Edinburgh Zoo Edinburgh Zoo news 2012 #1

First is Blackpools, and second could be Bristol's and I must confess I can't recall many more, but the one at WMZ in my opinion beats Whipsnade, Twycross, Edinburgh, St. Andrew's Aquarium and Rhyl SeaQuarium. I'd potentially put it as equal to Dudley's, don't know though. I'm not a brilliant judge of pinniped enclosures, so this is all just opinion
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Whipsnade's facility wasn't built for pinnipeds, but for dolphins. Personally I wish that ZSL would follow the logic of its design (for an aquatic mammal with no need of land space) and convert it for manatees.

I have wondered if Blackpool's new, marine mammal-owning overseas, management wouldn't look at the possibility of making the place an English Harderwijk. A seaside zoo that is looking for an identity distinct from Chester and Knowsley might just tick the box, even if it would be expensive.
 
Someone split this thread, or else I'm going to have to create another new 2012 Edinburgh thread ;)
 
Lesley4444 said:
There is also the enclosure behind the reed bed?.. its not had anything in it for years.. maybe linking them together if possible. I personally would love to see giant otters move in there.
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It'll certainly be interesting to see what happens with the sea lion enclosure. I think we'll probably see it temporarily mothballed or possibly with a short term occupant requiring only minimal changes to the existing enclosure but perhaps it might just form the basis for something much more ambitious.

The pool falls within the proposed Oceans & Wetlands biome in the masterplan so giant otters would be a great fit however I can't imagine the sea lion pool existing in anything like its current form in what the RZSS have planned for this section of the zoo - it is almost a century old after all. With the exception of the painted hunting dogs, when Sofus departs it'll leave the majority of the exhibits at the bottom of the hill either empty, with temporary occupants, or in a pretty sorry state (storm-damaged waterfowl aviaries). I know the rumours are that the Indian rhino enclosure is the next major project but this seems like the perfect opportunity to redevelop the whole area. I know it's wishful thinking but... sea otters or manatees, anyone?!
 
Is storm damage the reason the waterfowl aviaries are no longer walk-through? I could never quite get to the bottom of that, and exactly how long ago they were closed to the public.
 
I guess the future of the enclosure depends on how much money they can spend and on their future plans for that area of the zoo. Otters would need quite a bit of fencing and perhaps extra water treatment. It might be cheaper to put a net over it and make it into an aquatic bird aviary - but there are already several similar enclosures nearby (in various states of repair it seems).
I think they could redevelop it with the small mammal enclosures going up the hill which always look rather shabby and unloved to me - as the animals in them (skunks and tree porcupines) are interesting and worth displaying well.

Alan
 
The walk through bird enclosures were shut long before the storm damage to them.. I can only remember once ever walking through them so they have got to have been shut 10years plus?. I remember once being told it was due to infection i think(old memory might be playing tricks!..lol).. but not idea what infection and it was never reopened... but now with the beaver and otters being in that enclosure it cannot be opened up.

They have just issued more tickets for the pandas.. so its tickets up until 18th March 2012. Tho i have to say the last time i booked it there were groups getting in without tickets... but i would definately recommend booking a slot before you go.

Well im off to go see my black and white friends again and to pick up my membership!!
 
Lesley4444 said:
The walk through bird enclosures were shut long before the storm damage to them.. I can only remember once ever walking through them so they have got to have been shut 10years plus?. I remember once being told it was due to infection i think(old memory might be playing tricks!..lol).. but not idea what infection and it was never reopened... but now with the beaver and otters being in that enclosure it cannot be opened up.

They have just issued more tickets for the pandas.. so its tickets up until 18th March 2012. Tho i have to say the last time i booked it there were groups getting in without tickets... but i would definately recommend booking a slot before you go.

Well im off to go see my black and white friends again and to pick up my membership!!
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I actually think it may have been snow damage from the heavy falls of last winter that partially collapsed the aviary roof. Whatever the cause, I agree that it doesn't seem like they've been available to walk through for quite a long time.

Given that the sea lion pool and its environs are the first sight for visitors entering the zoo, I hope RZSS are able to invest at least a little in the area, especially with the influx of panda-driven visitors. It's certainly the right place for a centerpiece exhibit, like giant otters or similar.

On a different note, I read that Yang Guang suffering from colic and his indoor enclosure will be off-limits to visitors until he's feeling better (though he may still venture outside on occassion. Apparently it's not an uncommon complaint in giant pandas and they expect it to clear up in a week or two.

BBC News - Sick male panda taken off display at Edinburgh Zoo
 
kenspeckle said:
On a different note, I read that Yang Guang suffering from colic and his indoor enclosure will be off-limits to visitors until he's feeling better (though he may still venture outside on occassion. Apparently it's not an uncommon complaint in giant pandas and they expect it to clear up in a week or two.

BBC News - Sick male panda taken off display at Edinburgh Zoo
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Let us hope he recovers swiftly - a prolonged absence is exactly what Edinburgh does NOT need, considering the heavily anti-zoo local press...
 
I have just been watching the panda cam (for about the 20th time) and have finally seen Yuang Guan in his exhibit. He seems to rather enjoy the back left of his enclosure and popping indoors through one door and exiting through the other.
 
Sofus the sea lion will be moving to Lodz zoo next month. His current enclosure will house in total 30 Northern rockhopper penguins. (11 are arriving from Vienna)

The pair of Ground Cuscus are also now on-show.
 
Jordan-Jaguar97 said:
Sofus the sea lion will be moving to Lodz zoo next month. His current enclosure will house in total 30 Northern rockhopper penguins. (11 are arriving from Vienna)

The pair of Ground Cuscus are also now on-show.
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Excellent - a few people who know me and AgileGibbon will be aware how amazing we think these penguins are, so to see Edinburgh go into a bigger group is amazing :)

Fingers crossed these breed like the gentoos do ;)
 
Jordan-Jaguar97 said:
Sofus the sea lion will be moving to Lodz zoo next month. His current enclosure will house in total 30 Northern rockhopper penguins. (11 are arriving from Vienna)

The pair of Ground Cuscus are also now on-show.
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Will they be doing anything in terms of renovation to the enclosure, as there was a concern it was not suitable for the sealion due to the filtration in the water?
 
I like this idea, penguins have and hopefully always will be the flagship animals of the RZSS and having them as the first animals viewed as you enter the park is a stroke of genius.
My reservation is, surely if the water quality was not good for pinnipeds, is it that much better for penguins?
 
Mr T said:
Will they be doing anything in terms of renovation to the enclosure, as there was a concern it was not suitable for the sealion due to the filtration in the water?
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Yes, the quote below should explain all.:)

“Our existing sea lion enclosure is also a very old construction that has come to the end of its lifespan. To create a modern facility is estimated to cost in the region of £1 million.
 
Jordan-Jaguar97 said:
Yes, the quote below should explain all.:)

“Our existing sea lion enclosure is also a very old construction that has come to the end of its lifespan. To create a modern facility is estimated to cost in the region of £1 million.
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This doesn't explain it, it just says that to refurbish it as a sea lion enclosure to a suitable standard would cost that amount.
 
Jordan-Jaguar97 said:
Yes, the quote below should explain all.:)

“Our existing sea lion enclosure is also a very old construction that has come to the end of its lifespan. To create a modern facility is estimated to cost in the region of £1 million.
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Where is this quote from? I always find it useful if people can provide links to quotes and stories so that others can get the context. Is it saying it would cost £1 million to renovate it for sealions or £1 million to renovate it for penguins?
 
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