All 4 camelids?
- Thread starter chizlit
- Start date
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Quick and simple answer NO!
But a fair few have kept all 4 at some point in the collections history but not at the same time as fas as I'm aware,London my well be the exception.
But a fair few have kept all 4 at some point in the collections history but not at the same time as fas as I'm aware,London my well be the exception.
lechweoryx
Well-Known Member
I can confirm that Chester have a breeding herd of Vicuna.
Yes, indeed, the Camel House (now the Tapir House) in London Zoo once held all four South American camelids simultaneously; Bactrian and Arabian camels, too, were also housed in this building at the same time as the South American forms.
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
I believe that currently both Chester and Twycross both keep the breeding male away from the females,as they are having problems finding homes for the youngsters.
ZG, you know what I am thinking now dont you??!
I might even send Dudley an email asking them if they would consider being the only zoo in the UK to have the full group, and why wouldn't any zoo want such a beautiful rare animal anyway.....
Do you think there is a good reason for zoo's not wanting young vicuna?
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
They are a very beautiful species,and must admit my favorite of the family.As for why a place may not want them it may well be due to the fact they are alot more timid and nervous than the rest of the family!!
That is a fact certainly. Now showing my ignorance here, but as they share a home with capybara at Twycross (and tapir if I remember correctly?), would it be possible to put them in with guacano in Dudley's big ravine or would they be bullied because of their size? Or would there be other issues with mixing them?
If vicuna and guanaco were mixed they would probably hybridise; it is unlikely, therefore, zoos would keep them together.
That's what I thought but I had to run with the idea.
If you want to see the same three species as at Dudley at another zoo come to Bridlington and visit Sewerby Zoo! Sewerby's Guanacos are actually in a paddock on the cliffs overlooking Bridlington Bay all very picturesque on a good day (it's raining now, but I'm going up there soon). You could then pop over to Flamingo Land to see Vicunas.
This place has at least four species of camelid:
Oasis Camel Centre - Family Fun Day Out, Educational Farm Park Harleston & Halesworth
Oasis Camel Centre - Family Fun Day Out, Educational Farm Park Harleston & Halesworth