Dudley Zoological Gardens Dudley Zoo News 2024

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Moorhunhe said:
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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That's strange... I just looked on the DZ website for Mara and it seems they've been removed from the Mammals section.

Looks like maybe they've departed from the collection (or died out)...
 
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Whilst Chester Zoo was my local favourite, and it still is, I find the Zoo in my advancing years daunting in size and popularity. Whenever I can get over to the mainland it is during the holiday periods and it is usually rammed. Dudley Zoo is close to my dad's family and I have been on average every ten years or so. It always held of soft spot for me.

So I was able to take my young family for the first time, in fact I was able to take them twice in three days because we got a free second visit which was an unexpected bonus. The first day we arrived after midday and it was the busiest I've known the Zoo. But it wasn't overly crowded either. The entrance is pleasing enough and some work is going on but Dudley could do with hiding some ion the mess in the walk along the fence towards the entrance.

I was pleasantly surprised that the Flamingos are still in the same place and the upgrade to their accommodation seems an improvement. It was great to see the Geldas on the hillside. The chair lift was not in operation and we didn't want to wait so we walked up the hill. Spider Monkeys are placed well and it was nice to see that they still have a variety of Owls in large homes than I remember from the past.

Dudley really has a great selling point with the castle as well which was looked great over the Easter weekend. My boys wanted to see the Reptile House and it was a fabulous experience to see them reacting to the snakes. The Reptile house is a great feature of the Zoo.

We had some lunch which took far longer to order and receive than necessary. They could do a lot more with the old room than they currently do but it serves a purpose. The Zoo is clearly making an effort to improve the Bush Dogs being a great example. But there are lots of areas that look in disrepair and even potentially dangerous. They may not be dangerous but a couple of buildings look in immediate need of attention.

A lot of the animals are still in the same places that I remember from 40 years ago and Dudley seem have done well to use the beautiful Tecton buildings in place. The Tigers really put on a show on Saturday afternoon, not sure breeding is on for this couple but the make certainly seemed interested.

We enjoyed the walk around the back of the castle and down towards the chimps and parrot walk through. The Lions as docile as they often seem to be. The Reindeer accommodation is coming along and we certainly noticed a difference in the few days between our visits. I know some people have questioned the fun fair, but it certainly attracts the kids. It would certainly be better if they had new modern rides. Our second visit was far shorter but we enjoyed looking at the areas of the zoo we missed.

I was impressed with many of the developments. I also love that it is still recognisably the same Zoo I first went to over 40 years ago. I know that Dudley has faced closure in the past but I with sustained investment and development it can continue to thrive. One day I hope to visit again.
 
We went yesterday. It was a very nice and sunny day (very windy though).
Managed to get a good view of the newest Black Lemur edition. As they had been fed, so the entire family was outside eating.
Obviously still clinging onto mom, but it's head very visible.

Lions were being lions, and just slept all day in the sun.
The Lemur walkthrough, the brown ones came out a bit later in the day which was great, because I do love the brown brothers ^^

The Giant Anteaters were outside looking for food, also the little one, who is now quite big already!
Still on mom's back, but also going about on his own, finding food.

The Titi Monkeys are now back up next to the Pygmy Marmosets.
1 window panel with the Otters is still boarded up, has been for months now.

The keepers were trying to get the Bush Dog to go into the water, they tried throwing some food in the pool.
And one of them was like he really wanted to go in, but was like "nah, not now".

Snow Leopards were sleeping cuddled up with each other on a platform.
And as per usual, Helga the Wolverine was running around her enclosure.

We also saw the baby Reindeer. The new enclosure is coming together very nicely.

We left around 3pm, and boy, there was a queue to get into the parking lot!
So many people that arrived still, I don't think I've ever seen that many people going for the zoo, and they all did walk towards the zoo entrance.
 
Moorhunhe said:
We went yesterday. It was a very nice and sunny day (very windy though).
Managed to get a good view of the newest Black Lemur edition. As they had been fed, so the entire family was outside eating.
Obviously still clinging onto mom, but it's head very visible.

Lions were being lions, and just slept all day in the sun.
The Lemur walkthrough, the brown ones came out a bit later in the day which was great, because I do love the brown brothers ^^

The Giant Anteaters were outside looking for food, also the little one, who is now quite big already!
Still on mom's back, but also going about on his own, finding food.

The Titi Monkeys are now back up next to the Pygmy Marmosets.
1 window panel with the Otters is still boarded up, has been for months now.

The keepers were trying to get the Bush Dog to go into the water, they tried throwing some food in the pool.
And one of them was like he really wanted to go in, but was like "nah, not now".

Snow Leopards were sleeping cuddled up with each other on a platform.
And as per usual, Helga the Wolverine was running around her enclosure.

We also saw the baby Reindeer. The new enclosure is coming together very nicely.

We left around 3pm, and boy, there was a queue to get into the parking lot!
So many people that arrived still, I don't think I've ever seen that many people going for the zoo, and they all did walk towards the zoo entrance.
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Sounds like a fun day!

Dudley were running the St George's event in the Castle 3pm to 7pm across the weekend so some people were probably going to that.
 
I might go to the zoo again to see the new exibits does anyone know the order which it is best to see the animals or should I just follow the map?
 
You can also turn right just past the sealion pools before you get to the waterfowl pens and penguin bay. There is a vantage point between the two monkey houses which gives good views of the red pandas if they are up in the trees.
 
Moorhunhe said:
For "ease" the easiest way to not miss them, is to take the steps up, next to the Binturong enclosure.
(at least in my personal opinion)
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Will do! Thanks :)
Angel said:
You can also turn right just past the sealion pools before you get to the waterfowl pens and penguin bay. There is a vantage point between the two monkey houses which gives good views of the red pandas if they are up in the trees.
Click to expand...
That sounds good :)
 
We've got some sad news to bring you today, as our remaining lovely Asiatic lioness, Asha, has passed away.

Asha, who would have turned 18 years-old next week, was peacefully put to sleep by the zoo's veterinary team, due to age-related declining health.

She was much-loved and will be missed by us all here at DZC.

Asha came to live at DZC in 2009 alongside sister, Kyra, who she outlived by 11 months.

Keshari, our resident four-year-old male, who joined us last summer, will remain in the paddock and we'll be working with the EEP studbook to bring in a new lioness in the near future.
 
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