Hi, I'm going to Knowsley Safari Park on Thursday with my university. I went on the trip last year, and it is basically based on enrichment for various species of animals (meerkats, giraffes, otters, lions, hunting dogs) and the need for captive breeding programmes. Then we will be going round the safari park and test trying the enrichment... So if anyone has any questions, I'll do my best to ask and get them answered?
As they seem to be one of the most popular topics here on zoobeat, I have a question regarding the elephants - is the young bull Nissim mating the females and are any females already pregnant?
Hi. Could you find out what is happening on the Spotted Hyena front, please. Also, I believe the park had hippos in the 1970s. Would they consider keeping them again ? Thanks. Have a good day!
I'm sure Nissim is still too immature to breed at the moment. He is only 14, Kruger was 17 when he fathered his first calves. I'll ask anyway
There are many bulls who sired their first calves when they were younger then Nissim, so everything is possible. Just recently the asian elephant bull in Sydney sired his first calf age 7. Thanks for asking!
Results from Safari trip Was a really good day, nice weather, and the animals were displaying well. We made enrichment for various animals within the safari park, and most worked well. Now for the answers to the questions... Cape Buffalo No plans to hold another male for the species Elephants None of the females are pregnant, Shaba reabsorbed her calf 6 months into pregnancy and Tots gave birth to a stillborn female last year. Apparently the foetus was sideways and the ultimately the calf died. Nissim has been playing up, and isn't yet showing dominace over the females yet. We got to hand feed all of the elephants as well!! Lions 3 new lion cubs were born on Monday 16th Sept and are in the lion house. 7 out of the 10 cubs born last year are male. This has put the park in a dilemma about placing the cubs. 5 of the males have been castrated so the park may keep a few of the males on Hunting Dogs/Hyenas Pack has been fighting and has split itself into 2 groups, so they are in 2 enclosures now. No plans for hyenas at the moment Bongo/Scimator Horned Oryx/Rhino 3 males on show. The park is not taking on any females. New male scimator horned oryx obtained from WMSP to improve breeding. Male is in isolation at the moment. Male rhino born in July 2008. Another baby due any day now. New eland house is being built also.
It's a shame about the failed elephant pregnancies. It's a really nice group and would be even better with a few new calves I like the enclosure and all but i think it's a little empty really. The only thing i never feel 100% safe standing a few feet away from an elephant with only electric fencing between us! and im sure they could easily run through it if they felt in the mood. Nice Ha-Has or deep pools would be great! Are they going to breed the hunting dogs by the way?
I think the plan is to breed the hunting dogs, but with them being in separate packs now, they need to sort pack hierachies out again. I'm sure (tell me if i'm wrong though!) but i was under the impression that the hunting dogs that came from port lympne were a breeding pair and their offspring. The safari park lost one of the breeding animals shortly after they arrived which would ultimately mean that the remaining animals are sibling...? The elephant paddock is a bit bare, a few tyres hanging to trees would be good, and also act as a beneficial factor for the herd. They have installed cameras inside the elephant house and have various enrichment items for the elephants as Nissim was caught on camera performing stereotypically. The keepers have made a dvd about it, and the way they have enriched the animals. I'll ask in my uni if the dvd has come through yet as Helen, our guide there was going to send a copy.
