Dudley Zoological Gardens Dudley Zoo News 2024

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Strathmorezoo said:
The new Reindeer enclosure, is it going to extend near to the tecton building, if so I guess that would not put the proposed bears ravine being used for any bears going back there
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It doesn't go all the way down to the old Tecton, it stops before the slope starts - I think the fenceline might be starting at the two poles you can see on the left end of the photo, other side of the concrete slab. I guess it would take a lot of work to put the bears back but there is space for 'something' if they want to restore the Tecton.
 
Lafone said:
It doesn't go all the way down to the old Tecton, it stops before the slope starts - I think the fenceline might be starting at the two poles you can see on the left end of the photo, other side of the concrete slab. I guess it would take a lot of work to put the bears back but there is space for 'something' if they want to restore the Tecton.
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I saw bears in the ravine back in the late 1960s and I always wanted to see them there again one day. There could still be a chance then.
 
Massive thanks for the updates and photos @Lafone, great work.

The new chimp climbing structure looks fantastic; even bigger and better than the previous one.

The new structure at the end of the bear ravine is highly intriguing (I'm also glad those old sheds have been demolished). The building looks far more substantial than your usual hoofstock stabling, which makes me wonder if it's really the new bear dens in disguise (until they can source the bears), however it doesn't match the designs for the bear house seen in the planning application that the zoo submitted in 2019. Perhaps new plans have been submitted since then as surely any new structure near the bear ravine Tecton would require planning permission.

Also, what will become of the old reindeer enclosure, as it's quite a big area?

Fascinating stuff and the perpetual improvement of Dudley Zoo is wonderful to see.
 
Strathmorezoo said:
The new Reindeer enclosure, is it going to extend near to the tecton building, if so I guess that would not put the proposed bears ravine being used for any bears going back there
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Well if the Reindeer are moving into that space where they planned on bringing Bears back to the ravine then those plans would have been scrapped... can't say I'm surprised considering that announcement was made five years back not long before their last bear (Inca) passed away.

So if the Reindeer are moving I have a couple questions to ask...

1. What will happen to their current enclosure near the Orangs? Will it become home to something new or made into an extension for the Peccaries perhaps?

2. Does this mean that lone Rhea and the sheep(?) that were sharing that paddock have gone as well?
 
Animallover1998 said:
Well if the Reindeer are moving into that space where they planned on bringing Bears back to the ravine then those plans would have been scrapped... can't say I'm surprised considering that announcement was made five years back not long before their last bear (Inca) passed away.

So if the Reindeer are moving I have a couple questions to ask...

1. What will happen to their current enclosure near the Orangs? Will it become home to something new or made into an extension for the Peccaries perhaps?

2. Does this mean that lone Rhea and the sheep(?) that were sharing that paddock have gone as well?
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I didn’t see the rhea elsewhere today though the sheep are on the hill near the penguins I think.
 
Animallover1998 said:
So if the Reindeer are moving I have a couple questions to ask...

1. What will happen to their current enclosure near the Orangs? Will it become home to something new or made into an extension for the Peccaries perhaps?
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I'm going to guess wild dogs.
 
Lafone said:
I'd think it's a bit small for that and lacks any cover. Bit overlooked for painted dogs. Perhaps some other hoofstock might go in it, or if it was planted up perhaps a smaller carnivore. Interesting to guess though and as you say nice to see lots going on!
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Personally, I think that the management should be proud of what they are achieving. Dudley is certainly a progressive zoo
 
Lafone said:
I'd think it's a bit small for that and lacks any cover. Bit overlooked for painted dogs. Perhaps some other hoofstock might go in it, or if it was planted up perhaps a smaller carnivore. Interesting to guess though and as you say nice to see lots going on!
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A total refurb and fishing cats? Or jaguarundi? I’d be delighted with either.

It is a decent space tbf, as it is though, hoofstock does seem like the only option, but if they have money to spend then there’s so many options.
 
Lafone said:
I'd think it's a bit small for that and lacks any cover. Bit overlooked for painted dogs. Perhaps some other hoofstock might go in it, or if it was planted up perhaps a smaller carnivore. Interesting to guess though and as you say nice to see lots going on!
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It's still early... my guess is maybe the current enclosure could hold an antelope species or some wild pigs (e.g. warthog, warty pig)
 
Lafone said:
I'd think it's a bit small for that and lacks any cover. Bit overlooked for painted dogs. Perhaps some other hoofstock might go in it, or if it was planted up perhaps a smaller carnivore. Interesting to guess though and as you say nice to see lots going on!
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No I absolutely agree it wouldn't be a good enclosure for them - just a lazy guess since there was a rumour a year or two ago of wild dogs returning to the zoo.

I'd love to see a smaller carnivore species in that space however. It could even be split into a duo or trio of small cat cages, perhaps including Pallas's cat. Or what about one huge enclosure for clouded leopards that would utilise the trees at the back?

I do wonder why, after being virtually empty for decades, the zoo has suddenly decided to fill the ravine with the reindeer, who were fine in the paddock they were in.
 
Benosaurus said:
No I absolutely agree it wouldn't be a good enclosure for them - just a lazy guess since there was a rumour a year or two ago of wild dogs returning to the zoo.

I'd love to see a smaller carnivore species in that space however. It could even be split into a duo or trio of small cat cages, perhaps including Pallas's cat. Or what about one huge enclosure for clouded leopards that would utilise the trees at the back?

I do wonder why, after being virtually empty for decades, the zoo has suddenly decided to fill the ravine with the reindeer, who were fine in the paddock they were in.
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I would be so excited by Pallas cats!

I can’t imagine that reindeer are in the ravine to stay, Dudley have been very public about putting bears there, they won’t just give that up without a fight. I think the reindeer are a temporary thing.
 
On reflection I think my ideal would be the area being remodelled and expanded into the trees for a new lynx enclosure.The outside space in the current one really lags behind in comparison to the newer parts of the zoo. A new larger, well planted higher lynx space with lots of natural climbing (and not glassed in) would be lovely. Probably wholly unrealistic but what can I say…I like lynx! And the old lynx space changed into a smaller cat.
 
Benosaurus said:
No I absolutely agree it wouldn't be a good enclosure for them - just a lazy guess since there was a rumour a year or two ago of wild dogs returning to the zoo.

I'd love to see a smaller carnivore species in that space however. It could even be split into a duo or trio of small cat cages, perhaps including Pallas's cat. Or what about one huge enclosure for clouded leopards that would utilise the trees at the back?

I do wonder why, after being virtually empty for decades, the zoo has suddenly decided to fill the ravine with the reindeer, who were fine in the paddock they were in.
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True... I can't see them being able to keep Bears and Reindeer side by side in neighbouring enclosures considering one is a predator and the other is prey. I haven't seen a bear in any zoo since 2018 and am a bit disappointed with the sudden change of plans.

I agree the Reindeer paddock isn't great but it's far from the worst.
 
Animallover1998 said:
True... I can't see them being able to keep Bears and Reindeer side by side in neighbouring enclosures considering one is a predator and the other is prey. I haven't seen a bear in any zoo since 2018 and am a bit disappointed with the sudden change of plans.

I agree the Reindeer paddock isn't great but it's far from the worst.
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Jimmy's Farm are doing exactly that with the woodland. With Polar Bears, & Arctic Wolves having access to a wooded exhibit, next to the wooded exhibit for Reindeer.
 
As the sign says Reindeer exhibit coming soon.

So many people giving a guess as to what will replace the Reindeers exhibit, I would like to throw my idea around.

Why not move the Tapir & Capybara to the said exhibit.
Then use the Tapir exhibit for Red River Hogs? on the one side and White Naped Cranes on the other side.
 
Dudley has officially announced the moving of the reindeer on social media. They make the move to Bear Ravine seem pretty permanent, eluding to new stables and hardstand in the development, neither of which seem particularly appropriate for infrastructure that can be retro-fitted for bears.

That being said, they do also state that “plans are also being put in place for an exciting new development when the reindeer vacate their current reindeer paddock”, so I’m quite inclined to believe them that something cool will be announced in the near-future.

Dudley Zoo & Castle on Instagram: "Development work continues at DZC as we start building a brand-new habitat on the lower zoo site for our reindeer. We're currently transforming the Bear Ravine space for the herd, which will include new stables, hardstand, paddock and visitor viewing areas. In preparation for the work, our lone rhea recently moved to a new animal collection up North, while Tigerlilly the sheep can now be found alongside the Cameroon sheep on the Queen Mary Bank. Plans are also being put in place for an exciting new development when the reindeer vacate their current reindeer paddock... watch this space for news later in the year! "
 
pendraig_milnerae said:
Dudley has officially announced the moving of the reindeer on social media. They make the move to Bear Ravine seem pretty permanent, eluding to new stables and hardstand in the development, neither of which seem particularly appropriate for infrastructure that can be retro-fitted for bears.

That being said, they do also state that “plans are also being put in place for an exciting new development when the reindeer vacate their current reindeer paddock”, so I’m quite inclined to believe them that something cool will be announced in the near-future.

Dudley Zoo & Castle on Instagram: "Development work continues at DZC as we start building a brand-new habitat on the lower zoo site for our reindeer. We're currently transforming the Bear Ravine space for the herd, which will include new stables, hardstand, paddock and visitor viewing areas. In preparation for the work, our lone rhea recently moved to a new animal collection up North, while Tigerlilly the sheep can now be found alongside the Cameroon sheep on the Queen Mary Bank. Plans are also being put in place for an exciting new development when the reindeer vacate their current reindeer paddock... watch this space for news later in the year! "
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Whatever this exciting new development is, I don't imagine it'll be ready on time for my next visit to Dudley in August so I perhaps won't see it, but it would be great if it was, and I'm curious to see what they do with that area.
 
Went to Dudley 2 days ago.
Very quiet. Nothing new really other then what's already been mentioned in the above posts.

The little Pygmy Marmoset isn't clinging on to the parents anymore, very curious and jumping around.

Not sure if I missed it in this thread, but where did the Mara go?
I did notice them gone 4 weeks ago already but didn't really think much of it.
But now I noticed the sign is also gone.
I forgot to ask a keeper, off course.
 
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