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Gibbon Forest

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by Red Kite, 28 Dec 2015.

  1. Red Kite

    Red Kite New Member

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    I have just visited Twycross, Gibbon forest is looking good but I have just had a thought what is there to stop a bird of prey i.e. a Buzzard from taking a young gibbon and what is there to stop them from getting off the island ?
     
  2. bongorob

    bongorob Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    1. The baby gibbon's parents

    2. water

    I think any buzzards in the vicinity would be more interested in rabbits than gibbons.


    Welcome to ZooChat.
     
  3. tetrapod

    tetrapod Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Adult gibbons can be vicious buggers. I'd be fearing for the buzzard's life...
     
  4. FunkyGibbon

    FunkyGibbon Well-Known Member

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    Plus buzzards are usually scavengers. There are reports of golden eagles taking lambs, but this isn't such a concern in Leicestershire!
    The only enclosure I have seen in a zoo that seemed to have bird of prey protection is the Souslik exhibit at Bristol.
     
  5. TeaLovingDave

    TeaLovingDave Moderator Staff Member 10+ year member

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    They'll take carrion if they can get it, certainly, but they are primarily hunters - see them hunting on the moorlands next to Helly's house regularly.
     
  6. Chlidonias

    Chlidonias Moderator Staff Member 15+ year member

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    many gibbons on the moors?

    "Ey-op, Amos, them gibbons done be gettin' in with me pheasants again!"
     
  7. banham.tiger

    banham.tiger Well-Known Member

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    The lion enclosure at colchester zoo has bird protection but that is to stop the birds from flying in with the lions :D like what happened a few years ago.
     
  8. gentle lemur

    gentle lemur Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Does anyone know of a bird of prey taking a mammal from an outdoor enclosure in a British zoo? I can imagine a duckling being taken from a pond, but I think it unlikely that even a marmoset would be taken.
    On the other hand, birds of prey can be a form of enrichment: keeping watch for them is a skill that we wouldn't want zoo animals to lose.

    [​IMG]

    Pygmy marmoset at Chester. I have seen a kestrel in Miniature Monkeys.

    Alan
     
  9. SHAVINGTONZOO

    SHAVINGTONZOO Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Paignton had some metal screening over an enclosure (prairie dogs?) to stop gulls attacking youngsters.
     
  10. wayne4swfc

    wayne4swfc Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Not exactly a danger but I know when I visited Twycross last month there was a kestrel in the roof of the elephant house tucking into a small bird. A good way to keep down rodents too I guess.
     
  11. gentle lemur

    gentle lemur Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Seagulls don't count as birds of prey :rolleyes:
    The ones at Paignton are total reprobates. My worst experience in an English zoo was having a smoked salmon sandwich stolen by a herring gull there :mad:

    Alan
     
  12. zoogiraffe

    zoogiraffe Well-Known Member

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    No it was put up to stop the Birds used in the Flying Displays the zoo does from making a mistake and landing it and ending their display careers a little early!!!