Visited today for the first time in nearly 3 years. The sand cats are gone, their enclosure now houses a group of at least 3 small and very active quolls (my guess is the most recent litter). This seems to have been a recent move as a lot of people were wondering where the cats had gone. The kowari enclosure is empty, which means they have once again eluded me! Also some works going on at some of the aviaries.
I think they've been down to one cat for a while (at least I've only seen one in there for some time now), perhaps its finally died.
A sad and sorry loss. BTW: one of the more attractive sand cat exhibits in western Europe. Up till 2 years ago they had by my recollection 2 sand cats. What went wrong?
Lord Howe island stich insect bread to second generation for first time outside Australia. Back from extinction - breeding success for world’s rarest stick insect
Here's the news round up from todays visit; the zoo now has Yellow Cardinals and are rebuilding the aviary next to the tapirs to house then in. Chinese crocodile lizards are ladled as on display in the reptile house but I didn't see them. Bearded pygmy chameleons are back on display after a couple of years of being off display. Indian social spiders are on display in the invert house. Something for everyone I think.
for the crocodile lizards - I believe that at present there is only one juvenile in the exhibit.(Adults are in hibernation) It is invariably resting right at the back at the top of the rock face.
I visited a few weeks ago and was very impressed with the conservation work, especially of the oft ignored "Lesser vertebrates and invertebrates". Noticed that the map of the world had a few arrows pointing to the wrong place and I feel some of the exhibits were on the small side (Lion-tailed macaque etc) but overall very impressive. Got 113 lifers (only started recording last year)
BZS Symposium 2018 - Madagascar. The symposium yesterday was fantastic and well organised by the zoo! Hearing the staff and guest speakers talk about a variety of conservation projects in Madagascar was really intesesting, especially as they weren't all about lemurs. Only got to take a short run round of the zoo...but very interesting things will soon be happening in the old wallaby walkthrough!
Visited the Zoo on Friday (thrilled to discover half term was long gone down there). Now we knew about going to the nocturnal house before they reverse the lighting but we also decided to go to the talk, we were the only takers and it was just brilliant. We saw every animal I think except the cuscus. Polly who did the tour was very patient, I hope she didn't miss her coffee break because we kept her so long! Highly recommended! I also got water from the sealions pool in my mouth - have survived so far! Judging by all the mating activity they should have plenty of births this year!
Gastropod enthusiasts will be beside themselves to know that Vietnamese giant land snail are on display in the invertebrate house. Lemur fans will be disappointed to know that the blue-eyed black lemurs are no longer on display.