Dudley Zoological Gardens Dudley Zoological Gardens in 2015

Very good news indeed - with pinnipeds getting thin on the ground in traditional zoos in the UK this is most welcome.

 

This is really good news. I hope they can find a male to replace Orry.

 

Agreed, excellent news, as said previously!

 

Very surprising but welcome news, glad to hear they'll still have Patagonians for a while.

 

Castle Creatures is now open to the public.

Castle Creatures ? Come inside? | Dudley Zoological Gardens

 

Anyone know what animals they have in there? Bats and rats is very vague.

 

Two African spurred tortoises and two Hermann’s tortoises have moved to a 'newly-refurbished enclosure' in the Monkey Tails building.

Tortoises on the move | Dudley Zoological Gardens

It appears they may have finally replaced the otters. If they have then it's a very large enclosure for just four small tortoises and they're still no closer to achieving their aim of Monkey Tails being entirely South American themed.

With regards to suspension of the chief exec, it now appears to be related to 'financial matters'.

Boss at helm of Dudley Zoo for 20 years in 'financial' probe Express & Star

Whatever it may be, he's innocent until proven otherwise, and hopefully unintentional from a man who is very liked and dedicated to DZG.

 

It sounds like the bats are the main attraction. There's a pic here if anyone would like to ID them;

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=690783387699111

I'll be visiting with my camera within the next few weeks to find out more and will try to note down a list of species (though I don't think it'll be that extensive or interesting).

 

Look like Seba's Bats - which was always most likely if they wanted to give a similar impression to native bats using an easy-to-keep species!

 

New male sealion arrives

Hot on the heels of female, Deisy, a male sealion, Oba, has arrived from Marineland, Antibes. About time for a visit, methinks.

Bienvenue Oba! | Dudley Zoological Gardens

 

So exciting!! I'm going to wait until after Easter weekend cause it'll be packed but definitely going the start of next week.

 

Sooner than you thought perhaps....

I like the way he checked out his new surroundings, both before and after entering the water.

 

WOW! Now there's an impressive sea lion, he looks even bigger than Orry did and in much better shape. Hopefully the zoo will keep him looking trim.

Orry was never a looker was he.

 

Fantastic news, I was so sure that they were either going to stop keeping sea lions, or keep a more common species.

The girls do seem a little on the old side, I'm guessing that their not planning on breeding?

Also I wonder what has happened to the remains of Orry? It would be great if his skull could be exhibited in the Discovery centre.

 

Castle Creatures:

Green Bottle
House Mouse
Larder Beetle
Giant House Spider
Black Rat
Earthworm
Roman Snail
Medicinal Leech
Egyptian Fruit Bat
Seba's Bat

Not the most exciting list in the world, but the whole thing has been done to a high standard with a large focus on education/history of the castle (it's aimed more towards children I suppose). The only disappointment was the bat enclosure, which looked a bit cheap n tacky. Oh, and mind your head!

 

Where actually is the bat enclosure? Did you get any pictures?

 

It's inside/under the castle with the rest of it, at the very end of the walk. It's difficult to describe, but there's 2 parts to it - the second part I almost missed as it's round the corner, to the right, after you see the exit.

I did get some pictures that I will post later today, but most didn't turn out great due to the light levels (and I refuse to use flash).

 

New arrivals

A 10 year old male otter has arrived from Lake District Wildlife Park as a mate for female, Keyah.
Otter-ly taken with Buddy | Dudley Zoological Gardens

And 3 roul-roul partridges (1 male, 2 female) have arrived from Bristol Zoo to join the existing group of 4 males and 1 female to form a new breeding group.
Plumping up our partridge group | Dudley Zoological Gardens

 

An article on the new sea lions...

Dudley Zoo's new sealion Oba tucks into 1,700 fish per day Express & Star

Includes the line; "Oba was selected to join the zoo as part of the European breeding programme".

 

Fingers crossed then, but surely it's still part of the breeding program if they are moving him away from related females, or so a new male can be introduced to his old group.