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Colchester Zoo Spotted Hyenas to arrive at Colchester!

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by Roz, 8 Jun 2011.

  1. Roz

    Roz Well-Known Member

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    This has already been mentioned in the spring thread, but as it is fairly major news it deserves it's own thread.
    It has today been announced that 1.1 Spotted Hyena will shortly be moving to Colchester Zoo. They will recieve female Kalabi from Berlin and male Abo from Amersfoort.
    The plan for the introduction was reccomended by the studbook keeper in the hope that the pair will breed in the future.
    Their arrival will mean that all Hyaenidae species will once again be represented in the UK :D

    P.S could a mod please move this to the colchester section? Thanks
     
  2. kiang

    kiang Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Great news, thanks Roz, hopefully now they can get a foothold here in the UK.
    I seem to remember a few rumours of one or more UK safari parks getting them, they seem to be breeding well in a few European collections.
     
  3. foz

    foz Well-Known Member

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    Nice to see the hyena diversity of the UK restored to glory. However I think its a bit of a shame to only hosue the pair when these could truly make a dramatic display as part of a larger group.
     
  4. jerseygorilla

    jerseygorilla Well-Known Member

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    Will they go into the enclosure that currently houses the striped?
     
  5. bugs

    bugs Well-Known Member

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    It would be good if they were kept in the old white tiger enclosure, even if its just temporary. Its a shame such a large space will be empty during the busiest time of the year and better than the alternating system they previously had.
     
  6. TeaLovingDave

    TeaLovingDave Moderator Staff Member 10+ year member

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    Excellent news!
     
  7. Pertinax

    Pertinax Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Is it still empty? I'm surprised they haven't managed to fill it with something even temporarily, as its large and in a focal/central part of the Zoo.

    I don't think the new Hyaenas are necessarily the best solution though like you I also hope they don't rotate them with the Striped ones, that wasn't ideal.
     
  8. Bwassa

    Bwassa Well-Known Member

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    Any idea exactly when they are arriving? Was planning to visit in a couple of weeks.
     
  9. Nanook

    Nanook Well-Known Member

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    Firstly, fantastic news indeed, good to see that Colchester are committed to continue with this species in the future. Secondly, I agree with Foz, if the species has any chance of being fully established once more in the UK numbers are needed , preferrably several females! Still its a great start !
     
  10. ZooSam

    ZooSam Member

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    The new pair will be housed where the female Striped Hyena is at present.
     
  11. zooman64

    zooman64 Well-Known Member

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    It's good to know that Spotted Hyenas will once again be represented on the British zoo scene. What I am at a loss to understand, though, is why hyenas (of any kind) are not seen in safari parks. Gradually (much too gradually for my liking) the few British safari parks are getting a little more diverse in the variety of animals they show, with, perhaps, West Midland Safari Park leading the way. And yet nobody seems to consider hyenas as a possibility for a drive-through reserve. I would've thought they would be OK in this situation.