Edinburgh Zoo Edinburgh Zoo news 2024

Rohin said:
I don't fully understand what you mean by cheetahs at Edinburgh can "fix you".
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I think it might be a Coldplay pun. They had a song called "Fix You" in 2005 and are due to play in Edinburgh on their next world tour. Chris Martin visited Edinburgh Zoo in 2000 when the band first became famous and made a comment about the cheetahs being "all yellow" (technically not true because they have black spots). I remember there being some feature about it in Smash Hits Magazine
 
ZooNut23 said:
Chris Martin visited Edinburgh Zoo in 2000 when the band first became famous and made a comment about the cheetahs being "all yellow" (technically not true because they have black spots). I remember there being some feature about it in Smash Hits Magazine
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I doubt it, given the fact Edinburgh no longer kept the species by that time :D from memory, the last pair were sent to Glasgow Zoo in the mid-1990s, and died there sometime before the zoo closed in 2003.
 
dillotest0 said:
This I think has truth. Most axolotls in human care are genetically impure.
But I would contest that the 'domestic-axolotl' is not at all axolotl ... at least, with regards to natural brown morphs they certainly look as expected of axolotls, behave as expected of axolotls ... and I do say that may not be as much for manufactured morphs. And as such I have little aversion to zoos displaying the natural brown variety of the axolotl. I recall there's one picture of the axolotls they had from my visit to London Zoo in 2016 that has lived in my head as the image of the axolotl ... if it weren't for that day I can only imagine I would still think they were predominantly pink species now! If zoos can keep rabbits, guinea pigs and degus within reasonable context I don't see why there should be aversion to axolotl then.
The Lake Patzcuaro Salamander I suppose would be better option, as captive individuals of that species are not as genetically-diluted as axolotl ... but if only it were easier to come by !
In that regard then I think if a zoo works with axolotl beforehand it goes to good experience for taking care of this salamander which also needs help and awareness.
But I digress !
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I am sorry you don't seem to understand what I have been writing here! There are simply no pure-bred axolotl in captivity in zoological collections, public aquaria or with private breeders' community globally outside their native Mexico. The animal that you describe so aptly as "domestic(ated) axolotl is a genetic degenerate mutant bred for a few genetic peculiarities (neoteny, pigmentation), this population is absolutely completely inbred with low founder base and completely and fully hybridised with native North American tiger salamander Ambystoma tigrinum. This thanks to the US policy and breeding center that eventually acquired the last European specimens from Europe (Krakow-Poland) and bred them at the Wistar Institute. Some specimens were donated to Dr. Humphrey at the University of Buffalo who subsequently relocated to Indiana and created a NSF-funded axolotl research dedicated facility. This facility was evantually transferred to the University of Kentucky - which has since become the Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center (AGSC).

All these are simply not pure-bred axolotls ... Period!


FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
The only pure-bred stock of the ... salamander Ambystoma mexicanum (local name: axolotl) are at the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico at the zoology research Institute led by Professor Luis Zambrano. AND: FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH:

The UADM stock - collected from the Lake Xochimilco in the 1990's - is the only valid source population from which the native axolotl can be restored into nature and their natural state. Their lake restoration and axolotl recovery program exactly address the major issues that have led the species to disappear from large parts of its restricuted natural range.

Ex situ the UADM breeding facility and we - both the zoo community, private breeders and the Zoochat community at large - should exactly support Prof.Dr. Zambrano's initiative for what it really does and more or most robustly than is presently the case, to put pressure on the National Government and administation as well as the Distrito Federal Municipality - Cuidad de Mexico to clean up the Lake Xochimilco and surrounding lakes.

What is required is to stop pollution by the local population (Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco/Lake Chapultepec as (mis-)used as DF-Ciudad Mexico's private septic tank, unsustainable agriculture (every industrialised large scale commercial industrial agricultural practices (the traditional native chinampa system is the only sustainable and environment friendly alternative) and industry, put an end to misuse of its natural water resources by big industry and the large capital and suburban population use, restore the traditional system of chinampas to its former glory and push for a sustainable and non-polluted future for both Lake Xochimilco and the neighbouring Lake Chalco and Lake Chapultepec (recent discovery - determined that salamanders here are indeed axolotl Ambystoma mexicanum)!
 
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Kifaru Bwana said:
I am sorry you don't seem to understand what I have been writing here! There are simply no pure-bred axolotl in captivity in zoological collections, public aquaria or with private breeders' community globally outside their native Mexico. The animal that you describe so aptly as "domestic(ated) axolotl is a genetic degenerate mutant bred for a few genetic peculiarities (neoteny, pigmentation), this population is absolutely completely inbred with low founder base and completely and fully hybridised with native North American tiger salamander Ambystoma tigrinum. This thanks to the US policy and breeding center that eventually acquired the last European specimens from Europe (Krakow-Poland) and bred them at the Wistar Institute. Some specimens were donated to Dr. Humphrey at the University of Buffalo who subsequently relocated to Indiana and created a NSF-funded axolotl research dedicated facility. This facility was evantually transferred to the University of Kentucky - which has since become the Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center (AGSC).

All these are simply not pure-bred axolotls ... Period!


FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
The only pure-bred stock of the ... salamander Ambystoma mexicanum (local name: axolotl) are at the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico at the zoology research Institute led by Professor Luis Zambrano. AND: FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH:

The UADM stock - collected from the Lake Xochimilco in the 1990's - is the only valid source population from which the native axolotl can be restored into nature and their natural state. Their lake restoration and axolotl recovery program exactly address the major issues that have led the species to disappear from large parts of its restricuted natural range.

Ex situ the UADM breeding facility and we - both the zoo community, private breeders and the Zoochat community at large - should exactly support Prof.Dr. Zambrano's initiative for what it really does and more or most robustly than is presently the case, to put pressure on the National Government and administation as well as the Distrito Federal Municipality - Cuidad de Mexico to clean up the Lake Xochimilco and surrounding lakes.

What is required is to stop pollution by the local population (Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco/Lake Chapultepec as (mis-)used as DF-Ciudad Mexico's private septic tank, unsustainable agriculture (every industrialised large scale commercial industrial agricultural practices (the traditional native chinampa system is the only sustainable and environment friendly alternative) and industry, put an end to misuse of its natural water resources by big industry and the large capital and suburban population use, restore the traditional system of chinampas to its former glory and push for a sustainable and non-polluted future for both Lake Xochimilco and the neighbouring Lake Chalco and Lake Chapultepec (recent discovery - determined that salamanders here are indeed axolotl Ambystoma mexicanum)!
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I agree there should be more conservation for Axolotls, and that it is a very good thing what Professor Zambrano and the UADM are doing, but why should the fact that there are no purebred Axolotls in captivity mean that zoos should refrain from displaying the species?
 
Osedax said:
I agree there should be more conservation for Axolotls, and that it is a very good thing what Professor Zambrano and the UADM are doing, but why should the fact that there are no purebred Axolotls in captivity mean that zoos should refrain from displaying the species?
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For the very fact like with white lions or tigons and other mutant degenerates occupy zoo spaces badly needed for species of valid and any conservation concern or valid natural world educational purposes..
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
For the very fact like with white lions or tigons and other mutant degenerates occupy zoo spaces badly needed for species of valid and any conservation concern or valid natural world educational purposes..
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With white lions/hybrids I think the point stands that there exist alternatives which are conservation important, and should be shown instead in zoological collections. So I would agree that white tigers or hybrids are not suitable exhibits for reputable zoos.
But with axolotl no such alternative exists yet. No zoo yet has gone out of their way to purchase axolotl directly from Mexico. And other Mexican salamanders can be hard to come by. So when one puts it this way I can see why many zoos go for axolotl... even in the context of genetically impure animals.
I do think that there should be planning to get purebred axolotl from Mexico ... but for the here and now where that isn't the case I think impure-axolotl can make for good educational animal. It's not like these ones are taking up space of pure axolotl as imports of that have yet to happen [but if it did it would be different story I feel] and it beats having no axolotl whatsoever.
Though maybe it does say something about how little attention Dumeril's Salamander has gotten ...
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
For the very fact like with white lions or tigons and other mutant degenerates occupy zoo spaces badly needed for species of valid and any conservation concern or valid natural world educational purposes..
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Echoing the points of yourself and others, I do agree more importance should be placed on their wild counterparts and those animals' habitat with zoos bringing in captive representatives for a breeding group if possible. However it can make for an interesting educational display since many people (including myself until a few months ago) think of axolotls as cute pink pets and don't rather think of the amphibian's origin. The pink versions can potentially act as ambassadors of sorts, provided visitors are made aware this is not what the species looks like and the animals' plight being highlighted appropriately.
 
Rohin said:
The pink versions can potentially act as ambassadors of sorts, provided visitors are made aware this is not what the species looks like and the animals' plight being highlighted appropriately.
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On the contrary .... I recall one particular picture of two dark-coloured axolotls taken at London in 2016 has been my mental image of the axolotl for the years since then ... so I then became immunised into falling into the trap of pink axolotl !
 
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.
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This was from the zoos website:

We are currently home to two coppery titi monkeys a four year-old and six year-old. The pair can be found in the Magic Forest.
 
More people than ever will be able to experience the wonders of nature, thanks to the introduction of reduced-price tickets to Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which operates both parks, is offering discounted entry for anyone currently on Universal Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Income Support.

Those eligible will be able to visit the parks for just £7 per person – a discount of 70% for adults and 55% for kids:

Universal credit discount for visitors to Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park
 
Pasted from ig:


We're sad to share the news that Rene, one of our chimpanzees, sadly passed away last week after an altercation within the troop

Chimp group dynamics are incredibly complex and Rene, who was 31-years-old, was part of a fight which broke out within the troop. This type of behaviour occurs in the wild, especially around breeding time when females are in season and when males are challenging for dominance of the group.

Our expert keepers did everything they could to separate the fight and keep the rest of the troop safe, but sadly Rene's injuries were severe. Qafzeh also sustained injuries and after a surgical operation is doing well and is gradually being reintroduced to the group.
 
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