Edinburgh Zoo Polar Bear
- Thread starter greyone
- Start date
CiaranDUK
Well-Known Member
Edinburgh has 180 Gentoo Penguins alone! Also I read somewhere that Edinburgh Zoo was the final destination of the first three king penguins in the whole of the Northern Hemisphere!
Simon McGlary
Well-Known Member
Edinburgh was the first to have King penguins, given to the em by the Salvesen Whaling Company, and the first to breed them as well. Hence the reason they are the animal in the zoo's logo and and also form part of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (the charity who own the zoo) coat of arms.
As regards breeding of penguins, they are regarded as the most successful and hold the studbooks for both Gentoo and King penguins.
Mercedes move is being mooted for October now, weather and Mercedes dependant! I was at the Highland Wildlife Park yesterady where they commented that the water in the pool there at the moment is rainwater and a bit muddy and Mercedes would end up looking like a brown bear. As anyone who knows of her habit of rolling around in the bark and dirt in her enclosure, no change there then!
As regards future use of her enclosure at the Edinburgh site, something I have learnt in the past 10 months as a volunteer, who knows! Plans might and will change! If there is a lively, vibrant and ever changing zoo, it's Edinburgh, but that's what makes regular visits so interesting and being a volunteer so much fun!
As regards breeding of penguins, they are regarded as the most successful and hold the studbooks for both Gentoo and King penguins.
Mercedes move is being mooted for October now, weather and Mercedes dependant! I was at the Highland Wildlife Park yesterady where they commented that the water in the pool there at the moment is rainwater and a bit muddy and Mercedes would end up looking like a brown bear. As anyone who knows of her habit of rolling around in the bark and dirt in her enclosure, no change there then!
As regards future use of her enclosure at the Edinburgh site, something I have learnt in the past 10 months as a volunteer, who knows! Plans might and will change! If there is a lively, vibrant and ever changing zoo, it's Edinburgh, but that's what makes regular visits so interesting and being a volunteer so much fun!
Hi all
I was at the Highland Wildlife park today and saw the pool Simon was on about it does look filthy im sure she ll love it.
Was very disappointed in the drive round and the lack of animals in there felt a bit let down on leaving,
low number of bactrian wapti to and never saw the Elk
I was at the Highland Wildlife park today and saw the pool Simon was on about it does look filthy im sure she ll love it.
Was very disappointed in the drive round and the lack of animals in there felt a bit let down on leaving,
low number of bactrian wapti to and never saw the Elk
If this is the new polar bear pool at HWP, then for me this is a major disappointment for what is meant to be a flagship exhibit for the RZSS.
At the end of the day it is a large puddle.
Not in my mind fit for purpose for a polar bear, a a bear swimming in dirty water, is not for me cutting edge exhibit design.
I know money was saved by bringing in the army to help build the enclosure, but surely the budget could have been stretched to some sort of lined pool at least.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3547/3821195244_ef8d467944.jpg
Regarding the lack of animals in the main reserve, there has been an ongoing issue with ragwort extermination going on in the reserves, which may or may not be completed as yet.
At the end of the day it is a large puddle.
Not in my mind fit for purpose for a polar bear, a a bear swimming in dirty water, is not for me cutting edge exhibit design.
I know money was saved by bringing in the army to help build the enclosure, but surely the budget could have been stretched to some sort of lined pool at least.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3547/3821195244_ef8d467944.jpg
Regarding the lack of animals in the main reserve, there has been an ongoing issue with ragwort extermination going on in the reserves, which may or may not be completed as yet.
aaronsneddon
Member
I may be wrong but i think the army are back september time to build a viewing hut i may be wrong and as for ragwort there were a few keepers pulling weeds i think in one of the cattle gridded areas this may explain this and good news for hwp with visitor increase
Hi there,
I have posted some pics of the viewing hut on Flickr: Mercedes the Bear currently in Edinburgh Zoo - Progress of the move to the Highland Wildlife Park Kincraig. - a set on Flickr
Work is well underway, the army have been working on walkways and projects in other parts of the park too, they are doing great. Mercedes is expected to move in October, which of course is this month, as mentioned this could be delayed due to any factor.
Cheers
aaronsneddon
Member
I may well be wrong, i dont know about Zoology, possibly even not know how to spell it correctly, but i dont think Bears are meant to be in pristine pools, they are to be as natural as possible, if you're looking at nature, then this "Pit" fits the bill, the bear will surely be manky after taking a dip!
aaronsneddon
Member
Polar Bear - Mercedes
Pics of Mercedes, wondering what all the fuss is about!
Heres the enclosure that she will travel in, if all goes well:
Here's Mercedes!
The whole set, so far:
Mercedes the Bear currently in Edinburgh Zoo - Progress of the move to the Highland Wildlife Park Kincraig. - a set on Flickr
Pics of Mercedes, wondering what all the fuss is about!
Heres the enclosure that she will travel in, if all goes well:
Here's Mercedes!
The whole set, so far:
Mercedes the Bear currently in Edinburgh Zoo - Progress of the move to the Highland Wildlife Park Kincraig. - a set on Flickr
Finally a date has been set for Mercedes move to the HWP, the last day on which she can be seen at Edinburgh zoo is Sunday 18th October.
Therefore she will be loaded into her crate and moved north, at the park she will be given time to settle into her new home, so it looks as though it will be the end of October before she is on show.
Mercedes gets ready to make her move
Therefore she will be loaded into her crate and moved north, at the park she will be given time to settle into her new home, so it looks as though it will be the end of October before she is on show.
Mercedes gets ready to make her move
Simon McGlary
Well-Known Member
Having seen her walk in to the crate a few times outside of training sessions, I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if she goes and stuns everyone and is ready to move sooner rather than later after 18th October. I noticed yesterday the statue has been moved away from next to Oasis cafe already.
I wouldn't be surprised if Mercedes settles into her new enclosure quicker than everyone expects either. She seems one smart, and very relaxed, polar bear. (I still wouldn't want to be in any enclosure with her though. Too much respect for the power of what is a wild animal!)
I wouldn't be surprised if Mercedes settles into her new enclosure quicker than everyone expects either. She seems one smart, and very relaxed, polar bear. (I still wouldn't want to be in any enclosure with her though. Too much respect for the power of what is a wild animal!)
Aarron's got some pics of the statue up at the highland park on his flickr page. Seems to be at the front enterence up there now.
I was a bit surprised to see it gone when I popped in on Wednesday, but seeing his photoset answered that (athough me saying it was near the cafe confused him!)
I was a bit surprised to see it gone when I popped in on Wednesday, but seeing his photoset answered that (athough me saying it was near the cafe confused him!)
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
They do have a plan to re-use the Polar Bear enclosure for another species but I don`t believe they have annouced what it is yet.
What would you guys like to see replace Mercedes? Again, if not a new animal to the collection, which animals from elsehere in the park?
Or what animal do you think will replace her? Or maybe some of you already know,i know some of the zoo staff, especially those high-up, are prone to letting things slip
Or what animal do you think will replace her? Or maybe some of you already know,i know some of the zoo staff, especially those high-up, are prone to letting things slip
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
From what I have heard it`s all ready been sorted out,all they have to do is move Mercedes and re-do the enclosure for the new inhabitants to live in.