Hardly, when there has been a net loss of over 20 mammal species in 4 years!! I think there were a few losses in the preceding years too! It's laughable to suggest any zoo in the UK has too many mammals, even Chester has plenty of omissions from its list! Most zoos don't have enough IMO!
I am not suggesting anything like zoos having too many mammals. I am clearly stating that Edinburgh Zoo is far from being a representative zoo and that species loss in other family orders has been much more severe percentage wise, if not in absolute numbers.
If TLD's figures are correct, Edinburgh has lost a greater percentage of mammals than its bird collection for a start! That doesn't include several mammals lost in the 3 years preceding 2012! If you are suggesting Edinburgh needs to add half a dozen snake species or spiders and lose more mammals, you won't convince me that would make it a better zoo! Sorry, I just don't agree, I went to Edinburgh in October and I'd still rate it higher than London (poor mammal collection, plenty of other stuff) as I'm sure many visitors would!
As the following figures show, your statement is only accurate for one specific group at one specific collection; herptile taxa at Highland Wildlife Park. Otherwise, mammal losses at Edinburgh have in fact outweighed all losses for other groups; in fact, there has been a rise in bird representation at Highland Wildlife Park. Edinburgh Mammal Taxa - 28% drop HWP Mammal Taxa - 7% drop Edinburgh Bird Taxa - 25% drop HWP Bird Taxa - 17% rise Edinburgh Herp Taxa - 20% drop HWP Herp Taxa - 100% drop
10 Northern rockhopper penguin eggs have been laid Breeding season with the Rockhoppers | Edinburgh Zoo
Update from RZSS, natural mating didn't happen this year, they've artificially inseminated Tian Tian Panda developments | Edinburgh Zoo
My annual visit- again no pandas- one of those things. Free entry via chester zoo membership otherwise £19 per adult!! Managed to see the koalas with 5 mins to spare before offshow at 1pm. Not sure why, informed on entry (not on website?) but without the pandas would really have been an annoyance? 5 penguins on the parade which was pleasing Hilltop access not accessible from the lions due to building works so missed animal antics. Bit disappointed as map "marked on entry by staff to show closure" not accurate Still great monkey collection All in all, really is uphill walk of a zoo which needs to infill where there clearly is loads of space for more exhibits to keep the kids interested. Seems to be getting smaller in terms of numbers of exhibits each year but with the same amount of strenuous walking and inflated cost. Still hard to understand only major zoo within an hour's drive or in Scotland does not make more effort to improve year on year!
Another article about the AI of Tian Tian : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa...Zoo-giant-panda-artificially-inseminated.html
Another article about the Gentoo penguin hatchlings : Gentoo Penguins Hatch at Edinburgh Zoo - ZooBorns
I'm hoping to visit for the first time this weekend. Does anybody have any tips or particular look outs for me. Happy to try and check up or photograph things for people.
When I visited in October, I saw an active Panda at 1030 and female koala 2-2.30, but obviously they are both down to luck. The koala was my 3rd attempt during the day so more than one visit to them may well be needed!
