Chester Zoo Chester Zoo 2015 #2

Status
Not open for further replies.
Pootle said:
Chill out ZG, OP was only asking out of interest and genuine care as far as I read and she even posted again in case she upset anyone.

We all care about animals well being on Zoo Chat. Sure there are posters here who post for postings sake but two knowledgable people like yourself and OrangePerson are in the same boat I say.

I'd enjoy to meet either of you for a chat and a coffee at the zoo one day. I would learn plenty about several zoos and animal experiences from the pair of you I am sure. :)
Click to expand...
That might not have looked a chilled post but trust me it was,and I certainly wasn't offend by anything that has been said!

What I do get sick of is the digs that I know something that others don't and the,fact that very often when I do I have been asked not to say or post anything on here,but some users seem to think that if you know something you should tell them,well by posting everything I here not just at Chester but at many other places as well,would stop dead those people ever trusting me with any other news,and I value their trust in me more than I value the views of some people on here that every bit of news you hear should be posted!!
 
Yassa said:
Zoogiraffe, no one is doubting the standard of animal care in Chester zoo!!
I am just wondering why they are so very reluctant to let people who really care know what is going on and that includes bad news.
Click to expand...

Thing is,
you most certainly care, i most certainly care, and so do the other names that regularly contribute to threads. Will also know enough to know the work in welfare the zoo does and the care it gives,

unfortunately though, theres characters out there that dont give a rats ass about those kind of things and will use and manipulate any news, good or bad, but especially bad to be as disuptive as possible regardless of any facts because the animals are in a captive situation.

Death is a part of life, it happens in the wild and its natural, sometimes when it happens in a zoo it leads to a scandal and sometimes the less the story the more the headline.
 
If you mean AR groups, I don`t buy your argument. Deaths of big mammals like orang utans will get noticed and discussed if a zoo has that many regular visitors like Chester. In times where Facebook is everywhere, "keeping things quiet" does not work anymore. And a lot of zoos are much more open then Chester and they have neither more nor less problems with vocal AR groups.

In contrary, it seems that getting a lot of news and pictures from social media does help people to feel connected to their local zoo and its animals and encourages them to become members. And those who care do appreciate if they are not only told the great news like the recent orang utan and elephant birth, but not left wondering and worrying when an orang utan suddenly disappears.
 
I think that Chester has become more open, but the staff has had a major project called Islands to worry about.
 
Yassa said:
Zoogiraffe, no one is doubting the standard of animal care in Chester zoo!!
I am just wondering why they are so very reluctant to let people who really care know what is going on and that includes bad news.
Click to expand...

It's partly just that no one asks the question. You could go every day for a week and not see a specific animal because they could easily be somewhere else, so you don't immediately ask what's happened if you don't see them.

Anyway I'm going to shut up now, I should not have posted when I was upset and regret it. It is a big place with lots going on and clearly some things just slip past everyone's attention.
 
Yassa said:
If you mean AR groups, I don`t buy your argument. Deaths of big mammals like orang utans will get noticed and discussed if a zoo has that many regular visitors like Chester. In times where Facebook is everywhere, "keeping things quiet" does not work anymore. And a lot of zoos are much more open then Chester and they have neither more nor less problems with vocal AR groups.

In contrary, it seems that getting a lot of news and pictures from social media does help people to feel connected to their local zoo and its animals and encourages them to become members. And those who care do appreciate if they are not only told the great news like the recent orang utan and elephant birth, but not left wondering and worrying when an orang utan suddenly disappears.
Click to expand...

Actually i'm not arguing, or going to get involved in an argument was merely pointing out that not everyone has the good intentions, whether misguilded or not or genuinely nieve, as myself, you, the lady that felt upset or any of the names that genuinely have the interests of animals and zoos at heart. did not have speciifc AR groups in mind as some in particular do sterling work.

and i will leave it there.
 
OrangePerson said:
It's partly just that no one asks the question. You could go every day for a week and not see a specific animal because they could easily be somewhere else, so you don't immediately ask what's happened if you don't see them.

QUOTE]

:D

I'd say that is the biggest factor in this case, and your exactly right.
Click to expand...
 
Yassa said:
Does someone know why the elephant house was closed today? I really hope the elephants are ok.
Click to expand...

Female Calf Bala has died

BALA
It is with great sadness that we share with you the news of the death of our female elephant calf, Bala Hi Way.

Bala, who was born in January 2013, was taken ill over the weekend and was being treated by the elephant and veterinary teams here at the zoo.

Unfortunately, despite the very best efforts of all the teams involved in her care, Bala very sadly died last night.

The exact cause of her death will be determined by a post-mortem examination. However, we can confirm that Bala tested positive for an illness called elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV). This affects both wild and captive elephants.

Bala, daughter of Sithami Hi Way, was a much loved member of the herd and was known amongst keepers and visitors for her playful charisma and will be greatly missed by many.
 
EEHV is a bastard of an illness :( that said, I think we all feared and suspected this was exactly what was going on. Always seems to strike at the same age, too......
 
TeaLovingDave said:
EEHV is a bastard of an illness :( that said, I think we all feared and suspected this was exactly what was going on. Always seems to strike at the same age, too......
Click to expand...

I am sure I read somewhere the age range it is deadly is 2 to 4 years but could be wrong...

Anyone knows or can link that, would be greatful.
 
Pootle said:
Yes, unfortunately it happens around the ages you say, I have just had a quick read of this: Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus | International Elephant Foundation

Unfortunately for Chester it has been more than 25% of calves affected in recent years.
Click to expand...

Thanks, knew I have seen it somewhere.

will have a read up again on it, as I found it was strange it took 2 years before becoming deadly. Whether Mums milk in the first 2 years provides additional protection for the calf? or some other reason, would like to know.
 
Pootle said:
Yes, unfortunately it happens around the ages you say, I have just had a quick read of this: Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus | International Elephant Foundation

Unfortunately for Chester it has been more than 25% of calves affected in recent years.
Click to expand...

I fear the figure is significantly higher than 25%. Since we started visited the zoo in 2006 almost all calves have died between 2 and 4 years old.

Started with Raman, then Nayan and Jamilahi, now Bala. The keepers must have everything crossed for Hari now.

Might be an idea to put the breeding programme on hold for a while.
 
Satan said:
I fear the figure is significantly higher than 25%. Since we started visited the zoo in 2006 almost all calves have died between 2 and 4 years old.

Started with Raman, then Nayan and Jamilahi, now Bala. The keepers must have everything crossed for Hari now.

Might be an idea to put the breeding programme on hold for a while.
Click to expand...

In fact I have a feeling the last Chester-bred calf to live past the "danger period" was Sundara :( I disagree that the breeding programme should be put on hold, however - if I recall correctly, Asian Elephant breeding tends to be "use it or lose it" and as such, if the programme were to be put on hold it might never get started again.
 
Satan said:
I fear the figure is significantly higher than 25%. Since we started visited the zoo in 2006 almost all calves have died between 2 and 4 years old.
Click to expand...

Certainly higher for Chester sadly, most of them recently fell to this disease. The 25% mortality rate refers to EEHV deaths within Asian elephants born in N America as a whole since 1978.
 
Very sad news, but from what I understand you can't really pause breeding with elephants.

If I'm not mistaken cows need to constantly keep breeding otherwise they stop ovulating, and it would be a shame since as far as I know Chester and Whipsnade are the only place breeding Asian elephants in the UK. I'm fairly sure Chester's herd is the only stable one made up only of related females (aside from Maya), just like a wild herd.

I'm also not sure what pausing would achieve either, I don't know how the vaccine will work, or when it will be ready. Surely all the elephants at Chester are infected?
 
Satan said:
Might be an idea to put the breeding programme on hold for a while.
Click to expand...

Never understand this mentality, while there is a chance they may survive, slim it seems it is best to continue breeding (in wild not all will mature).

Also if they do survive, they are a good candidate to run tests to see why and if they can them develop techniques or treatment for other Elephants.
 
TeaLovingDave said:
In fact I have a feeling the last Chester-bred calf to live past the "danger period" was Sundara :( .
Click to expand...

Tunga (Jangoli's final calf) was the last one. Not Sundara

Condolences to all at Chester over this very sad turn of events :(
 
Visited the zoo yesterday.
Very impressed with the monsoon forest & the false gharials. I thought the mesh on the rhinoceros hornbill aviary made taking photos very difficult, though.

Didn't see franka, the female spectacled bear. The other 2 bears were out. 'Bearing' in mind (sorry, couldn't resist :D) that she was photographed mating earlier this year, is her disappearance from the enclosure significant....? or just wishful thinking on my part....?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top