Chimpanzee introductions are never easy and accidents unfortunately do happen. Just realise that if and when chimpanzees after months and months of trials and tribulations are put together anything can happen and most of that is beyond the control of any staff, nay keeper, nay vet team, nay collection manager. I would suggest you do not try and be judge and jury here. Difficult choices, unexpected events and well, everyone ... may be expected to be on the wrong side of history once in a while, is it not? It is not that I have not regretted myself doing some stupid stuff in the past, right! We are after all quite quite fallible. TBH: I do find being judgemental often a tad unfair on persons and individuals you may not (or might know).
The latest update from RZSS Conservation Associate Dr Arnaud Desbiez is a bleak one regarding the fires in the Pantanal: Fires in the Pantanal | Edinburgh Zoo
Surprised no one has mentioned the 'Inside the Zoo' series currently on BBC Scotland (also available on iPlayer). I'm really enjoying it, some really good content. Much better than the recent ZSL one in my opinion. Not sure when it was filmed, I'm assuming last year as there's nothing about Covid in the main programme. New TV programme goes behind the scenes at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park | Edinburgh Zoo
Which is why there should be a Giant Armadillo breeding program in Europe, so we can reintroduce after such disasters (although I do also want to see a Giant Armadillo again for selfish reasons) and following on from their forest fires the same goes for Australian species.
I have been watching it but was really disappointed with the script in episode three. Repeated use of the word ‘breeds’ instead of species and suggestion that there are species at the Highland Wildlife Park called “bukhara” and “przewalski”. I appreciate that mistakes do happen but found this frustrating as it’s an otherwise enjoyable programme.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has celebrated an outstanding £2 million worth of funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery: £2 million People’s Postcode Lottery funding milestone for Royal Zoological Society of Scotland | Edinburgh Zoo
Spoke to a member of staff at Tiger Tracks today and he says they’ve narrowed it down to a few potential males for dharma, he says there’s a male from Germany who they’re particularly interested in, either way we should be seeing a male in the forest in the coming months
The most likely candidate's in Germany (currently) are: Vanni at Frankfurt - Born at Rotterdam in 2010 and currently living alone after the elderly female at Frankfurt died. Neither he (or his twin brother) have successfully bred. But he doesn't have the best record with female's Tebo at Heidelberg - Born at Naturzoo Rheine in 2009. Has been with a female for a few years (she is genetically important) but has yet to breed with her. Kabus at Naturzoo Rheine - Born at Chessington in 2008. Sired a litter of three cubs in early 2019. Cubs are moving on early next year (the only male cub in the litter is going to Krefeld). So it's possible they'll want to pair Kabus with a different female whilst he's still young enough to breed from? Masat or Tange at Tierpark Cottbus - Both born at ZooParc Beauval in 2015. Their are also adult males at Osnabruck and Augsburg. However both are closely related to Dharma. My money would be on Kabus being the selected male. He's now a proven breeder, not closely related to Dharma and potentially available in early 2021 which would fit with the timescales given.
Nisha - great info! Any predictions about cat imports to Paignton, which the marketing staff there have told me is imminent? Cheers.
My guess is that the males at Osnabruck and Augsburg (brothers) are not able to breed, while at least Osnabruck would love to. With so many males, which haven't bred, I would not wonder if they made changes at Cottbus and put at least one of their relatively young tigers (*2015) into a position in which they can have a try.
Six vulturine guineafowl chicks have hatched at Edinburgh Zoo - the first in six years. The chicks are currently being reared off-show. More information can be found in the link below: Grumpy guineafowl becomes dad at Edinburgh Zoo | Edinburgh Zoo
Male tiger has arrived from Paignton. Critically endangered tiger arrives at Edinburgh Zoo | Edinburgh Zoo
RZSS have put out a plea for donations in case they are forced to close again: Help feed the animals this Christmas | Edinburgh Zoo
Does anyone know which enclosure he’s in and which one dharma is in because I’d assume they’re being held separately
Lucu is in the newer "Tiger Tracks" enclosure, Dharma is in the older set of enclosures next door. It will be some time before they are mixed.
