Folly Farm News from Folly farm

[Kifaru Bwana]

Visited Folly Farm Zoo recentlly- unfortunately intermittent torrential rain. Kids burst forth from covered amusements when rain stopped. Very impressed with Dhole exhibit- group were very active. Bongo indoor exhibit was interesting , bongo normally very nervous but double glass sided dwarf mongoose cage runs length of indoor barn means you look through the mongoose cage to see bongo. Disappointed red river hogs have died out . Last two died over winter. Was a very large group before and worked well. Was also equally impressed with tortoise enclosure. Did feel one was a Morroccan tortoise - asked a keeper who viewed my thoughts with interest as I have kept these for 40 yrs plus!

As you know it is important to separately manage all individual source populations.
Have you followed up the query relating to the Moroccan tortoise at all?

I just wonder how many other zoos take the separating out various Testudo graeca and T. hermanni seriously.

 

[trachycarpus]

As you know it is important to separately manage all individual source populations.
Have you followed up the query relating to the Moroccan tortoise at all?

I just wonder how many other zoos take the separating out various Testudo graeca and T. hermanni seriously.

Indeed mixing males and female tortoises of the same species but different SUB species will result in stress and possible illness . Most eggs as a the result of sub species cross fertilisation will be infertile. Amazingly I have taken on tortoises at the requests of a vet / tortoise groups and found them to be the wrong sub species- and once the wrong sub species AND the wrong sex ( a vet! ) I recently was asked to provide a home for two elderly tortoises both described as Moroccan only to find one was obviously a golden Greek tortoise. Luckily I have 2 large heated indoor enclosures and two outdoor enclosures and can isolate/ quarantine new arrivals. I am currently on the list for surplus Morroccan tortoises of a decent size as my male is 60 yrs+ .
I have noted to zoo staff that the zoo and previously other zoos that the exhibits may contain different sub species. I even saw one exhibit with yellow AND red footed tortoises in same exhibit. So I don't think some zoos take the identification and mixing of sub species seriously!

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

@trachycarpus, great to hear your story with tortoise husbandry and management.

Sounds like a few zoos could do with your expertise, advice and guidance!

 

[TriUK]

Does anyone know how the Macaroni’s have settled from Living Coasts?

 

[trachycarpus]

Does anyone know how the Macaroni’s have settled from Living Coasts?

I saw three Macaroni penguins (?) on my recent visit. There seemed to be no animosity between them and the other group of penguins.

 

[vogelcommando]

2 East African crowned cranes have hatched at Folly Farm .

 

[Jedd Cullinan]

An update from Folly Farm

We will be closed from 24 October until the 14 November 2020

In accordance with the Welsh Government’s “firebreak” national lockdown, we will be closed from Saturday 24 October and we re-open Saturday 14 November 2020.

We’d like to reassure you our animals will continue to be cared for by our dedicated team of animal keepers during this short closure.

If you’d booked to stay with us on our holiday park for October half term then we’ll be in touch regarding your booking.

If you had an animal experience booked during this closed period then we’ll be in touch to reschedule.

Please bear with us and refrain from contacting us regarding your booking as this will just slow us down further.

If you’ve already purchased day tickets to visit us these are non-refundable but we are extending these until the 31 March 2021.
We were due to be open for 11 of the days the “firebreak” period covers as we revert to weekend-only opening from the 02 November but we will add two weeks onto annual passes in respect of this closure.

Santa’s Grotto – we’re awaiting further guidance on additional restrictions that may be put in place following the “firebreak” so we’re unable to confirm whether our Santa’s Grotto will take place at the moment.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

 

[vogelcommando]

Does anyone know how the Macaroni’s have settled from Living Coasts?

Info about the 12 new Macaroni penguins :

Penguins find new home after their zoo closes due to pandemic

 

[Quincey]

Ghenghis the male Bactrian camel has been put to sleep:

Log into Facebook

 

[James Barber]

Ghenghis the male Bactrian camel has been put to sleep:

Log into Facebook

Really sad to hear about Genghis. I remember him as a baby at Twycross Zoo and have seen him there a few times, also at Folly Farm.

 

[James Barber]

Folly Farm now have new species to the collection. It is a Pink Pigeon named Candy and the team are currently developing a new attraction for her, likely in Tropical Trails.

 

[James Barber]

A breeding pair of Asian Water Dragons have joined the collection from Marwell Zoo and is yet another new species to Folly Farm and will be put in with their Annam Leaf Turtles.

 

[James Barber]

Sillan the male Giraffe has passed away at the age of 16, that leaves them left with 2 males.

Also a 2 year old female Camel called Delilah has joined the collection. Sorry I don't know which zoo she came from.

 

[The Hedgehog]

The Rhinos have been offshow to let mother and baby bond and have quiet time.

Sillan the male Giraffe has passed away at the age of 16, that leaves them left with 2 males.

Also a 2 year old female Camel called Delilah has joined the collection. Sorry I don't know which zoo she came from.

@James Barber do you know which Giraffes are still at Folly Farm?

 

[GiraffeJack10]

Sillan the male Giraffe has passed away at the age of 16, that leaves them left with 2 males.

Also a 2 year old female Camel called Delilah has joined the collection. Sorry I don't know which zoo she came from.

I believe Delilah came from Dudley zoo which would leave them with 5 bactrian camels.

 

[Embu]

@James Barber do you know which Giraffes are still at Folly Farm?

The 2:0 are

Taharqua- born Marwell 2006
Rian- born Blackpool 2009

 

[The Hedgehog]

The 2:0 are

Taharqua- born Marwell 2006
Rian- born Blackpool 2009

@Embu Rian was called Timber at Blackpool Zoo then renamed Rian at Folly Farm. Do you know why Timber was renamed when he moved to Folly?

 

[Willem-YWP Superfan]

I think that folly's 2 remaining giraffe should be relocated to Yorkshire Wildlife Park and join the 3 males over there. Then folly can get a new breeding herd

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

I think that folly's 2 remaining giraffe should be relocated to Yorkshire Wildlife Park and join the 3 males over there. Then folly can get a new breeding herd

Would be just as a all male group and freeing up space to start a new breeding group, be they reticulated or Kordofan (nice to have).

BTW: both mentioned males are hybrids and of no conservation value.

 

[Willem-YWP Superfan]

Would be just as a all male group and freeing up space to start a new breeding group, be they reticulated or Kordofan (nice to have).

BTW: both mentioned males are hybrids and of no conservation value.

The males at ywp are also different species and 1 hybrid so it would be good to move them there