This is just a bit of fun to judge the general consensus on the best enclosure for Lynx'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. If anyone has any photos of the exhibits I couldn't find any for could they please provide them or if not provide a description of the exhibit. If anyone wants to vote for a collection not explicitly mentioned in the poll could they please vote for the other option and then state in the thread who you're voting for. South Lakes (Canadian) Unfortunately, there are no photos of this enclosure in the gallery. It would be extremely useful if someone who has visited can describe the exhibit and give an evaluation on its quality. Northumberland CZ (Canadian) Unfortunately, there are no photos of this enclosure in the gallery. It would be extremely useful if someone who has visited can describe the exhibit and give an evaluation on its quality. Hamerton (Canadian) Exmoor (Carpathian) Green Dragon Eco Farm (Carpathian) Unfortunately, there are no photos of this enclosure in the gallery. It would be extremely useful if someone who has visited can describe the exhibit and give an evaluation on its quality. Dudley (Carpathian) Port Lympne (Carpathian) Newquay (Carpathian) Dartmoor (Carpathian) Camperdown (Northern) Woodside (Central Asian) Big Cat Sanctuary (Northern) Lake District WP (Northern) Unfortunately, there are no photos of this enclosure in the gallery. It would be extremely useful if someone who has visited can describe the exhibit and give an evaluation on its quality. Birmingham WCP (Northern) Wild Place (Northern) Wildwood (Northern) Whipsnade (Northern) New Forest WP (Northern) Ark WP (Northern) Drayton Manor (Northern) Wingham (Northern) Unfortunately, there are no photos of this enclosure in the gallery. It would be extremely useful if someone who has visited can describe the exhibit and give an evaluation on its quality. Scottish Deer Centre (Northern) Highland (Northern) Five Sisters (Northern) Unfortunately, there are no photos of this enclosure in the gallery. It would be extremely useful if someone who has visited can describe the exhibit and give an evaluation on its quality.
Borth (Northern) Wolds WP (Northern) Mablethorpe SS (Northern) Unfortunately, there are no photos of this enclosure in the gallery. It would be extremely useful if someone who has visited can describe the exhibit and give an evaluation on its quality.
I voted for Whipsnade, it was a close call for me between ZSL's and Birmingham Conservation Centre. The lynx enclosure at Dudley did seem somewhat refreshed and renovated compared to the pictures in this thread when I visited last week. Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos of the exhibit.
For me, it's between New Forest and Wildplace... New forest takes the lead for me (just). Edit - for justification, the New forest exhibit is far denser in terms of its vegetation than any of the other exhibits in the poll (from what I believe). It's full of trees and climbing platforms, and is huge!! I'll try and dig out some more photos, as I have them saved somewhere.
I just wanted to upload some up to date shots of the enclosure at Birmingham WCP, as the climbing frame is no longer present and the vegetation has grown through a lot more.
It’s been years since I went to Drayton Manor, but both there’s and Borths Enclosures look (from the photos) horrendous!
I have voted for the Birmingham exhibit - the ones at Whipsnade and Highland Wildlife Park are pretty damn good too, but in terms of size, level of vegetation cover and suitability for the species the enclosure at BWCP has the edge methinks.
I went for Wild Place. Honestly, I haven't seen all of the options here, but the enclosure at WP blew my mind in terms of how naturalistic it is, the tree climbing opportunities, the options of gradient, shade, cover and probability that some stalking and even hunting could take place. The off-show indoor dens look to be very good and once the inhabitants have gained some confidence with the fast returning public, both adults and the new litter of kittens will provide great viewing. Linked to the wider context of the Bear Wood exhibit, educational signage and the overriding re-wilding message, this is the clear winner for me.
I'm not sure what the current set-up at Mablethorpe is. The Lynx Cave exhibit is excellent, but on my last visit in 2017 it was closed for refurbishment, with the animals housed in a temporary enclosure normally inhabited by foxes and badgers. This was perfectly adequate with a raised platform at the very back, and some foliage, but certainly wouldn't be worthy of winning this poll. The usual Lynx exhibit is an Ice Age themed exhibit, with lots of high vantage points and rocks for the cats to climb on. There is also a walk-through tunnel with lots of educational displays showing how Lincolnshire may have looked during the Ice Age, which passes directly beneath the Lynx enclosure and also offers views of their dens behind glass, as well as a higher viewing area. Oh and as far as I'm aware they keep three Lynx - I think they're all females.
Here's a couple of Mablethorpe taken last March. They don't show much if the enclosure unfortunately.
I voted for new forest as i love their enclosure. Dartmoors enclosure has much more plant coverage now and more climbing opportunities, can see if i can find an up to date pic at some point.
Thanks for posting these - it looks like they're back in the cave exhibit then. I absolutely love that enclosure, although the back of it looks different with more wood boarding etc. which slightly spoils the effect. Undecided whether to vote for it or not now!
European Lynx Curraghs IOM by Ickbur posted 25 Jun 2020 at 3:57 PM European Lynx Curraghs IOM by Ickbur posted 25 Jun 2020 at 3:57 PM European Lynx Curraghs IOM by Ickbur posted 25 Jun 2020 at 3:57 PM European Lynx Curraghs IOm by Ickbur posted 25 Jun 2020 at 3:57 PM Curraghs is the Wildlife Park on the Isle Of Man which is part of Great Britain but not the UK! Curraghs flagship exhibit is for the European Lynx. It reminds me of a smaller version of the old Lion paddock at Chester Zoo. I’d say between 1/3 and 1/2 that old exhibits size. It’s is grassed with a few large conifer type tress and several platforms for the cats to rest on or under. There is one main yard and several dens (one off show) which give some great views of these cats. There is also another smaller yard. There are four viewing points around the exhibit but the rest of the fenced area is hidden by vegetation to provide some privacy. I have found the Lynx here are particularly active and we visit nearly every month. At the moment there are two Lynx yo my knowledge but they have definitely had three in the past. I haven’t seen all the alternatives on the list but it is far better than both Dudley and Drayton. I have a lot of pictures and video which I will try to post
Score update. Whipsnade currently have the lead by 4 votes over Wild Place. There appears to be several excellent exhibits in this category. I would be interested to hear those arguments in favour of Whipsnade as I believe there have been none so far. @ShonenJake13 @MagpieGoose @gulogulogulo who are you voting for?
I've voted NFWP. Of the ones I've seen I think its by far the best, certainly much better than the current leader, Whipsnade. I think the several heavily wooded/treed enclosures like New Forest's, Birmingham, Wild Place etc do deserve to score a lot over the ones that aren't.
As I've mentioned above, I agree with you - the NFWP exhibit is seriously being let down in the votes!
