IanRRobinson
Well-Known Member
A comment with which I would entirely agree. I deeply regret Doug Richardson not remaining with ZSL, and in particular the fact that he was never given any remit at Whipsnade.
Highland Wildlife Park HWP 2014
- Thread starter kiang
- Start date
A comment with which I would entirely agree. I deeply regret Doug Richardson not remaining with ZSL, and in particular the fact that he was never given any remit at Whipsnade.
Jordan-Jaguar97
Well-Known Member
Colchester are one who do this too - rather nice article on the Forest reindeer incidentally.
IanRRobinson
Well-Known Member
Yes, it was. And fascinating to see the difference between a wild form that is a struggle to maintain and its straightforward domestic relative. I seem to remember that Chinese zoos have found similar issues with Bactrian Camels. And breeding Giant Pandas is easy in captivity compared to wild European Rabbits!
It is indeed a great shame that he did not remain with ZSL - however I have to say that in a way I am glad that he did not, as I am sure that Highland Wildlife Park would be nowhere as good as it is without him!
It is possible of course that had he ended up at Whipsnade, said collection would have been pretty similar to Highland Wildlife Park by now
BongoHardwood
Well-Known Member
Facebook post states that work is underway on an enclosure for a female polar bear due to arrive next spring.
Article here:
Highland Wildlife Park ?
Article here:
Highland Wildlife Park ?
Same Forces team as last year if I remember correctly
Details here
http://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=N967A2IH7R000
Seems to be to the North of the Yak enclosure
http://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/file.../pdf/14_02893_FUL-LOCATION_PLAN_A4-697143.pdf
Details here
http://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=N967A2IH7R000
Seems to be to the North of the Yak enclosure
http://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/file.../pdf/14_02893_FUL-LOCATION_PLAN_A4-697143.pdf
The last line of the report seems to locate it the new enclosure at the other side of the park;
Also in development is a raised walkway through the vicuna enclosure. The viewing platform will wind up the hill to give a panoramic view of the female polar bear enclosure and also provide disabled access to visitors. - See more at: Highland Wildlife Park ?
Don't see that - the two are linked, the walkway leads from the area at the Western end of the reserve through the Vicuna area (North of the Yaks) to the new Polar bear area which is on the Western boundary
Worth mentioning here, albeit most news is about Edinburgh, but the HWP is to get a pair of Snow Leopards and an off show breeding area for Amur Leopards
http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/news/2014/10/royal-zoological-society-of-scotlands-big-cat-strategy/
http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/news/2014/10/royal-zoological-society-of-scotlands-big-cat-strategy/
its a shame the leopards will be off show
its a shame the leopards will be off show
To a certain extent, but when you see the idea is to have a minimal contact approach so cubs can be used for re-introduction, then I can live with that.
Maybe they could have an interpretation centre, with CCTV feeds so that people can have something to see.
And on a personal note I'm delighted to see Snow Leopards - a species that was made for HWP's current focus!
So what was Highland Wildlife Park’s contribution in Budapest?
An interesting update of HWP's contributions at this year's EAZA conference in Budapest;
So what was Highland Wildlife Park’s contribution in Budapest? Two posters and a video were presented on novel husbandry research to enhance infant survival rates of Pallas’s cats, a feisty kitty from central Asia, as well as an update on the coordinated breeding programme we manage and the support mechanism we have established for Pallas’s cat researchers in the field. Updates and recommendations were discussed for the takin, a large goat-like beast from the eastern Himalayas, and European bison breeding programmes we manage. Four separate presentations were given to explain how we will be able to exchange animals and manage threatened hoofed mammal breeding programmes with our colleagues in North America and Asia; currently we cannot import hoofed mammals from Asian zoos. We chaired a session that oversees all the wild goat and sheep breeding programmes, an increasingly threatened group of mammals, and we were asked to contribute to a policy session that was to address the problem that hybrid tigers present to tigers of known origin. Advice was sought of us on a wide range of topics from Amur leopard enclosure design to how an American institution may be able to get fresh blood for a large captive herd of Nilgiri tahr, an odd hoofed mammal from southern India. I think it is safe to say that we have increased the wave height in our pond.
An interesting update of HWP's contributions at this year's EAZA conference in Budapest;
So what was Highland Wildlife Park’s contribution in Budapest? Two posters and a video were presented on novel husbandry research to enhance infant survival rates of Pallas’s cats, a feisty kitty from central Asia, as well as an update on the coordinated breeding programme we manage and the support mechanism we have established for Pallas’s cat researchers in the field. Updates and recommendations were discussed for the takin, a large goat-like beast from the eastern Himalayas, and European bison breeding programmes we manage. Four separate presentations were given to explain how we will be able to exchange animals and manage threatened hoofed mammal breeding programmes with our colleagues in North America and Asia; currently we cannot import hoofed mammals from Asian zoos. We chaired a session that oversees all the wild goat and sheep breeding programmes, an increasingly threatened group of mammals, and we were asked to contribute to a policy session that was to address the problem that hybrid tigers present to tigers of known origin. Advice was sought of us on a wide range of topics from Amur leopard enclosure design to how an American institution may be able to get fresh blood for a large captive herd of Nilgiri tahr, an odd hoofed mammal from southern India. I think it is safe to say that we have increased the wave height in our pond.
A point that I hope will be remedied one way or another in time - as this is likely the biggest roadblock in ensuring a sustainable population of many attractive hoofstock taxa.
After a visit to the park, i picked up a few snippets;
A female wolverine has been sourced
Walkways and viewing platforms under construction for the second polar bear exhibit.
The European forest reindeer enclosure was undergoing some modifications and the animals will be back in time for Christmas.
No Pallas cats in the on show enclosure, all animals off-show at the moment.
The last Japanese serow has left for Berlin.
CARNIVORE UPDATE;
The new snow leopard enclosure will be built on the plateau between the current markhor enclosure and the Pallas cat enclosure a unique aspect of this enclosure will be the introduction of the markhor herd occasionally to graze the enclosure OVERNIGHT.
The Amur leopard will have a 3 enclosure off-show area with cctv links provided at points round the park.
The Scottish wilcats will also have a purpose built off-show breeding facility built.
A female wolverine has been sourced
Walkways and viewing platforms under construction for the second polar bear exhibit.
The European forest reindeer enclosure was undergoing some modifications and the animals will be back in time for Christmas.
No Pallas cats in the on show enclosure, all animals off-show at the moment.
The last Japanese serow has left for Berlin.
CARNIVORE UPDATE;
The new snow leopard enclosure will be built on the plateau between the current markhor enclosure and the Pallas cat enclosure a unique aspect of this enclosure will be the introduction of the markhor herd occasionally to graze the enclosure OVERNIGHT.
The Amur leopard will have a 3 enclosure off-show area with cctv links provided at points round the park.
The Scottish wilcats will also have a purpose built off-show breeding facility built.
Yes, should make it all the more a zoo destination on the map!
Any idea how pure (???) their Scottish wild cats are?
cliffxdavis
Well-Known Member
I am sure the Leopards will find it enriching when they let out into an area smelling of prey but what will the reaction of the Markhor be when their new enclosure smells of predator?