Developments at Edinburgh Zoo » Edinburgh Zoo

Developments at Edinburgh Zoo
24-05-2007

Edinburgh Zoo has been changing over the last few years with the introduction of many new species such as Koala (the only ones in the UK),
Greater One Horned Rhino, Ratel (Honey Badger), African Hunting Dog, Asian Golden Cat, Drill, Margay, Musk Deer, Stellar Sea Eagle, Chinese Goral, Purple Faced Langers, Nyala, Visayan Warty Pig, Pallas Cat, Japanese Serow, Lesser Kudu, Mishmi takin, Malayan Tapir (which breed this year), Vicuna, Bactrian wapiti, Binturong and Gelada Baboon.
New exhibits include Bongo and Red River Hog (I was on the planning committee), 'Maji Mzuri' (African Wild Dogs, Hammerkop, Von Der Decken's Hornbill, East African Grey Crowned Crane, Dik Dik, Marabou Stork and Fischer's chameleon),
Future exhibits include 'Ranibow Landings' which will be a walkthrough aviary were you will be able to hand feed Lorikeets.
'Budongo' which will have the capacity to house up to 40 Chimpanzees and 'Living Links' a Primate Study Centre which will house Squirrel Monkey and Tufted Capuchin.

24-05-2007

Bongo- welcome to this Forum. I have a few questions about Edinburgh Primates for you;

1. Whereabouts in the Zoo(I know the layout from past visits) will the new Chimpanzee exhibit go?

2. Do you think they will have Gorillas again, or is that not part of the plan?

3. Do they still have Hamlyn's Owl faced monkey/ Lion Tailed macaque/Gelada Baboons.? Can you give me the number and sex ratio(1.1 etc) plus any births etc for each or any of these species of primates?

I'm sure I'll have additional questions to ask you in future. Its good there are more UK people joining....

24-05-2007

When I last went to edinburgh they had 2 male geladas, and were looking to aquire some females.

24-05-2007

Two males of which species?

24-05-2007

Can I ask a question too, while we're at it ;-)? Is the plan to get giraffes to live where the Zebras and Nyalas currently are? Just the raised walk-way seemed as though it may be.
Also does the zoo still have wolverines? I was desperate to see them when I visited but they were no where to be seen. Presumably sleeping somewhere off show.

24-05-2007

The species yassa, was the geladas. I've updated my original post now.

I've been very lucky and watched the wolverine for nearly half an hour. I saw 2 individuals, but I think there may be 3. They do go off and sleep at the back regularly.

24-05-2007

I suspect there is an increase since then.

24-05-2007

The new Chimp exhibit will be located on the site of the old chimp, reptile and bird garden with the chimps now living in the Gorilla house and the Birds and Reptiles scattered around the Zoo and offshow.
Gorilla's are not included in the animal collection plan (Gorilla's are my favourite Ape and I was very sad that they are not in the animal collection plan).
Due to the slope in the 'African Plains', it is not safe for the Giraffes to go with the Zebras.
The Zoo still only has 2 male Gelada Baboon but they have moved to a newly constructed hillside exhibit which they share withHyrax. There is suppose to be 9 Gelada's comming soon to join the 2 males.
I do not know of numbers for Hamlyn's or the Lion Tailed Macaque's.

24-05-2007

Edinburgh only has one hyrax I think, How will you see it in the exhibit?

question from NZ
24-05-2007

As Edinburgh is a cooler climatic city than many of cities in Australia and NZ
does the zoo have a good sucess rate with breeding polar bears and other subarctic animals ?

24-05-2007

The Zoo has previously breed Polar Bears, but we have only a female at the moment, but this may change in the future.

24-05-2007

photos would be great
when i went to edinburgh highlights were-
-the animal collection itself-huge, diverse range, many unusual species. the absence of typical mega-fauna like brown bears, hippo, giraffe and elephant didnt detract from the experience at all
-the new/newish enclosures for painted dogs, lemurs, savannah, lions, maned wolves & anteaters, gibbons

on the other hand, parts of the zoo did seem a little crammed. not that the animals seemed to be suffering at all, it was just fatiguing froma visitor point of view. when i visited the bongo forest and koalas were nearing completion, i imagine in the future more attention will be paid to geographic grouping, immersion etc. ive seen the masterplan and it looks quite comprehensive-i hope the zoo gets its projects funded

24-05-2007

Oh, I have a question. Where were the anteaters when I visited? Had they gone? It was October 06, I thought they were somewhere near the maned wolves but I couldn't see them.

25-05-2007

The Anteater is mixed with the Maned Wolves.

25-05-2007

Bongo- Thanks for the info on the new Chimpanzee area.

Yes, Gorillas are my longterm favourite too. Did you know Edinburgh's 'Yinka' died at Twycross in January? 'SamSAm' is still there and they have requested to keep him, not send him on to Spain. Sekondi, the only Gorilla ever born to these two at Edinburgh, died in February, also at Twycross.

Extra 9 Geladas should make for a good group- presumably some will be females?