Copenhagen Zoo - Baboon cliffs

The old baboon cliffs (built in 1928) in Copenhagen Zoo har are part of the World of Primates building. These baboons are hamadryas baboons.
Taken in Copenhagen Zoo, 2006.

Not really beautiful sight ... Is it under protection of monuments?

No it isn't. The only thing in the zoo that comes close to that is the old Elephant House. Your' right, it ain't pretty. I'm not sure how the animals feel about it though...

It looks a bit like the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland don't you think?
So many zoos have these sort of concrete islands enclosures for baboons, it's so unimaginative.

Indeed, yet the babboons never seem bothered by it. One of the best babboon exhibits in the UK is entirely concrete

This baboon enclosure in Copenhagen teaches the public that it is okay to have intelligent primates on god-awful concrete "mountains". Where is the artistry? Where is the message of conservation within the creation of a naturalistic habitat? Brutal cage.

A brutal cage? Let's not go nuts...

These baboon cliffs were opened in 1928 so considering that they have stood the test of time. Conservation wasn't exactly a "big thing" back then. The baboons are doing very well there and enjoy all the vertical space and climbing possibilities provided in this exhibit.

A pretty sight? No, certainly not. But since the baboons are doing fine here, Copenhagen Zoo would rather spend their money updating the more outdated exhibits such as the ones for polar bears and chimpanzees. They will get to the baboons but right now there are bigger and more pressing jobs. And it is not possible to do it all at once.

One suggestion I heard a while ago was that the baboons be moved to the lion exhibit when they eventually move out. But nothing is certain yet.

Which one is that?

I don't necessarily think that it is awful for the animals, but you have to admit it looks pretty ugly. I know that it is difficult to put in vegetation as it gets quickly destroyed. I'm only going from the photo as I've not been to Copenhagen.

Awul? Certainly not! But ugly, yes. But like I said, conservation and immersion exhibits were not exactly "in" back in 1928. And the gravel in the bottom of the exhibit also provides loads of enrichment for the baboons, when, for instance, live worms are fed to the monkeys.

I meant Paignton, although thinking about it that probably is a bit of a stretch to claim it as the "best". It's still great though, very good for the babboons dues to the size, vantage points etc, and also for the humans due to the number of babboons they have. It doesn't have great viewing though.