Dudley Zoological Gardens Dudley Zoological Gardens in 2016

Our post-Bao-bao status as only European country with every bear species hangs by a thread...

 

Sorry for the miss understanding.

 

Good idea, but unfortunately 'dream' is as far as it is likely to get anytime soon IMO.

 

He's saying to put a new orang enclosure where the old enclosures were

 

The Discovery Centre has been temporarily closed to visitors while it undergoes a much-needed £20,000 refurbishment. Work on the Tecton building is expected to be completed by Easter 2017 and will include a new indoor eating area. All the animals in the Discovery Centre are being kept off show for the time being. Discovery Centre revamp - Dudley Zoological Gardens

I wonder if the animals will be returning to the Discovery Centre once work is complete or if they'll be going elsewhere.

 

The group of 6 Black howler monkeys have moved into the Right Tecton of the Triple Tecton Complex.

The new house (built outside the enclosure) has been linked with a rope ladder. The climbing frame has been extended, adding much more height. Trees have also been planted that the howlers will eventually be able to feed off. Howlers' new home - Dudley Zoological Gardens

Video HERE

Well I'm impressed. Well done Dudley!

 

I'm sure this is an improvement for the animals, but in my view the exhibit itself seems too cluttered and fussy for my lies and not enough vertical space.
Also, once the novelty and newness has worn off for the monkeys, they will revert to type, lazy sods, curled up, giving the giant panda a run for its money.

 

A new female Snow Leopard arrived from Zoo Parc Beauval, France last night

Taïga arrives at DZG - Dudley Zoological Gardens

 

Dudley's male Patagonian sea lion has been introduced to the three females.
Introduction goes swimmingly! - Dudley Zoological Gardens

 

Finally. Although at 19 is Tania not probably post-reproductive?

 

Bart, the geriatric Geoffroy's cat, has been PTS.

 

Sad, but not exactly shocking news.

 

Bart (Geoffroy's cat) passed away on Monday morning after keepers and zoo vets made the decision he should be PTS after his health deteriorated in the days prior. He was 22 years old and apparently holds the captive lifespan record for his species.

He was at DZG for 17 years and one of the last of a small group of well loved, elderly animals at Dudley that I like to call the 'golden oldies'. I very rarely saw him over the years, but very grateful I saw him typically looking so well, and photographed him on my last visit to DZG (the same thing happened just before Nick the babirusa died last year). It will be interesting to see what happens to his enclosure.

Sad Bart news - Dudley Zoological Gardens

 

Hopefully Inca will last for a while longer but Bart was a favourite if a little elusive at times...

 

31st October;
The new female snow leopard is now on show. She has not yet been introduced to the male in the main part of the enclosure, but they have been interacting well through the fence.
Taïga's out! - Dudley Zoological Gardens

4th November;
Four more otters born. They join three older siblings that were born last year.
Otter-ly great news! - Dudley Zoological Gardens

6th November;
Bornean orangutan Benji turned 39.
Birthday boy, Benji! - Dudley Zoological Gardens

7th November;
Another gelada baboon was born on October 19. The third born at DZG.
Another baboon on the bank! - Dudley Zoological Gardens

11th November;
Bornean orangutan Jazz turned 25.
Jazz is 25 today! - Dudley Zoological Gardens

 

Thought I might draw people's attention to this article that I found interesting, from way back in 2010, when the orang house was renovated.

Revamp brings Dudley Zoo animals closer « Express & Star

I've no idea how accurate it is, but in summary it says the revamp cost around £80,000 in total and apparently £75,000 of that came as a gift from some long-term supporters of the zoo; the rest coming from the zoo's development trust.

Rather interestingly, it says that they had originally intended to spend £1.5 million on the orang house and that it would have featured a "dome- shaped roof". The 2010 article also states that "these plans were part of a £10 million transformation of the zoo which is in limbo after funding from Advantage West Midlands was suspended".

Advantage West Midlands was abolished in 2012.

Just some food for thought.

 

Twin pygmy marmosets born. The third litter in less than a year.
More marmoset success - Dudley Zoological Gardens