ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2019

Daubentoniidae said:
I also think that ZSL's website is a bit limited when trying to find out about what species are in what attraction or even a complete species list (something a lot of zoo websites lack) aside from the inventory. At least they put the inventory as well but their news page is particularly lacking of information, especially about recent developments.

Does anyone know what's planned regarding the area in BUGS?
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I agree, the inventory pdf form is good but I found finding what animals are kept where and in what attractions to be confusing as there isn't much information.

On the website the "night life" exhibit is barely mentioned at all and only gets a few words almost as an afterthought to the rainforest exhibit above.

Ironically it was visiting the nocturnal house which was my motivation for my couple of visits to ZSL when I was in London , if it wasn't there (and with the species that it has) I doubt I would have bothered visiting the zoo.
 
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sooty mangabey said:
Sadly, I’m pretty sure it is indeed closing this week.... maybe it was confusion regarding the “new” “aquarium” in “BUGS”?

The latest map - https://www.zsl.org/sites/default/files/media/2019-08/Map of ZSL London Zoo August 2019.pdf - does not indicate the aquarium, even though the zoo’s piss-poor website gives no indication of anything being amiss with what was, until recently, one of ZSL’s most impressive features: Aquarium.
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Yes, I think so. I checked with our keepers today, and they are annoyed they did not take photos of the signs/posters, which were up at the exit of the aquarium. I am told that they certainly gave the impression to the general visitor that the aquarium was being relocated, and made no mention of its closure. If Tim took some pics it would be interesting to see their content, as it does seem to be an attempt at 'spin'. I guess if they quietly cease referring to the old aquarium the general visitor, looking at a new exhibit, will never know it existed and not be in a position to make a comparison. Not quite erasing history, but still a pity as I think the zoo story, the journey and the achievements should be embraced and not allowed to die too.
 
Andrew Swales said:
....I checked with our keepers today, and they are annoyed they did not take photos of the signs/posters, which were up at the exit of the aquarium......If Tim took some pics it would be interesting to see their content,
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Sorry I didn't take any photos of those particular signs,
 
The two posters at the step entrance/exit today were one for the Coral Reef exhibit opening (winter 2019 which now appears to be spring 2020)) at London and the Whipsnade exhibit so nothing new. poster wise.
 
Andrew Swales said:
Yes, I think so. I checked with our keepers today, and they are annoyed they did not take photos of the signs/posters, which were up at the exit of the aquarium. I am told that they certainly gave the impression to the general visitor that the aquarium was being relocated, and made no mention of its closure. If Tim took some pics it would be interesting to see their content, as it does seem to be an attempt at 'spin'. I guess if they quietly cease referring to the old aquarium the general visitor, looking at a new exhibit, will never know it existed and not be in a position to make a comparison. Not quite erasing history, but still a pity as I think the zoo story, the journey and the achievements should be embraced and not allowed to die too.
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Likely to maybe referring to the signs which have been at the entrance/exit as shown in the photos below, which talks about the future in terms of the now open aquarium at Whipsnade and the future corals exhibit in BUGS some point next year.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EHe1lYkW4AAUUPg.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EHe1mCkX4AE9z0j.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EHe1mnKXkAAUt_R.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EHe1nVSXYAAnoI4.jpg
 
LucasRyan said:
Likely to maybe referring to the signs which have been at the entrance/exit as shown in the photos below, which talks about the future in terms of the now open aquarium at Whipsnade and the future corals exhibit in BUGS some point next year.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EHe1lYkW4AAUUPg.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EHe1mCkX4AE9z0j.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EHe1mnKXkAAUt_R.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EHe1nVSXYAAnoI4.jpg
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Thank you - certainly, any of numbers 2, 3 & 4 of those could fit.... The first gives a better explanation,. but the others give a very simple 'spin' and any member of the public seeing just these would take a positive message of expansion from them - without any idea of the rest of the story. Certainly our staff (who were indeed visiting as simple tourists, having 'done' Kew and the Natural History Museum on the same trip) returned with the impression that the closure had either been cancelled or news of it was wrong in the first place...
 
Very sad news, Kumbuka has tragically died.

Statement from ZSL: We know that many of our Fellows have strong relationships with our animals, especially our big personalities, and like to keep up to date with their news.

Unfortunately on this occasion we have some sad news to share. Kumbuka, ZSL London Zoo’s silverback gorilla passed away on Friday 25 October.

Working closely with Kumbuka every day, our keepers had noticed that he was unwell – he was uncharacteristically off his food and drink, appearing lethargic and not as eager to play with his family troop as usual.

Following close observation from the veterinary team, the decision was made to give Kumbuka a general anaesthetic so that the team could get a better understanding of what was making him unwell.

Once anaesthetised, and with the support of specialist doctors from University College Hospital and Guys and St Thomas’ in London, our vets could see that Kumbuka had an infection which required surgery to further investigate. Sadly this revealed that the infection was severe and widespread, and that the kindest, and only, option was to not bring him round from the anaesthesia.

We will all remember Kumbuka as a larger than life character, a devoted father of two and proud leader of ZSL London Zoo’s troop. He will be sorely missed by those who worked with him every day and by our many visitors who were so impressed by his sheer presence – we’ll look back fondly on our charismatic, gentle giant.

Our team will now focus on ensuring the females and infants, all of whom appear healthy and well, remain settled over the next few days.
 
No no no, not Kumbuka :( sending condolences to his keepers, troop, and the rest of ZSL. It won't be the same without him.

First Melati, then one of the giraffe trio, and now Kumbuka. ZSL aren't having the best of years. So many of the species and individuals I love to visit have gone :(
 
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Dreadful news! Kumbuka was such a handsome gorilla and genetically valuable too, at least he leaves two children behind. ZSL have had a series of misfortunes with their male gorillas and it looked as if things were getting much better, so it must be a very sad time for the keepers.
 
This is incredibly sad news.:( So many years spent trying to establish a stable family group with lots of bad luck along the way, and having succeeded, only to have this happen. And Kumbuka was a particularly impressive male too.
 
It really is appallingly sad. He was a beautiful gorilla, a hugely impressive animal and one of the personalities I loved to visit at the zoo. I'm not generally one for excess sentiment when it comes to individual zoo animals but he will be in my thoughts for a long time. Very much echoing @Crowthorne, it won't be the same place without him.
 
Panthera1981 said:
The Zoo Gods really have not been looking favourably on London this year.

The inevitable Born Free statement is no doubt being prepared as I’m typing...
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Unfortunately the zoo gods never seem to look over male gorilla's at London, but Kumbuka was one of the more successful I think
 
pipaluk said:
Unfortunately the zoo gods never seem to look over male gorilla's at London, but Kumbuka was one of the more successful I think
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I really thought they had put that all behind them with the establishment of Kumbuka and this group. I was expecting him to be at ZSL for many years to come.
 
I’ll probably be hung for this but maybe it’s time ZSL considered moving away from gorillas and try with another great ape - bonobo or orang perhaps.

I fear, what with group dynamic and the stresses involved in sourcing and introducing another new male, we’ll be in for more heartache.

I genuinely thought they’d cracked it with Kumbuka :(
 
Panthera1981 said:
I’ll probably be hung for this but maybe it’s time ZSL considered moving away from gorillas and try with another great ape - bonobo or orang perhaps.

I fear, what with group dynamic and the stresses involved in sourcing and introducing another new male, we’ll be in for more heartache.

I genuinely thought they’d cracked it with Kumbuka :(
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Correct me if I am wrong anyone, but haven't we had more success with orangs anyhow? And went out of them because they look 'sad' for the general visitor? I seem to remember reading something along those lines.
 
That is heartbreaking news about Kumbuka. I felt I had a special connection with him while he was at Paignton (I'm sure I wasn't the only one) and he recognised me when I visited him twice at ZSL. I can't believe it :(
 
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