Sitatunga and Crane Paddock at Folly Farm, 01/08/11

Western Sitatunga and Grey Crowned Cranes

Someone should tell them that cranes do not mix with hoofstock!
It is a real nightmare for the birds ....

Sitatunga & crane paddock

It gives an unfortunate message about how much they care about the cranes....

Since when? I've seen cranes and hoofstock together at lots of US zoos with little to no problem.

I was unaware of this. Do the ungulates push them around sometimes? Is that the problem?

Sitatunga and Crane Paddock

Ungulates can inflict actual harm, but are more likely to either keep the Cranes sufficiently stressed to stop them nesting, or they stand on eggs/chicks with dire results. I'm not saying they can't/shouldn't be mixed, just that the Cranes do better without hoofstock. Just compare the breeding success of cranes with & without hoofstock enclosure mates.

Blackpool recently put there pair of Red-Crowned cranes with there group of Sitatunga, since then I haven't noticed any actual harm, and even saw one of the Cranes bully one of the female Sitatunga off there food!

There is always an exception to the normal rule,and this bird could be it!

Well Animals are Animals...

They lived together for years without any problems. The cranes were all male so no nesting issues. When the sitatunga group became too numerous they were moved into a larger paddock separate from the birds. I agree if it was a breeding situation it would have been not a good idea for the birds to be mixed but with plenty of space I see no reason for mixed exhibits with single sex birds.