Yeah, it's pretty confusing, I missed it at first too. On a bit of a side note, I too enjoyed the National Zoo, although I wouldn't consider it a top 10 North American Zoo, it's a good zoo with some nice exhibits (Asia Trail especially).
Not everything is what it seems, so best not to take things at face value. If you would have googled the location you would be well aware Best is a small town here!
For some time 4 Sri Lanka leopards have been born and they already have opened their eyes. As soon as weather allows. they will get acces to the outdoor-enclosure.
- The Sri Lanka leopards are doing well. They are 3 females and one male - Construction has started on the future fossa enclosure. Animals are already present behind the scenes. - Best Zoo will receive wombats from Australia next year! Their enclosure is already well on the way. It is expected it will take at least 6 months for the wombats to arrive.
Any clues to where these wombats will be coming from? Would these come from another European park, private hands or possibly new import?
It seems kind of surprising to me that any Australian facility would be giving wombats to a sort of scabby place with some substandard exhibits like BestZoo, rather than to any of the EAZA-accredited zoos in the Netherlands. Also, while it is nice to hear that they are constructing and investing, I wish they would be investing in improving existing exhibits rather than building new ones.
@ralph last I checked there were in fact almost double figures of Sri Lankan leopards at the zoo - so you mean the new cubs are three females and one male? Also, whilst I can see them putting the wombats in one of the enclosures at the back of the zoo by that big paddock (where the wallaroos are), I can’t see them being a) the first pick for wombats in NL and b) having enough money to work on the deal one needs to get one of Australia’s four ‘ambassador animals’ (koala, wombat, Tasmanian devil and platypus) direct from Australia. Seems more likely to me they’d receive one from Duisburg for example... Although, saying the above....I’ve just remembered Darling Downs Zoo in Australia are meant to be receiving Sri Lankan leopards...so a direct swap maybe?
A new enclosure has been build for the wombats. It's quite spacious. Bigger than those in Pairi Daiza or Planckendael Not sure about the fossa enclosure because the enclosure is in early stages, but it seems it's gonna be bigger than the lynx and servals enclosures. The lynx enclosure however has been halved in size to make room for the fossa. It's really tiny now and even though it's supposed to be temporary and the lynx is very old, it's quite sad to see. The parrot enclosure received an upgrade this year so I hope some of the other species will get their turn (marten and serval for example)
I assume given stringent legislation on zoos they really do need to upgrade zoo exhibits to modern standards. As for those discounting direct acq. of wombat be careful with your predictions as I believe non EAZA zoos might be in a better position to acquire direct outside the regular channels.
A new exhibit for fossas (Cryptoprocta ferox) has been completed at BestZoo and a fossa has arrived. Source: BestZoo Facebook page, with images According to the Dutch Zoovaria Facebook page, BestZoo has also newly acquired yellow-rumped caciques (Cacicus cela). Source: Zoovaria Facebook page
The fossa has actually been at the zoo offshow for a number of years. I’m glad to see they’ve given him a significant upgrade in housing.
