Not knowing or having ever visited Howletts, I am also somewhat confused. Are you saying this is a must see zoo, because no one does 'ugly yet functional' (in the sense of animal friendly) quite like Howletts? Because that's the gist I get out of your review.
United Kingdom - Bristol Zoo Founded: 1836 Size: 5 hectares Species and subspecies (including domestics): Mammals 55 Birds 65 Reptiles & amphibians 54 Fish 124 Invertebrates 197 When you are a zoo that is limited by its age and size, tough choices have to be made. This is especially true when the national obsessions are gardens and lawns. The Bristol Zoo has however been able to make the full transformation from ABC zoo to a city zoo that works perfectly within its limits. The only large ABC's left are Gorilla, Lion, Taper and Pygmy hippo and the remaining mammal collection is varied and very interesting for any zoo enthusiast. The night house with Quoll and Aye-aye is among the best in Europe and though many enclosures throughout the zoo are not the most spacious they fit well. Other goodies in the collection include Tree kangaroo, Livingstone's fruit bat and Agile gibbon. The bird collection is slightly more standard, but still varied and there are some rarities such as Tarictic hornbill. Where Bristol excels is in the cold-blooded department. The aquarium and reptile house are both home to a good selection of ectotherms, but are nothing out of the ordinary. A real highlight is however the invertebrate collection, with Europe's only Howe's Island stick insects and Bristol is one of the leading zoos in ex situ invertebrate conservation, with species as the Desertas wolf spider and several Partula snails. Bristol Zoo has let go of the large mammals, which can now partly be seen in its sister zoo The Wild Place, but the Zoo itself is still developing itself after almost 200 years of existence and focusing more and more on smaller species. @bongorob , Twilight Zone, the nocturnal house @Maguari , Reptile house @Maguari , Gorilla house @Brum , General view Zoochat gallery: Bristol Zoo | ZooChat www.bristolzoo.org.uk Zoo map: Facilities at Bristol Zoo | Plan you Bristol Zoo visit online | Bristol Zoo
I notice that you put at least three not-so-great zoos (Chemnitz, Artis and Bristol) because of their efforts with amphibians, insects or reptiles. Which prompts a question: which reptile parks and insect/butterfly parks in Europe are above average?
Bristol has other claims to greatness -- first UK zoo to breed Okapi, Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Black Rhinoceros.
I like this too, it’s very interesting. I’d like to see a North American zoo try this, just to see the reactions on zoochat.
Another exhibit which didn't get mentioned is Seal & Penguin Coast , pretty good for a zoo of this size and particularly when other city zoos in the UK have given up on Pinnipeds!
I had a picture of it in the thread, until I found one of the general view, but I didn't think to much of it honestly.... Only 4 zoos to go and still I don't think any could predict this combination of 4 correctly ;p
Maybe add twycross to that outsider list I recon it could be in with a shout based on it’s fairly impressive ape and monkey collection.
Longleat has to be worth a shout, for its historical significance if nothing else. And possibly the Yorkshire WP, as an example of how, building in an area that was ripe with potential, it has been possible to create a very successful zoo out of nothing.
Maybe its historical status might get it a place but I really hope it doesn't make it, I think Woburn would be the most deserving UK safari park. Former home to the Duke Of Bedford, saving grace of the Pere Davids deer, and a much nicer park than Longleat. Good call on Yorkshire, that reasoning never even occurred to me.
I am going to have to disappoint you, but nobody got more than 2 correct. Zoos that have been included (and more importantly excluded) should be a hint to what is to come... Jersey has been already, as it is not part of the UK, the first post of the thread contains the list so far. Apenheul has already been in the list and that basically trumps Twycross in every aspect, except in absolute number of species.
Funny, I am at Yorkshire Wildlife Park now and was just thinking the same! I suggested Longleat earlier for historical significance alone, but really don't think it deserves a place now there are only 4 left!
It's the UK for me. Same as NZ is Australia for CGSwans. Because it just seems that both countries would be better for their inclusion.
In that case I should have listed Antwerp as part of the Netherlands and given Pairi Daiza to France , in which case I don't think @Vision would have approved .
