What makes you say that, surely there can be other projects that are not these grand plans that you talk of? I dont think many zoos are going to be doing large scale projects like that, especially a smaller zoo like dartmoor.
@Rupert89 can you please give me examples of projects that can be done in a Zoo environment,without new species or enclosures being involved? @Rupert89 can you please give me a hint as too what Dartmoor Zoo's latest project is even if it's the tiniest hint ever? Please @Rupert89 the suspense and excitement is killing me!!!
Its not illegal to feed live vertebrates to others in the UK but is allowed if its say a snake won't take frozen defrost so possible they could do it but not for show or in the public eye
It is a new enclosure for some of the residents at the zoo already as well as new species! I dont think they will be doing it anyway
@Rupert89 has Benjamin Mee changed his mind regarding having two pairs of Amur Leopards. I know that Benjamin definitely told me that his plan for the year was to house Amur Leopards one people friendly pair and one wilder pair who would eat live food and offspring that would be realesed into the wild. On a different subject regarding another species that already resides at Dartmoor Zoo. How are the pride of African Lions getting on? The last I heard the male Jasiri was living separate from the 2 Lioness sisters Kimya and Nikita. Benjamin told me they were introduced but had to be split up as they were having rows. The last time I saw Benjamin he explained that he was giving the Lions one last chance to live together in harmony. Benjamin and the big cat keepers suspected that the contraception the Lionesses were on was causing the fighting. @Rupert89 do you work at Dartmoor Zoo? I ask this as can you please say that George with the mobility problems says hi and hopes you,Milo,Ella and everyone connected to the Zoo are well. Kind regards The Hedgehog
I think the plan is still probably to get amur leopards but i doubt they will be feeding live prey. The lions have been living together for some time now, the male is just separated overnight.
Update from Facebook Live Q&A event with Ben Mee on the 1st December 2020. You can watch this via the park's Facebook page: Amur leopard project: mentioned this and is currently hoping to raise funds for it - no updates here really. Crab-eating macaques: as mentioned previously these are to come from laboratories. Enclosure has been designed by students from the University of Plymouth and will include a 'Jacuzzi' type pool to encourage behavioural rehabilitation of isolated individuals. Mee is currently conversing with individuals from Holland and USA for funding to construct this enclosure although this is likely to be further down the line. Cloud rats: a breeding pair (different to the brother and sister pair they had) are currently in the vet room whilst their enclosure is being refurbished. This is going to become a nocturnal house which is partially screened off. Next to this, Ben Mee mentioned that there will be a large aviary. Did not provide any additional details about this. Mixed South American exhibit: old grivet enclosure where the cranes are now is to become an enclosure for five South American species: tamarins, marmosets, "sika" monkeys (I presume saki monkeys?), agoutis and an unnamed species. They are currently waiting for one of the monkeys to become available (Covid permitting).
The park has also announced on Facebook that their three coatis (Junior, Julio and Fonzo) have recently passed away Log into Facebook
Thats 5 Coati deaths this year with Ringo and Tallulah at Longleat. Wonder what Dartmoor will replace them with?
I cannot wait for more primates to arrive at dartmoor but im interested on what other people would like to see there or what they think is lacking at dartmoor.
Species I would like to see at Dartmoor Zoo are. These are in no particular order. 1. Red Panda 2. White Rhino 3. Spectaled Bear 4. Timber Wolf 5.Asiatic Lion 6. Calafornon Sea Lion 7.Bactrian Camal 8.Golden Cheeked Gibon 9.Squirrel Monkey 10.Bintarong 11. Sloth 12. Spring Haire 13. Bornan Orangutan 14. Eastern Bongo 15 simmiter Horned Oryx 16. Humbolt Penguin 17. Chillian Flamingo 18. Toucan 19. Amur Leopard 20. Western Lowland Gorilla 21. Pirraie Dog 22. Pallas Cat 23 Bobcat @Rupert89 would you like to see the listed species at Dartmoor Zoo in the future?
Any primate would be a welcome addition for me. A small cat species such as pallas or scottish wildcat would fit in well i think. I would like to see something different to wolves maybe dhole, hunting dog or hyena? I would like to see more hoofstock too, maybe Przewalski's horse?
Well it seems like a good time for dartmoor at the moment so we can be hopeful! Hopefully they can work on these new exhibits ben has mentioned now they have been able to open again