RSCC, The rare species conservation centre & zoological garden, Sandwich, Kent

RSCC, The rare species conservation centre & zoological garden, Sandwich, Kent
23-11-2007

I have just read an article on the new RSCC zoo in Kent, this place looks like the most exciting new zoo in Britain since the opening of living coasts in Torquay.
The zoo holds many rare and unusual animals with the promise of more. Highlights of the collection at the moment include breeding clouded leopard a pair of Malayan tapir, jaguarondi, ocelot, tamandua, potto, fat tailed dwarf lemur, Owston's palm civet and fly river turtle.
A new walk through lemur enclosure holds crowned and red ruffed lemur and a separate island for western grey gentle lemur.
According to the article in the IZES autumn 2007 newsletter a pair of sun bear will be arriving from a rescue centre in Cambodia. Other S.E asian animals due to arrive soon are pileated gibbon, smooth coated otter, Palawan binturong and fishing cats. Also expected are a variety of Asian hornbills.
But for me the highlight would be the planned for arrival of Goodfellow's tree kangaroo for which an area has been prepared in the tropical house.
I think this small zoo covers a few acres but it seems to be crammed full of unusual and rare animals, hopefully a small zoo with a big future.

23-11-2007

For the benefit of Hornbill the species are Philippines Rufous Hornbill, Great Indian Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill and Wrinkled Hornbill.

23-11-2007

A little gem to cherish I just love zoos with tapirs, pileated gibbons and clouded leopards. Great to learn that an UK zoo is going into tree kangaroos - they are a forgotten group I am afraid and yet so fascinating creatures -.

I reminisce fondly the days Rotterdam Zoo used to hold pairs of both Matschie's and Goodfellow's tree kangaroo. Hopefully, when the new Australasian area comes up - I am afraid that is 2012 or so - they will bring them back in along with echidnas, wombats, koalas, wallabies and casuaris.

24-11-2007

WOW!!! Rufous hornbills!! Move some to chester when they breed!!!

24-11-2007

Where do you get the izes from? The online ones are really old!

24-11-2007

I saw Rufous hornbills at London in 1991.

24-11-2007

I've only seen them at Parc Paradisio, in 2003. They need to breed soon or the species will become extinct in European zoos!
Jurong had the first success when they had a chick, but little breeding activity has occurred since.

24-11-2007

The RSSC birds are coming from the Philippines.

24-11-2007

They are specifically coming from Birds International which is the facility in Manilla. Apparently it is being dispersed. I wonder where the Spix Macaws will be going?

24-11-2007

The Spix Macaws left Birds International some long time ago. They all went to the Sheik....(name?) who owns the Al Wabra Breeding Station in Quatar.

I believe this very modern facility currently holds 51 birds now- this is over two thirds of the World Spix Macaw population. They have bred about a dozen chicks from them...

24-11-2007

Birds international is no zoo or bird park, it`s the name of a company which is breeding and dealing with birds. The owner/founder is Antonio de Dios. I think they have mainly parrots (not sure though), breed them in thousands and sell the hand-raised birds all over in Europe and I guess in the USA too. This company is probably one of the largest suppliers for the bird pet market in the world. Thankfully the spix macaws were all sold to that sheik and it seems he is more interested in conservation then making profit with one of the rarest bird species of the world then Antonio de Dios.

24-11-2007

wonder where they will get there tree kangaroos from, and with the arrival of the sun bear, Palawan binturong (a new one to me) and smooth coated otter is this a sign of zoos in the west taking animals from rescue centres as monkey world has in the past, i personally think this is a good thing as it will alleviate the pressure on these centres and free up much needed space.

24-11-2007

There is a Spix Macaw thread on the general forum somewhere. I haven't updated it recently as I haven't heard any fresh news...

25-11-2007

I've seen them at Avifauna (NL), Liberec Zoo and Dvur Kralové (CZ). Beautiful animals! For such a small new zoo they hold a very nice and very rare collection allready! Considering i love the exotic and rare (in zoos) species, this is starting to sound a more interesting place by the minute...

The Spix have indeed allready been moved to Al-Wabra, who are doing very well with breeding them. The only other holders of Spix are a german breeder, Loro Parque (one pair off exhibit) and Sao Paulo Zoo in Brazil...

25-11-2007

Al wabra have also bred 3 Lear's macaw this year!