giant pandas for London? » London Zoo

25-10-2008

have giant pandas ever been mixed with other animals in captivity?

25-10-2008

[quote=MARK;79520] Its the only instance of that ever happening and by far the largest transport of an established Gorilla group as well...over a record distance too.

26-10-2008

[quote=MARK;79520] It's actually not that unheard of. When a zoo is rebuliding there gorilla habitat. There troop may be moved together to another zoo temporarly.
Pertinax l am sure you would have the specifics for this.

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Stuart R Webster
A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead

26-10-2008

Zooman ----"Okay CZJimmy! I am not intending to patronise you."


Zooman---- this quote was in the context of the insitu work you pointed out ZSL does unlike many other zoo's.

CZJimmy;79524 l am on this site as l enjoy reading others peoples thoughts and adding my own acosionaly. I am not here to patronise or antagonise any one just enjoy a healthy discussion.

Sim can yo add spell check ;]

__________________
Stuart R Webster
A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead

26-10-2008

this is getting a bit out of hand!

26-10-2008

It's actually not that unheard of. When a zoo is rebuliding there gorilla habitat. There troop may be moved together to another zoo temporarly.
Pertinax l am sure you would have the specifics for this.[/quote]

You are right to a degree. In recent years several zoos, mostly in the USA have moved groups(or several animals) as you said while accomodation is being rebuilt etc.

But none has ever repeated the scale or distance of the Apenheul to Sydney group transfer, which was both groundbreaking and 100% successful.

(I don't know how we got into this discussion on a Panda Thread, apologies to others for creating a 'double topic').

27-10-2008

there seems to be a lot of critisicm directed at london zoo on this thread. one of the most unfair accussations in my opinion is that gorillas are simply there to make up a postage stamp collection.
give me a break. you are talking about a zoo that has one species of big ape, no elephants or bears, no rhino, river hippo; in short, the zoo keeps of the possible dozen or so species of charismatic mega-vertebrate a mere handful with just gorilla, tiger, lion and giraffe. this zoo's long-standing dedication to field conservation for not only gorillas but all those obscure little invertebrates we prefer to step on, in my opinion, elevates ZSL to leader.
as for design...i think it is fair to say that few zoos have such an interesting history as london zoo. the history of this institutions is as beset with acheivements as it is with failures. i think those who are quick to jump and attack london zoo are those who are least in the know of this places history...this place has been shaped directly by government, war, the monarchy, money...you name it this zoo has faced it and survived, though it emerged from the 70's coughing and spluttering. the last two decades have been particularly hard and its only since 2000 that the place has moved forward. and despite the short-falls of gorilla kingdom, weve all seen far worse enclosures in the gallery from zoos in the US which cost as much as three times the price-tag.
no to pandas....are these animals as really as exclusive as they used to be? yes, they are blockbuster exhibits, but as most aspects of their previously complicated reproductive behaviour have been ironed out, China has become somewhat of a panda mill and animals are going all over the place. its probably, in the next few years, about time to face facts. theyre essentially a critically endangered bear...very charismatic with tremendous appeal for conservation. if they are available, and zoos are willing, why not out-source captive-bred bears to other zoos.
just to wrap it all up, london zoo, at 36 acres, is small. but they arent planning on sticking elephants on the north bank or hippos in the listed penguin pool. they seem to have accepted their spatial limitations, and have adapted their collection and master-planning processes as such. fortunately, for the likes of amur leopards, british field crickets etc, this zoo doesnt just confine its work outside its gates to animals within them in an attempt to legitimise captivity. this zoo's motto 'every living thing is our concern' is truly apportriate.

27-10-2008

Very well said Glyn and true, some of you younger members should take note with the facts stated here

27-10-2008

A well-written and staunch defence of London Zoo, and one that brings to light one fact that many people overlook. The lack of many physically large mammals has been a tremendous shift at the zoo over the past 30 years, and while the exhibit quality is perhaps not always there then at least Whipsnade has been able to flourish and maintain breeding herds of the larger species on the second site. It's always fantastic when zoos can have satellite organizations where animals can sometimes be shuffled back and forth between the two. San Diego, Taronga, Adelaide, Melbourne, etc, can all showcase hoofstock while their city counterparts can focus on smaller mammals.

28-10-2008

The gorilla exhibit had some teething troubles but seems to be functioning better now (in terms of landscaping and the make up of the gorilla group).

I personally think that B.U.G.S. is one of the best exhibits in any UK zoo right now. It's innovative, houses a great range of small and unusual creatures, has great "interpretation" and gets across key conservation messages, is housed in an attractively designed building and best of all is always jam packed to the rafters.

And in terms of research, as Glyn rightly pointed out, ZSL are world leaders in this field.

28-10-2008

well said glyn, could you insert some paragraphs because my eyes hurt now! xD

28-10-2008

Well said Glyn. I think me and you are firmly on the same page when it comes to this debate

28-10-2008

well said glyn.
what i would like to see (all thought it is unlikly) london zoo to expand into regrents park, so lager species, such as elephants and rhino can come back. Then, much like San Diego zoo, could give Pandas there own little private area.
Larger animal could be included and also, large multie species exhibits with the adding of more animals and splitting the zoo into biome areas

28-10-2008

It will never happen on any scale. I believe the zoo does have an option to extend slightly if it ever wanted to along (I think) its Southern boundary but would only be a narrow strip amounting to a few acres.

Space problems in Regent's Park is one reason for the existence of Whipsnade.

28-10-2008

its just a dream