Why is one of these (four) new Giant Salamanders called 'Professor Lew'? Is it a copy of the name of the previous one at the zoo perhaps?
Yes it is in the Reptile House at the far end so if going anticlockwise around from the entrance it is the first exhibit as you turn back from the far (crocodile) end
London Zoo's previous Chinese giant salamander had a very similar name to the new one: the last one was called "Professor Wu"! The new giant salamander is in the Reptile House not the Aquarium (which is scheduled for closure). I haven't seen the new arrival yet myself but, on my last few visits to the Reptile House, the old Australian lungfish exhibit was being refurbished; my guess is that the giant salamander has been placed there. EDIT. Sorry "tennisfan" our posts crossed. Yes, that's the exhibit I was referring to.
Couldn't remember the exact name, but yes, I guess they've just copied it for some reason. I read one of the other three will be kept, and the other two sent elsewhere.
Four surviving individuals were confiscated. This item claimed 2 would remain eventually at ZSL: Zoo unveils smuggled giant salamander I wonder which zoo the other 2 ended up.
Try 95% empty. 2 Tawny frogmouth and some Javan sparrow. I was truly disappointed. I would like to see one set turned into a rare pheasant set of aviaries for Edward's pheasants, Elliot's etc... The second turned into a set for small passerines like tanagers and such and then the last set should be destroyed and used as off-show aviaries. But honestly they should focus on sorting out the disappointingly empty Blackburn pavilion and African walkthrough at the entrance of Gorilla Kingdom.
I wonder if any will be headed for the new aquarium at Whipsnade. I understand that one of the regions being explored is Chinese caves so giant salamanders would fit perfectly.
I see no reason why the North Bank couldn't be transformed relatively cheaply if they have no clear plan for the next 5 years or so. All the old aviaries could be demolished and a row of wood and wire enclosures built like those that were put up at Bristol Zoo and Wild Place in the last few years, far better to see more animals than derelict overgrown buildings and empty spaces, but ZSL too often are only interested in building flash multi million exhibits for only a few species. The North Bank doesn't have to just be birds either, similar enclosures could be built for primates or small carnivores . The area is an embarrassment at the moment!
All the paperwork is at 11/04644/FULL | Creation of new Sumatran Tiger enclosure and alterations to two adjoining buildings. | Outer Circle Regents Park London NW1
Within those old documents there is a copy of a historic masterplan from 2007 that Included some indications of the intentions for the north terrace https://idoxpa.westminster.gov.uk/o..._04644_FULL-LONDON_ZOO_MASTERPLAN-2242284.pdf
Its worth noting that as of the latest Zoo map, the whole of the North Bank along with the Snowdon is now shaded off as under redevelopment, and in the coming weeks will be closed off to the public, so its likely those will be redeveloped along with the Snowdon, there was prior planning permission a couple of years ago as someone else said for them.
I won't link to it, but the website One Green Planet is starting a petition to make the zoo end its tiger breeding program because of the death of Melati.
A bit of an extreme reaction ! I think they just need to move the male on and start again with a new pair, as previously suggested
Keep in mind that One Green Planet is an animal rights/vegan oriented website, so they very much have an anti-zoo bias.