass and lots of info, and then the walkthrough itself, so visitors have the option of learning about the animals without meeting them face-to-face, if they prefer...
 
Have to say I like the idea of this, though I'll probably wait until the lions reopens next year for a full visit. A few questions...

Where is it located, and how big is it?
Is it permanently staffed, or could a visitor grab one of the spiders if they wanted?
Any photos?
 
When you enter BUGS there's an open foyer area and then beyond that is the exhibit: first the general "educational" area with spiders behind glass, and then sliding glass doors (entrance on left, exit on right) leading into a walkthrough around what used to be a glassed-in exhibit that at various times held frogs and recently leaf-cutter ants. The glass has been removed and the orb spider webs are on both sides of you. It's not particularly big but then it doesn't need to be! – the spiders don't need space. There are plenty of them. Yes, it will be permanently staffed, so no chance of a visitor grabbing a spider – and from what I gather, very very few people would have the nerve! The orb spiders are very beautiful but also big and leggy.
 
The zoo will soon receive 1 male Hanuman langur from Sosto zoo and 2 females from Hodenhagen. These will form a new breeding group to be housed in the new lion exhibit.
 
I do feel sorry for London Zoo because at times on here it does take quite a bashing.I suppose being in our capital it represents us all and should be an example to all other zoos. But things have changed the public nor any ofus would really accept 1000,s of animals in 1000;s of cages. it is hamstrung by its location as it will never be allowed to expand into Regents Park plus the fact alot of its buildings are listed and can not be knocked down.
Perhaps the ZSL are looking at things in a different way now less species but in large enclosures but with a lot of the animals that the public expect Lions,tigers,Gorillas etc. I think it will be very interesting to see what they do after the Lions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top