Bad Luck for the Pygmy Hippos-it seems, outdoor exhibits for bigger mammals become a luxery-also in europe....
They have a large indoor area of 250 m², they can use 24 hours. Your are right, a outdoor area would be better, but a 250 m² indoor area is much larger than other zoos can provide.
Does anyone have any idea how many people it takes to maintain this exhibit? keepers, horticulture, engineering maint etc?