Edinburgh Zoo Edinburgh Zoo news 2024

I visited today and have a couple things to note:

- As I believe someone has already said, the female red ruffed lemurs in the other section of the former monkey walkthrough (that also had an overhead tunnel leading to the small cage bordering the flamingo aviary) has signs saying nobody is home and it is now completely bordered off. There was no sign of them anywhere in the zoo on show at least, so they may well have left.

- The red river hog enclosure is progressing nicely. Parts of the former pond have been filled in with dirt, plants have been put in and a new shelter has been installed.

- The male red panda Bruce was very showy in the sun today, allowing me to get some good photos of him. However, Ginger was nowhere to be found. Even though she often hides in the trees, she is usually visible. The red panda from HWP, Kitty, was also unseen, but iks easy to hide in her dense enclosure.

- The Red river hogs are being held in the former Malayan tapir enclosure and later Visayan warty pig enclosure. I have no idea where the warty pigs are, since they probably couldn't mix them with the main group.

- The gelada enclosure looks pretty finished, with all the new furnishings done and the viewing areas compete. The grass is still patchy and growing though, so the gelada don't have access yet, though I think they'll be able to enter soon.

- The old enclosure for the red river hogs and path down to it (from the monkey house) has been closed off. Hopefully this means that their old enclosure is being adapted for a new species, though unfortunately the monkey house seems to be remaining unchanged.

- The main tiger enclosure has signs saying it is empty and that you can see them in the older enclosure, where is saw what believe to be Lucu sleeping at the top the area. There was no sign of Dharma anywhere in the enclosure though, so I am unsure whether they have introduced them to one another, or that something happened to Dharma. If they have introduced them, then I don't know why they didn't do it in the large enclosure and why I didn't see them both (Though I am aware there are sections in that exhibit where they can hide from the public). If something did happen to Dharma, they haven't announced it and seeing the fact that Dharma was in the main enclosure last week when I posted about her birthday makes it less likely. Also, if they had done this, why did Lucu get moved into the smaller area? I personally think that they may have been put together.
 
felis silvestris said:
The main tiger enclosure has signs saying it is empty and that you can see them in the older enclosure, where is saw what believe to be Lucu sleeping at the top the area. There was no sign of Dharma anywhere in the enclosure though, so I am unsure whether they have introduced them to one another, or that something happened to Dharma. If they have introduced them, then I don't know why they didn't do it in the large enclosure and why I didn't see them both (Though I am aware there are sections in that exhibit where they can hide from the public). If something did happen to Dharma, they haven't announced it and seeing the fact that Dharma was in the main enclosure last week when I posted about her birthday makes it less likely. Also, if they had done this, why did Lucu get moved into the smaller area? I personally think that they may have been put together.
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I’ve been told that they’ve been using the small triangular enclosure right at the bottom of the hill for introductions. I would imagine this is because it’s a bit more concealed and it’s a much smaller, more controlled environment, not to mention having the flexibility of the old bedrooms down there too.

If they have successfully introduced them down here, they might want to monitor them within the old enclosure for a while (or keep them there until a pregnancy) before moving one or both back up to the main enclosure.
 
JT said:
I’ve been told that they’ve been using the small triangular enclosure right at the bottom of the hill for introductions. I would imagine this is because it’s a bit more concealed and it’s a much smaller, more controlled environment, not to mention having the flexibility of the old bedrooms down there too.

If they have successfully introduced them down here, they might want to monitor them within the old enclosure for a while (or keep them there until a pregnancy) before moving one or both back up to the main enclosure.
Click to expand...
Thanks for clearing that up.
 
felis silvestris said:
I visited today and have a couple things to note:

- As I believe someone has already said, the female red ruffed lemurs in the other section of the former monkey walkthrough (that also had an overhead tunnel leading to the small cage bordering the flamingo aviary) has signs saying nobody is home and it is now completely bordered off. There was no sign of them anywhere in the zoo on show at least, so they may well have left.

- The male red panda Bruce was very showy in the sun today, allowing me to get some good photos of him. However, Ginger was nowhere to be found. Even though she often hides in the trees, she is usually visible. The red panda from HWP, Kitty, was also unseen, but iks easy to hide in her dense enclosure.
Click to expand...

I think you mean Red Bellied Lemurs as opposed to Red Ruffed, and the website confirms it is now only the 3 males at the zoo, who live in the mixed enclosure with the male Ring Tailed Lemurs.

Also, Kitty the Red Panda from HWP passed away, the remaining Red Panda from HWP is the male, Kevyn.
 
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Quincey said:
I think you mean Red Bellied Lemurs as opposed to Red Ruffed, and the website confirms it is now only the 3 males at the zoo, who live in the mixed enclosure with the male Ring Tailed Lemurs.

Also, Kitty the Red Panda from HWP passed away, the remaining Red Panda from HWP is the male, Kevyn.
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Yeah, meant to say red bellied.

Also, I really thought it was Kevyn who died, apologies.
 
A few updates from tonight's AGM:

  • The Gelada enclosure refurbishment is now complete and the Gelada's have full access to the enclosure again.
  • 1.1 Cheetah are due to arrive at the zoo in the next few months, they will be housed in the exhibit that currently houses the Red River Hogs, with the RRH's moving into what was previously the Pelican's enclosure, with significant refurbishment having been done to that enclosure to make it suitable for the RRH's.
  • Pallas Cats will also be arriving soon and will be housed in the currently empty enclosure that was most recently home to the Binturongs.
  • Binturongs are on the Zoo's long term species plan, however there are currently no individuals available anywhere in Europe. A Binturong has recently been born in another collection and has tentatively been allocated to the zoo, if this happens the animal involved will likely not arrive in Edinburgh for at least a year.
  • Titi monkey's are also due to arrive this year, it wasn't confirmed at the AGM which enclosure they would be going into.
  • The replacement species for the Giant Panda will arrive next year, it will be a new species of Bear but no further information was provided.
  • Female Sun Bear, Babu, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is currently receiving end of life care, they expect her to pass away in the next few weeks so the zoo will without Sun Bears for a while.
  • Male Indian Rhino, Qabid, is due to leave the zoo in November, with 2 new young males due to arrive after his departure. When these 2 new males eventually depart the zoo in a few years time, it is then hoped that a new rhino enclosure will be built.
  • There is a new Pudu fawn at the zoo, and the Cotton Top Tamarins gave birth today to twins.
  • The refurbishment of the Koala enclosure has been granted planning permission, building warrant is still waiting on a decision, it is hoped work will start here towards the end of the year or the beginning of next year. 2 young male Koala's have been lined up to join the zoo's females.
  • Update on penguin chick numbers, 17 Gentoo chicks have hatched this year, alongside 5 Rockhopper chicks.
 
Quincey said:
A few updates from tonight's AGM:

  • The Gelada enclosure refurbishment is now complete and the Gelada's have full access to the enclosure again.
  • 1.1 Cheetah are due to arrive at the zoo in the next few months, they will be housed in the exhibit that currently houses the Red River Hogs, with the RRH's moving into what was previously the Pelican's enclosure, with significant refurbishment having been done to that enclosure to make it suitable for the RRH's.
  • Pallas Cats will also be arriving soon and will be housed in the currently empty enclosure that was most recently home to the Binturongs.
  • Binturongs are on the Zoo's long term species plan, however there are currently no individuals available anywhere in Europe. A Binturong has recently been born in another collection and has tentatively been allocated to the zoo, if this happens the animal involved will likely not arrive in Edinburgh for at least a year.
  • Titi monkey's are also due to arrive this year, it wasn't confirmed at the AGM which enclosure they would be going into.
  • The replacement species for the Giant Panda will arrive next year, it will be a new species of Bear but no further information was provided.
  • Female Sun Bear, Babu, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is currently receiving end of life care, they expect her to pass away in the next few weeks so the zoo will without Sun Bears for a while.
  • Male Indian Rhino, Qabid, is due to leave the zoo in November, with 2 new young males due to arrive after his departure. When these 2 new males eventually depart the zoo in a few years time, it is then hoped that a new rhino enclosure will be built.
  • There is a new Pudu fawn at the zoo, and the Cotton Top Tamarins gave birth today to twins.
  • The refurbishment of the Koala enclosure has been granted planning permission, building warrant is still waiting on a decision, it is hoped work will start here towards the end of the year or the beginning of next year. 2 young male Koala's have been lined up to join the zoo's females.
  • Update on penguin chick numbers, 17 Gentoo chicks have hatched this year, alongside 5 Rockhopper chicks.
Click to expand...
This all sounds great, apart from Babu :(
 
Quincey said:
A few updates from tonight's AGM:

  • The Gelada enclosure refurbishment is now complete and the Gelada's have full access to the enclosure again.
  • 1.1 Cheetah are due to arrive at the zoo in the next few months, they will be housed in the exhibit that currently houses the Red River Hogs, with the RRH's moving into what was previously the Pelican's enclosure, with significant refurbishment having been done to that enclosure to make it suitable for the RRH's.
  • Pallas Cats will also be arriving soon and will be housed in the currently empty enclosure that was most recently home to the Binturongs.
  • Binturongs are on the Zoo's long term species plan, however there are currently no individuals available anywhere in Europe. A Binturong has recently been born in another collection and has tentatively been allocated to the zoo, if this happens the animal involved will likely not arrive in Edinburgh for at least a year.
  • Titi monkey's are also due to arrive this year, it wasn't confirmed at the AGM which enclosure they would be going into.
  • The replacement species for the Giant Panda will arrive next year, it will be a new species of Bear but no further information was provided.
  • Female Sun Bear, Babu, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is currently receiving end of life care, they expect her to pass away in the next few weeks so the zoo will without Sun Bears for a while.
  • Male Indian Rhino, Qabid, is due to leave the zoo in November, with 2 new young males due to arrive after his departure. When these 2 new males eventually depart the zoo in a few years time, it is then hoped that a new rhino enclosure will be built.
  • There is a new Pudu fawn at the zoo, and the Cotton Top Tamarins gave birth today to twins.
  • The refurbishment of the Koala enclosure has been granted planning permission, building warrant is still waiting on a decision, it is hoped work will start here towards the end of the year or the beginning of next year. 2 young male Koala's have been lined up to join the zoo's females.
  • Update on penguin chick numbers, 17 Gentoo chicks have hatched this year, alongside 5 Rockhopper chicks.
Click to expand...
That's sad to hear about Babu, the sun bears are one of my favourite species at Edinburgh and I'll definitely miss them, I hope Babu is as comfortable as she can be in her last few days.

The rest of the points are all very exciting news! I love cheetahs, and it's great to hear of another zoo getting them. I've never seen a pallas cat before, so that's also something I'm eager to see. I've arranged a visit to Edinburgh in October, sadly too early to see the new bear species that'll be going in the old panda enclosure (any guesses on what it could be?), but perhaps just on time to see Qabid one last time before he leaves, and to see the new cheetahs, pallas cats and titi monkeys. I may have missed it somewhere, but has it said what's happening with the pelicans once the red river hogs move into that enclosure?
 
Jambi said:
That's sad to hear about Babu, the sun bears are one of my favourite species at Edinburgh and I'll definitely miss them, I hope Babu is as comfortable as she can be in her last few days.

The rest of the points are all very exciting news! I love cheetahs, and it's great to hear of another zoo getting them. I've never seen a pallas cat before, so that's also something I'm eager to see. I've arranged a visit to Edinburgh in October, sadly too early to see the new bear species that'll be going in the old panda enclosure (any guesses on what it could be?), but perhaps just on time to see Qabid one last time before he leaves, and to see the new cheetahs, pallas cats and titi monkeys. I may have missed it somewhere, but has it said what's happening with the pelicans once the red river hogs move into that enclosure?
Click to expand...
Why are the Red River Hogs moving to the pelican enclosure, and what will replace them in their former enclosure? I thought the RRH enclosure at Edinburgh was outstanding and one of the most memorable exhibits on my visit, so it seems strange that they are looking to move them to a former pelican walkthrough...
 
Kalaw said:
Why are the Red River Hogs moving to the pelican enclosure, and what will replace them in their former enclosure? I thought the RRH enclosure at Edinburgh was outstanding and one of the most memorable exhibits on my visit, so it seems strange that they are looking to move them to a former pelican walkthrough...
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As mentioned above by @Quincey :

  • 1.1 Cheetah are due to arrive at the zoo in the next few months, they will be housed in the exhibit that currently houses the Red River Hogs, with the RRH's moving into what was previously the Pelican's enclosure, with significant refurbishment having been done to that enclosure to make it suitable for the RRH's.
Click to expand...

The pelican walkthrough is currently empty and unlikely to be used again for pelicans as long as there are potential bird flu issues. So this brings in a new species and puts an empty enclosure to use.
 
Quincey said:
A few updates from tonight's AGM:

  • The Gelada enclosure refurbishment is now complete and the Gelada's have full access to the enclosure again.
  • 1.1 Cheetah are due to arrive at the zoo in the next few months, they will be housed in the exhibit that currently houses the Red River Hogs, with the RRH's moving into what was previously the Pelican's enclosure, with significant refurbishment having been done to that enclosure to make it suitable for the RRH's.
  • Pallas Cats will also be arriving soon and will be housed in the currently empty enclosure that was most recently home to the Binturongs.
  • Binturongs are on the Zoo's long term species plan, however there are currently no individuals available anywhere in Europe. A Binturong has recently been born in another collection and has tentatively been allocated to the zoo, if this happens the animal involved will likely not arrive in Edinburgh for at least a year.
  • Titi monkey's are also due to arrive this year, it wasn't confirmed at the AGM which enclosure they would be going into.
  • The replacement species for the Giant Panda will arrive next year, it will be a new species of Bear but no further information was provided.
  • Female Sun Bear, Babu, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is currently receiving end of life care, they expect her to pass away in the next few weeks so the zoo will without Sun Bears for a while.
  • Male Indian Rhino, Qabid, is due to leave the zoo in November, with 2 new young males due to arrive after his departure. When these 2 new males eventually depart the zoo in a few years time, it is then hoped that a new rhino enclosure will be built.
  • There is a new Pudu fawn at the zoo, and the Cotton Top Tamarins gave birth today to twins.
  • The refurbishment of the Koala enclosure has been granted planning permission, building warrant is still waiting on a decision, it is hoped work will start here towards the end of the year or the beginning of next year. 2 young male Koala's have been lined up to join the zoo's females.
  • Update on penguin chick numbers, 17 Gentoo chicks have hatched this year, alongside 5 Rockhopper chicks.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the updates, but very unfortunate about Babu, she's one of the younger sun bears in the UK as well so condolences to the keepers and those close to her.

Do we know what the plans are for the massive exhibit that the zebras (and Nyala?) have/will have left vacant? Perhaps it will have inhabitants that fit the theme of whatever new bear species is chosen for the Giant Panda complex but either way it could be a while yet before something takes the space.
 
Quincey said:
A few updates from tonight's AGM:

  • The Gelada enclosure refurbishment is now complete and the Gelada's have full access to the enclosure again.
  • 1.1 Cheetah are due to arrive at the zoo in the next few months, they will be housed in the exhibit that currently houses the Red River Hogs, with the RRH's moving into what was previously the Pelican's enclosure, with significant refurbishment having been done to that enclosure to make it suitable for the RRH's.
  • Pallas Cats will also be arriving soon and will be housed in the currently empty enclosure that was most recently home to the Binturongs.
  • Binturongs are on the Zoo's long term species plan, however there are currently no individuals available anywhere in Europe. A Binturong has recently been born in another collection and has tentatively been allocated to the zoo, if this happens the animal involved will likely not arrive in Edinburgh for at least a year.
  • Titi monkey's are also due to arrive this year, it wasn't confirmed at the AGM which enclosure they would be going into.
  • The replacement species for the Giant Panda will arrive next year, it will be a new species of Bear but no further information was provided.
  • Female Sun Bear, Babu, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is currently receiving end of life care, they expect her to pass away in the next few weeks so the zoo will without Sun Bears for a while.
  • Male Indian Rhino, Qabid, is due to leave the zoo in November, with 2 new young males due to arrive after his departure. When these 2 new males eventually depart the zoo in a few years time, it is then hoped that a new rhino enclosure will be built.
  • There is a new Pudu fawn at the zoo, and the Cotton Top Tamarins gave birth today to twins.
  • The refurbishment of the Koala enclosure has been granted planning permission, building warrant is still waiting on a decision, it is hoped work will start here towards the end of the year or the beginning of next year. 2 young male Koala's have been lined up to join the zoo's females.
  • Update on penguin chick numbers, 17 Gentoo chicks have hatched this year, alongside 5 Rockhopper chicks.
Click to expand...
Thanks for all the updates. It seems in some ways the Edinburgh Zoo is slowly branching into new territority and turning a corner on all the less species, empty enclosures narrative over the last few years.

I have however 2 questions and queries relating to some parts of the zoo (front area and the Monkey House).

I know alas the Malayan tapir are history, the rhino habitat is so dated...., it is painful (you explained that 2 new bulls are due to arrive probably spending their time at Edinburgh Zoo for 5-6 years at least ..., and that after they leave the new rhino habitat may come up) and the sun bear are out....? What will happen to this space and will the Edinburgh Zoo have a dedicated area for Asiatic species in future and what kind of vision exists for this part?

The Monkey House IMO is a total eyesore and has long plagued the zoo and where it once had a really nice primate and monkeys collection that has gone down hill pretty much. When oh when has EZ planned or is planning to completely overhaul that jaded historically iconic yet very much obsolete building and what vision do they have for a new Monkey aka Primate House?
 
Quincey said:
A few updates from tonight's AGM:

  • The Gelada enclosure refurbishment is now complete and the Gelada's have full access to the enclosure again.
  • 1.1 Cheetah are due to arrive at the zoo in the next few months, they will be housed in the exhibit that currently houses the Red River Hogs, with the RRH's moving into what was previously the Pelican's enclosure, with significant refurbishment having been done to that enclosure to make it suitable for the RRH's.
  • Pallas Cats will also be arriving soon and will be housed in the currently empty enclosure that was most recently home to the Binturongs.
  • Binturongs are on the Zoo's long term species plan, however there are currently no individuals available anywhere in Europe. A Binturong has recently been born in another collection and has tentatively been allocated to the zoo, if this happens the animal involved will likely not arrive in Edinburgh for at least a year.
  • Titi monkey's are also due to arrive this year, it wasn't confirmed at the AGM which enclosure they would be going into.
  • The replacement species for the Giant Panda will arrive next year, it will be a new species of Bear but no further information was provided.
  • Female Sun Bear, Babu, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is currently receiving end of life care, they expect her to pass away in the next few weeks so the zoo will without Sun Bears for a while.
  • Male Indian Rhino, Qabid, is due to leave the zoo in November, with 2 new young males due to arrive after his departure. When these 2 new males eventually depart the zoo in a few years time, it is then hoped that a new rhino enclosure will be built.
  • There is a new Pudu fawn at the zoo, and the Cotton Top Tamarins gave birth today to twins.
  • The refurbishment of the Koala enclosure has been granted planning permission, building warrant is still waiting on a decision, it is hoped work will start here towards the end of the year or the beginning of next year. 2 young male Koala's have been lined up to join the zoo's females.
  • Update on penguin chick numbers, 17 Gentoo chicks have hatched this year, alongside 5 Rockhopper chicks.
Click to expand...

Was great to attend the meeting too, I took some notes and I’ll do a bit of a write up later on but this is an excellent summary thank you.

Interesting that DF said something along the lines of it was “almost back to the drawing board” when it came to the panda replacement and that they believed that had it in the bag to get some rescue bears, which is perhaps likely a nod to (for example) Yampil the moon bear from Ukraine who arrived at Five Sisters Zoo earlier this year.

DF gave the reason as “quarantine restrictions” does that mean EZ may require a longer quarantine than some other zoos?

That does explain why they’ve been quiet on the issue, and very encouraging that it’s going to be another bear, but also slightly dissapointing at this stage they couldn’t confirm which type.

Sad to hear about the last remaining sunbear too, I always thought that they could have gone into the panda enclosure for the interim.
 
Quincey said:
A few updates from tonight's AGM:

  • The Gelada enclosure refurbishment is now complete and the Gelada's have full access to the enclosure again.
  • 1.1 Cheetah are due to arrive at the zoo in the next few months, they will be housed in the exhibit that currently houses the Red River Hogs, with the RRH's moving into what was previously the Pelican's enclosure, with significant refurbishment having been done to that enclosure to make it suitable for the RRH's.
  • Pallas Cats will also be arriving soon and will be housed in the currently empty enclosure that was most recently home to the Binturongs.
  • Binturongs are on the Zoo's long term species plan, however there are currently no individuals available anywhere in Europe. A Binturong has recently been born in another collection and has tentatively been allocated to the zoo, if this happens the animal involved will likely not arrive in Edinburgh for at least a year.
  • Titi monkey's are also due to arrive this year, it wasn't confirmed at the AGM which enclosure they would be going into.
  • The replacement species for the Giant Panda will arrive next year, it will be a new species of Bear but no further information was provided.
  • Female Sun Bear, Babu, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is currently receiving end of life care, they expect her to pass away in the next few weeks so the zoo will without Sun Bears for a while.
  • Male Indian Rhino, Qabid, is due to leave the zoo in November, with 2 new young males due to arrive after his departure. When these 2 new males eventually depart the zoo in a few years time, it is then hoped that a new rhino enclosure will be built.
  • There is a new Pudu fawn at the zoo, and the Cotton Top Tamarins gave birth today to twins.
  • The refurbishment of the Koala enclosure has been granted planning permission, building warrant is still waiting on a decision, it is hoped work will start here towards the end of the year or the beginning of next year. 2 young male Koala's have been lined up to join the zoo's females.
  • Update on penguin chick numbers, 17 Gentoo chicks have hatched this year, alongside 5 Rockhopper chicks.
Click to expand...
Oh my Cheetah's all looking good for the zoo was there no word on the lions?
 
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