Elefantenhaus section of outdoors 011219

One of the worst elephant exhibits in Germany IMO, small indoors and small outdoors.

@DelacoursLangur can’t disagree, although only so far been to 8 German zoos

@gulogulogulo Better than me, Ive never had the chance to visit Europe, I just know most elephant exhibits pretty well in terms of design as its a topic which interests me. Cologne is by far the best IMO. Munich is probably second, aesthetically its miles in front, but in terms of size its just OK; it makes up for some of this with enrichment, sand floors, and multiple pools indoor and out. Magdeburg is probably third, I would rank it higher but its bull elephant facilities are too small.

Chleby and Duisburg are probably the worst I can think of off the top of my head in Germany.

@DelacoursLangur Having seen this exhibit I would say Krefeld and Stuttgart are very much in the same league. Chleby it seems can't even get the 'in Germany' bit right....

@DelacoursLangur How can you rank exhibits you have never seen in person? As an example I commented here years ago on how awful the Giant otter enclosure in Singapore is, but when seeing it in person it was far better than I thought back then....

@FunkyGibbon Completely forgot about how bad Krefelds exhibit is, add that one to the list. Same with Stuttgart but at least they are in the process of building a new facility. Oh and I mixed up Chleby with Cottbus in my head somehow, apologies.

@lintworm I use a combination of pictures, videos, and satellite measurements to evaluate them. Sure it isnt a perfect science, but I can get a decent picture this way. For example I have found a number of times that the stated acreage of enclosures by zoos if often significantly exaggerated.

I agree that seeing it in person is always preferable however, for example I used to be pretty opposed to the care of Orcas at Sea World San Diego, however when I visited I was pleasantly surprised. Not ideal obviously, but they seemed to have a whole team dedicated to just the Orcas who were keeping them active with training and feedings throughout my day long visit. I hardly saw any stressed or stereotypical behaviors. I imagine that the controversy has caused them to improve their care levels for them, in contrast to the rest of the park much of which was very disappointing. (Belugas, sea lions, pilot whales, and walruses all showed much more unhealthy behaviors, and had inadequate facilities IMO.

I saw an elephant stereotyping here, rocking and repeatedly electrocuting its tail on hot wire. Extremely upsetting to witness.