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The Zoos of Great Britain and Ireland

Discussion in 'TV, Movies, Books about Zoos & Wildlife' started by snowleopard, 12 Dec 2021.

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  1. Brum

    Brum Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Likewise, but my showing is Hamerton. Got a feeling at least one of my choices will be second (Cotswold), and that Chester will probably walk away with the crown.

    *As an aside my other two votes went to Dudley and Exmoor since Birmingham isn't in the book! ;)
     
    Brum, 22 Dec 2021
    #21
  2. Maguari

    Maguari Never could get the hang of Thursdays. 15+ year member Premium Member

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    I'd be very surprised if these two aren't the missing two - but democracy is unpredictable. :D

    (my last vote was Slimbridge, but could have been any of about five..!)
     
    Maguari, 22 Dec 2021
    #22
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  3. Mo Hassan

    Mo Hassan Well-Known Member Premium Member 5+ year member

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    Although I love Highland, and made a special trip there twice in my life so far, it doesn't rank as one of the best for me. Eagerly awaiting the top zoos now!
     
    Mo Hassan, 22 Dec 2021
    #23
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  4. snowleopard

    snowleopard Well-Known Member 15+ year member Premium Member

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    Highland Wildlife Park really is an extraordinary choice for the 3rd favourite zoo in Great Britain. It is a zoological facility that doesn't have very many species (35 or so?), is partly a drive-through, and only 170,000 people visit each year. Yet, it is extremely popular amongst zoo nerds and therefore is a prime example of favourite over best. Kudos to HWP!
     
    snowleopard, 22 Dec 2021
    #24
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  5. snowleopard

    snowleopard Well-Known Member 15+ year member Premium Member

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    The list continues:

    #1 - Will be revealed tomorrow (Chester?)
    #2 - Cotswold Wildlife Park
    #3 - Highland Wildlife Park
    #4 - Bristol
    #5 - Whipsnade
    #6 - Hamerton
    #7 - London
    #8 - Yorkshire Wildlife Park
    #9 - Colchester
    #10 - Edinburgh
    #11 - Jersey
    #12 - Paignton
    #13 - Dublin

    No place in the baker's dozen for Marwell, Slimbridge, Howletts, Dudley, Twycross...
     
    snowleopard, 23 Dec 2021
    #25
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  6. Dassie rat

    Dassie rat Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Dassie rat, 23 Dec 2021
    #26
  7. TeaLovingDave

    TeaLovingDave Moderator Staff Member 10+ year member

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    Mind you, I reckon a pretty good argument *can* be made for HWP being one of the very best zoos in Great Britain :p the questions of size and scale make it harder to form fully-balanced comparisons, of course, but it really does hit WAY over its perceived weight where quality is concerned.
     
    TeaLovingDave, 23 Dec 2021
    #27
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  8. snowleopard

    snowleopard Well-Known Member 15+ year member Premium Member

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    The list is now complete:

    #1 - Chester
    #2 - Cotswold Wildlife Park
    #3 - Highland Wildlife Park
    #4 - Bristol
    #5 - Whipsnade
    #6 - Hamerton
    #7 - London
    #8 - Yorkshire Wildlife Park
    #9 - Colchester
    #10 - Edinburgh
    #11 - Jersey
    #12 - Paignton
    #13 - Dublin

    The #1 zoo (Chester) received almost twice as many votes as the #2 zoo (Cotswold), which clearly illustrates that the U.K. has an incredible #1 zoo that far exceeds any other in terms of popularity. It would be interesting to see such a list a decade ago, as Highland Wildlife Park, Hamerton and Yorkshire Wildlife Park wouldn't be so prominent. Edinburgh and Jersey would perhaps be much higher, with other candidates being zoos such as Marwell and Howletts although they have both fallen by the wayside.

    In terms of its animal collection and size, it's a bit surprising to see Colchester in the 9th slot. Also, London Zoo has an amazingly rich history but to see it in the #7 position is almost a little sad.
     
    snowleopard, 24 Dec 2021
    #28
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  9. TeaLovingDave

    TeaLovingDave Moderator Staff Member 10+ year member

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    Hamerton and YWP definitely wouldn't have done quite as well, and in fact I suspect YWP wouldn't have even hit the top 30 or so; conversely I reckon that even in 2011 Highland Wildlife Park had a very high reputation among zoo-enthusiasts however.

    Definitely agree that Edinburgh and Jersey would have been higher though.
     
    TeaLovingDave, 24 Dec 2021
    #29
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  10. hjkr

    hjkr Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Just wanted to say thank you for posting this as I hadn't heard of this book. I've just ordered it :)
     
    hjkr, 1 Jan 2022
    #30
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  11. James Barber

    James Barber Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    I have seen a list of all the UK zoos listed for this book and it is a big shame that Manor House near Tenby won't be in it.
     
    James Barber, 15 Jan 2022
    #31
  12. TeaLovingDave

    TeaLovingDave Moderator Staff Member 10+ year member

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    Ah, but is Manor House one of the 50 best or most historically notable in the country? From all I've heard it's solidly unexceptional in both regards - not bad, but not standing out either.
     
    TeaLovingDave, 15 Jan 2022
    #32
  13. pipaluk

    pipaluk Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    An interesting question might be - what is the best zoo NOT included in the 51?

    Axe Valley, Hoo, Birmingham are possibilities I would suggest, I've never been to Manor House so can't really comment on that .....
     
    pipaluk, 18 Jan 2022
    #33
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  14. James Barber

    James Barber Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Manor House was one zoo I used to go to on my holidays to Tenby in the 90s and thought it was pretty much run down then with small old enclosures (especially in the walled gardens), old fairground rides etc.

    The place has done well I think since Anna and family brought the zoo by adding in natural enclosures for primates, walkthroughs for Lemurs and Wallabies, bringing in Rhinos, Tigers, Warty Pigs and Red Pandas. They took out the old fair rides, model railway, reptile house, and shut off the walled gardens etc.

    I often wonder what will be next for Manor House and I would love to know the history on the zoo too.
     
    James Barber, 18 Jan 2022
    #34
  15. TeaLovingDave

    TeaLovingDave Moderator Staff Member 10+ year member

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    Birmingham is definitely a contender I reckon, as are Scottish Owl Centre and a few other specialist collections.
     
    TeaLovingDave, 18 Jan 2022
    #35
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  16. FBBird

    FBBird Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Axe Valley is right up there for me, for sheer charm, and unusual species. Potto and more small carnivores than you can shake a stick at.
     
    FBBird, 18 Jan 2022
    #36
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  17. pipaluk

    pipaluk Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    I agree, it would probably get my vote!
     
    pipaluk, 18 Jan 2022
    #37
  18. snowleopard

    snowleopard Well-Known Member 15+ year member Premium Member

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    snowleopard, 20 Jan 2022
    #38
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  19. pipaluk

    pipaluk Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Book arrived today, ironically on the same day as the izes magazine!
    Haven't had a chance to read it properly, but the book appears to be everything I'd hoped for!
     
    pipaluk, 3 Feb 2022
    #39
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  20. FBBird

    FBBird Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    I received IZES magazine today too (great read as always):), but no zoo book yet:(
     
    FBBird, 3 Feb 2022
    #40
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