Edinburgh Zoo Edinburgh Zoo News 2013

Though that masterplan would make for an amazing zoo, I wouldn't have seen the point in a tundra zone due to HWP. I would rather the zoo concentrated on the other biomes, either by adding another biome [desert] or expanding on another.

 

You're right about the Tundra zone (since that's precisely what HWP covers) and I'm pretty sure that the later masterplans only had four "biomes" - Oceans & Wetlands, Grasslands, Tropical Forest and Woodlands. The Budongo Forest exhibit was the first project completed under this plan and it's a tantalizing taste of what might have been if the scheme had been implemented across the whole zoo.

 

Short and wet trip to the zoo today.
When the Zoo is quiet there is no limit on how long you can view the Giant Pandas for, which is great especially today as Yang Guang was active for the 40mins I spent watching them.
Also the Penguin Pool had been filled with water but there was a lot of work still going on around the pool.
Also in the Magic Forest the Zoo now has Pygmy Slow Loris.

 

Indeed - it's interesting to note that part of the area 'to be released for housing' is where the Pandas now are!

One of the main things the plans would have done is move the main entrance to just below Budongo and introduce the Visitor Transport system (a tramway was planned IIRC). This would have partially addressed one of the big problems facing the zoo, that of disabled access,

The idea of a Tundra biome was abandoned and the decision taken to make HWP the ' Mountain and Tundra' one, with species that are cold weather specialists moving to Kincraig. IIRC the orignal brochure cover had Polar bears and Orang Utang on it!

In the later one, Elephants and Manatees were also talked about !!

One issue with developing the top of the zoo is there is apparently a badger sett up there.

 

Whilst keeping temperate/boreal zone species at HWP makes perfect sense, I'm not too sure about any attempt to diversify the number of tropical species at Edinburgh, unless they're prepared to bite the bullet and instal some expensive heated buildings.

Edinburgh emphatically does not have a mild climate, which is why Gentoo Penguins have thrived there for over ninety years.

 

Quick Q.- Does anyone know where the Heck Cattle have gone to?

 

Somewhere in Europe is all I can remember sorry

 

I heard they may be bringing in elephants. Is this true?

 

It was talked about but I suspect it's pretty far down the list of priorities now.

 

Latest news on the female koala & redevelopment of the enclosure

 

Edinburgh have posted on their ffacebook page re the new Koala:

http://www.facebook.com/EdinburghZooScotland

IIRC the original plan was for female Koalas from Australia?

 

Alinga (the Koala) arrived safe and well in Edinburgh this afternoon

 

Just heard on the news, the Pandas are starting to build up to their annual heat period.

 

There was some video on you tube about Yang guang going into Tian Tains enclosure and scent marking everywhere... by the looks of things he appears much more keener this year than last... last year it was her that made all the moves and he was alittle behind the times... but they think that was with the travelling and then him getting colic. His webcam has been switched off as they are doing pre breeding tests on him from time to time

Exciting times again...lets hope it goes smoothly and ends in the pitter patter of tiny panda paws

Im still on a quest to see the clouded leopard...anyone seen her yet? I am heading up on Tuesday

 

An article on the pandas getting ready to mate;
Pandas in Edinburgh zoo 'may be ready to mate soon' | UK news | The Guardian

 

I popped in briefly on Tuesday-not too much to report really but the Rockhoppers are in the creche pool part of the main complex and I saw some tiny baby mongooses (I think about 4 but it looked likely not all would survive as 1 was very weak, eyes shut and being monitored by keepers so we'll see). Oh and pelicans were in the seal pool, with access to the grassy enclosure directly behind it. In general it was a lovely quick visit-saw lots of activity and got good views of animals like the anteaters and mouse deer I don't often see much of and even all 3 koalas awake.

Also visited highlands wildlife park this last week too-some Edinburgh relevant news-the main wolverine enclosure is looking really good (its huge compared to cat row) and nearly done, signs they expect arrival in early spring (I would guess before Easter). And we watched the wild cat feed and the keeper definitely said the kittens (born late in the breeding season last year?) were moving to Edinburgh soon (I think she said this Thursday). We didn't manage to speak to her so no idea if they are going on show or not or how long they'll be there but did notice they were doing up the bit of enclosure in big cat row between the big enclosure that had bintorung (now an asiatic cat) and the rest of the row so could be an area to keep an eye on?

 

The gentoo penguins are back home.
Not just the birds kept by the zoo, but the penguins shipped to Belfast and Odense have returned and are now back in the refurbished enclosure.
A private official opening of the new enclosure will take place with an evening reception on Wednesday 13th March, before opening to members of the public on Thursday 14th March.

 

Any word on when the Kings are coming back?

 

Was at the members talking on the 21st and they are judging that within about 10days from then the pandas will be ready to be put together