This is just a bit of fun to judge the general consensus on the best enclosure for Chimpanzee's in the UK. I have added a few photos from the gallery to make it easier for members to compare the different exhibits. If anyone wants to make an argument for a particular enclosure, please feel free to do so. Also, I would encourage people to perhaps list the enclosures in order of what they determine to be the best. There weren't enough options to include every collection, so I have included an other option. In this case you would be voting for Belfast or Welsh Mountain Zoo. If you do please specify which one you're voting for. Chester Colchester Dudley Whipsnade Twycross Monkey World Wingham Belfast Edinburgh Blair Drummond
Some zoos (Chester, Colchester, Monkey World) make fair stabs at being the best, but are let down (Colchester’s outdoors isn’t used much by the chimps, and Chester and Monkey World both have pretty meh/crappy indoors). But Edinburgh is the only zoo in the UK I have visited that has purpose built the enclosure to be like a wild chimpanzee territory. The three onshow indoor dayrooms have varied light levels, multiple levels to nest/climb in, and overhead and underground tunnels lined with metal to allow male chimpanzees to display. Their outdoors isn’t quite as big as Chester’s, but has just as much foliage, and a much better climbing frame. Easy win.
This was a tough one. IMO... Indoor (best to 'least best') 1. Twycross (10pts) 2. Edinburgh (9pts) 3. Wingham (8pts) 4. Dudley (7pts) 5. Chester (6pts) 6. Monkey World (MW does have other better indoor areas than the one pictured above) (5pts) 7. Colchester (4pts) 8. Whipsnade (3pts) 9. Belfast (2pts) 10. Welsh Mountain (1pt) (Blair Drummond omitted) Outdoor (best to 'least best') 1. Chester (10pts) 2. Monkey World (9pts) 3. Edinburgh (8pts) 4. Dudley (7pts) 5. Whipsnade (6pts) 6. Twycross (5pts) 7. Colchester (4pts) 8. Wingham (3pts) 9. Belfast (2pts) 10. Welsh Mountain (1pt) (Blair Drummond omitted) Overall (best to 'least best') 1. Edinburgh (9 + 8 = 17pts) 2. Chester (6 + 10 = 16 pts) 3. Twycross (10 + 5 = 15pts) 4. Dudley (7 + 7 = 14pts) and Monkey World (5 + 9 = 14pts) 6. Wingham (8 + 3 = 11pts) 7. Whipsnade (3 + 6 = 9pts) 8. Colchester (4 + 4 = 8pts) 9. Belfast (2 + 2 = 4pts) 10. Welsh Mountain (1 + 1 = 2pts)
To be honest I think my top 3 in my list of outdoor enclosures are all completely interchangeable. Monkey World's is the most spacious. Chester's has the densest foliage. Edinburgh's has the best climbing structures.
My instant thought was Edinburgh, but unlike orangutans, I don't think there are any awful chimp enclosures in the main UK(haven't seen any of the' other' group though!
It would appear there is a stand out leader for best Chimpanzee enclosure with Edinburgh currently having over 75% of the vote. In general, the standard of Chimpanzee exhibits seems reasonably high with only a couple of below average enclosures. They certainly fair much better than the more difficult to house Orangutans.
It seems to be that most zoos either have fantastic indoor or outdoor exhibit, rather than both like Edinburgh.
The results are in. Congratulations to Edinburgh on winning the poll for Best UK Chimpanzee enclosure. This was a comprehensive victory and the largest for any of the 4 Great Ape categories. Clearly demonstrating Edinburgh's exhibits strength in this category. A brief mention for Twycross who did well to come second with their new enclosure. Edinburgh: 72.7% Twycross: 12.1% Chester: 3.0% Colchester: 3.0% Dudley: 3.0% Whipsnade: 3.0% Monkey World: 3.0%
With time, the outdoor exhibit at Twycross will look fantastic... It just hasn't had the chance to "grow out" yet.
The thing is there aren't many plants in there to grow; just a few scrubby shrubs and a couple of spindly trees. Oddly, what plants are in there are arranged in a rather un-naturalistic fashion. As has been said before, horticulture isn't Twycross's strong suit. On top of that, the rest of the outdoor area is too small to ever be considered "fantastic" and the climbing opportunities aren't very extensive as a result. However, I don't think anyone can be 'mad' at Twycross's new chimp outdoor area because what they have built for them is still miles better than what they had before.
Agree about the planting, they look rather like a couple of planted out herbaceous beds. I think massive planting of arrow bamboo and similar would help immeasurably here (as at Edinburgh?) without that its never going to approach 'natural'-looking. However, like you I'm just pleased its a huge improvement on what they had previously.
I was meaning to vote in this poll today but hadn't realised it had closed already! Is there a real need to close them so quickly? For the record, my vote would have gone to Monkey World which would have pushed it up to third place.
No, there is no need I guess, I just assumed by the end of the 4 day window most people would have voted. If you wanted to vote but the poll has closed for this thread or any other then either message me privately or on the thread and at a later date I can update the results. I will put you down as having voted for Monkey World.
I am quite biased but what is actually wrong with Colchesters it has been upgraded recently and I don't see what its let downs are
Do you think Colchester is better than Edinburgh and/or Twycross? They are the only two that beat it.
True in terms of sheer size it is nowhere near on par with Budongo trail I just expected it to be closer to Twycross because I think it is just as good or better- Twycross is a lot better but we only have 5 individuals at the moment.
