Wow! Really? Did you see them? Any photos? Sod's law such a rarity goes on display days before the place closes for winter.
I did, they were both out when I saw them! It was my time seeing the species and I was surprised at their size. I took some photo's, they didn't turn out well because of sun on the wire, but i'll upload a few ETA: I added a couple of photo's to the gallery:
This really is good news! Does anyone know when African Civets were last onshow in the UK? I know RSCC had them offshow a few years ago. ZTL says Colchester had them in the 90s, but must have been early 90s?
True that, I overlooked them in my "civet excitement". Interesting to note that both species have been on offer in the pet trade within the last year. Looks like I'll be visiting this place next year.
Sods law indeed as is the fact it's a little tricky (and expensive) to reach if one is reliant on public transport and based all the way up here! Still.... one to put on the list for next year.
Visited today, every time I visit here there's new things to see Lots of enclosures have been changed or are labelled for expansions. Egyptian mongoose and tree porcupine (where the binturong were) have been on show for a few months now, along with a few other new additions. There is new areas marked up for the banded mongoose and arctic fox enclosures, so hopefully we'll get to see them on show soon. You can currently see one arctic fox in the enclosure next to the egyptian mongoose. The enclosure that used to hold serval (currently holding various bird species) is labelled to say there will be a female lynx arriving in time for the summer holidays. There is also lots of baby animals at the moment, if you're a fan of birds there's black swan, white stork, sacred ibis etc
I saw one African Civet at Colchester Zoo in 1990. Before that I saw one, or possibly two, at Banham Zoo in 1984.
July births ; Two rusty-spotted cats born 20/7/17 - one kitten seen nursing on 9th August. 1 yellow mongoose born 19/7/17, sitatunga born 26/7/17.
Here's hoping they spread out a bit, possibly to other hard to reach (by public transport) collections like Hamerton or Exmoor.
Both of those aren't too difficult to reach by public transport, they just require a little effort Hamerton - train to Peterborough or Huntingdon, bus to Sawtry (Busway Route B) and then 3.5 mile walk along a very pleasant country lane to Hamerton Zoo. Exmoor - train to Barnstable, bus to "Exmoor Bird Gardens" stop just outside Bratton Fleming (Filer's Travel 310) and then a 0.5 mile walk to Exmoor Zoo.
Apart from the hours walk they don't sound too bad but what is the bus frequency, they sound the kind of bus routes that run once a day two days a week from June to August.
Hamerton - Monday to Saturday, approximately every hour, 13 services southbound / 14 northbound on weekdays and 14 southbound / 15 northbound on weekends, year round. Exmoor - Monday to Saturday, approximately every two hours, 9 services in each direction on weekdays and 8 services in each direction on Saturday, year round.
I guess if the train and bus connection works out ok it would be doable, I wouldn't want to just miss the bus to Exmoor and have a two hour wait.
I am planning on stopping in at Axe Valley on the way home from Monkey World later this week and was wondering if anyone knows if they have the following (which zootierliste says they do) and if so, where they are? Arctic Fox Sulphur crested cockatoo Crimson rosella Fischer's lovebird Leopard gecko North American porcupine
