Blackbrook » Blackbrook Zoo

14-02-2008

What exactly is the purpose of that huge ramp?

14-02-2008

it is the raised viewing area there will be a cave under it with viewing into the raised pond

14-02-2008

I may be coming again on my Birthday (10th April), So what will be new from that time last year?

Any news regarding the Male Bronze tailed Peacock pheasant?

Any new arrivals/Births?

07-03-2008

I visited Blackbrook last weekend will post some of my pictures tomorrow including the Penguin enclosure. It was really windy and freezing but I enjoyed my first time there anyway. One section's path (New Zealand I think) was too muddy to go down and some parts near the new build were blocked too so might have missed a few bits. Was pleased to get pictures of birds from Madagascar for my writing website drmidas.co.uk and some (not so good) of the lemurs.
I'm hoping to go again when it's warmer - they'll probably be out properly then. Also are they allowed onto the island behind Lemur lodge which I thought wasn't overly big for the ruffed lemurs.

07-03-2008

they have a New Zealand section? (he asks, ears pricking up)

07-03-2008

I Am now visiting Blackbrook in the easter holidats along with Chester, Knowsley, Twycross & Welsh Mountain Zoos

07-03-2008

They have a small New Zealand section, I took a look last summer hoping to photograph the New Zealand Scaup. I was not in luck.

10-03-2008

I've posted my pictures now

10-03-2008

Thanks Susan, I haven't been since July!

It's nice to see how the park is growing.

When does the penguin pool open?

10-03-2008

Unfortunately the lemurs have nothing further than there enclosures it was a pretty poor design when done hopefully they will have a new build sometime in the future?

The male bronze tail is hopefully having a female friend joining him soon from an unknown location (to me anyway) then they should be going out on display possibly in the aviary viewable from the shop.

The penguin pool is coming along nicely the walkway is done and the rock work is having colour added to it. The opening date is advertised as Saturday 15th of March but will try keep you updated as this may over run.
The red river hog been is being built with another walkway. It’s the old meerkat and otter enclosure with the unused bit behind added. Possibly using the marabou pen behind as well as a good weather grass enclosure.

10-03-2008

Hi, although I realise you're not getting Emperor peguins................can I ask what species you will be exhibiting, and what were the criteria for selecting this/these species, ie availability/ EEP/ TAG advice for new penguin-keeping collections etc...are there any long term plans to introduce other penguin species over time?

10-03-2008

I think its just going to be Humboldt’s for the time being availability has been a big issue as we are not part of easza (we have a inspection due in June to join) there are plans of more species possibly kings Macaroni and other south American species.
Penguins maybe new to blackbrook but our other collection kept and breed several species including kings Macaroni and rockhoppers

11-03-2008

Wow, how recently was that? Are you talking about the Hillside collection mentioned on this thread? Was this open to the public at some point, and now works as Blackbrook's off-exhibit facility? (sorry if I'm making you repeat yourself on this forum).
I guess, once part of EAZA, the history of your institution having expertise with breeding Kings, macaronis, and rockhoppers, would put you in good stead, with a good enough penguin facility, to recieve this species over other zoos should they become available in the future?

I can't think of many collections with experience in breeding all three of those penguin species. Drusillas park maintain the ESB for Rockhoppers but have maybe only ever had one chick, and are down to one pair from the original three pairs. The only UK collection appearing to be breeding them lately is Whipsnade, but the group is not increasing in size, the chicks seem to be sent to London rather than build numbers up at Whipsnade.

11-03-2008

i will try and get the list of penguins kept and bred at hillside. i did some work there about 5 years ago and they had a king penguin chick. yes hillside was open to the public but i closed 5years ago it is almost a of show breeding facility for a few rarer species they also do well with breeding lesser flamingos they use to bred the chilians aswell i think but nothing of them for a few years now

blackbrooks new website is now up and running
Blackbrook Zoological Park - Home

11-03-2008

Would it be possible to write a little bit more on this, please? Any piece od information / picture would be appreciated! I am trying to search for succesfully bred lesser flamingoes in Europe, but after a few months I ended just 3 chicks (and one hybrid lesser/chilean) in the last 50 years.
Thanks.