Yes I would! But then there aren't many mammals left at either of those zoos to lose (it isn't just a lack of diversity that's a problem there) . At least at Chester there will still be plenty to see
That's what I was told, and am not actually surprised. When stock goes to and from EAZA or BIAZA zoos, then there is often an exchange or it's because of a breeding programme, but many birds go to and come from specialist private breeders who have more of a commercial stance. I have a pretty good idea, and the group of birds is already widely represented throughout the zoo. Incidentally, I won't actually miss the owls in their current aviaries. They're typical of those at other collections (small, tucked away, often ageing) so I'd much prefer to see a temporary absence whilst some better aviaries are developed in the future.
OK, I spoke too soon, for which I can only apologise. There are so many plans, stakeholders and changes in direction that sometimes even really reliable, senior sources may not be in full possession of the facts. Latest information is that some owls will go, but others are to be moved around the zoo. And again, apologies. Additionally, as I feel I've tarnished my bird news reputation future news will be confirmed by multiple sources!
Any serious general collection # should hold a range of animals from different Orders and Families. To have gone out of Owls completely would have been very sad; glad that's not now happening. Zoos claim an educational function. A significant part of that role should include at least a broad outline of taxonomy and species diversity *. A collection of (e.g.) monkeys and parrots does not do that. @ # One can also, of course, have a serious specialist collection. * Yes, my thinking is influenced by having visited Regent's Park yesterday; my first visit since the Cretaceous era %. @ No, I'm not suggesting that applies to Chester! % Exaggeration.
Well things seem to be happening in the parrot and penguin section. Purple-naped lories and Mitchell's lorikeets have returned to the zoo.
lorikeets expected to go onshow next year in Islands, purple-naped lories will remain offshow as far as I know.
I took a quick break from Xmas shopping to visit yesterday. The weather was poorer than forecast, being grey and misty, so the zoo was very quiet apart from several exuberant groups of primary school kids. I had the aquarium to myself at one stage The Lake Patzacuro salamanders were not on show as their tank was being rearranged. I was sorry to see no butterfly barbs or clown rasboras, whose numbers have been dwindling lately. Replacing the barbs in the tank with the elephant-nose fish, were a group of young cichlids, I immediately thought of Nanochromis nudiceps but they were very young and obviously newly arrived and nervous, so they showed little colour and they may be a different species in this genus. I had to be patient to get good views of the collared trogons, which look splendid after their moults. And I was lucky to spend some time watching Kyra, the sun bear cub, on top of one the tree trunks in the outdoor paddock. Photos to follow
Congrats on seeing the cub GL. I'm growling a bit.. my last three visits, the most recent of which was Saturday, were with the aim of seeing Kyra. No luck! The zoo is very quiet at this time of year. Quiet days seem rare now, which is great for the Zoo of course, but its nice to be reminded of the more relaxing Chester Zoo of times past.
Unlucky @NigeW, we were there Saturday and saw mum and cub playing in the later afternoon (before we were chucked out of the park in preparation for the Lanterns). Playfighting sun bears @ Chester Zoo - YouTube by migdog posted 5 Dec 2018 at 1:15 PM
Fantastic. What a difference a couple of hours can make! I'd gone by 1:30, just having popped along for the late morning/early afternoon. The male sun bear was active, which was some compensation. If I'd known you were there @migdog I could've made a cameo as an extra in your next episode!
