zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Paignton have only ever held 0.1 Salt Water Crocodile on-loan from Thrigby Hall!!
They recieved 1.1 phillipine Crocodiles from Chester on-loan until new accomadation is built at Chester!!
That’s why I quite like the name Schlegel’s gharial for this species - although it’s many years since I’ve heard that name used.
Incidentally, I remember an earlier false gharial at Paignton in the long since demolished old Tropical House; this specimen was enormous and must have been one of largest crocodilians that I’ve seen in a British zoo.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
This should of course be 'Chusan'.
My visit on 27/01/2013 went swimmingly 
I got a few videos and many photographs of the echidna, as I hoped, as well as various photographs of a fair few lifeticks.
The pick of the photographs are uploading as I speak; and here as a special treat is a video of the echidna I uploaded to Youtube.
I got a few videos and many photographs of the echidna, as I hoped, as well as various photographs of a fair few lifeticks.The pick of the photographs are uploading as I speak; and here as a special treat is a video of the echidna I uploaded to Youtube.
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Sounds like an exhibit to savour.
In a recent interview with the head curator he mentioned he'd like to see an upgrade/expansion to the current savannah area. By doing this aviary they are on their way. The old Capybara/Tapir, bat (penguin) and Bison enclosures are in the way though for expansion. If they do it correctly they could eventually link the rhino, cheetah, zebra, lechwe giraffe and this new aviary. Like Edinburgh, there is a badger set but there are ways to move these ethically and safely now. EXCITING!
Gigit
Well-Known Member
Mandrills
An announcement from the zoo about the recent birth:
Mandrill baby is Zoo?s first in 5 years - Paignton Zoo
I don't remember a birth in 2008
Makemba's mother, Missie, died in 2008 - maybe that was related to a birth.
Edit: I've looked at the 2007/8 Annual Review which lists 1 birth and 2 deaths in 2008. The status was then 3.2 which is what I expected.
An announcement from the zoo about the recent birth:
Mandrill baby is Zoo?s first in 5 years - Paignton Zoo
I don't remember a birth in 2008
Makemba's mother, Missie, died in 2008 - maybe that was related to a birth.Edit: I've looked at the 2007/8 Annual Review which lists 1 birth and 2 deaths in 2008. The status was then 3.2 which is what I expected.
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Gigit
Well-Known Member
Pileated Gibbon
According to Paignton's magazine 'Zoo News', Ipon, the last remaining Pileated Gibbon, has been euthanased. He was about 38 years old.
Rather a shame that a zoo with a gibbon as its emblem now has only 4 - Grey 'Naomi', born in 1976, and Lars 'Debbie' and her two sons (born 2005 & 2006)
According to Paignton's magazine 'Zoo News', Ipon, the last remaining Pileated Gibbon, has been euthanased. He was about 38 years old.
Rather a shame that a zoo with a gibbon as its emblem now has only 4 - Grey 'Naomi', born in 1976, and Lars 'Debbie' and her two sons (born 2005 & 2006)
IanRRobinson
Well-Known Member
Shame. Pileated is a lovely species.
Thanks for the updates Gigit.
The news of the Pileated is very sad. I loved looking for him on his favourite branch high up in his island trees. I agree that its a shame there are just a handful of gibbons left. I wonder if they'll replace him or try a 'new' sub-species of Gibbon? The islands are fantastic exhibits and with Cranes wading below them and the ability to get higher up on the walkway, it is pretty special! The Howlers still have not bred next door - what about trying the Mangabeys out there? Dublin have Cherry capped on an island.
The news of the Pileated is very sad. I loved looking for him on his favourite branch high up in his island trees. I agree that its a shame there are just a handful of gibbons left. I wonder if they'll replace him or try a 'new' sub-species of Gibbon? The islands are fantastic exhibits and with Cranes wading below them and the ability to get higher up on the walkway, it is pretty special! The Howlers still have not bred next door - what about trying the Mangabeys out there? Dublin have Cherry capped on an island.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
Gorilla painting
N'Dowe has been painting again:
Gorilla paints gorilla - Paignton Zoo
(from the zoo's website)
N'Dowe has been painting again:
Gorilla paints gorilla - Paignton Zoo
(from the zoo's website)
Lemurs and stuff.....
All change down at Lemur walk through, again! The ring tails are now in the small house at the end of Orang island (the one meant for gibbons before the curator had 'second thoughts' about the mixing!). The main house in lemur wood is now occupied by Red Fronted Lemurs who have camouflage netting over the front. The smaller netted enclosures at the back have Red Ruffed. There was no signage apologising for the Lemurs not being 'out' on a busy Easter holiday or explaining what the move was about? There was a lot of branch trimming and evidence of tree felling in this area as well as around the Zoo in general.
The new Savannah aviary looks good with an artists impression showing Crowned Crane, Abyssinian Hornbill and Duck (?) but I suppose they will add Van Deckers Hornbill and possibly some Dove species too? Lots of height and nice seating areas.
The lion cubs were very active on a very cold day.
I thought the Gorilla island climbing structures looked somewhat unfinished and out of place - is there still work to do here?
The Amphibian ponds behind the Ark look good even now in this weather and an outdoor Crayfish exhibit is almost complete adjacent to the new outdoor Sand Lizard enclosure.
I could only see two Barbary Sheep today - whats going on here?
I'll go again next week and take another look around and maybe find a member of staff to ask?
With no leaves on the trees, it is possible to get a very good grasp on scale and perspective in the valley from up high by the Cheetahs and Lechwe.
All change down at Lemur walk through, again! The ring tails are now in the small house at the end of Orang island (the one meant for gibbons before the curator had 'second thoughts' about the mixing!). The main house in lemur wood is now occupied by Red Fronted Lemurs who have camouflage netting over the front. The smaller netted enclosures at the back have Red Ruffed. There was no signage apologising for the Lemurs not being 'out' on a busy Easter holiday or explaining what the move was about? There was a lot of branch trimming and evidence of tree felling in this area as well as around the Zoo in general.
The new Savannah aviary looks good with an artists impression showing Crowned Crane, Abyssinian Hornbill and Duck (?) but I suppose they will add Van Deckers Hornbill and possibly some Dove species too? Lots of height and nice seating areas.
The lion cubs were very active on a very cold day.
I thought the Gorilla island climbing structures looked somewhat unfinished and out of place - is there still work to do here?
The Amphibian ponds behind the Ark look good even now in this weather and an outdoor Crayfish exhibit is almost complete adjacent to the new outdoor Sand Lizard enclosure.
I could only see two Barbary Sheep today - whats going on here?
I'll go again next week and take another look around and maybe find a member of staff to ask?
With no leaves on the trees, it is possible to get a very good grasp on scale and perspective in the valley from up high by the Cheetahs and Lechwe.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
Lemurs - it is a bit bizarre and I don't know the reason for the moves. As you know, the Red-Fronted used to live in the house now occupied by the Red-Ruffed. They had no need for camouflage netting there, so why not return them there if they have to be moved? I rarely see the two Red-Ruffed outside so they might be more suitable for the ex-gibbon house, leaving the four Ring-Tailed to carry on as normal
If you look behind the ape house you'll see a pile of poles which, I hope, are destined for the gorilla island. It certainly doesn't look finished and doesn't seem well-used, at least not when I've been around. I've seen a couple of the boys on it, but not Kumbuka who used to sit on and under the old one.
The Barbary Sheep can be difficult to spot - they are sometimes right at the top of the cliff, for instance.