Lack of Branchiation in Gibbon Exhibit

A mesh "aviary" such as this ... with that fake tree ... is not inexpensive. Somewhere there must be a story we do not know. The assorted vertical dead trees would easily create the basis for a better "highway" of suitable vines for swinging and sitting ... so why are they not there? (There are some visible)
(we'll leave aside the issue of apparent lack of shade).
Very hard to understand simply based on what we are seeing in this one photo.

Hi Zooplantman,

A ball park $US price on this exhibit? Obviously not including off exhibit areas we cannot see in the picture.

can't really say... aviary and exhibit fabrication costs are not my "thing."
And when you factor is whatever site preparation was required... whether that pool had to be built... the viewing shelter and boardwalk...
Plus we don't know the area or the height.

But let's say over US$800,000 to US$1million for the exhibit after demolition and site preparation

The development included a fair bit of landscaping, a large house, a play area, theming and enclosures for otters, anoa, prevost's squirrels and tree shrews.

Pool was there at the start however.

I suspect in this case that, odd as it might sound, the emphasis on creating a modern looking spacious enclosure(the previous one was awful- a metal cage) has somehow eclipsed the inhabitants real needs. Or they haven't 'got around' to the necessary improvements(no excuse if its three years old though) I've seen this enclosure a number of times but there seem to have been no changes made since it was first built. It does look remarkably empty when you see it at firsthand.

They really should visit a few other Siamang/gibbon enclosures to see what is required- 'Monkeyworld' would be a good start as all their gibbon enclosures are furnished to allow the Gibbons maximum activity.

Thank-you,

Working out my zoo budget

I just don't understand how a top flight zoo like Marwell makes such a fundamental stuff-up with a new enclosure?

There wasn't a lot of before hand demolition as the park built this on the existing pond as Zambar said. Before hand the pond had islands which were home to various tamarin and marmoset species.

As he also said, there is several other enclosures including a quite extensive otter enclosure which is the other side of the pond (there is a boardwalk through the middle) The indoor accommodation isn't huge but it is also themed and is big enough for the species in my eyes.

Marwell have never been very big on Primates. The previous Siamang cage was horrendous- a metal and wire 'prison.' If they currently have nobody there with a particular interest/experience of Siamang/gibbon behaviour, then just hanging up some ropes etc may seem sufficient to them. Or alternatively they could have been instructed not to fill the enclosure with equipment in order to keep it looking 'spacious'. Ridiculous but I've heard of that sort of thing before.

Where, in my mind, this gets icky, is that we all know that for very little cost, some wood and rope/hose structures could be added at very little cost. Trouble is, they'd ruin the effect of all that theming.