0.1 European bison born on 4th January to mother Erika and father Hyssop. Baby European Bison Born at Fota
Some news from fota. Sadly after Tadghs passing last year, Wally the other resident male giraffe passed away. He was 18 years old and had been at Fota for 8 years. He had 4 female offspring. The park also has received 12 seahorses from an aquarium in Valencia.
0.1 Brazilian tapir born on 27th February to mum Maya and dad Basil. Stripes at Fota this Spring as new baby Brazilian Tapir announced
1.1 drill have arrived from Stuttgart. Fota announces the arrival of a new species to Ireland - the Drill
Interesting... It also says they are getting '3 females from Bristol Zoo' to add to this pair (of which the female at age 28 must be beyond breeding age anyway) As Bristol only have four drills now (of which two are the male's own offspring), does this mean they will stop keeping them, or replace the females leaving with fresh unrelated ones?
I was at Fota last month and the housing was complete but the outside was still under construction. I was told the Drills were due by late summer so they have come earlier than expected. Its a huge planted grassy island and should make a magnificent exhibit. It is noticeable that country zoos like Fota can have a dour appearance in winter but spring to life in better weather so my visit was a bit disapointing overall. The big herds of Bison, Lechwe, Oryx etc. are very impressive and they have 5 or 6 Tapirs and some are pregnant, so that should be cool.
I was at Fota yesterday and had a hugely enjoyable experience. The three female drills from Bristol have arrived as I saw them in their house, where they were really active and speedy. The drills can be seen in their house, but their outdoor island is under construction and, according to a banner, won't be finished until September. Nearby there was also construction going on for the new Madagascan Village, which will feature an interpretive center for visitors and two indoor lemur houses. The lemurs will be either free-ranging or be kept on the adjacent islands on the main lake. I've decided to wait till the (sloth) bears and takin arrive before I visit Fota again.
0.0.2 black-and-white ruffed lemurs born on 27th April to 17-year old mother Cloud and 7-year old father Paraic (who was born in Fota). Interestingly, the article says that the Madagascan village is anticipated to open at the end of this July. Say hello to two new critically endangered Black and White Ruffed lemur babies at Fota Wildlife Park
Are the new drills an adult female and two younger ones? I'm unclear what's happening with Bristol's Drills now- this move leaves them currently with just one male.
I don't know, because I didn't see any macaws on my visit. All I saw in what is supposedly their aviary were two ducks which I can imagine were a male and a female, but not sure of species.
On my last visit to Bristol I only saw one male. I visited Fota a few days ago and they also have a male.
Yes, Bristol's three females( 1 adult, 2 juveniles born there, either sisters or half-sisters -as Bristol lost one adult female) have joined an adult male and old handraised female at Fota, these two came from Europe. It seems Bristol will no longer keep them soon.
Bristol started with 1.2. They bred two (surviving) young which must both be females. One of the adult females died leaving male/female + two daughters of the male. So a transfer of the matri-group, which has happened now, was probably desirable anyway, but I'm surprised Bristol don't want to continue with new females.
