Does anyone know how long the zoo has to be free of cases for before they get the certification that they are officially clear?
0.1 Cuban crocodile has arrived in Crocodile swamp. She is called Spice. Check out their FB for more details
Purportedly, London Aqu had hybrid Cuban x American (C. acutus). So, hybrids … I am a little surprised (Paignton is EEP studbook holder for Cubans rhombifer).
For the past few weeks I have been puzzled by some pheasants sharing the aviary which holds the double yellow-headed amazons. I saw one hen before Xmas and a second hen last month, but I wasn't able to identify the species. Yesterday I saw a male Edward's pheasant there too, which solved the puzzle.
Went today and saw that there is a boardwalk being built to the side of the ex prairie dog exhibit in pets corner (the one with the glass bubble look-outs). My prediction is that this is where the meerkats & porcupine will go. Not sure about the Cusimanse? The Radiated tortoises have moved to Newquay and there are Indo-chinese turtles in their place. The Dwarf Crocs have moved out of Croc Swamp to make way for the new Cuban but it appeared the Lilly pond has been re-planted - could they go in there? The Red-ruffed Lemur female is about to give birth, hope all goes well. The male giraffe was kept indoors, separated from the females. Still no sign of the Duiker.
I'm not sure that the zoo fulfilled its role as an education charity today. A teacher in the Amphibian Centre told her primary pupils that all the frogs on show were poisonous - 'that's why they're behind glass'. Then a group of adults looking at orangs Wousan and Gambira declared that they were chimps. An honourable mention last week to the mother of two small inquisitive children who misidentified the orangs in the showden - fair enough, the sign with their photos and details hasn't been updated to include Wousan who arrived 9 months ago. However, the explanations became more and more complicated as other orangs appeared in the bedrooms and the children were left with the impression that the daddy couldn't be kept with the babies because he'd eat them. I almost intervened near the start to be helpful, but things had gone too far by then. Just needed to get that off my chest.
Sometimes I can get away with a little public education on the side - I think my grey beard and 'wise owl' spectacles help. But I always choose my moment and my victim(s) carefully, and I would never correct a teacher in front of their students. Men have died for less
Has the zoo still not accounced what species of Duiker they will be getting? IMO I'm kinda hoping for it to be maybe Yellow-backed duiker (Especially since there are no current UK collections with them yet), although I may be proved wrong.
Yellow-backed duikers are quite large. I suspect that one could get over that fence like a Grand National winner going over a hurdle.
I think we all have our moments! Most people probably just think I’m a bad crank for standing there gushing sun bear, but alas . . . !
There's been more in the media about the TB outbreak: Zoo animals 'put on pill' amid TB outbreak More mammals are being put on contraception. They say that if they are given the all clear they'll be able to restart breeding by the end of the year. The movement restrictions must also be hampering their plans for the Savannah development. The item on the local BBC news last night illustrated the dilemma with film of the lions and also the pileated gibbons who are currently rearing their year old son, the bachelor gorillas and dear old Duchess. No worries about breeding where the latter two species are concerned!
I saw it too. Thought the Gorillas and Elephant were strange choices to feature(yes I know, just ABC's added for the clip..) as they sort of self-contracept, don't they...
