Clothcat
Active Member
I thought I'd join and introduce myself as I have been enjoying reading a lot of these posts over the last year or so and thought I might be able to contribute every once in a while...
I've always been interested in wildlife, mainly because my grandad was an entomologist so have been brought up with a healthy interest in 6-legged creatures! The insect collections he has given to me have been very useful in educating small children about the wasps/bees/hover flies that they invariably panic about.
I've become a regular view of 'The Zoo' series from Auckland and have really enjoyed following the stories of the animals and their keepers, although we seem to be a few series behind now. We have something similar in the UK called (imaginatively) 'The Zoo UK' which is based at Bristol Zoo and not quite so compelling. The zoo seems small and squashed by comparison with Auckland. 'Animal Park' (another tv programme) which is set at Longleat Safari Park is much better - genuine interest by the presenters and lots of information about the animals - hoping to visit this summer holiday (if the rain ever stops!)
I visited Marwell Zoo earlier this year and was impressed by the improvemnts they are making to the animal enclosures, although, having seen the siamang gibbons on 'The Zoo' it was quite distressing to see the Marwell siamangs cooped up in the old-style metal cages with their paws through the bars begging for food, which some people were stupid enough to give them. Their lion-haired tamarins are loose in an area outisde their 'shed' and are very entertaining, leaping over visitors and generally putting on a good performance! The giraffes seem to do very well and there were several babies when I was there. The snow leopards were lovely - I like the cat species, and they have bred. There are several Bengal tigers who are vocal and active and have a large enclosure on a level with the public (so there's lots of warning to stand well back as they spray!) I will try and upload some photos.
Enough for now...
Clothcat
I've always been interested in wildlife, mainly because my grandad was an entomologist so have been brought up with a healthy interest in 6-legged creatures! The insect collections he has given to me have been very useful in educating small children about the wasps/bees/hover flies that they invariably panic about.
I've become a regular view of 'The Zoo' series from Auckland and have really enjoyed following the stories of the animals and their keepers, although we seem to be a few series behind now. We have something similar in the UK called (imaginatively) 'The Zoo UK' which is based at Bristol Zoo and not quite so compelling. The zoo seems small and squashed by comparison with Auckland. 'Animal Park' (another tv programme) which is set at Longleat Safari Park is much better - genuine interest by the presenters and lots of information about the animals - hoping to visit this summer holiday (if the rain ever stops!)
I visited Marwell Zoo earlier this year and was impressed by the improvemnts they are making to the animal enclosures, although, having seen the siamang gibbons on 'The Zoo' it was quite distressing to see the Marwell siamangs cooped up in the old-style metal cages with their paws through the bars begging for food, which some people were stupid enough to give them. Their lion-haired tamarins are loose in an area outisde their 'shed' and are very entertaining, leaping over visitors and generally putting on a good performance! The giraffes seem to do very well and there were several babies when I was there. The snow leopards were lovely - I like the cat species, and they have bred. There are several Bengal tigers who are vocal and active and have a large enclosure on a level with the public (so there's lots of warning to stand well back as they spray!) I will try and upload some photos.
Enough for now...
Clothcat
