In a statement by Anna Westbury one of the 'key new staff' at Dartmoor Zoo she stated that animals would only be bred if they were geneticaly viable and endangered species. I was surprised to then see in the Western Morning News that the park had received a female coati which they were hoping to breed with the existing male. Apart from the fact that it is not currently advised to breed these animals, the male is also F1 generation captive bred and is not a suitable animal for breeding. Is the park slipping back in to its old ways? I can understand a companion animal being brought in for the lone male but where do they think the babies will go? Zoos will not want them, and they will no doubt end up in private hands. Jack
Why is the male unsuitable for breeding just because he is F1 generation? A big group of coatis makes a superb zoo exhibit so why, in the short term at least, would the babies have to go? If anything it is more of a welfare issue to keep coatis singly or in pairs. True, there is no conservation value in breeding them but ambassadorial species are just as important in a zoological garden as those that do require conservation measures. And what is the problem with private keepers? I'll agree that there are some animals out there that are not kept in acceptable conditions but on the other hand there are some private keepers that are more progressive and more successful than many zoos with some species. As long as there is proper vetting by the zoo concerned then I don't see a problem with animals going to private keepers.
Perhaps the plan is to breed a family group, then prevent breeding further once that has been achieved?
It would appear that I have been misquoted !!! What exactly is wrong with my male coati??? Other zoos have already expressed interest in any offspring that may occur We are certainly NOT slipping back into old ways - if we were, there would be a surplus of baby hand-reared tigers (taken from their mothers at less than a day old) so locals can pay to cuddle them! We have nothing to do with private breeders or taxidermists or circuses as the previous owners did.
N.B. I apologise to pvate keepers/breeders for putting you in the same sentence as circuses and taxidermists. Sorry.
Both parents were bred in captivity. If both the parents and grandparents were captive bred they would be described as F2 generation, and so on.
I have nothing against private keepers, i am one myself! I also couldnt agree more that coatis make a fantastic zoo exhibit. I am particularly fond of this species, i handreared 2 coatis about 10 years ago one of which is still going strong! My fear was that coatis, no longer being a licenced species may end up in the wrong hands! We originaly collected this male coati for Dartmoor from Newquay Zoo many years ago, on the understanding that the animal would not be bred from. It is also my understanding that this animals parents were related.
I hope that you have this fear about all zoo collections with coati, kinkajou, binturong and everything else that no longer needs a DWA. Dartmoor is very different to when you worked here. Staff are highly experienced and are from well established zoos, qualified to do their jobs, and have a full comprehensive knowledge of legislation and ethics.
Do you have a link to the piece? It sounds like a ridiculous premise for an article. I hope Dartmoor won't be accused of 'slipping back to their old ways' every time they aquire an animal.
Weds 21st november BBC2 8.00pm Bens zoo - a 4 part series following ben mee a writer and diy expert with no previous experience of managing a zoo, to save Dartmoor wildlife park and reopen it to the public.
I'm really looking forward to this series, it should be a real eye-opener. My heart really goes out to that guy for buying such a rough zoo, what a crazy yet brilliant thing to do!!!!
You have just forfeited your membership of the Guild of Zoo Enthusiasts. Traitor! It should be an interesting series. There's certainly an interesting story to tell and it will give us a good idea of what's been going on down at Dartmoor over the past couple of years and what the plans are for the future.
Don`t panic i know which is the important program so will be watching and taping the Dartmoor series,as for the football couldn`t give a stuff as Wales are already out!!!!
Wales were out before they started their campaign I must find a type thats free, it should really be an interesting series BBC do this all the time put two progammes on that i want to watch at the same time its bad enough am missing heroes.
I found it hard to watch Autumnwatch, with watching waterloo road and me working late. I'll tell you more When I'm allowed. You'll find out, I promise!!!! Bongorob, Don't reveal!!
