They were easy enough to avoid. Was quite funny though, they were all staying in character as researchers in India, fanning their faces with papers, using cooling sprays on their wrists, trying to look hot and bothered, whist the rest of us were wrapped up in coats and gloves!
I'm waiting for the inevitable "did you kill it" from a visitor.
I don't think you can fault the level of detail throughout this exhibit, especially around the langurs. I went round numerous times and was still finding new things! I just pray that it gets looked after properly and doesn't go the way of Whipsnade's Lions of The Serengeti (outdated information and vandalised aesthetics).
In non-lion news, it looks like Effie's given up full responsibility of Gernot. Mjukuu definitely had her hands full, but seemed to be coping admirably well!
ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2016
- Thread starter Tim Brown
- Start date
It looks as if they spent a bomb on all the furnishings for the village etc.
From Stulch's video I can now see how the layout of the main Lion paddocks works- the old enclosure plus new sanded area constitutes the bigger one, then there is the other new sanded one on the other side. I'm wondering how they will assimilate the extra new pair from India (if both stay at ZSL that is). 1.3 in the main area and one pair in the second paddock?
Interesting to see the females still staying largely in their old area which they are more familiar with, but they will get used to the whole area over time.
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Shared motherhood rarely lasts as the more dominant or strongly maternal female gradually takes the baby over and ends up full-time with it. Quite an unusual situation but better he stays in the group provided Mjukuu is able to feed/cope with both.
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Because Land Of The Lions Will Open To The Public Next Friday, What Exhibits, Developments Or New Areas do You Think London Zoo Will Open Next?
And Also If They Want To Make New Huge Enclosures Do You Think They Will Get More Land Off Regents Park To Expand The Zoo?
And Also If They Want To Make New Huge Enclosures Do You Think They Will Get More Land Off Regents Park To Expand The Zoo?
Doubt they'll get more area out of Regent's Park. I was curious about this too, I heard two volunteers talking about how there were plans for a new monkey walkthrough in the Snowdon that didn't get the funds...I wonder if they're going to do anything with the aviaries at the back by Snowdon? (Near the owls)
I reckon that they'll have two prides; one of the sisters will go and join the Indian pair and Bhanu will remain with the others (perhaps Heidi, the most dominant out of the three will go to the Indian couple).
Do you think they could expand the zoo at the back near the owls or even near the entrance of the zoo?
it would be exciting if they did expand the zoo though.
it would be exciting if they did expand the zoo though.
Non-related female Lions can fight very badly, even kill one another. It may not be possible to mix females even if they want to.
The new developments in recent years (IMO starting with Gorilla Kingdom and culminating in the lions) have now grossly exposed the deterioration in both the Snowdon Aviary and the Mappins. The developments have also made both areas stand out even more as eyesores!
Something needs to be done with both areas that are sympathetic to their respective listed status. ZSL simply can't afford to keep on neglecting both areas (or make a half-arsed attempt to "theme" them) if they want to keep on pushing London forward. It's the cost that's the problem. No amount of goodwill or fundraising will get the Mappins up to scratch-you're going to need significant outside investment on top, whether that be from local government (unlikely) or lottery funding (play the heritage card). Even then, what do you put in it? The mountains are uninhabitable and the current setup is ghastly! You've also got to take the structure of the Aquarium into account. The only option I can think of is net it over and create a large bird of prey aviary.
The same arguments, to a lesser extent, can be applied to the Snowdon. I believe ZSL were/are applying to the Heritage Lottery Fund for assistance, with plans to create a walkthrough with Colobus monkey.
Regardless, it could take YEARS before the investment's there, particularly for the Mappins. Until then it seems, ZSL appears quite happy to let both areas rot.
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IanRRobinson
Well-Known Member
Serval dens knocked out to be replaced by a shop. Tiger enclosure levelled to make way for the lodges.....Any historical element of the old terraces removed or off show...
I felt a bit short changed on the species present-there's room to get a small Asian felid in there and I despaired when I saw Dwarf Mongoose
I don't want to pre-judge, but this sounds like my worst nightmare. "Role-playing presented"? Oh, Lordy.
The Marketing Department have taken over London Zoo, chaps. No doubt it's all done based on impeccably arranged surveys, and no doubt senior management are convinced that they're doing the right thing.
All I'm saying is that if unusual and non-box office mammals persist at London in the future, it won't be the rule, it'll be the exception.
I feel very sad about this indeed, but I long since resigned myself to being in the minority.
I felt a bit short changed on the species present-there's room to get a small Asian felid in there and I despaired when I saw Dwarf Mongoose
I don't want to pre-judge, but this sounds like my worst nightmare. "Role-playing presented"? Oh, Lordy.
The Marketing Department have taken over London Zoo, chaps. No doubt it's all done based on impeccably arranged surveys, and no doubt senior management are convinced that they're doing the right thing.
All I'm saying is that if unusual and non-box office mammals persist at London in the future, it won't be the rule, it'll be the exception.
I feel very sad about this indeed, but I long since resigned myself to being in the minority.
BlackRhino78
Well-Known Member
The theming of Land of the Lions feels very much like Chesters Islands with lots of realistic signs, artefacts etc to create a much more authentic and educational feel hopefully this is the way that many more new exhibits will go.
I sincerely hope not, I thought the whole thing was trashy and some bits in bad taste. I loathed the Indian Street scene, the barber shop and wall of flip-flops were pointless. In particular I felt rather depressed by the accommodation sheds, the area looked like the shed department of a garden centre. I was expecting a little more quality.
Anyone know where she's kept? She's supposed to have been there since September, but I haven't seen her...
volvox
Well-Known Member
I was a bit unsure about it till I saw the video London Zoo has posted explaining about how they are replicating Sasangir village and the Gir forest where the asiatic lions live in reasonable harmony with the local people who really care about them. I think there is enough educational material there to explain this and hopefully get people interested in their conservation. Visitor reaction to the exhibit itself has been very positive indeed; the only gripe is that the lions (especially the male) are not always to be seen – but you get that with any good-sized big cat exhibit.
Ah that makes sense! Those macaws must be a bit nervous of their new neighbour...
BlackRhino78
Well-Known Member
Granted Islands is of much better quality and I feel that a lot more time, careful planning etc has gone into it compared to Land of the Lions but I feel LOTL will look brighter in the summer as some sunshine always makes exhibits feel brighter and less dreary. the cosmetics of LOTL are not perfect but I felt that the theming is similar and having theming of exhibits I feel is the right direction which Zoos should be heading in as the theming offers more educational value and a greater understanding about the problems animals face in different countries and the culture of the countries etc. I didn't think it was too bad with plenty of good viewing points and lots of room for the Lions it is an improvement to their last enclosure.
I haven't seen it yet, so won't criticise too much, but a zoo as small as London with so few mammals ( only 2 cat species on show, no elephants, rhino, bears, only 1 great ape, no pinnipeds etc) doesn't have room to take up space with all that tat!! How do they have the space to waste on 2 groups of lions either, it's a joke, £5.2m they boast, I'd have rather seen 5 small cat species in addition to a minor upgrade of the lion area!
Just my opinion!