ZooChat Challenge Global 2022

[Strix]

Cotswold Wildlife Park: 25 September

99. Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla)
100. Mongolian Jird (Meriones unguiculatus)
101. Straw-Coloured Fruit Bat (Eidolon helvum)
102. Hammerhead Bat (Hypsignathus monstrosus)
103. Lesser Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus)
104. Senegal Bushbaby (Galago senegalensis)
105. Pallas’ Cat (Otocolobus manul)
106. Henkel’s Leaf-Tailed Gecko (Uroplatus henkeli)
107. Yacaré Caiman (Caiman yacare)

From Cotswold
108. Egyptian Fruit Bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus)

SEALIFE Birmingham: 26 October
109. Port Jackson Shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni)
110. Banded Houndshark (Triakis scyllium)
111. White-Spotted Bambooshark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum)
112. Epaulette Shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum)

Hopefully I’ll pick up a few more at Dudley tomorrow.

 

[Skukuza]

Axe Valley Wildlife Park 12.10.22
135) European Genet Genetta Genetta
136) Southern Three-Banded Armadillo Tolypeutes Matacus

Slow and Steady...

Dublin Zoo 22.10.22
137) Dhole Cuon Alpinus
138) Common Hippo Hippotamus Amphibius

National Marine Aquarium Plymouth 24.10.22
139) Lemon Shark Negaprion Brevirostris
140) Sandbar Shark Carcharhinus Plumbeus
141) Sand Tiger Shark Carcharias Taurus
142) Starry Smooth-hound Mustelus Asterias

Dartmoor Zoo 24.10.22
143) Jaguar Panthera Onca

Shaldon Wildlife Trust 24.10.22
144) Brush tailed Bettong Bettongia Penicillata
145) Bengal Slow Loris Nycticebus Bengalensis
146) Northern Dry Zone Slender Loris Loris Lydekkerianus

don't see myself hitting 150 sadly with no local collections left and no travel planned.

 

[Fresco3]

And another new collection today!

Hemsley Conservation Centre 25/10/22

59. Tayra (Eira barbara)
60. Brazilian Porcupine (Coendou prehensilis)*
61. Southern Three-Banded Armadillo (Tolypeutes matacus)*
62. New Guinea Ground Cuscus (Phalanger gymnotis)*
63. Sri Lankan Rusty-Spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus phillipsi)*
64. Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
65. Geoffroy's Cat (Leopardus geoffroyi)*
66. Kinkajou (Potos flavus)
67. Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)*
68. Southern Aardwolf (Proteles cristata cristata)*
69. Pygmy Slow Loris (Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus)*
70. Grey-Legged Douroucouli (Aotus griseimembra)

A lovely day out and an opportunity to see some really unique animals. I must admit this place has a lovely collection of rarer species and it was great to get some new lifers (asterisked). After having read some of the reviews of this place I was a little hesitant to make the one hour drive but decided to give it a go today. The weather wasn't amazing and some of the animal viewing may not be optimal (the nocturnal houses could really use infrared lights and the outdoor enclosures with glass could really do with some black backdrops/canopies to prevent glare) but still managed too see nearly every species. The small footprint of the park and interlinked paths make it easy to regularly walk past every enclosure and see if a certain species has emerged. This is how I managed to see several of the species that initially weren't visible including the kinkajou, Geoffroy's cat, aardwolf, slow loris and douroucouli. I believe the only no shows were the recently joined binturongs, the seemingly off-show Goeldi's marmosets, the day gecko and the (sobs) echidna - which I decided was never gonna wake up after half a dozen enclosure visits.
I actually thought most of the enclosures were okay, perhaps some of the nocturnal enclosures could do with being a bit bigger (cuscus, vontsira) but again I'm not sure how large their off-show areas are. The rusty spotted cats appear to be moving enclosure soon too which were probably the most in need of more space imo. The ocelot and maned wolves could perhaps do with a bit more space too (does the neighbouring campsite belong to the park or not? Seems odd the maned wolves haven't got more space if it does).

But yes, overall a great day out for a cheap price and it is seemingly ever expanding. Definitely going to return if only to see the echidna but would certainly return even if I had seen it today. It was actually quite shocking to see how tall maned wolves really are!

Side note: I'm right that the ring-tailed vontsira doesn't count for this challenge or?

A first visit to Howletts Wildlife Park 27/10/22:

71. Dhole (Cuon alpinus)
72. Indochinese Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)
73. Pallas' Cat (Otocolobus manul)
74. Caracal (Caracal caracal)
75. Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)
76. Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)
77. Southern Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

A thoroughly enjoyable visit that ended up bringing a decent haul for this challenge. I managed two loops around the park and my what a difference does it make walking around a second time in the late afternoon with cooler weather and fewer guests. So many of the first-time-around no shows were happily out and about strolling their enclosures. Unfortunately the sole no-show for the entire park was both a key species for this challenge and my personal wishes - the honey badger!

Although I did get to see a particularly large, formerly priministerial, ape by the elephant enclosure, alongside a certain 'he whom shall not be named' on these forums. That was an unexpected surprise.

But overall a thoroughly enjoyable trip and I'd definitley go again. Although I think I'll try Wingham first next time I'm back down that way. How on Earth do y'all do both in one day???

As a side note, does the park still hold margay? They're listed on the website but saw no sign of them when walking around...

 

[amur leopard]

Visit to Montpellier Aquarium a few days ago:

59. Zebra shark, Stegostoma fasciatum
60. Atlantic nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum
61. Sand tiger shark, Carcharias taurus
62. Nursehound, Scyliorhinus stellaris
63. Sandbar shark, Carcharhinus plumbeus

Another double visit, this time to Tilgate Nature Centre and Huxley's Bird of Prey Centre in Crawley and Horsham respectively. A few additions to note:

64. Forest African dormouse, Graphiurus murinus
65. Raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides
66. Turkish spiny mouse, Acomys cilicicus
67. Northern hawk owl, Surnia ulula.

 

[Strix]

From Cotswold
108. Egyptian Fruit Bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus)

SEALIFE Birmingham: 26 October
109. Port Jackson Shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni)
110. Banded Houndshark (Triakis scyllium)
111. White-Spotted Bambooshark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum)
112. Epaulette Shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum)

Hopefully I’ll pick up a few more at Dudley tomorrow.

Dudley Zoo: 27 October
113. Common Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus)
114. Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)
115. Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus)
116. Northern Hawk-Owl (Surnia ulula)
117. Tokay Gecko (Gekko gekko)

 

[twilighter]

Spent great day at the Ungulate kingdom Dvur Kralove, shared some thoughts here and add single, but unique species for the Ghallange. I don't think that the East African Springhare ever been on display.

12.09 Dvur Kralove

304. Thick-tailed greater galago/ Otolemur crassicaudatus


And one on the way home:


13.09 Aquarium Morsky svet Praha

305. Leopard shark/ Triakis semifasciata

I would probably never visit zoo like Braunschweig "Arche Noah", if it was not for the rarities, but the place, even small is actually cosy and very pleasant for families with kids. Some of the exhibits are also made with surprising creativity.

29.10 Braunschweig Arche Noah zoo

306. Eastern spotted skunk/ Spilogale putorius
307. Virginia opossum/ Didelphis virginiana

 

[Coelacanth18]

Another species I forgot from LA:

89. Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus)

and the one new species I got from Santa Barbara last weekend:

90. Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)

California Living Museum (October 22)
91. Mexican Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis)
92. Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Exotic Feline Breeding Compound (October 28)
93. Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)

 

[twilighter]

I would probably never visit zoo like Braunschweig "Arche Noah", if it was not for the rarities, but the place, even small is actually cosy and very pleasant for families with kids. Some of the exhibits are also made with surprising creativity.

29.10 Braunschweig Arche Noah zoo

306. Eastern spotted skunk/ Spilogale putorius
307. Virginia opossum/ Didelphis virginiana

Tierpark Berlin got some very interesting species during the last few years and not planning to stop. The Himalaya is officially open and most of the species are back on show, missing only the Transcaspian Urials. Alfred Brehm House is perhaps the best place to see the Bear Cuscus in Europe now and I even managed to see the Red and White Giant Flying Squirrel ! Bittersweet moment @Brum

30.10 Tierpark Berlin

307.Bear cuscus/ Ailurops ursinus

 

[15399]

Two zoos in two countries today, including my first zoo outside the US. Interestingly enough, they also happen to be my favorite non-AZA and least favorite AZA zoo I've ever been to.

Bird Kingdom:
75. Egyptian Fruit Bat- Rousettus aegyptiacus
76. Sugar Glider- Petaurus breviceps

Aquarium of Niagara:
77. White-spotted Bamboo Shark- Chiloscyllium plagiosum

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo:
78. Gharial- Gavialis gangeticus
79. Fishing Cat- Prionailurus viverrinus
80. Northern Greater Galago- Otolemur garnettii
81. Straw Colored Fruit Bat- Eidolon helvum
82. Moholi Bushbaby- Galago moholi
83. Queensland Koala- Phascolarctos cinereus
84. Pygmy Slow Loris- Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus

 

[German Zoo World]

Bad Mergentheim Wildlifepark visited on 01.11.2022

49. Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx)
50. European Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
51. Egyptian Fruit Bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus)

 

[pipaluk]

Longleat 22 September

175 North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum)
176 Koala (Phascolarctos cinerus)
177 Southern hairy nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons)
178 Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus)

Today's bad weather led to a spur of the moment decision to visit:
London Zoo 6 November

179 Potto (Perodictius potato)
180 Moholi galago (Galago moholi)
181 Aye Aye (Daubentonia madagascarensis)

Not sure what else I can add now, no more than 5 or 6, if I get any!

 

[red river hog]

Philadelphia Zoo - 10/5

86. Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni)
87. Malagasy Giant Rat (Hypogeomys antimena)
88. Aye-Aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)
89. Pygmy Slow Loris (Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus)
90. Crested Gecko (Correlophus ciliatus)
91. West African Crocodile (Crocdylus suchus)

Lehigh Valley Zoo - 10/24

92. Tammar Wallaby (Macropus eugenii)
93. Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)
94. Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

 

[Skukuza]

Dublin Zoo 22.10.22
137) Dhole Cuon Alpinus
138) Common Hippo Hippotamus Amphibius

National Marine Aquarium Plymouth 24.10.22
139) Lemon Shark Negaprion Brevirostris
140) Sandbar Shark Carcharhinus Plumbeus
141) Sand Tiger Shark Carcharias Taurus
142) Starry Smooth-hound Mustelus Asterias

Dartmoor Zoo 24.10.22
143) Jaguar Panthera Onca

Shaldon Wildlife Trust 24.10.22
144) Brush tailed Bettong Bettongia Penicillata
145) Bengal Slow Loris Nycticebus Bengalensis
146) Northern Dry Zone Slender Loris Loris Lydekkerianus

don't see myself hitting 150 sadly with no local collections left and no travel planned.

spoke too soon, i did manage another collection and now also have vague plans to hit some Birmingham collections also before year end.

All Things Wild 09.11.22
147) Golden Jackal Canis Aureus
148) American Beaver Castor Canadensis

**I did see the ears of a Pardine Genet poke out from the sleeping quarters but not enough to count it in good conscience.

The slow crawl to 150 continues!

 

[twilighter]

spoke too soon, i did manage another collection and now also have vague plans to hit some Birmingham collections also before year end.

All Things Wild 09.11.22
147) Golden Jackal Canis Aureus
148) American Beaver Castor Canadensis

**I did see the ears of a Pardine Genet poke out from the sleeping quarters but not enough to count it in good conscience.

The slow crawl to 150 continues!

If you sure it was Genet's ears, it counts

 

[Brum]

London Zoo (22/09) -

120. Philippine Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis)
121. Moholi Galago (Galago moholi)
122. Madagacan Jumping Rat (Hypogeomys antimena)
123. Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla)
124. Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)
125. Pygmy Hippo (Choeropsis liberiensis)

A day in the Cotswolds yesterday got me a few new species for the challenge.

Cotswold Falconry Centre (11/11) -

125. Little Owl (Athene noctua)

Crocodiles Of The World (11/11) -

126. Schneider's Dwarf Caiman (Paleosuchus trigonatus)
127. Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger)
128. Yacare Caiman (Caiman yacare)
129. Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni)
130. Morelet's Crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii)
131. Sunda Gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii)
132. Slender-snouted Crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus)

Cotswold Wildlife Park (11/11) -

133. Pallas Cat (Otocolobus manul)
134. Mongolian Jird (Meriones unguiculatus)
135. Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus henkeli)
136. Straw-coloured Fruit Bat (Eidolon helvum)
137. Hammer-headed Bat (Hypsignathus monstrosus)
138. Senegal Galago (Galago senegalensis)
139. Turkish Spiny Mouse (Acomys cilicicus)
140. Grey Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus)

 

[Brum]

Today's bad weather led to a spur of the moment decision to visit:
London Zoo 6 November

179 Potto (Perodictius potato)
180 Moholi galago (Galago moholi)
181 Aye Aye (Daubentonia madagascarensis)

Not sure what else I can add now, no more than 5 or 6, if I get any!

You'll have to start counting sharks to keep going...

 

[TNT]

I'd completely forgotten about this challenge... oops!

 

[Fresco3]

A first visit to Howletts Wildlife Park 27/10/22:

71. Dhole (Cuon alpinus)
72. Indochinese Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)
73. Pallas' Cat (Otocolobus manul)
74. Caracal (Caracal caracal)
75. Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)
76. Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)
77. Southern Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

A thoroughly enjoyable visit that ended up bringing a decent haul for this challenge. I managed two loops around the park and my what a difference does it make walking around a second time in the late afternoon with cooler weather and fewer guests. So many of the first-time-around no shows were happily out and about strolling their enclosures. Unfortunately the sole no-show for the entire park was both a key species for this challenge and my personal wishes - the honey badger!

Although I did get to see a particularly large, formerly priministerial, ape by the elephant enclosure, alongside a certain 'he whom shall not be named' on these forums. That was an unexpected surprise.

But overall a thoroughly enjoyable trip and I'd definitley go again. Although I think I'll try Wingham first next time I'm back down that way. How on Earth do y'all do both in one day???

As a side note, does the park still hold margay? They're listed on the website but saw no sign of them when walking around...

Visited Chessington Zoo (20/11/22) today on their last 'Zootastic Weekend' of the year:

78. Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
79. Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)
80. Bush Dog (Speothos venaticus)

Previously visited this one in 2017 and must admit the collection seems to have dwindled somewhat since. It's also worth noting both their website and Zootierliste are outdated when it comes to held species. Obviously the clouded leopards are gone but still listed, likewise with the scimitar-horned oryx. Zootierliste doesn't list any of their owls either.
Was a bit disappointed that their SeaLife Centre has a very outdated species list and neither the epaulette or bonnethead sharks appear to be present, replaced by young blacktip reef sharks and nursehounds respectively. Still enjoyed the SeaLife very much though! Maybe even the best part.

On the whole the collection just feels a bit unloved, lots of empty enclosures in the Wanyama Village and a couple in the Trail of Kings too. Large portions of the AMAZU were cordoned off too, which was disappointing for a 'zoo day'. As usual the ZUFARI animals were unviewable.

The whole place is like a maze too! I wouldn't be rushing back. Was hoping it'd be quiet on a cold zoo weekend with closed rides but still plenty of people running around and bashing on glass and screaming unfortunately.

On more positive lights though, Land of the Tiger was a pretty interesting area and a nice new addition, the owl displays were nice too. Also got a lovely view of the bush dogs being fed and the giraffes.

Anyways, three more species for the challenge! I think the only possible species I missed was the Tengmalm's Owl (If they still hold them). May be my last entry for the year if I don't manage to make it back to London. Thoroughly enjoying/enjoyed this challenge though!

 

[CGSwans]

*Raises bat to the members’ pavilion*


Perth Zoo - 18/10/2022
91. Western Shield spiny-tailed gecko - Strophurus wellingtonae
92. Western spiny-tailed gecko - Strophurus strophurus
93. Red-tailed phascogale - Phascogale calura
94. Dibbler - Parantechinus apicalis
95. Goldfields spiny-tailed gecko - Strophurus assimilis
96. Sunda slow loris - Nycticebus coucang
97. Tokay gecko - Gekko gecko
98. Western brush wallaby - Notamacropus irma
99. Spotted hyena - Crocuta crocuta
100. Northern quoll - Dasyurus hallucatus
101. Savanna glider - Petaurus ariel
102. Australian owlet-nightjar - Aegotheles cristatus

Contrary to the discussion up-thread, there is at least one owlet-nightjar on display in the Perth nocturnal house.

The following day I visited AQWA, but apart from a probable sandbar whaler that I couldn’t definitively identify and therefore won’t claim, it was my first zoo of the year not to record any new species for the challenge,

Auckland Zoo - 12/11/2022
103. Duvaucel’s gecko - Hoplodactylus duvaucelii
104. Elegant gecko - Naultinus elegans
105. Goldstripe gecko - Woodworthia chrysosiretica
106. Brown kiwi - Apteryx mantelli
107. Kaka - Nestor meridionalis
108. Kea - Nestor notabilis
109. Jewelled gecko - Naultinus gemmeus
110. Sunda gharial - Tomistoma schlegelii
111. Rough gecko - Naultinus rudis

Hamilton Zoo - 13/11/2022
112. Morepork - Ninox novaeseelandiae
113. Cape Porcupine - Hystrix africaeaustralis
114. Forest gecko - Hoplodactylus granulatus
115. Northland green gecko - Naultinus grayii

Wellington Zoo - 15/11/2022
116. Wellington green gecko - Naultinus punctatus
117. Serval - Leptailurus serval

I also visited Orana Wildlife Park, but saw no new challenge species there. Never say never, but this is probably my last update for the year.

 

[Skukuza]

spoke too soon, i did manage another collection and now also have vague plans to hit some Birmingham collections also before year end.

All Things Wild 09.11.22
147) Golden Jackal Canis Aureus
148) American Beaver Castor Canadensis

**I did see the ears of a Pardine Genet poke out from the sleeping quarters but not enough to count it in good conscience.

The slow crawl to 150 continues!

Needed a day to myself this week so took a day off and headed for Birmingham! should have checked the weather report first however!

Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World 24.11.22
149) Long Eared Hedgehog Hemiechinus Auritus
150) Jungle Cat Felis Chaus
151) Tawny Owl Strix Aluco

*Can anyone confirm this hedgehog sp is correct? "Long eared" is what is listed on ZTL. The zoo website lists "Desert". And I didn't take a picture of the signage as foolishy assumed it was an African Pygmy hog.... any input gratefully received.
**Jungle Cat was a nice animal to bring up the 150 as it was also a lifer for me.
***also saw one Zorilla cage but no Zorilla

Overall thoughts; much much bigger than I expected, exceptionally quiet! think i was the only person there for the first hour. Impressive small/medium cat collection and some nice small carnivores thrown in the mix. all in adequate enclosures, primarily wood and wire. The exception being lemur wood which is very impressive offering unrestricted access to perhaps 100s of very tall trees. Would return.

Dudley Zoo 24.11.22
152) Northern Hawk-Owl Surnia Ulula

*Castle Creatures is currently closed as it is being transformed into a grotto.

Overall thoughts; pretty bleak in all honesty! not helped by the weather and difficulty to navigate. Lots of great zoo history but feel perhaps that is its biggest draw for me. New(ish) orangutan extension looks impressive, very monkeyworld-esque but they were all indoors and the indoor holding just looks grim through a modern eye.

Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park 24.11.22
153) Leachie's Giant Gecko Rhacodactylus leachianus
154) Potto Perodicticus Potto
155) North Luzon Cloud Rat Phloeomys Pallidus

Overall thoughts; snuck in at closing time. great value for money small collection with some great species, have previously done a full write up on the relevant thread so wont bang on about it here. weather had become bad on a biblical scale by the time i was touring with the canal running through the site becoming more of a torrent and struggling to squeeze under the bridge at the far end of the park.


That is it for me! I am declaring on 155.

Thanks for those who organised and I enjoyed participating! It added a new element to my zoo visits and made me stop and look at parts of a zoo i may have bypassed previously.