Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo news 2009 #1

Amur Leopards

Sorry if this question has been asked already, but i was just wondering if Colchester has/had any plans to introduce its Amur leopard pair this year? I asked a keeper last year and he said their Female was not quite mature enough, but i think shes four now isn't she...?
 
I havn't been for about a month, has any building work started on the Leopard enclosure or anywhere else in the zoo since the meerkat enclosure has been finished?:confused:
 
Roz said:
I havn't been for about a month, has any building work started on the Leopard enclosure or anywhere else in the zoo since the meerkat enclosure has been finished?:confused:
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We were there yesterday and there is no work on the new enclosure as yet but a plan of the proposals was shown. There is also a new male leopard from a French Zoo currently in quarantine but we did not get to see him. Does anyone know anything of this new male? Strange timing when the new enclosure has yet to be built!

Rajang was in fine fettle yesterday, cracking open his birthday coconut on the streel frame of his enclosure! I finally got to see him crack one open! it was a lovely sunny day but he didn't venture outside during my four visits to see him - it was very warm inside for him also but he interacted with his visitors as always and was quite active climbing for his hidden food on the inside tree structure.
 
Andiii said:
There is also a new male leopard from a French Zoo currently in quarantine but we did not get to see him. Does anyone know anything of this new male? Strange timing when the new enclosure has yet to be built!
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It does seem strange that they have another male when the present enclosure is hardly big enough to hold 3 animals. Was Dende still there?:confused:
 
Roz said:
It does seem strange that they have another male when the present enclosure is hardly big enough to hold 3 animals. Was Dende still there?:confused:
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Yes Dende and Melina were in their usual separate enclosures with the new one being in a separate one on the bottom row of enclosures on the way to Rajang's - sorry to be so vague, I just spotted the poster saying the new leopard had arrived from France - not sure what was in the enclosure before, it had obviously been replanted and set up for the arrival. Strange to have 2 males I thought particularly when the new enclosure has yet to be done!! :confused:
 
Andiii said:
Yes Dende and Melina were in their usual separate enclosures with the new one being in a separate one on the bottom row of enclosures on the way to Rajang's - sorry to be so vague, I just spotted the poster saying the new leopard had arrived from France - not sure what was in the enclosure before, it had obviously been replanted and set up for the arrival. Strange to have 2 males I thought particularly when the new enclosure has yet to be done!! :confused:
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I know the ones you mean....I think! Are they the ones you pass on the left as you head out of the sealion tunnel and go striaght? If so, depending on which of the two it was, the enclosure previously held cherry crowned mangabeys (just a pair) or if it was the other it held Buffy Headed Capuchins. I think it was the first as they were featured on Zoo Days last year after being driven out of the group by Sputnik the dominant male, presumably they have now been transferred to another collection.
 
Roz said:
I know the ones you mean....I think! Are they the ones you pass on the left as you head out of the sealion tunnel and go striaght? If so, depending on which of the two it was, the enclosure previously held cherry crowned mangabeys (just a pair) or if it was the other it held Buffy Headed Capuchins. I think it was the first as they were featured on Zoo Days last year after being driven out of the group by Sputnik the dominant male, presumably they have now been transferred to another collection.
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Yep ... those are they! They did have some mangabey/capuchins in them as I recall previously - could be the Sputnik gang at the time - I saw that too on Zoo Days! Sputnik was there the other day surveying his territory as the little one played and jumped on his back for a brief lift!! :)
 
karenZOO said:
They used to house the bears *shudder* not a pretty sight
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Thats right... there's a plaque up in memory of the last one which died 2001/2002. Since they have housed Iberian Wolves as well as the primates mentioned in previous posts, and now the new leopard.

I recall seeing a post by someone on the colchester zoo facebook page about new bird aviaries. Do you know what this is about ie where and which species?:cool:
 
I've just watched the most recent episode of Bizarre Animal ER, and Colchester Zoo was featured.

Turns out Dende only had one testicle. The remaining one was removed to prevent this trait getting passed on to any offspring.

This may explain why they've brought a new male in.

Odd though that no one has heard any news of this before now :confused:
 
Richie Hell said:
I've just watched the most recent episode of Bizarre Animal ER, and Colchester Zoo was featured.

Turns out Dende only had one testicle. The remaining one was removed to prevent this trait getting passed on to any offspring.

This may explain why they've brought a new male in.

Odd though that no one has heard any news of this before now :confused:
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Well, this certainly explains the arrival of the new male - as you say though, it's been kept very quiet to press, no mention on Zoo Days. What a shame as Dende is a beautiful leopard.:confused:
 
Big day tomorrow :eek:

Wonder where they will put Tiga ? As long as its not in there old enclosure or maybe he will go straight in orangutan forest as the sleeping quarters are seperate! :confused:

Anyone have any info :D
 
karenZOO said:
Big day tomorrow :eek:

Wonder where they will put Tiga ? As long as its not in there old enclosure or maybe he will go straight in orangutan forest as the sleeping quarters are seperate! :confused:

Anyone have any info :D
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:confused: I want info too, I was hoping to go tomorrow, but decided to wait until next week some time as I don't know what time he will be arriving- could be first thing, could be in the evening after the zoo shuts. If he was to arrive in the daytime they would surely have to shut the exhibit area anyway so I wouldn't be able to see what was going on. I presume they will put him straight in Orangutan Forest in the sleeping quarter furthest from Rajang as he has access to the first sleeping area and the main indoor area overnight.
 
karenZOO said:
Big day tomorrow :eek:

Wonder where they will put Tiga ? As long as its not in there old enclosure or maybe he will go straight in orangutan forest as the sleeping quarters are seperate! :confused:

Anyone have any info :D
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Am anxious too! :confused: Perhaps they have an 'off show' area as Chester do that we don't know about!! We have the Primate Evening on Sat so should be interesting! Hope the behind the scenes at Rajang's Pad isn't affected by the arrival of Tiga though. If I find anything out I'll post it when I get back!:)
 
AWW maybe you will be lucky and they will shut the exhibit till Saturday night and you can get a sneaky look first :D

You will have a brilliant night when I went to adopters day we had the talks etc 'gatecrashed' at the chimps but had the orangs to ourselves :D

Can you milk the keepers for any info on the 'planned' breeding programme and is Tiga part of it or just a temporary new mate for Rajy please :D

ALSO can you ask about the outside area (if you dare) you may even get the chance to go out there! if so fill your pockets with grass seed at least and a few shrubs down your trouser legs :rolleyes:

Tell them they have made us a laughing stock on zoochat and I am sure they will start planting it up straight away :rolleyes: :p
 
karenZOO said:
Can you milk the keepers for any info on the 'planned' breeding programme and is Tiga part of it or just a temporary new mate for Rajy please :D
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Will find out what I can and question whether there is any chance of greenery arriving other than via the odd seed transferred via overhead birdy droppings!! LOL Will mention that all on the ZooChat Forum think natural improvements are needed!

Like the previous comment you made by the way re Rajy and his coconut in hand looking ready for tenpin bowling!! :D
 
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