Recommended Zoos / Wildlife Parks

See new born ponies, donkeys & cattle moving freely in The New Forest in Hampshire early June for FREE (No wire or Glass).

In early October the deer rut starts in Bushy & Richmond Royal Parks again for FREE (No wire or Glass).

In Dorset see many dozens of new born signets at Abbotsbury in early June (No wire or Glass).

Another vote for the British Wildlife Centre (BWC) in Surrey (Very small amount of wire or glass) and the World Heritage Fund (WHF) in Kent (Wire for obvious reasons).

Wildwood seem more interested in spending money on kids playgrounds than on making the place photographer friendly.
 
bluepixels said:
Yorkshire Wildlife Park (Doncaster) - awesome place, great for photography. Raised banks and fences buried down in moats often mean you don't have to shoot through wire fences - my pet hate. Not the least bit 'zooish' in the traditional sense either. I have an annual pass, which only cost me about £30-ish. Well worth a visit.
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I definitely second Yorkshire Wildlife park. Nice big natural exhibits including some great walk through exhibits


holding on to safety by Billy Clapham, on Flickr


Lazy leo by Billy Clapham, on Flickr


Dozing by Billy Clapham, on Flickr
 
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As zoos go, Colchester is quite good.
Took my grandson there recently and he loved it !
 
best zoo i have ever visited was last year ,unfortunately in wroclaw ,southern poland outstanding zoo ,photographer friendly AND extremely cheap cost us the equivalent of £13 for three of us all in .in fact its worth a cheap flight over there for a weekend break the city is very nice indeed ,the zoo is fab ,the food is scrumptious and extremely cheap to 3 course meal for four of us with drinks came to under £30 in the main city square ,and on a midday pop into mcdonalds ,it was £1-25 for a large big mac meal with drink .
camera gear is also extremely cheap with a few large curry's type retailers and also a couple of specialist shops .i,m talking myself into a return trip here :eek:ops::eek:ops:
 
Slightly further afield, but Singapore Zoo is simply the most photographer friendly Zoo I have ever encountered.

The same company also own The Night Safari, Jurong Bird Park and the River Safari, all also on the Island.

There are literally no visible wires or glass. It is all deep moats for a fence free natural view, an example below (not my image, grabbed off of google).

http://designforlife.com.sg/thesis/fig10.jpg with an article (again not mine) on it here: http://designforlife.com.sg/thesis/21moat.html

It's a shame more Zoos don't adopt this approach (although it does have obvious flaws).

It's a two day job Zoo, think Howletts and port Lympne put together and then some.

It has lesser seen creatures as well, such as a Polar Bear, Pandas (at the River Safari, on the same grounds, but a separate park), and more monkeys, chimpanzees etc than you can shake a stick at.

I wouldn't usually suggest travelling 13 hours and then going to a Zoo like you could at home, but this is honestly one of the best Zoos in the world. I'd rank it over: London ZSL, Newquay, Wingham, Howletts, Port Lymphe, Colchester and Drusillas to name but a few I've visited here in the UK. I know a few other forum members have been and I'm sure they would agree.

It is also very hands on, eating breakfast with the Orangutans, riding the Elephants etc.

The Night Safari also has the same low profile enclosures, and is at night (obviously!). Photographically its a no go, far to dark for anything bar 1DX / 5D3 type bodies and 1.4 glass, but experience wise it's awesome.

River Safari is also good, although not quite as good as the Zoo. Worth it for the Pandas though.

The Bird Park is 'ok.' As a keen birder, Singapore has so much genuine wild birdlife, (4 types of wild Kingfisher within 5 minutes of getting out of the car).

However the park has good variety and the worlds largest free flying aviary, so not something to be sniffed at. Photographically it could provide some amazing inflight shots.

I went crazy there last month, here are a few of my amateur examples:


Hamadryas Baboon by ACW#, on Flickr


Mandrill by ACW#, on Flickr


Chimpanzee by ACW#, on Flickr


Polar Bear Underwater by ACW#, on Flickr

So again, well worth checking out if in S.E Asia.
 
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Back to UK zoos, does anyone know if there is a website offering a list of animals in our zoos and where they are held? Mbuti's comment on the Mandrill thread prompted me to look for a Drill, which I hadn't heard of and I see there are some in Edinburgh. It is indeed a mighty looking beast!
 
I Like Longleat near Warminster and West Midlands safari park in Kidderminster

west midlands safari is good as you also get a free return trip (has to be same car reg) Not badly priced either.

Longleat is a bit more expensive however the Hawk Conservation Trust do the Birds Of Prey show there (Or they did last year anyway) and its worth seeing.
 
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Okay, I was going to ask a 'controversial' question based on something asked earlier. but i'll bring in something else based on a recent conversation.

As a 'photographer' and an animal lover ... where do you draw the line at visiting a zoo/WLP ?

Damn, that's possibly still too controversial. Oky

What is the difference between Zoos and WLPs and "private collections?" Do they al deserve equal support?
 
new2me said:
Back to UK zoos
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Sorry to take the Zoo info away from the UK. My intention wasn't to take the thread OT. Seeing the variety of users on this site, and that a lot of them travel, I thought a review for a Zoo outside of the UK might be helpful to some.
 
new2me said:
Okay, I was going to ask a 'controversial' question based on something asked earlier. but i'll bring in something else based on a recent conversation.

As a 'photographer' and an animal lover ... where do you draw the line at visiting a zoo/WLP ?

Damn, that's possibly still too controversial. Oky

What is the difference between Zoos and WLPs and "private collections?" Do they al deserve equal support?
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If I go there and the conditions are awful I'll never visit again (obviously) and find someone to listen to me rant about it.

If it's good (as a Zoo / WLP can be) then I'll equally give it good feedback on forums etc. I wouldn't post an image of an animal (unless it's to shame the Zoo) if I felt the conditions it was being kept in were deplorable.

While many see any captivity as oppressive, there is only so far pictures can go with inspiring future generations. I'm sure many people on the front line of helping wild animals got into the profession after seeing the various wonderful creatures in captivity first.

I think sometimes it's just as important to consider what work the organisation that runs the place does outside of the facility. Especially if they are involved heavily with rehabilitation, reintroduction into the wild etc. A lot of the money used in the wild will have come from Zoo ticket sales.

In the UK even the slightly worse (in terms of enclosure sanitary conditions / size etc) Zoos are leagues ahead of the mockery establishments you can find in poorer / less developed countries. Giza / Gaza / Mumbai / Tirana to name a few need to be removed from the face of the earth.

That said...

As I've briefly mentioned above, failing Zoos anywhere in the world should be visited if it is with the intention to expose their cruelty virally.

On the whole, I think Zoos / WLP are a very important way of educating people.

As an example, think how many people have had their eyes opened to the plight of the Panda due to Edinburgh Zoo?

Would be interested to hear a counter-argument from someone vehemently against captivity in all forms.
 
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ACW said:
Sorry to take the Zoo info away from the UK. My intention wasn't to take the thread OT. Seeing the variety of users on this site, and that a lot of them travel, I thought a review for a Zoo outside of the UK might be helpful to some.
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Sorry,it wasn't a dig. Any input is good and I might venture over to a couple of European zoos this year myself (y)
 
big soft moose said:
back on topic - another couple of recommendations would be knowlsley safari park near Liverpool and the Highland Wildlife Park at Kingguissie in strathspey
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The Highland Wildlife Park between Kingussie and Aviemore is very good. If you have children who have Blue Peter badges take them with their owners. Our grandson got in for almost nothing!
View attachment 3557 View attachment 3563
Weeds, foliage and wire fencing don't help the focusing.
 
Being relatively new to the NE of England, can anybody recommend anywhere in this neck of the woods?:thinking:

(I don't mean enclosed zoos!)
 
Has anyone here got any experience of the photography days on offer at the British Wildlife Centre? It sounds great being able to get inside the enclosures to shoot, but what are the photo opportunities like on a standard visit?
 
Its not so much as a wildlife "park", but I've found that going to Forest Farm in Whitchurch, Cardiff, is a fantastic place. The wildlife gets so close to the hides they have there. Kingfishers, Bittern, Snipe, Foxes (with cubs), Badgers and Rabbits to name but a few! Would be more than happy to meet people in the local area for a walkabout!
 
gadusmorhua said:
Has anyone here got any experience of the photography days on offer at the British Wildlife Centre? It sounds great being able to get inside the enclosures to shoot, but what are the photo opportunities like on a standard visit?
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Have a look through the recent threads from the BWC meet to see what you can achieve.
Personally, I wouldn't pay £90 for extra access but that's just me - parents from Aberdeen :D
 
Hi, A friend told me that Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster is good, never been myself, yet!
 
Just to add my two pence worth. Each zoo, wildlife park and private collection I have visited has their own positives and negatives in terms of photography. I don't think I've come away from any and not been happy with some of my photos. A lot also depends on the weather, poor weather the animals tend to hide indoors and even with rubber lens hood, the lighting tends to be poor. Really hot and the animals tend to lay around, normally in the shade and out of view!

My local-ish zoo is Colchester and there are a lot of enclosures which are good for photography. Even if some of the outdoor areas have glass to contend with, there is often little glare on the glass and I can use my normal plastic lens hood.

Wildlife parks are generally pretty good but for all the cats/bears etc a lot depends on luck as to where they are positioned and how clean your car windows are.

My suggestion would be, go local and go with an open mind in terms of subjects. If you want to shoot specific animals, then a little more research may be required. I went to Edinburgh to see the Panda's and they were indoors asleep but I came away with (what I think is) an awesome shot of a Jaguar!
 
Am going to marwell next week for a day as we are visiting family so am hoping to slip a visit in
What's it like for big cat's?
I did go a long time ago I remember they had cheetahs and leopards in a very difficult enclosure for photos
 
Leopard enclosure is pretty much useless for photography unless they are on the ground, not very photogenic
backgrounds either
Tigers can be ok, cheetahs now have a huge enclosure and whenever I have been seem to hide near the back
Snow leopards are ok, have a false rock background, but it can be very difficult to get through the wire
or perspex
 
Gremlin said:
Leopard enclosure is pretty much useless for photography unless they are on the ground, not very photogenic
backgrounds either
Tigers can be ok, cheetahs now have a huge enclosure and whenever I have been seem to hide near the back
Snow leopards are ok, have a false rock background, but it can be very difficult to get through the wire
or perspex
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Thanks Ingrid it does sound like it will be hard work
Think I will just wander round and see the animals and any photos will be a bonus
The family are keen to go anyway so so will be a day out for us

:)
 
We went yesterday to Marwell
You are dead right Ingrid about the photography being difficult I didn't manage any shot's but still enjoyed ourselves
We saw the Fossa, Snow and Amur Leopards as well as the Cheetahs and Amur Tigers
The Amur Tigers are huge especially compared to the Sumatrans at Chester
It was great to see the Fossa active when we saw one at Newquay zoo it was curled up asleep
We were also able to get in free with our Chester zoo membership
 
Fossa always seem to be quite lively, hard to get a decent picture.
Those tigers are huge aren't they I just about reach their armpits when the stand upright
got a picture somewhere
Glad you enjoyed it, quite a walk round though isn't it
 
Anyone else got some feedback on the Wolf trust day ? Sounds interesting, but only four wolves I beleive ?
 
Hertsman said:
Anyone else got some feedback on the Wolf trust day ? Sounds interesting, but only four wolves I beleive ?
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If you're talking about uk wolf trust at beenham, they've got ten
 
Our local zoos are Paignton and the Dartmoor Zoological Park at Sparkwell near Plymouth.

As Pete's said, The DZP isn't huge but some of the cats and their bears are behind moats rather than wire or glass so they can be shot more easily. Their backgrounds are less inviting (wire or buildings), although they do sometimes venture down to the water so they can be shot against the grass or water. The Jaguar's enclosure has loads of twigs so getting him cleanly as he prowls through the undergrowth isn't that easy. He's often up on his reasonably natural looking platform but that puts him against the wire! The Cheetah is sometimes more accommodating and can be seen either atop the tall mound or sitting/lying on it giving cleaner backgrounds. There are 2 Tiger enclosures, one (with 3 Tigers) is over a moat but the cats are more often on the flat above the moat or on a stone platform, both of which have less appealing backgrounds although they do sometimes cooperate and venture down to the moat for a drink or a play with their enrichment toys. Their Bears are behind a moat on one side but in three or four visits, we've only been graced with their presence once and then they were asleep (or at least lying down) but with a reasonably natural looking background. This zoo was the subject of the film "We Bought a Zoo!" and is well worth a visit if you're in the area. http://www.dartmoorzoo.org.uk/

Paignton is much bigger and has a larger selection of exhibits including Gorillas and Orang Utans (who currently have 2 younsters - one quite new and the other about a year old) which can sometimes be seen over water rather than through glass. The shared house (partitioned but in the same building) is not as freshly fragrant as the great outdoors - I guess a vegetarian diet may cause flatulence (often audible!) Loads more to see there and the café is reasonable in both quality and price. Again, well worth a visit if you're in the area.
http://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/

There's a small park with a few animal exhibits at Escot House just off the A30. The stars of the show are the Red Squirrels who live in an enclosure to keep the greys out more than the reds in. The Reds have been known to run up arms to investigate - most endearing! They've also got some Otters (Asian Short Clawed, I think) who are worth a visit, as are the Wild Boar. Only visited once recently but have a mini TP meet there in a week (see thread in Meeting Place forum). http://www.escot-devon.co.uk/
 
Hertsman said:
Anyone been to them via :
http://www.wildarena.com/products/4021-10219/wolf-photography-workshop.php
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I did one a few years ago,
Well that is, it wasn't actually a photography workshop.
But an "open day" for a small group of invited people.
They are a bit paranoid about you crossing the yellow lines,
marked in front of the pens.

The pens are not really photography friendly.
When they get them out of the pen they are wearing thick collars,
again not brilliant.

That's not to say that it wasn't a good day,
just don't expect too much, (unless its changed dramatically) that's all.
 
Just to give you an idea what you are up against.


But if you chose your spot carefully and with a bit of artistic licence,
and a bit of help from Abobe,



 
Chris Wilson said:
.......you can produce some very natural looking shots - nicely done Chris!
cheers, cw
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Cheers Chris I appreciate that, :)
That's very kind of you to say. (y)
 
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