Well that is just unforgivable imo - they obviously don't know what they are doing.
Borth Animalarium Lynx escape
- Thread starter Devi
- Start date
Well that is just unforgivable imo - they obviously don't know what they are doing.
I agree, it seems like they've taken on more than they can handle. Even if enclosures were inadequate when they took over, they should have been upgraded. And this second incident is seemingly inexperienced staff under stress that handled a situation very unprofessionally.
I can't help but think that timing is playing a bigger part in people's reactions though. If the whole Lilleth escape hadn't happened would people be more sympathetic towards this incident?
It is a bit of a moot point isn't it? The two have happened together and as such people will judge them based on that fact.
I don't think I would be more sympathetic though tbh. I was more willing to cut them some slack re the escape as they do appear to have taken on a big job in terms of the improvements required. Of course they should have adequate enclosures and be making progress on making whatever improvements are required - but I also understand that they may have (rightly or wrongly) prioritised other aspects over the Lynx enclosure.
I'm far less inclined to forgive the fact they didn't seem to be aware of the escape for some time having not checked on the lynx adequately, or the fact they have had this terrible incident. These are animal management / handling issues.
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Lynx Trust statement is 'stirring' and anti-zoo. Anyone who works with animals knows that accidents happen.
I have worked with animals and yes accidents do happen, but it seems from that statement that the original escape was due to neglect, not cutting the tree back as they were told to do.
They seem reluctant to answer questions and want to blame everyone else.
Naivety at the cost of animal life is no excuse, did they not realise when they bought the place that they would need far more money
to restore and very experienced help
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
An exchange with one commentator on that exposes how Lynx UK Trust feel, after the chap pointed out the problems highlighted were with the previous owner
"appreciate previous owners left numerous problems, they did not include instructions to strangle a lynx so far as we're aware"
I can't see it now, but they said something along the lines of "we'll go after any zoo that mistreats lynx"
"appreciate previous owners left numerous problems, they did not include instructions to strangle a lynx so far as we're aware"
I can't see it now, but they said something along the lines of "we'll go after any zoo that mistreats lynx"
They keep claiming that the escape was due to the poor enclosure, but the enclosure wasn't the issue at all, rather the management of it (trees) and the knowledge of the animals (allowing a lot of fighting, keeping unrelated animals together) along with procedures (counting the animals daily and making sure everyone is present). From my fairly minor zoo career I also learned that there should be a secure boundary outside the zoo meaning that escaped animals have two boundaries to get over before they reach the outside world this clearly wasn't the case here.
Basically most of the issues were the new owners, and blaming the old ones is just erroneous.
As for Nilly, I had a really sick feeling in my stomach when I heard this, she was a hand reared lynx and very tame, the old owners moved her by putting her in a carrier themselves and as a juvenile she would come to anyone. If she needed moving and the current owners weren't able to tempt her into a carrier then why didn't they call the old owners? I have never in my life heard of big cats being moved by dog catch poles, it seems so bizarre to do this over tempting them into an enclosure or getting the vet in to dart them. Plus how long do you need to hold a cat to asphyxiate them? This was not a momentary mistake but a prolonged ignorance.
The new owners have no zoo background, they have no zoo knowledge, there should be some sort of regulation that if these kind of people buy a zoo that they should need to hire a manager. I hope it doesn't close from this, but changes need to happen.
Basically most of the issues were the new owners, and blaming the old ones is just erroneous.
As for Nilly, I had a really sick feeling in my stomach when I heard this, she was a hand reared lynx and very tame, the old owners moved her by putting her in a carrier themselves and as a juvenile she would come to anyone. If she needed moving and the current owners weren't able to tempt her into a carrier then why didn't they call the old owners? I have never in my life heard of big cats being moved by dog catch poles, it seems so bizarre to do this over tempting them into an enclosure or getting the vet in to dart them. Plus how long do you need to hold a cat to asphyxiate them? This was not a momentary mistake but a prolonged ignorance.
The new owners have no zoo background, they have no zoo knowledge, there should be some sort of regulation that if these kind of people buy a zoo that they should need to hire a manager. I hope it doesn't close from this, but changes need to happen.
The zoo will be re-opening on the 2nd of December
This month we have remained closed to undergo vital refurbishment work and in that time, we have also undergone a full inspection. A team of inspectors have spent four days going over our establishment with a fine-tooth comb and they gave us a long list of things that need improving. Many of the things on the list we were aware of and had already planned to tackle the problems. The good thing is this period of closure has allowed us to really crack on with what needs doing and push forward our timetable of works.
We have had a complete clear out and an amazing army of volunteers have been helping us with cutting, cleaning, digging and painting in an effort to bring this attraction up to modern standards. Staff protocols have been completely revamped and our already experienced, qualified zookeepers (and directors) will all undergo an increased training programme including work placements at other larger zoos around the UK.
Restoration work will continue for the rest of this week but, all going well, we will be reopening to the public next Saturday, 2nd of December. I do hope you will support what we are trying to do here and that you have a pleasant experience the next time you visit.
This month we have remained closed to undergo vital refurbishment work and in that time, we have also undergone a full inspection. A team of inspectors have spent four days going over our establishment with a fine-tooth comb and they gave us a long list of things that need improving. Many of the things on the list we were aware of and had already planned to tackle the problems. The good thing is this period of closure has allowed us to really crack on with what needs doing and push forward our timetable of works.
We have had a complete clear out and an amazing army of volunteers have been helping us with cutting, cleaning, digging and painting in an effort to bring this attraction up to modern standards. Staff protocols have been completely revamped and our already experienced, qualified zookeepers (and directors) will all undergo an increased training programme including work placements at other larger zoos around the UK.
Restoration work will continue for the rest of this week but, all going well, we will be reopening to the public next Saturday, 2nd of December. I do hope you will support what we are trying to do here and that you have a pleasant experience the next time you visit.
cliffxdavis
Well-Known Member
It seems the local authority want to ban them from keeping Cat 1 animals.
I had to look up what this meant and if you too are curious go to the gov.uk site and search for
Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice
The explanations for categories of animal i.e. 1 for highest risk, for next highest and if not listed in 3.
Interestingly they can keep Aardwolves but not Hyenas.
I had to look up what this meant and if you too are curious go to the gov.uk site and search for
Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice
The explanations for categories of animal i.e. 1 for highest risk, for next highest and if not listed in 3.
Interestingly they can keep Aardwolves but not Hyenas.
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
I have no idea about the categories, but the Aardwolf is a timid little thing compared to it's big cousin.
Category 1 appears to include:
- Most large Monkeys (Guenons, baboons, mandrills, geladas, macaques, capuchins etc.)
- Kangaroos
- Vampire Bats
- Great Apes and Gibbons
- Giant Anteaters
- Sloths
- Wolves, hyaenas and Hunting Dogs
- All bears
- Wolverines and Ratels
- All species of otter
- Fossas
- All wild cats (Including Lynx)
- All pinnipeds
- Elephants and rhinos
- Zebras, asses and Wild Horses
- Wild Boar, bush pigs, warthogs, babirusa and peccaries
- Hippos (Both Species)
- Camels
- Large Deer (Sika, Red etc.)
- Males of smaller deer (such as fallow and roe deer)
- Moose, Elk and male reindeer
- Giraffes (but not okapi)
- Elands, adult male sitatungas, kudus, bongos etc.
- Buffalo and Anoas
- Ankole cattle, yaks etc.
- Bison
- Adult male waterbuck, sable antelope, lechwes and kobs
- Oryxes and Gemsbok (but not addaxes)
- Wildebeest (but not hartebeest, bontebok, blesbok or topis)
- Musk Ox, barbary sheep, adult male tahrs, ibex, markhors and wild goats
- Bighorn Sheep and Argalis
- Killer whales, false killer whale and pygmy killer whales (but not other whales or dolphins)
- Ostrich and cassowaries (but not emus or rheas)
- Condors, most vultures, harpy eagles, crowned eagles and martial eagles
- Adult parent eagle owls (only with young or breeding)
- Ground Hornbills
- Snapping Turtles
- Crocodiles, Caimans, Alligators, Gharials etc.
- Komodo Dragons
- Gila Monsters, beaded lizards, pythons and boas over 3m
- All venomous snakes
- Poisonous Frogs
- Moray Eels and Electric Eels
- Venomous Fish
- All Sharks
- Venomous and Electric Rays
- Venomous Octopi
- Venomous Crustaceans
- Venomous Spiders
Just thought this may have been of interest to some people.
I know very little of this applies to Borth but just thought it was worth sharing.
Interesting to note that you can keep Okapis and Narwhals with less licensing than European Wildcats and Ostrich.
Seems like a very interesting list to say the least.
But if Borth don't succeed in their appeal, they cannot hold class 1 species anymore. This includes their lynx amongst other large animals.
- Most large Monkeys (Guenons, baboons, mandrills, geladas, macaques, capuchins etc.)
- Kangaroos
- Vampire Bats
- Great Apes and Gibbons
- Giant Anteaters
- Sloths
- Wolves, hyaenas and Hunting Dogs
- All bears
- Wolverines and Ratels
- All species of otter
- Fossas
- All wild cats (Including Lynx)
- All pinnipeds
- Elephants and rhinos
- Zebras, asses and Wild Horses
- Wild Boar, bush pigs, warthogs, babirusa and peccaries
- Hippos (Both Species)
- Camels
- Large Deer (Sika, Red etc.)
- Males of smaller deer (such as fallow and roe deer)
- Moose, Elk and male reindeer
- Giraffes (but not okapi)
- Elands, adult male sitatungas, kudus, bongos etc.
- Buffalo and Anoas
- Ankole cattle, yaks etc.
- Bison
- Adult male waterbuck, sable antelope, lechwes and kobs
- Oryxes and Gemsbok (but not addaxes)
- Wildebeest (but not hartebeest, bontebok, blesbok or topis)
- Musk Ox, barbary sheep, adult male tahrs, ibex, markhors and wild goats
- Bighorn Sheep and Argalis
- Killer whales, false killer whale and pygmy killer whales (but not other whales or dolphins)
- Ostrich and cassowaries (but not emus or rheas)
- Condors, most vultures, harpy eagles, crowned eagles and martial eagles
- Adult parent eagle owls (only with young or breeding)
- Ground Hornbills
- Snapping Turtles
- Crocodiles, Caimans, Alligators, Gharials etc.
- Komodo Dragons
- Gila Monsters, beaded lizards, pythons and boas over 3m
- All venomous snakes
- Poisonous Frogs
- Moray Eels and Electric Eels
- Venomous Fish
- All Sharks
- Venomous and Electric Rays
- Venomous Octopi
- Venomous Crustaceans
- Venomous Spiders
Just thought this may have been of interest to some people.
I know very little of this applies to Borth but just thought it was worth sharing.
Interesting to note that you can keep Okapis and Narwhals with less licensing than European Wildcats and Ostrich.
Seems like a very interesting list to say the least.
But if Borth don't succeed in their appeal, they cannot hold class 1 species anymore. This includes their lynx amongst other large animals.
Zooreviewsuk
Well-Known Member
If they lose that aspect of their license, they will surely close.
It would certainly compromise them being a 'zoo' in the true sense of the word but I don't know what an 'Animalarium' counts as- is it even a word?
Zooreviewsuk
Well-Known Member
Don't they have Jaguar, Lion's, Crocodiles, and Snakes. So as well as Lynx they would have to go ?
Leopards not Jaguars. Also I think some primates that are category 1
Zooreviewsuk
Well-Known Member
W
What type of Leopard's are they ?
The elderly male called Rajah is a hybrid