I've been having a discussion on another forum about captive chimps. The person I've been speaking to is very anti-zoo and cites Antwerp as a very bad exhibit with unhappy animals. I've never been, but it's my belief that keepers tend to work hard to keep their charges happy even if the enclosure isn't perfect. Has anyone on here been? Could you share your insights on Antwerp?
Chimp exhibit - outdoors I visited Antwerpen ZOO this summer and might be able to help you with a little insight. The Ape House was opened in 1959 and given a complete overhaul in 1986 to look like its current state, although it also got a slight makeover last year. This Ape House is not brilliant but certainly far from the worst as well. The chimps actually have some pretty nice indoor/outdoor enclosures. I call them this because they are outdoors but covered over and sheltered on the sides, the advantage being that the animals can use them when it is cold outside. These are filled with climbing frames and other "fun" stuff. Note the large amount of enrichment features in the exhibits in the pictures below. There are two outdoor exhibits of a decent size for a small group of chimps. The exhibits are usually connected but can be separated if need be. The first of the two chimpanzee exhibits. The visitors observe the chimps through glass A view into the first of the two chimpanzee exhibits. The second of the two chimpanzee exhibits. A view into the second of the two chimpanzee exhibits.
Chimp exhibit - indoors The indoor exhibit consists of five smaller exhibits inside the Ape House that are all connected to each other as well as to some backstage holding areas. While not being ideal in size they are well designed with climbing frames, a fake termite mound, etc. Also, the chimps can easily get away from each other. All the indoor chimpanzee exhibits inside the Ape House. Note the termite mound. Three of the indoor exhibits. One of the five indoor exhibits. Another one of the five indoor exhibits. In my humble opinion this chimpanzee exhibit is FAR from the worst I have ever seen. It may not be very big but the design of it and the potential that Antwerpen ZOO has managed to extract from a very old building is impressive. And I would rather see a group of chimps in a densely furnished and enriched environment than a large, flat field.
Thank you for your insight and thoughts toddy. it's a very interesting exhibit. It sounds very like colchesters chimp exclosure, though it seems a bit bigger. It's certainly not naturalistic, but like you say it looks very well equipped and not the doom laden place I'd heard about at all.
This is indeed the original Ape House from from 1959. All the water-moated yards (I believe there were three of them) were converted to the current outdoor exhibits in 1986. The indoor exhibits are the same as always though with major facelifts. I cannot confirm the species you mention above but my guess would be that you are right. When I visited in 2006 the house held chimpanzees, orangutans and gorillas. Now only the chimps and gorillas are left. Presumably the bonobo group moved to Planckendael? The indoor and outdoor exhibits formerly inhabited by orangutans are now used for chimpanzees.
I visited the Zoo and this house once- in 1968! There were Bonobos (0.3), Eastern Lowland(2.2) & Western Lowland(1.1) Gorillas and Bornean Orangutan(1.1?) living here and it did seem very cramped, especially the indoors though I must admit it doesn't look at all familiar to me now.
That a long time ago. It's the same building with it's indoor viewing areas and night enclosures. The outdoor moated yards are now (since 86) the day enclosures for a mixed group of gorilla (western and eastern lowland) and a non breeding group of chimps. Recently the zoo has annouced the construction of outdoors enclosures for both species on the former grounds of the old birds of prey aviaries, the children's playground and some adjacent paths. It will connect the Moorish Temple (okapi, duiker, great blue turaco) with the now almost ready new Savannah exibit (restaurant, cape buffalo aviay, hartmann mountain zebra + giraffe mixed exibit) through a walk through rainforest canyon.
