A big surprise: Berlin Tierpark received a second couple of Coquerel Sifakas. Apparently, Bristol cancelled their plans to keep the species and Berlin signalled they would accomodate another pair. So it is 2,2 now.
Correct me if I am wrong but isnt Bristol in the process of moving and closing right now? I don't know if getting Sifakahs during such a time period is appropiate. I do wonder if TPB is only holding these sifakahs temporarily while the EEP is looking for a new holder. Spoiler It would be nice if the pair goes to a country where Zoboomafoo was aired at such as Turkey
As I understand it, the change in plans is due to exactly the situation Possum surmised; the imminent closure of Bristol meant it was no longer feasible to take them. I imagine they are being held at Tierpark until a backup holder can be arranged - the key issue was to get them over to Europe whilst possible.
I totally forgot about Bristol's situation. Of course, that's even far, far more unrest than what we see at Berlin Tierpark right now and not nearly as pleasant. But I hope they do get to realize their plans for a fresh start. It would be very sad to see an institution die after 185 years... As to the sifakas: According to Zootierliste they have been at Berlin Tierpark at least since November 5th but according to other sources the 2,2 likely even all arrived together from Duke's Lemure Centre as a well kept secret. One pair originally was kept behind the scenes. But now they also got spotted in the enclosure. The park also made an official announcement about them where it states the 2,2 all are EEP animals. It doesn't say anything about Bristol or any prospective plans for moving them again in the (near) future, though. Let's wait and see.
Are they housed together or each separated ? Even though sifakas are usually housed in couples in captivity, the natural social structure is rather multi-male and multi females so that would appear plausible and better-suited, unless some animals are related and we want to prevent breeding between specific individuals.
Since this week female snow leopard (Panthera uncia) Layla has been exploring her new enclosure. Source: Instagram of Tierpark Berlin (12/11/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWJGdx3MXij/
Just for clarification: Layla recently arrived from Warsaw so that is why the enclosure is new for her. It is still the well-known one near the Brehm building. But the new enclosure at the Himalaya mountain zone should be ready soon as well.
Are there any plans for the snow leopard enclosure near the Brehm building after they have moved to their new enclosure in the Himalaya mountain zone?
So far, I haven't heard about any official (or even inofficial) plans. But I'm sure they'll think of something. I could even imagine that they could put some Asian or African monkeys in there. They have started spreading the primates out anyways. There will be some at the Himalaya zone and some near the main restaurant.
Recently 4 Central Vietnamese flowerback box turtles (Cuora bourreti) hatched, one of which can be found in the AB-building. Source: Instagram of Tierpark Berlin (29/11/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CW3kol_sqxz/
In June the 3-year old female Rothschild's giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) Ella was send to Knies Kinderzoo. Somewhere in July a Chacoan mara (Dolichotis salinicola) was born. A male Canadian musk ox (Ovibos moschatus moschatus) was born in June and in July a female was born. In October 7 Northern bald ibises (Geronticus eremita) that hatched in Tierpark Berlin were send to Spain to be released into the wild. Sources: Instagram of Tierpark Berlin (02/06/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPn631gImit/ Instagram of Tierpark Berlin (09/07/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRHA4LVIX4R/ Instagram of Tierpark Berlin (13/07/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRRnQK7ogtC/ Instagram of Tierpark Berlin (12/08/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSe2cIiHAqO/ Instagram of Tierpark Berlin (27/10/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CViD-SzMAiR/
Some blue wildebeests have arrived and live in the former waterbuck enclosure for now. I don't really know any more details. But apparently they received at least 3 animals (three have been spotted).
Thank you @markmeier According to ZTL, they're from the white-bearded subspecie and are the only one in the country (only 5 zoos in Europe) I'm not a specialist but I thought that wildebeest were hard to mix, not only due to nervosity but also due to veterinary issues. Is it right ? With the white-bearded, beisa oryx recent arrival, it looks like the savannah exhibit might be oriented towards Eastern-Africa.
@Therabu You may well be right. I'm not sure, if I heard anything about this (may well have forgotten it, there has been so much going on lately). But Rothschild's Giraffes and Grevy's Zebras also live in Eastern Africa. Some bad news: Apparently one of the male sifakas had some innate heart problems and passed away. Some good news: It looks like they now relocated all animals which lived in the area of the prospective Savannah exhibit. So they can start working on it. Also, they started some minor preparations for the mixed species exhibit with Otters, Babirusas and Crested Black Macaques.
Here's a compact review with some of the highlights of 2021 (births, new arrivals, releases into the wild, developing projects, enrichment, events):
