RSCC has been running now for some time and has a magnificent collection of rare animals. Has this place had many breeding successes yet? I know they have bred the NGS dogs but what else?
They've had ocelots, small monkeys and lemurs in the past but most of the 'important' animals like the bears and leopards are still quite young. I was there recently and the snow leopards, jaguarundis, otters and fishing cats were all mating, so we'll just have to wait and see!
Some exciting news! RSCC's smooth coated otter gave birth several weeks ago. One baby is being hand reared but the rest of the litter are being parent reared. They are not sure how many are in the nest but this really is a great acheivement as they have not been bred in captivity in Europe for alot of years! The fishing cats also had a litter but being a first time mother they did not survive but this is also a good sign for the future! The snow leopards and jagurundi are also both due to give birth and their fossa mated so fingers crossed for them too. This along with the arrival of two pairs of rusty spotted cats, two pairs of sri lankan giant squirrels, a trio of red-backed bearded saki and two pairs of palawan binturong makes this small zoo a real british gem!
Wow! That is indeed very impressive Al. I think its great that Belfast seems to have formed a "partnership" with the RSCC in bringing species such as the bearded sakis and smooth coated otters into the UK. Hopefully this is just the start for exciting new species being introduced to both the RSCC and Belfast!
It certainely does, thanks for the update Al. Shame more people cannot visit it just to see what a great little collection it really is!
It is the so-called smaller zoos that make the European zoo community count. So fine and congrats to RSCC and its out of range / usual species order collection. Glad that some unusual species are now up for an EEP candidacy (sakis, perhaps Philippine binturongs, Balabac muntjacs ...)!
They've got an accurate count on the smooth coated otters On the RSCC Facebook page they've updated that they have a total of 3 young smooth coated otters, one being hand raised, and two being successfully parent reared.
Hi Im thinking about visiting the RSCC next week. If I do so I will be travelling a long way and I wonder if its worth it? I have read some damning things about the place and i'll admit many of the pictures dont do the place any favours. I can drive but I would rather take a train. Is there a train staion nearby ? Can anyone tell me a little about the collection ? I would like to see the Ground Cuscus, Mouse Deer, Giant Squirrels and Otter cubs. What are the chances ? I know the place is small so should I go during the week to avoid a crowd ? Any informations you can share about your experiences or advice is welcome. Thanks
One thing I do have to say is that it can be done in an hour (probably less if you don't stay long to see any of the animals) I wrote this review of the place after my visit http://www.zoochat.com/38/little-british-gem-131200/ But as many have said before every collection is worth at least one visit. I certainly will try and get back if am down that way.
Sandwich railway station is about a mile away. You can get a bus or taxi or walk from there. The chances of seeing those animals are slim. Cuscus, Chevrotain and Giant Squirrels are off show. Not sure if the otter cubs have properly emerged from the holt yet. You will see two subspecies of Binturong. About ten species of cats, two taxa of Hornbill not represented anywhere else in the UK, Aardwolves, New Guuinea Singing Dogs and many other species seldom kept in the UK. You have no reason not to go.
Kiang, they have two species of hornbill one thou is off-show and I cannot remember which species sorry . The other is a pair of Rhinoceros Hornbills.
They have Rufous Hornbill (Buceros hydrocorax) and the nominate subspecies of Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros) and both of these species are on show.
