ZSL London Zoo London Zoo News 2023

Another small but arguably interesting observation: they've used the new cat taxonomy, Sumatran tiger page has the Latin name down as Panthera tigris sondaica. Don't think I've noticed this at any other zoos yet.
 
A “conservation zoo?” That’s a new one!

Have ZSL nabbed the marketing team from South Lakes?:p

“A ZSL conservation zoo” to be precise. I’d think they should be applauded for having a tagline that clearly communicates who they are and what they do.
 
Another small but arguably interesting observation: they've used the new cat taxonomy, Sumatran tiger page has the Latin name down as Panthera tigris sondaica. Don't think I've noticed this at any other zoos yet.
Paignton have been using sondaica for while, at least since their most recent two arrived.
 
Ahh, I missed the inventory link. It will be interesting to see the new list when it is released to see how many new species have been added/lost as they all seem to be having serious issues importing/exporting surplus stock from/to EU countries!
I agree with everyone else about the new-look website, it looks good!
 
A female giraffe is arriving from Whipsnade in the coming week to join the existing two

Interesting. I thought London only carried hybrids now, or is there an over-representation of this particular Reticulated bloodline with nowhere to house this female?
 
Presume it’s Injama giraffe as her Daughter is Luna and granddaughter Nuru and she passed breeding age and may be interfering with new baby Wilfred with
Male Bashu x
 
A female giraffe is arriving from Whipsnade in the coming week to join the existing two

A female pygmy hippo is arriving from Edinburgh this week to join the male, after the female died a couple of months or so back

Great news especially regarding the hippo. With the website, general rebranding and new projects combined with these moves I have a good feeling about ZSL this year.

Only thing is the giraffe exhibit already seemed quite small for 2, so it'll be interesting to see how it is with 3. Obviously the zoo knows their animal's welfare the best, so I'd assume it's a nonissue.
 
You seem to overlook that for several if not many years 3 female giraffes has been the normal quota. This reduced down to 2 when Elish passed away leaving just Mollie and Maggie and it was always expected prepandemic that a third would be arriving.

I believe the enclosure improvements in recent years also make it a better enclosure with various options.
 
You seem to overlook that for several if not many years 3 female giraffes has been the normal quota. This reduced down to 2 when Elish passed away leaving just Mollie and Maggie and it was always expected prepandemic that a third would be arriving.

I believe the enclosure improvements in recent years also make it a better enclosure with various options.
Hopefully the ostriches that were supposed to be mixed in with the giraffe arrive this year, as well.
 
Just out of interest why can they not combine the giraffe and zebra enclosure? This giving both animals more room to roam, both animals are common bedfellows in the wild.
 
Just out of interest why can they not combine the giraffe and zebra enclosure? This giving both animals more room to roam, both animals are common bedfellows in the wild.

There actually have been several attempts to mix the giraffe and zebra back when Elish was alive, but none of these were successful due to fearfulness/aggression by the animals involved. Unless ZSL has changed the composition of its zebra herd since then, I would assume that they’ve simply ruled the two groups as incompatible based on their past behaviour.
 
I visited the zoo on Tuesday just for a short time between about 2.30 and 4pm. it was a bright, cold sunny day with hardly any visitors, and the animals were more active than I expected (All four tigers, the Asiatic lions, Gorillas to name some), so all in all a surprisingly good visit.

Kiburi, the new silverback was indoors but segregated from the rest of the Gorilla group, some of whom were roaming outside for food.

Bird Safari is still shut for avian flu reasons (I assume, it didn't say), but the Scarlet Ibises were looking great from the outside nevertheless.

There was a small Reeves Muntjac deer in a small area near the flamingos - is that a new exhibit or are they the same ones that were outside the Casson before, near to the Babirusa?

Other than that, building work seems to have progressed on the new reptile house which is looking like the outside structure at least is nearly done.
 
There was a small Reeves Muntjac deer in a small area near the flamingos - is that a new exhibit or are they the same ones that were outside the Casson before, near to the Babirusa?

Other than that, building work seems to have progressed on the new reptile house which is looking like the outside structure at least is nearly done.

Muntjac have been there for about a year or so now; it seems like a good arrangement for all parties as the babirusas now have more space.

Outside structure is done, the indoors is coming along nicely as well, shouldn't be long (i.e. 2-3 months) before it opens.
 
Outside structure is done, the indoors is coming along nicely as well, shouldn't be long (i.e. 2-3 months) before it opens.
Good to know, I have a visit to London Zoo arranged for this August, my first in 15 years, and I'm looking forward to seeing the new reptile house when it's done.
 
Giraffe enclosure has been split ready for the new arrival.

One of the hunting dogs is lame so maybe some scuffles going on there. Was good to see them all out and about though.

There's a pop-up art gallery exhibition ("Refugia") going on at the Huxley building until the 19th. Mix of art and some ZSL collection pieces.
 
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