I think it was actually 1936 that Oxford closed: Clin Keeling quoted an advert from August 1936 that said "Your last opportunity. Moving to Dudley Castle at the end of September". This suggests that there were animals at Dudley several months before the official opening.
Robmv many thanks for your help just tried to google Oxford Zoo and nothing of interest came up is there any other way I can find things out many thanks again
There was a short chapter in Clin Keeling's "Where The Lion Trod", but there's very little information around (after all, it was only open for five years). Postcards aren't that uncommon and surprisingly there were at least seven editions of the guidebook, though these are much more scarce.
In general it is one of the better sites but I did find it funny when it had Dudley as having a Jaguar and no Geoffry's cat but then again we all make mistakes.
As I remember, Chester used to keep American Alligators where the Philippine crocs are now. This would have been some time in the 90's (I could be wrong though).
On the Bartlett Society website there are comprehensive lists of species kept since inception at Jersey Zoo (Durrell), Marwell Zoo (Marwell Wildlife) and Cotswold Wildlife Park. Hopefully this section will eventually be expanded to cover other zoos. Go to the "Projects" section of the B.S. website.
I wonder if anyone can help me with some details about the lynx held at dudley. The last time I went there were 3 and was wondering if anyone could shed some light on names, ages, where they came from and whether they have had kittens at all at Dudley. I've been going to dudley for yrs and have always been intrigued by the lynx at the zoo
They did have 0.3. Originally it was 1.1 plus 0.2 (?) cubs, I know about five years (possibly longer) the male died but they have bred in the 1990's.
If they end up going out of the species I certainly wouldn't complain if they put the Geoffroy's cat in the enclosure
They only have Chleo left the other 2 unfortunatly passed away late Feb and early March (3rd) They will NOT be loosing the species.
Gandolf and Minnie bred several times but only ever reared one litter, I think the two kittens, Chloe and Phoebe were born in 1994(ish I think).
A couple more species.... Having read through the lists I can add the following species which were held at Dudley between the mid 1970s and mid 1980s: Diana monkey Mona monkey Wolf Brown bear Coatimundi I think they may also have had grey seals (where penguin bay is now) and, possibly, fallow deer (where the Asiatic lions are now) although the very grainy photo I've got may have been wrongly labelled and they could be axis deer. I've got a very vague recollection of Rhesus monkeys where the spider monkeys are now but can't be 100% certain. Sorry for not posting this sooner but I've only just joined the forum.
