Twycross news 2012 » Twycross Zoo

31-01-2012

Is 'Tommy' one of the two males that were living together? According to the Facebook page it says he has been moved to the 'top' group- is that the ones in the oldest Gorilla House where Jambo went. Is there any fresh news about how these attempted mixings are going?

31-01-2012

No it's the other one opposite the bonobos. It currently houses the AlPha male Kip, 2 castrated males Peter and William, and 3 females Holly, jolly and Samantha. Tommy and Danny are being slowly introduced to them.

Karoocheetah I ashamed of you!! Tommy is one of my lovely friends!

02-02-2012

A pair of Patagonian mara were born on the 30th January.

Meet our Baby Mara born 30.01.2012! | Facebook

02-02-2012

Karoocheetah I ashamed of you!! Tommy is one of my lovely friends! [/QUOTE]


i was kidding - but I will hang my head in shame in chastisment too

02-02-2012

i read in what zoos can do that twycross are planning on building bull accomodation and are planning on doing something with the giraffe enclosure

02-02-2012

Planning and doing are two very different things,a couple of years ago it was talked about them going out of Elephants completely or just keeping a group of Bull's,now I heard that from a source that I would like to think knows what is going on at Twycross,so I wouldn't hold your breath on hearing that either of these plans will happen anytime soon,because at the moment they at long last seem to be doing something about some of the primate enclosures!

Twycross Zoo Visit (2/3/2012)
03-03-2012

Had my first visit in about 5 months today, only a few things to report;

1. Orangs/Bonobo; The orangs have had netting put up to cover the windows inside as part of an experiment and is expected to take around 4 weeks. This does block viewing though for the public. Nothing new with the bonobos with only a few on display today. The slides were open so some might have been staying in their off-show quarters.
2. Giraffe; The zoo now only has two giraffes (keisha and harriet; both female) after justin the male died back in december. The keeper didnt go into detalis of what happened to him and she just walked off.
3. Tapir/ Capybara; The capybara have had 3 new babies and i was also suprised to see all 3 tapirs today. I thought one of the brazilian ones had died some time ago.
4. Elephants; No news. Tara is now looking very large, waddling around the enclosure taking her time. I think it will be interesting to see how the herd (especially Noorjahan) react the the calf?
5. Amur/Snow Leopard; Only managed to see two snow leopards, have the cubs been moved on? Also the amur was harder to spot being the only one with the whole enclosue to himself now. Its also starting to look a little worn down, but with a bit of planting and fresh vegetation should be alright.
6. Gorilla; The old gorilla house is now closed to the public as they have started work indoors (getting ready for the chimps). Boulas and Biddy are in 'Joe's den' and cannot access the larger side indoors or out. New equipment/frames have been built for them, and also in the larger outdoor bit for the future chimps. Boulas seemed stressed out today, chest beating/ hitting the window and walls and chasing biddy around alot. Was slightly vocal too. Oumbies group seemed very relaxed today including Asante. She was even on the group and by the windows at one point with was rare to see. She is looking very thin (compared to Ozala), and has fresh cutts on her neck, back of head and wrists, im guessing from oumbie- So fighting is still taking place. Oumbie was very relaxed aswell and not doing his usual routine of climbing etc. maybe this is becasue he can no longer see Boulas?
7. Chimps; The group housed near the 'Gorilla Cafe' were shut outside, with Tommy and Danny still being alone. Not sure if the zoo has tried mixing them yet. Greenmile- I'd say there are still around 6/7 chimps left in there. Benjie was in a very playful mood sitting with me for a good while, copying my movements, trying to get at the camera after seeing himself and he also picked up a single strand of hay and was trying to place it in my hands which i found fascinating. The bald male thats left (mongo?) has a very large growth/lump on his neck-have took pictures but arnt good quality. The chimps housed behind Greenmile have been breaking out into squables and fights all day. Keepers were constantly running to and from trying to solve the situation and see who the culprits were. I believe Jomor was picking on Tojo, and Jambo was trying to help him and stick up for him (Tojo also kept doing a hand gesture, patting his chest as if his heart was racing). There is also two chimps inside who are sectioned off from the others. Alot of them have little scratches cuts from the fighting. Genet was being very vocal and it seemed everytime she made some noise they all went for it.

Negatives; The zoo has now placed some bark on some of the ape house's floors. It not only makes the place look dirty and messy but is also hard to walk on as its so thick. There was a group of wheelchair users and parents with prams who also found it hard go over.

Although i would say i've had a pleasant visit, the zoo does now feel empty with a lack of animals on display.

I think i have covered everything but will add if needed

03-03-2012

Thanks for the update Josh, sad news about the male Giraffe.

03-03-2012

Hi Josh. Tojo is a female chimp her chest tapping is her way of saying hello. It's quite an affectionate thing for her. Are you sure jomar was in with Jambo's group? If so its a very new thing and would explain why they are so unsettled. He's been in the other side with Ricky for a couple of months. If it was Jomar, and Ricky had a companion then this is most likely Lottie.

I'm really sad to hear that boulas is stressed out. He's a very sensitive gorilla, but hopefully he will settle down soon. A move to a batchelor group of you get males would be a good move for him. (Longleat are you listening? )

I'm embarrassed to say that with my great ape obsession I hadn't heard that Justin had died. Very sad news.

03-03-2012

Your welcome Jordan.
Yes Mazfc, im pretty sure thats the name the keepers said.

With Boulas thats just what i think, having seen him many times before ive never seen him like that as hes usually calm and quite, the work thats being carried out indoors might be the cause so hopefully it wont be to long until its completed, but i totally agree, sending him away would be best and transfer Biddy into Oumbie's group. Today was the first i heard about Justin too. It hasnt been posted on here and the zoo havent announced it either. Just the other day actually, i was looking through some old threads for some info on the previous giraffes that have died there. He was fairly young so i would like to know what happened to him.

03-03-2012

I think Tx put on their Facebook page this week that Jomar is in with the others and playing a lot with Jambo. I hope Ricky gets sorted with some companions soon, he was so full of himself before this all started.

03-03-2012

I really do hope that all comes off the ground sooner or later.
I admit the upgrading of primate exhibits is / should be a prime target for Twycross (after all the zoo likes to brand itself that way) as these have been long overdue for a make-over (and not just the great apes I mean).

Another plan: the carnivores towards the back end of the great apes / behind the elephant exhibit. Any progress there?

03-03-2012

Almost 100% likely to be the reason- he is usually very placid otherwise nowadays.

Giraffe- this is the 2nd youngish male that has died there in recent years- they lost the previous one 'Zoolu' which was handraised at Paignton too.

03-03-2012

I see absolutely no reason why the poor relationship between Oumbie and Asante should be any different this time than previously. If she is already noticeably thin and has fresh cuts again, these are sure signs things aren't good- I fear she is/will simply go downhill again as previously before they had to take her out. She is an extremely humanised female who will never relate to him correctly.

03-03-2012

Things seemed much more harmonious when okanda was there, presumably because he was the focus of ozala and a distraction for oumbie.