Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Well if they are still members then it must be a very turbulent relationship that exists between the parks and EAZA.
Howletts Wild Animal Park Howletts Wild Animal Park News 2021
- Thread starter GorillaBoy
- Start date
Well if they are still members then it must be a very turbulent relationship that exists between the parks and EAZA.
They have some large stocks of animals that seem unlikely to ever be reintroduced or 'repatriated'. Some of them stem from JA's original rather random collection of species (such as stock from Maidstone Zoo when it closed) and other common species- gnu, lechwe, zebra etc acquired more recently for the newer 'safari' areas at Port Lympne. A higher % of their total collections come into this category- the successful reintroduction subjects- black rhino, gorilla(?) langurs, lemurs etc are really in a minority. I presume the others will just stay indefinately.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Perhaps not indefinitely as I think the plan is to slowly wind the collection down and eventually to close it.
That said I do think that they might be amongst the last animals remaining before closure.
There seems very mixed messaging- as someone else commented, there have been major and costly developments at Port Lympne recently to provide more luxury/high end accomodation for visitors to stay on site- a strange development if the aim is closure. And DA himself inferred that there would be more emphasis on the parks as 'rescue centres' (not elaborated on- but they have recently aquired two more lions from a Welsh zoo and are expecting Bears from a Spanish collection shortly(may already have arrived). None of this ties in much with any sort of planned closure to my mind, despite that also being stated as the aim. Which one is correct though....
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
The impression I got from what Damian mentioned on the thread was that he expects it to take a decade or more before the parks are ready for closure.
Yes, I presume the idea is that closure is the ultimate aim and in the interim there will be more focus on rescuing animals rather than acquiring fresh species for any other reason. But in the meantime the money-making developments continue at Port Lympne, perhaps from economic necessity. But it seems strange if closure is indeed the ultimate aim and there still seems a degree of conflict of purpose, while I have no idea what will happen longterm to all those unreleasable species.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
I don't understand the lack of congruence either and find the conflict of purpose quite puzzling too
He explained in the thread that the main motive for a slow phasing out period before closure was because it allowed time for the longer lived animals that couldn't be reintroduced to gradually die off from old age
That is an important point also. Bearing that out is the fact I've noticed at least one species- Blackbuck- have been segregated into single sex groups which is presumably to prevent any more breeding. There may be other curbs on breeding that are not outwardly evident too. Yet Lion cubs were born quite recently, though perhaps by accident rather than design. I don't know if there is nowadays a policy of prevention of further breeding for the other (non-releasable) species though that would seem necessary to achieve that aim.
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According to the email I just had this morning.
This is not the end for elephants at Howletts
Elephants are suffering all around the world and many – sadly – cannot be rewilded. Howletts Wild Animal Park aims to become a non-breeding sanctuary for these elephants; we will offer them a safe, comfortable home in which to live out the rest of their natural lives.
This is not the end for elephants at Howletts
Elephants are suffering all around the world and many – sadly – cannot be rewilded. Howletts Wild Animal Park aims to become a non-breeding sanctuary for these elephants; we will offer them a safe, comfortable home in which to live out the rest of their natural lives.
Call me cynical...but I can see a future in which Howletts/Port Lympne does go down the rescue centre route, but also retains its luxury accomodation suites and does not 're-wild' the animals that those lodges are centered on. Interesting that they have recently rehomed two lions and and have Bears incoming, as they form part of those high-end experiences. There are several explanations for why it might be heading in this direction...suffice to say it is highly interesting to me that they are sending the mega costly Elephants back whilst taking in other animals that fit the new direction of the parks. It will be interesting to revisit this thread in 10-15 years time and see how it turns out. My prediction is that we are seeing a 'boutique animal experience' being created in Kent.
Again, not trying to be cynical about this, just reacting to what is unfolding.
taun
Well-Known Member
I think you have a pretty good estimate of how things will pan out there.
at least at Port Lympne. I cannot see any of the subject animals the lodges are built around leaving anytime soon either. Or at least, they would be quickly replaced by similar from other (perhaps 'rescue') sources, if they did. I could also foresee the range of species declining too, e.g. some of the more unusual primates & small cats in the older enclosures fading away as they die-off ( Diana monkey is one example already) and visitors wouldn't miss them compared with the mega-fauna.Howletts is a bit different- no lodges/country park/tourism approach. It could be closed more practically if they chose that route.
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The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
This news confirms the news of Banning Elephants in the is is false. No doubt this was just written to encourage more people to purchase the Papers. Unfortunately the news does not consider the authenticity of news as long as they generate money.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
So many response to that but I will be good an refrain
Why refrain ?
Speak your mind about it freely
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
This information has just been released about the planned elephant release - neither the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife nor the Kenya Wildlife Service have been consulted on the matter and have released a statement saying that they are concerned about the plans.
The article can be found here:
Aspinall plans to rewild elephants thrown into doubt by Kenya
The article can be found here:
Aspinall plans to rewild elephants thrown into doubt by Kenya
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Tut tut tut....
now that's an interesting development...Reintroduction of the world's largest land mammal without consent of the sovereign nation where it is to take place.
I try to keep an open mind but it all sounds a bit Mickey mouse to me at the moment.
Remember the saying: an elephant never forgets? Question being how could one presume captive born elephants given up in age knowing wild experiences when there aren't any! Surely is crazy when driven by media, and anti zoo crowd whom know nothing of animal behavior and rely on wishful ideals. What even more twisted how many parts of africa where elephants are being culled because numbers are to great. Reason would clearly suggest these elephants Howletts would benefit greater going to current european collections to increase the gene pool for captive longevity, rather than waste dollars with pipe dream to re-wild captive born. Why on earth would one one to send elephant to their immediate death where elephants already there are being culled? In following this and trying to understand it all surely is twisted logic that's on the surface does not benefit the animals rather on the contrary benefits man's ego!
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
I share your cynicism but a few things you've written make some large assumptions.
Yes elephants are culled in protected areas in many Sub- Saharan African countries because they have crossed carrying capacity.
However how do you know for sure that the elephants will be reintroduced into these particular areas ?
How do you know they are being sent to their immediate deaths ?
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
I thought the Guardian article made some valid points and chiefly about the funds.
Why spend / waste an enormous amount of money on sending captive elephants to Africa for reintroduction when that money could be far better spent on the foundations Madagascar programme where actual Conservation is being done ?
I suppose it's a bit of an elephant in the room pun intended.
Why spend / waste an enormous amount of money on sending captive elephants to Africa for reintroduction when that money could be far better spent on the foundations Madagascar programme where actual Conservation is being done ?
I suppose it's a bit of an elephant in the room pun intended.