25.01.2013
Again I had the opportunity to visit London Zoo, so I went for the enclosures I hadn’t seen yet, and of course I had to see the new Penguin beach, advertised as England’s biggest penguin pool. There was quite a lot of work in progress, but that’s what happens in many zoos during winter. Refurbishment is mostly scheduled when less visitors are expected, which is better for all, the labourers as well as the public.
Well, as the Penguin beach is close to the entrance I first had a look at this new enclosure. Indeed, it has a very large pool, which allows the penguins to ‘fly’ through the water over quite some distance. The several viewing windows provide ample opportunity to see the spectacle of these birds moving rapidly below the water surface. The banks around the pool contain large plastic pipes that serve as nesting facilities. A considerable number of specimens of two penguin species are on display, Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti), and black-footed penguin (Spheniscus demersus), and one single Northern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes moseleyi) called Ricky. Nevertheless the size of the enclosure offers enough space for the animals to have their own territory, when necessary. The Zoo exploits the attraction of penguin beach to visitors to generate additional income. Next to the common merchandise, there is a grandstand to see the penguins go wild and dive through the water during daily feeding times. Moreover, the Zoo has launched ‘Meet the Penguins’ encounters where visitors can get up-close with the penguins, and actually touch the animals, within penguin beach for £45 per person. Such animal exploitation is not what I like to see in zoos, because I doubt if it really adds something to the important educational message about nature conservation that zoos try to get across to the public. People will absolutely remember their moment of contact with the live animals vividly, but will this experience not supersede the message about the plight of these animals in nature? But I may be wrong, of course.
Butterfly paradise is a walk-through enclosure that showcases a vast array of butterfly species. While walking around in this environment you can enjoy not only the butterflies, but there are also many beautiful plants, which the butterflies feed upon. Although this enclosure was launched in May 2006, already in 1881 London Zoo created the first exhibit developed exclusively for invertebrates. Most of the animals kept there were butterflies and moths, effectively making it the world’s first butterfly house. They breed some butterflies on the premises, but many have come as pupae from butterfly farms in their native area. The Zoo support these community businesses because it gives local people a sustainable income in a way that doesn’t further damage the forests. The enclosure design supposed to resemble a giant caterpillar according to the Zoo’s website, and in a way it does. But to be perfectly honest, when the original childish entrance (caterpillar head) is missing, I think it looks more like a temporarily enclosure — a greenhouse designed like a tunnel. But as soon as you enter the enclosure you are overwhelmed by the hot and humid environment, and the colourful display of fluttering little creatures. The sound of oriental music adds to this atmosphere.
Surprisingly, as it was just a few degrees above 0 °C, a lot of animals originating from warmer climate could be seen in their outdoor enclosure, even when they had the choice between indoors and outdoors. For instance the lions, the servals, the Sumatran tigers and a hornbill seemed to enjoy the cold weather. The squirrel monkeys were the only primates I saw in their outdoors facilities, the walk-through enclosure.
One of the major undertakings at the moment within London Zoo is the construction of the new tiger enclosure, called Tiger Territory. This new tiger exhibit is being built around one side of the Casson Pavilion, and will be 5 times bigger than the current enclosure for Sumatran tigers. It is scheduled to open in March this year, and from what I could see of the work in progress it contains a rather large pool and the size will indeed be a huge improvement for the Panthera tigris sumatrae.
The Blackburn Pavilion is a redevelopment of the bird house that once was a reptile house. They turned this old building into a wonderful modern birds exhibit with in the entrance hall several small aviaries, but behind this area you will find a walk-through exhibit with free flying tropical birds, including tropical plants and a rainforest humidity. Outside the Pavilion there are outdoor aviaries where the hornbill enjoyed the cold weather, which I mentioned earlier.
The Zoos’ two Komodo dragons, starring in the latest James Bond movie ‘Skyfall’, are kept separate in two large indoor enclosures both with a small pond, tree trunks, bushes and shrubs, designed to resemble a dry river bed, the Dragon’s natural habitat. The dragons also have access to a small outdoor enclosure. Apart from being movie stars the dragons are subject to research, conducted to see how often the dragons will go into the sun by measuring UV radiation. The next door building contain reptile and amphibian vivariums which are nice, but are just a row of small exhibits very similar to many other zoos.
12.05.2011
Not having time enough to see it all during my visit two years ago, I needed to return and at least see the animals and exhibits I had to skip last time. First exhibit to see was the ‘Rainforest life’, which opened to the public at Easter 2010. Closed for refurbishment two years ago the building now offers an excellent exhibition of South-American wildlife, kept in different types of enclosures. The most impressive one is the small theatre in the centre of the building. I call it a theatre, because it gives you the idea of walking on balcony level of a theatre while the animals give a performance of their everyday life. It is just as if a small piece of South-American rainforest has been transferred to London Zoo, and the visitor can walk around this equivalent of rainforest to enjoy close encounters with Southern tamandua, Two-toed sloth, Golden-headed tamarin, Emperor tamarin, Red titi monkey, Sunbittern and others. About every five minutes water is atomised on the plants and trees to keep the humidity of the exhibit at the right level. This increases the experience even more. The animals are allowed to use the balcony even when there are visitors around, and visitors are warned not to touch the animals. It is like you are intruding into their world, which is true of course. It literally removes barriers and turns you into a member of this jungle life, not so much the observer anymore — if you like to think so.
Next to this jungle imitation there are several other enclosures along the outer wall of the building. These enclosures do not allow for close encounters, because the visitors and animals are separated by glass window panes. Nevertheless, the Goeldi’s monkeys, Golden lion tamarins, Cotton-headed tamarins and Geoffroy’s marmosets enjoy their enclosures and play to their heart’s content. Their indoor exhibits are small in size, but they have access to outdoor enclosures on one side of the building.
Not far from the ‘Rainforest life’, the Asian small-clawed otters are resting and enjoying the sunshine in their beautiful enclosure, which contains 2 pools and a small stream. Lots of bamboo add to the naturalistic look and hides some of the fences. The enclosure provides many hideouts and enrichment for this playful animals, which are absolutely indifferent to the visitors while they are ‘chilling’ on the rocks. At the time of visit major refurbishment is ongoing with regard to the indoor facilities.
The elongated enclosure of the African hunting dog seems empty, but this could be due to two new arrivals which recently have been added to the pack. This enclosure is opposite Snowdon’s aviary, just across Regent’s canal. It has got big outdoor facilities that can be split into two separate enclosures, for reasons like allowing new arrivals get acquainted with the existing animals without having big fights all the time, or separate an injured specimen from the pack.
Something I already saw during my first visit in 2009, struck me even harder this time after having seen the rainforest exhibit. It’s the design of the cages of the white-cheeked gibbons and the Colobus monkeys. These enclosures are really old-fashioned when compared to the enclosures of the gorillas (the ‘Gorilla kingdom’) and those of the white-naped mangabeys, the red-faced spider monkeys, the Francois langurs, the Sulawesi creste macaques and the squirrel monkeys. All of these animals are provided with plenty of (natural) enrichment like trees, shrubs, and ropes which is in sharp contrast with the steel bars that should the gibbons give the chance to exhibit natural behaviour. Especially the ‘Gorilla kingdom’ and the ‘Meet the monkeys’ enclosure show that modern design and modern standards are rewarding to both the animals and the public. For instance the black-capped squirrel monkeys inhabit a walkthrough exhibit that is just like a little forest. The animals can hide from the public in the trees, but they could get close if they want to. There is lots of space for the 16 monkeys (13 female, 2 three-day old babys) to do what they normally do, and it still gives the public the chance to get a close look of the animals.
One of the most extraordinary enclosures is the ‘Mappin Terrace’, especially for the period when it was designed by John Newton Mappin. This imitation of a mountain landscape was designed to provide a naturalistic habitat for bears and other animals, and was completed in 1914. The construction of the terraces showed what could be done with reinforced concrete, which was then a comparatively new material. The cavernous interior, like that of a real mountain, holds reservoirs of water which is filtered and circulated into the Aquarium below. The Mappin Terraces currently houses Bennett’s wallabies, emus, black swan and Brolga crane (Grus rubicunda). The red soil and red earthen wall indeed provides this exhibit with the feel of the Australian outback.
When looking for the serval house I passed the Sumatran tigers, where a notice said that the Zoo plans a brand new enclosure for this beautiful large but endangered predator. The new enclosure will be as large as 2400 m2 and is to be opened in spring 2013. This will be an enormous improvement for the tigers, but though they are confined to a much smaller area now, it has got a nice landscape. The same can be said about the servals (2 specimens) enclosure, which got an indoor room adjacent to the outdoor space. The indoors is quite small, but they have done the utmost to have it look a lot bigger, with a painted landscape on the walls. Outside, with trees, grass and shrubs, the servals could imagine themselves in the savannah, except that there is a wire mesh roof at about 3 – 4 meters above ground. This is a bit low perhaps for predators who are able to catch birds in their flight. Inside as well as outside the long-legged cats are provided with high level observation posts.
24.06.2009
It is obvious that things have changed in London zoo. They made some clear-cut choices. And they had to, because of the crisis in the nineties of the last century, when the zoo almost had to close down. In the limited area in Regent’s Park in London’s city center they have been able to provide all the animals (more or less) spacious enclosures. There has been a dedicated decrease of species to achieve the current situation. Probably thanks to this drastic decision they managed to preserve the park-like appearance. And together with its historical monumental buildings it creates an oasis of tranquility in a big metropole. When there are no school classes around, of course.
Many large animals have been moved to Whipsnade zoo in Dunstable, which is also managed by the Zoological Society of London. The elephant, bear and rhinoceros now are to be seen in Whipsnade. As is the cheetah, which flourishes and shows it by a very high reproduction rate.
One of the most famous zoos in the world, started as a scientific zoological research center. Unfortunately, like in many other zoos, there is no information given on ESB or EEP membership of London zoo species, neither at the information kiosk or on the signs near the enclosures. These kind of manifestations of the zoo’s specialties, would increase the information value for the visitors interested in zoology and nature conservation.
Som e architecturally striking buildings have been erected over the years, though not all were fit for purpose. Like Lubetkin’s Penguin Pool is a beautiful design, but it is acknowledged as unsuitable for penguins, finally. It is empty now, and the penguins have been transfered to a more suitable enclosure. Snowdon’s Aviary, however, is still a state-of-the-art enclosure that provides plenty of space for the birds to fly and as a walk-through exhibit provides the opportunity for close encounters. The Casson Pavilion, with its high concrete walls, was fit for purpose, but the elephants left the premises and many visitors consider it as ugly.
Well, as the Penguin beach is close to the entrance I first had a look at this new enclosure. Indeed, it has a very large pool, which allows the penguins to ‘fly’ through the water over quite some distance. The several viewing windows provide ample opportunity to see the spectacle of these birds moving rapidly below the water surface. The banks around the pool contain large plastic pipes that serve as nesting facilities. A considerable number of specimens of two penguin species are on display, Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti), and black-footed penguin (Spheniscus demersus), and one single Northern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes moseleyi) called Ricky. Nevertheless the size of the enclosure offers enough space for the animals to have their own territory, when necessary. The Zoo exploits the attraction of penguin beach to visitors to generate additional income. Next to the common merchandise, there is a grandstand to see the penguins go wild and dive through the water during daily feeding times. Moreover, the Zoo has launched ‘Meet the Penguins’ encounters where visitors can get up-close with the penguins, and actually touch the animals, within penguin beach for £45 per person. Such animal exploitation is not what I like to see in zoos, because I doubt if it really adds something to the important educational message about nature conservation that zoos try to get across to the public. People will absolutely remember their moment of contact with the live animals vividly, but will this experience not supersede the message about the plight of these animals in nature? But I may be wrong, of course.
Butterfly paradise is a walk-through enclosure that showcases a vast array of butterfly species. While walking around in this environment you can enjoy not only the butterflies, but there are also many beautiful plants, which the butterflies feed upon. Although this enclosure was launched in May 2006, already in 1881 London Zoo created the first exhibit developed exclusively for invertebrates. Most of the animals kept there were butterflies and moths, effectively making it the world’s first butterfly house. They breed some butterflies on the premises, but many have come as pupae from butterfly farms in their native area. The Zoo support these community businesses because it gives local people a sustainable income in a way that doesn’t further damage the forests. The enclosure design supposed to resemble a giant caterpillar according to the Zoo’s website, and in a way it does. But to be perfectly honest, when the original childish entrance (caterpillar head) is missing, I think it looks more like a temporarily enclosure — a greenhouse designed like a tunnel. But as soon as you enter the enclosure you are overwhelmed by the hot and humid environment, and the colourful display of fluttering little creatures. The sound of oriental music adds to this atmosphere.
