Chester Zoo "Bears of the World" random discussion

On a more serious note, I don't believe that panda's would join the zoo as they are often a product of certain other things and are very hard to maintain. I imagine the zoo would rather focus on the two bear species they have/ understand as well as putting more money and effort into lesser known species that are more endangered than pandas. In short I think the zoo has better priorities.

 

This. (Giant) Panda and Chester is a theme which crops up regularly. Just doesn't make sense for lots of reasons ... but perhaps one day it will! But, for now, unlikely.

On this thread's other theme - of the relationship between this Forum and zoo managements. Really don't understand the issue. If zoos don't want something to be known then don't share it. And if posters on here are told things in confidence then respect that confidence.

And then we can all get along nicely ...

 

I agree that information told in confidence should remain that way to the people that know it.

 

This is absolutely right - but of course, for a variety of reasons, ranging from an innocent unawareness of the rather unexpectedly complex politics of zoos to the desire to appear in-the-know, this doesn't *always* happen.

I think we can agree beyond reasonable doubt that Chester won't be creating a 'Bears of the World' development anytime soon. Beyond that, and bearing the above in mind, let's try and discuss this incident and the wider topic of the uses and abuses of 'ZooChat' a little more constructively...

 

According to someone I met about 220 years ago, Chester had giant pandas. When I asked where he'd seen them he pointed in the direction of the black and white ruffed lemur exhibit. He insisted that they were pandas.

 

Chances are if it was 220 years ago it was probably a farmers field and the farmer had a border collie.

 

Our Sulawesi Macaques were always baby Gorillas

 

That is a really weird one. You would of thought they would have questioned where the adults were?

 

These were usually the people who asked if we had any REALLY BIG SNAKES!

 

I meant 20 years ago.

 

220 sounded better!

 

The good thing about typos is that they make funny jokes

 

I've heard that one in several places and no, they never think about the fact there are no adults/parents around.

 

sorry I can't, it's confidential. And a long time ago. I can say that all the moves have now taken place however.

 

I was talking to a keeper in a small zoo the other day, who said he went to see his favourite animal in a European mainland zoo recently. The way he talked about it could have easily been misinterpreted as an official visit, before importing a specimen or two. I don't spread rumours though and will say no more

 

I know I'm late to the party, again, but here is my take on things.

Coming to the "zoo management watching ZooChat" argument I know of at least three zoo officials who I've met that were aware of me beforehand solely through my postings on here; all very senior in their respective collections to boot! So I don't doubt that someone high-ranking has had a good chuckle on this thread.

As for false information being spread via this site or other outlets, it is a serious problem for certain zoos and people should definitely be wary of what they post. As to why this member has been told something that was clearly a lie is something I can't help you with, but that is what it was, a blatant lie.