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lintworm

Orang utan outdoor enclosure

The weakest point in the zoo, this is the only outdoor enclosure for the group of 5 (1.2 + offspring) sumatran orang utans in Z?rich. With all the good to worldclass exhibits in Z?rich it is inacceptable that the great apes still live in these small enclosures

Orang utan outdoor enclosure
lintworm, 5 Sep 2014
    • lintworm
      The weakest point in the zoo, this is the only outdoor enclosure for the group of 5 (1.2 + offspring) sumatran orang utans in Zürich.

      With all the good to worldclass exhibits in Zürich it is inacceptable that the great apes still live in these small enclosures
    • snowleopard
      @lintworm It is rather remarkable that there are still orangutans in these conditions at such a world-class zoological facility. I know that the Mongolian Steppe area is finished; then there is the upcoming Australian zone (2018); then the African Savanna and gorilla complex...when will the orangutans receive a new home? What will eventually happen to the Great Ape House?
    • pachyderm pro
      Please tell me this is a sick joke! Absolutely pathetic, even more so sense it's from the same facility that made the Mosoala Rainforest, Bears of Cloud Forest, and the most breath taking elephant house on the planet (Mediocre outdoor yards, but I digress).
    • lintworm
      I do not know why this is not the top priority. The indoor enclosures are still ok, but als not big and as the outdoor enclosures are absolutely pathetic, this house is imo the weakest point of the zoo.

      @snowleopard According to the current masterplan a new gorilla +orangutan house is planned next to the elephant enclosure, a date is not mentioned, but it should be between 2022-2025 when it is finished. The area of the current ape house is marked for "coastal display: otters, seals & birds".
      snowleopard likes this.
    • snowleopard
      @lintworm Thanks for the information. Since Zurich has been evolving into a zoo with continental zones and clearly defined areas for Africa, Asia, South America and Australia then I'm surprised that the orangutans and gorillas would be next to each other. However, the "coastal display" news is exciting and certainly Zurich is going to remain one of the great European zoos for many years to come.
    • lintworm
      @snowleopard Originally the gorilla house was to be shared with pygmy hippo and the orang utans would get a new enclosure at the current ape house. But in the new master plan that was changed. It would make for a mixed zone with the elephant house (based on Thailand), the Lewa savanna (Kenya), the Masoala hall (Madagascar), gelada exhibit (Ethiopia) and the children's zoo as neighbors.

      If not for the ape house, I would call Zurich potentially the best zoo in Europe, as their new enclosures are often outstanding and they are very strong in both education and conservation. But this house brings the level a bit down....
    • Giant Panda
      @lintworm What do you consider the best zoo in Europe? Blijdorp and Schönbrunn are arguably the best all-round contenders, but I prefer Zurich's mostly great over their consistently very good.

      EDIT: Beauval just came to mind as well, which I'm hoping to visit for the first time this year.
    • lintworm
      @Giant Panda my personal top three consists of Vienna, Zurich, and Burgers Zoo. The last probably due to the fact I have been coming there before I could even walk. Vienna is probably the best all-round, but Zurich is getting closer each year ;) I am personally not the biggest fan of Blijdorp and especially their recent developments cannot impress me...

      I will hopefully be visiting Chester and Prague for the first time this year and I am very curious about them. I want to go to Beauval and Doue one day as well, but you can't do everything in 1 year...
      Giant Panda likes this.
    • CGSwans
      @lintworm I found my way here by way of the Cup thread. Do you have a link to the Zurich masterplan? I'm curious.
    • lintworm
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  • Category:
    Zürich Zoo
    Uploaded By:
    lintworm
    Date:
    5 Sep 2014
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    3,293
    Comment Count:
    14