I believe at Woburn they weren't that secretive. Blackpool's current enclosure is pretty new and it will be interesting to see what it's like this time next year with the vegetation. I have never been to Howletts/Port Lympne however from photos I've seen their Iberian Wolf enclosure is pretty dense, so the Blackpool one isn't (As yet). I really hope some vegetation grows but wouldn't like it to be to over populated (!) with it.
The Howletts/PL enclosures are both similarly well wooded, with a couple of timber shelters nearer the public fence but have never seen the Wolves in them and instead they seem to stay right at the back away from public view or maybe down in a burrow(?). The main difference- not sure why it should be- seems to be the lack of nervousnes in the Blackpool ones which appears to make them not shy.
I went to Blackpool today and picked up the following news;- Elephant/Reptile house- A few new species are now on-show. A single Californian King Snake is now on-show next to the new Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle vivarium. The pair of Rhinoceros Iguanas are now mixed. African Clawed Frog and a new species which I cannot remember is now on-show too. Meerkats- I know we all don't love them however, since it's a first time breeding four Meerkats were born on the 4th July. They are currently not out yet though. Wader Aviary- A single Spoonbill chick has hatched in the Zoo's Wader aviary which is situated near the Anteaters and Small Primate House. Other points- The single Vicuna in the Gazelle exhibit is now mixed with the other two in the Anteater exhibit. Cotton Top Tamarins have been taken off-show.
Two new species on show; Caribbean Land Hermit Crab (Coenobita clypeatus) and Asian Violin Mantis (Gongylus gonyloides). Both on-show in the Elephant/Reptile house.
I just googled them: very cool-looking mantids! https://www.google.co.nz/search?aq=...g&biw=1600&bih=721&sei=irtFUJ_NIKaQiQfwhICIBw
New female Tiger. A new female Amur Tiger 'Alyona' arrived recently (This morning) from the Netherlands. I'm very glad to hear about this news, all being well we could have Tiger cubs at Blackpool Zoo once again*. * They bred them in 1995 and 1996. The 1.1 born in 1995 died, the 1.2 born in 1996 were Tammy, Tazmin and Turlouch. Sheya and Jagasar the last pair died in 2007 (?) and 2009.
Confirmed today that Alyona is from Beekse Bergen and is four years old ZAMBAR IS ALL SMILES FOR ALYONA | Cision Wire
Hartmann's Zebra, Tebogo is due to leave for Landau next week Rare star with stripes is ready for new adventure - Lifestyle - Lancashire Evening Post
1.0 Aardvark arrived yesterday to replace the male who died earlier this year. Just waiting for confirmation on where he's come from
He's either Scorch or his brother, Tatsu (both ex Colchester with the same parents) Confirmed that it's Scorch that Blackpool recieved
2nd baby Gorilla. 'Njema' one of the three adult Gorillas has had her first baby. The offspring was born on the 8th November. 'Njema's' half sister, Miliki gave birth to the first baby to be born at Blackpool Zoo in it's history, Meisie. I was quite shocked (And thrilled ) when I heard the news. The offspring's father is 'Bukavu'. I thought 'Njema' maybe pregnant when I saw her about a month ago with her teats looking rather big.
That is very good news. I don't mean to detract from this success but do you know why it has taken so long for Njema to become pregnant- was she being contracepted beforehand? News of the baby's sex will be welcome.
