Join our zoo community

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm Noah's Ark News 2017

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by TNT, 13 Jan 2017.

  1. TNT

    TNT Well-Known Member 5+ year member

    Joined:
    22 Aug 2016
    Posts:
    1,598
    Location:
    UK
    I'm visiting the zoo tomorrow! If anyone has any photo requests I'd be happy to help.
     
  2. Ned

    Ned Well-Known Member 10+ year member

    Joined:
    20 May 2009
    Posts:
    1,340
    Location:
    .
    Coatis have now been mixed with the bears.
     
  3. Quincey

    Quincey Well-Known Member 5+ year member

    Joined:
    2 Dec 2015
    Posts:
    1,083
    Location:
    Scotland
    From facebook:

    It’s with sadness today we announce the passing of Gerald the Giraffe last week.

    We know you will join us in sharing your sympathies with our dedicated Giraffe Keepers and the wider Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm family who are feeling the loss to our park.
    Gerald joined Noah’s Ark in 2007 at the age of 2, one of our original ‘big zoo’ animals. He was full of character and an instant hit with visitors and the media, forming an unlikely friendship with Eddie the goat and becoming love-struck with girlfriend Genny when she arrived in 2010. He was hugely popular with our visitors and the whole staff team.

    Gerald, 12, was proud dad to our two boys George, 4, and Geoffrey, 2.

    Gerald began showing signs of ill health on Friday 31st March. He was not eating and had stomach pains. Working quickly with our experienced veterinary partners we monitored him closely, running a series of tests and making him as comfortable as possible. Sadly his condition deteriorated and Gerald passed away during the night on Thursday 6th April. A full post mortem was carried out by specialists, the results of which will be returned shortly.

    He was a gentle giant and will be missed by all.

    We are creating a Memorial Wall to celebrate Gerald’s life. We’d love to hear and see your memories of Gerald with any photos you’ve taken over the years – do share yours below.

    We’re glad to say our much-loved giraffes Genny, George and Geoffrey have adjusted to life without Gerald and are doing well, enjoying the warmer weather outside.
     
    TNT likes this.
  4. Embu

    Embu Well-Known Member 5+ year member

    Joined:
    13 Apr 2016
    Posts:
    1,288
    Location:
    North Wales United Kingdom
    Wasn`t Gerald a hybrid ? sad news anyhow
     
  5. zoogiraffe

    zoogiraffe Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    12 Sep 2007
    Posts:
    6,338
    Location:
    Middlewich,Cheshire U.K
    Yes he was,perhaps now they will bring in a pure Retic bull to go with the female which is a pure Retic!
     
  6. Embu

    Embu Well-Known Member 5+ year member

    Joined:
    13 Apr 2016
    Posts:
    1,288
    Location:
    North Wales United Kingdom
    I agree Zoogiraffe, there isn't a huge amount of room in Britain for surplus purebred animals let alone more hybrid. We shall wait & see....
     
  7. Kifaru Bwana

    Kifaru Bwana Well-Known Member 15+ year member

    Joined:
    25 Jan 2006
    Posts:
    12,225
    Location:
    Amsterdam, Holland
    I think there may now be a good chance that a male reticulated bull (and perhaps even another female retic) may be sourced from within the European zoo community. As far as I know though they are not a member within EAZA as yet.
     
  8. zoogiraffe

    zoogiraffe Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    12 Sep 2007
    Posts:
    6,338
    Location:
    Middlewich,Cheshire U.K
    I wouldn't hold your breath over that happening.
     
  9. Ned

    Ned Well-Known Member 10+ year member

    Joined:
    20 May 2009
    Posts:
    1,340
    Location:
    .
    Aldabra tortoise are to be added to the collection.
     
  10. MagpieGoose

    MagpieGoose Well-Known Member 5+ year member

    Joined:
    29 Mar 2015
    Posts:
    1,299
    Location:
    UK
    Sam the Siamang left for a Zoo in South Africa on the 25th of May
     
  11. Ned

    Ned Well-Known Member 10+ year member

    Joined:
    20 May 2009
    Posts:
    1,340
    Location:
    .
  12. Kifaru Bwana

    Kifaru Bwana Well-Known Member 15+ year member

    Joined:
    25 Jan 2006
    Posts:
    12,225
    Location:
    Amsterdam, Holland
    Any idea where they came from. Some seem to be adults ...?!
     
  13. Ned

    Ned Well-Known Member 10+ year member

    Joined:
    20 May 2009
    Posts:
    1,340
    Location:
    .
    They came from the private collection of Nigel Marven (tv presenter of animal related shows such as "10 deadliest snakes") I knew he had aldabras but didn't know it was so many or where he got then from.
     
    Kifaru Bwana likes this.
  14. Johnny Morris.

    Johnny Morris. Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    20 Jul 2008
    Posts:
    619
    Location:
    Newport Wales UK
    Aren't these the ones he loaned to Bristol Zoo a few years ago?
     
  15. Ned

    Ned Well-Known Member 10+ year member

    Joined:
    20 May 2009
    Posts:
    1,340
    Location:
    .
    To be honest I didn't know he had lent any to Bristol Zoo. It looks like the'll be a permanent feature at Noah's Ark.
     
  16. Kifaru Bwana

    Kifaru Bwana Well-Known Member 15+ year member

    Joined:
    25 Jan 2006
    Posts:
    12,225
    Location:
    Amsterdam, Holland
    Yes, 1.2 of these (Hogarth, Hissy and Stevie ... I believe).
     
  17. TNT

    TNT Well-Known Member 5+ year member

    Joined:
    22 Aug 2016
    Posts:
    1,598
    Location:
    UK
    Went to the zoo today - lovely trip.

    A new Tapir and Capybara house is under construction.

    It's nice to see how the spectacled bear enclosure has developed over the past 7 months since my last visit... the bears are very active!

    Spoke to the owner - he hopes to get orangs in the future which would certainly be interesting.

    From what I saw there seem to be ostrich chicks.

    It's primate week so took a vip tour where I was able to feed the tamarins and marmosets.

    Overall a nice and informative visit with fantastic educational talks.
     
  18. SHAVINGTONZOO

    SHAVINGTONZOO Well-Known Member 10+ year member

    Joined:
    1 Jul 2011
    Posts:
    1,058
    Location:
    Cheshire, UK
    I'm assuming the educational talks don't stray into some of the more theological elements said to be a feature here?
     
  19. TNT

    TNT Well-Known Member 5+ year member

    Joined:
    22 Aug 2016
    Posts:
    1,598
    Location:
    UK
    No, not at all... anything but! The owner did a tad, but that wasn't park of a talk; I didn't mind as he was fairly respectful and didn't try and force his religion upon me.
     
  20. Ned

    Ned Well-Known Member 10+ year member

    Joined:
    20 May 2009
    Posts:
    1,340
    Location:
    .
    I think they should look at improving their rhino, giraffe and big cat accommodation before they think about great apes. When I visited last one of the bears was pacing quite a lot, while the enclosure is a reasonable size I think it's pretty bland.