ZooChat Challenge UK 2013

Now up to 7 after seeing the Geoffroy's cat at Dudley today.

Congratulations to Pipaluk on getting the 24 - I will be pleased if I can get into double figures by the end of the year.

 

I know that this doesn't count but I went to WHF for the first time over the weekend and had a really good day. I managed to get to see number 25 Jack the Jungle Cat. I was at a photography workshop (birthday present) and got pretty close to all the cats and even from the other side of the enclosure could still feel how powerful they are. I would love to go again not on an open day if I ever get chance again. The new white lion enclosure looks like it is going to be pretty impressive apart from the dirt track for the safari bus which to me seems a bit pointless.

I will post some of the photos I took later on in the week

 

I was at a zoo (that I won't name at the moment) last week and was surprised to spot (and photograph) a Lynx. I asked a member of staff about it and was told it was a young female Canadian Lynx that had recently arrived at the zoo and was in quarantine. I've searched the posts on here and can't see anything about the zoo getting a Canadian Lynx and as I believe this is the only collection in the UK to have the species I don't feel I should name them. I will let the zoo decide for themselves when they want to make the announcement.

I believe that puts me on 25 for the Zoo Chat Challenge and 26 in total for the year (as Jack the Jungle Cat doesn't count) I think I must have just been in the right place at the right time!

 

Congratulations Snowy Owl, you beat me to it. I was on my way to the zoo in question 2 weeks ago, but had to turn off the motorway due to traffic congestion and gave up! I don't think i was ever destined to win, but you've travelled considerably more miles than me so you've earned it.

 

You might not have won but you've definitely enhanced the challenge with your taking part (and your keen and sporting behaviour).

Who knows the challenge might not be over yet, Todd may open up RSCC for Christmas and reveal he has Marbled Cats, Flat-headed Cats and Pampas Cats crammed in there.

 

Busted by the ZooChat police! I had a vague flashback/recollection as I typed it (it was over eight months ago when I made the rules).

Technically if RSSC opened permanently in the year it would count (just not one off open days). Then again, a very moot point as:

1. I've not heard of any plans to open this year;

2. I don't think even Todd could source Marbled Cats, Flat-headed Cats and Pampas Cats*

*That's a gauntlet being thrown down if he's reading

 

I visited the collection in question today and if the canadian lynx are still there, all i can say is that you were extremely lucky to 'spot' one if they were held in the quarantine cage i thought it might be in! Was it indoors or outdoors when you photographed it? Difficult for either as the enclosure is now, but maybe i have the wrong enclosure or zoo, maybe there's more than one holder?

 

I've sent you a pm

Thanks

Richard

 

Assuming no collection is going to put a Marbled Cat on display in the next few hours I think it's safe to say the 2013 challenge is effectively over.

Many thanks for all those who became involved -either taking part, commenting or just viewing the thread.

Congratulations to Snowy Owl on winning the challenge -if you PM your address (or any address you can collect the trophy from (work?) if you're super-security conscious) to me I'll get the trophy engraved and sent to you.

Special mention in dispatches to Pipaluk who came so close and helped add a fair amount of competition and excitement to the challenge in doing so.

Now, onwards to the 2014 challenge....... (if only I learned how to link threads).

 

Well done to all involved, here's to the 2014 challenge.

(please, please be wild goat and sheep )

 

Many thanks to Shorts for setting the challenge and giving me the push to visit a few places that i might not have this year.
Congratulations to Snowy Owl and thanks also to TLD for making it an interesting contest.

 

Thoroughly enjoyed this challenge it took me to some new places (Thrigby, Hamerton & Port Lympne) being as I like my cats I loved going to see the collections they have.

Being a keen photographer as well I'm sure I will visit these collections again in the not to decent future.

Highlights of 2013 for me were

My Clouded Leopard photo from Cotswold
Seeing the Oncilla at Hamerton, would be nice to see more in the UK.
Visit to WHF for photography day.
Seeing 10 species for the first time.

Thank you to TLD & Pipaluk for the competition and I must admit I thought Pipaluk had won.

Good luck to everyone in the 2014 challenge.

Thanks

Richard