Good to hear they've moved one of the vultures on and replacing it. They originally had two females which they thought were a pair.
In more or less monomorphic species probably a yes given the possibility of human eye fallacy. I admit it remains mind boggling … though.
It used to be a big problem with many bird species. Now it is common to do DNA tests on a feather sample. A quick Google search tells me that it can be done in a week and costs £15.
They aren't sexually dimorphic so can't be sexed that way but they were DNA sexed that isn't 100% accurate and humans can be wrong.
Conservation experts have hailed the first ever release of rare Pond mud snails in the Lothians as a “vital step” in efforts to save the species. Rare snails introduced to Pentland Hills | Edinburgh Zoo
HRH The Princess Royal got hands-on at Edinburgh Zoo yesterday during her visit to help launch the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s vision for the future of conservation education. Princess Anne visits Edinburgh Zoo | Edinburgh Zoo
A few updates from my visit today: The male Margay has been moved to another collection. The female is currently off-show. The enclosure where they were on display next to the Sun Bears is now another empty exhibit. There are 2 new Red Fronted Macaws. Both aviaries behind the Indian Rhino now hold this species. There is a sign advising that the 2 new birds are both old, have long standing feather loss, but they are hoping to improve their condition, add more birds, and have a breeding colony. The new Animal Antics area is under construction, and work has also started on the new Giant Panda habitat which can be seen on the new map: https://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/media/6496/2018_ez-map_winter-2018_online.pdf Also worth noting the new map does not show the Painted Dogs. I'm not sure if there are any left in the collection, with the indoor viewing area being closed off for some time now. The Nyala herd have 2 youngsters, the smallest looks like a recent birth. The Gelada's also have several young, there seem to more of them every time I visit.
The latest Edinburgh Newsletter stated that the remaining Painted Dog was now offshow due to age related issues. So it sounds as if they aren’t planning to continue with the species. The Margay weren’t there a month ago when I went either.
Are there any plans for some new carnivore species where the painted dogs are and does anyone know what will go where the pandas are now (if anything)?
Sad news, I think it was the male margay that was the only one that was relatively easy to see! They seem to be rebranding the lion area, according to the map.
The South of the zoo is planned to be a Wetlands area and both APD were surplus on ZIMS last I checked so it would make sense that they would go out of them. Still doesn't explain why they put meerkat down there if they are going to make it a wetlands away but meerkat=cute
I am sure you mean well, but what is meant by APD? Surely not: Aminohydroxypropylidene bisphosphonate (APD, Aredia) Antipsychotic Drugs. Auditory processing disorder. Antisocial personality disorder or …??? Any more info on this Wetland habitat area for the zoo?
(African Painted Dog I think!) Are they still sticking to that masterplan? Isn't it a bit outdated by now?
I thought, given context, that it was easy to figure out I meant African painted dog. I was told in August that they were still working on the masterplan.
But some of us don't use the term painted dog, it's hunting dog or nothing! (Or maybe wild dog, but preferably hunting in my opinion.)
I still prefer Cape Hunting Dog which was its original name. Afaik 'Painted' dog is a horrible media-derived name invented just a few decades ago but now popularised and widely used in its place.
African Wild Dog will always be my go-to. Edinburgh uses 'Painted Dog' because they explain on signage that 'Hunting dog and Wild dog' paints (hehe) a negative image of them, which I can partially understand tbh.
what happened to their talks and feeds? meerkats penguins and chimps and feed of the day. could be a bit more adventurous tigers lions koalas sun bears tapirs. Surprised their splashing out on a new panda enclosure for three more years unless it can be easily made suitable for something else. Usually visit in January not sure ill make effort next year yet.
