Johnny Morris.
Well-Known Member
I had a very enjoyable day there yesterday. I wasn't expecting to see Ligers all i can say is WOW.
Heythrop Zoo Heythrop Wow
- Thread starter Johnny Morris.
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Johnny Morris.
Well-Known Member
I never really thought that it was my thing either, but you have to be impressed. An amazing performance, my favourite bit was one of the Ligers returning to near his stool, but not actually getting on it, and one of the White Lions giving him a pat on the bum, the Liger looking at him, and the White Lion seeming to gesture to him to get to his stool, which it then did. It was a great day. But seeing the Ligers and seeing my kids faces when they saw them was a special moment.
Johnny Morris.
Well-Known Member
Oh and may i appologise for my earlier thread, i have my favourites saved to the UK section and sometimes forget that there is a wider world out there, and rarely venture off the UK section. And i've also formed the opinion possibly wrongly, that Heythrop is a bit of a secret, and that's the way they like it. So wasn't sure what to write.
Johnny Morris.
Well-Known Member
I had read on one of the few threads on here about Heythrop, that they had had Ligers but they didn't any longer, so you can imagine my surprise when i got there. The trip was a treat for my kids to see a Polar Bear, but the whole day was great.
I think the difference about Heythrop is that its not a Zoo in the true sense and with its very limited opening times, rarely gets discussed on here, but there are previous threads about it.
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Heythrop is always a surprise no matter how many times you visit the place,since my last visit to the place earlier in the year,the place has brought in White Tigers,Capuchin and Pine Squirrels and a few new species of reptile.
Johnny Morris.
Well-Known Member
I got to see the Pine Squirrels tail.
Somali Sheep were a first for me, but only noticed them as i was leaving in the car. I also got the feeling that there was a lot off show. But still those Ligers have put a smile on my face all weekend.
For us non-UKers, can you explain what exactly it is?
Johnny Morris.
Well-Known Member
Can i have a go?
or at least offer my opinion.
Zoo's in the UK tend to be intended as educational or conservational, or at least that's the usual mantra. Don't get me wrong that's what they should be, but i personally have no problems with a zoo just being a collection of animals for people to view. (As long as those animals are treated well.) With Heythrop, it's a private zoo that Keeps and trains animals for the Film, TV and advertising industry, and only opens one weekend a year. Lets face it someone needs to supply this service and having visited yesterday i have no doubts that these animals are well looked after, and have some great enclosures, so i wish Heythrop, or the company that runs it, all the success it deserves.
How many Ligers did they have?
Johnny Morris.
Well-Known Member
There were two in the show.
Panthera Puss
Well-Known Member
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Because they can make money from it,why else do most normal people do anything?
Johnny Morris.
Well-Known Member
Why? Because if a film or Tv Programme needs an animal in it's story line, where else would they get one from?
Jamie Clubb
New Member
"Johnny Morris", thank you for your kind words. I am glad you enjoyed viewing our collection and the shows, and thank you for drawing attention to HZG on here.
Thanks again, for your support. The technology thing is a very common misconception. We were told exactly the same thing when animatronics came in, but it actually increased demand for animals in film work. We have worked successfully alongside many animation departments and regularly recommend them for work that is clearly not achievable with a live animal. All the polar bears in the "Golden Compass" are Zara, our polar bear, achieved through capture motion technology. The little green alien in "Lost in Space" is none other than Katie our Rhesus x Crab Eating macaque. I could go on, but I think you get the idea.
We believe that animals in captivity have a far better life if they are trained to some extent. This training needs to be varied and not the same every year. This also helps eliminate and prevent stereotypic behaviour. We hear from more and more zoos who wish to employ animal training methods, and regularly hold private open days for their keepers, staff and volunteers. This also means that the animals have increased confidence and are more likely to be seen by the paying general public.
From an educational point of view we believe that putting the animals in front of a public who normally would never visit a zoo, whether it be in a commercial or a natural history documentary (we do both regularly), increases awareness to conserve these animals in their wild state.
Some pictures do go on the internet and we don't prohibit them on the open days. However, we are always wary of an pictures taken at our premises. The reason for this is the very real threat of animal rights extremism. It matters little to them how well the animal are kept.
Thanks again, for your support. The technology thing is a very common misconception. We were told exactly the same thing when animatronics came in, but it actually increased demand for animals in film work. We have worked successfully alongside many animation departments and regularly recommend them for work that is clearly not achievable with a live animal. All the polar bears in the "Golden Compass" are Zara, our polar bear, achieved through capture motion technology. The little green alien in "Lost in Space" is none other than Katie our Rhesus x Crab Eating macaque. I could go on, but I think you get the idea.
We believe that animals in captivity have a far better life if they are trained to some extent. This training needs to be varied and not the same every year. This also helps eliminate and prevent stereotypic behaviour. We hear from more and more zoos who wish to employ animal training methods, and regularly hold private open days for their keepers, staff and volunteers. This also means that the animals have increased confidence and are more likely to be seen by the paying general public.
From an educational point of view we believe that putting the animals in front of a public who normally would never visit a zoo, whether it be in a commercial or a natural history documentary (we do both regularly), increases awareness to conserve these animals in their wild state.
Some pictures do go on the internet and we don't prohibit them on the open days. However, we are always wary of an pictures taken at our premises. The reason for this is the very real threat of animal rights extremism. It matters little to them how well the animal are kept.
Hi Jamie, you would have to get the quiet achiever award as a member since 2008 and this is your second post.
I think it is very interesting what you say about training animals. I know of a couple of zoos that have in the past 5 years created a dedicated position to training their animals, however l am yet to see them use this for public display. The seals, birds, giraffe and occasional cat displays are common. I would like to see what else could be achieved and or expanded on.
I am a firm believer in training animals to replicate their natural behaviours in captivity to relive boredom and educate or more likely entertain the paying customer. The more people through the gate the more $ for zoo resources.