Developments at Paignton » Paignton Zoo

10-11-2008

But that was designed so the orangs and humans are both at canopy level, whereas from images i've seen of monkey heights, the monkeys cannot get to the same level as the humans.

10-11-2008

oh well in taht case, i agree with whats been said. i didn't realise they couldn't reach the same level

10-11-2008

[quote=redpanda;81922] I very much agree on all the points you've made here.(The above comments were by RedPanda) It is a very peculiar design and they are stuck with it now for years to come. They really could have built better, higher level and simpler enclosures in a well-wooded area for a fraction of the cost they spent on this design. Considering Paignton likes to give their newer enclosures a 'natural' feel, MH certainly doesn't comply in that respect either and its not going to improve over time unless they plant heavily.. I always feel it's Paignton's third elephant, but the only White one...

I agree on the Baboons too- they could save a large amount of money simply by renovating the existing enclosure, filling in the 'blind' ditch to give better public viewing- the actual 'Rocks' are perfectly fine for the colony. That's unless they want to change over to Geladas- currently an 'in vogue' species and which would need a flatter, grassed enclosure. But in that case what happens to the 50+ Hamadryas baboons.????....

10-11-2008

I heard that the new baboon development is going to include a water feature (mind you, with the torrential rain here at the moment, they probably have one now).

10-11-2008

I don't really get people's objections to monkey heights. Whoever made it wrong to look down on certain animals, but not others? Why is that a design fault? Besides in their inside house I seem to remember most of the animals being at the same height as the windows anyway because thats where they climb. For me being closer to them there was good. I got a better view then in most places, and the monkeys were still climbing and so I'd call that good design.
And there's always the option to view the outside enclosures from ground level on the main path, so you'd be able to look up there if that's what you prefer. It is a shame about the trees, but with all of the ropework in there it's not a tragedy, and I would never call it a white elephant.

11-11-2008

water feature? that sounds interesting ive a water feature in my garden now cos of this rain

11-11-2008

I am a bit puzzled why they feel the need to build a completely new baboon enclosure, unless it is a changeover to Geladas.... With some modifications/improvements the existing one would be fine...

11-11-2008

Everyone has a different opinion obviously. I think most of us agree the inside areas are perfectly okay. It is the outside design where things fall down.

Most monkeys in the wild(certainly all those species kept in 'Monkey Heights') live in the canopy/upper reaches of trees so to me its strange to see them mainly displayed either below or at the same level to visitors and with only ropes and climbing frames to access. Given Paignton has some well wooded areas I'm surprised they located it where it is. Even the name is a misnomer...

30-11-2008

Paignton has received 2 marabou stork from Emmen and more interestingly they have received a female oriental white stork from tierpark Berlin with another female due soon.
Is this the only oriental white stork in the UK?

http://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/news-e...ail.php?id=111

30-11-2008

Where is this new aviary located?

30-11-2008

I've seen a marabou stork in an enclosure that is part of the old winter quarters building, beside the small mammal house. I guess this is where they mean. It's opposite the meerkats. If not, there must be a tardis-like area behind the zoo for off-show animals.

02-12-2008

I think it would be hard for them to house such a large Baboon group elsewhere. Lucky they don't live in Newquay! The current enclosure is just very concrete and very harsh, with no soft substrate or soft barriers, which obviously is the way Paignton is going in terms of its design. I'm more interested to see what they do with the current exhibit.

I'm almost certain that thrigby hall claimed to have Oriental White Storks for some time, at least ten years, and they have white storks free flying, and breeding on the top of the manor house. ISIS does not list Thrigby with any of this subspecies though. Is this just a case of Thrigby claiming their storks are asian to fit in with the colleciton theme? In which case, are their cormorants even Chinese?

02-12-2008

I think we've established the new enclosure will be for the existing Hamadryas colony. I'm sure no-one else would want them if they became surplus. I suspect they may still have to 'control' their numbers as it is.

04-12-2008

I can confirm that they are in the old winter quarters.

05-12-2008

On the BBC general website it has been confirmed that all 3 female orangs at Paignton are pregnant and due in the next few months. That would be extremely good news for the species in general as previously Paignton was hard done by with no breeding prospects, yet even its 18-year primiparous female is now ebulient and in waiting!