South Lakes Wild Animal Park Safari Zoo 2016

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jaffaraf

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So it would appear the zoo is staying open:

Happy New Year and thank you to David S Gill
for gifting SAFARI ZOO to Charity for the future.
In a move planned over 2 years ago the Safari Zoo Nature Foundation will operate the Zoo in 2016 and onwards.
Its Board of Trustees will be an independent body to oversee the Mission Statement set out by David to ensure commitment to Conservation and education here and all over the Globe along with a commitment to conservation breeding and active participation in EAZA programmes for species conservation. We hope that 2016 will bring increased funds and awareness to all our overseas projects that are the focus of the zoo's very existence. David has also prepared the way for a new "Natural History museum" to be brought to the zoo to develop and expand local education and awareness of our Lake district wildlife and habitat in partnerships with others. It is hoped that the Zoo can open all its new facilities that will be under construction in the next months for Easter. David may have retired from the Zoo but he will be the project leader of the overseas programmes for the Charity in the years to come.
www.facebook.com/safarizoonaturefoundation



Any predictions or news for 2016?
 
There is at least one detail which can be discerned from the above linked article which would be of interest to people who keep track of the zoo world :p though to avoid spoiling the fun I'll see if anyone else spots it.
 
The photo in the Barrow paper showed one piece of good news; the appearance of David Armitage on South Lakes Team, a Zoo professional for 40+ years experience; Chester,Twycross,Ravensden, Banham,Lisieux [France], Linton, Muncaster. Good Luck
 
mukisi said:
The photo in the Barrow paper showed one piece of good news; the appearance of David Armitage on South Lakes Team, a Zoo professional for 40+ years experience; Chester,Twycross,Ravensden, Banham,Lisieux [France], Linton, Muncaster. Good Luck
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Yes a surprising move to employ David Armitage but a very welcome ,one if he is left to do what he is good, at which is running a place his way.
 
TeaLovingDave said:
There is at least one detail which can be discerned from the above linked article which would be of interest to people who keep track of the zoo world :p though to avoid spoiling the fun I'll see if anyone else spots it.
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mukisi said:
The photo in the Barrow paper showed one piece of good news; the appearance of David Armitage on South Lakes Team, a Zoo professional for 40+ years experience; Chester,Twycross,Ravensden, Banham,Lisieux [France], Linton, Muncaster. Good Luck
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And the detail I alluded to has been noticed! :D

Good news indeed; although in some ways it is a surprising move I am sure that I am not alone in observing that Armitage is certainly capable of ensuring SLWAP meets the potential which it has had all along - as long as he is allowed to operate his way, rather than the way someone else *wants* him to operate.
 
zoogiraffe said:
Yes a surprising move to employ David Armitage but a very welcome ,one if he is left to do what he is good, at which is running a place his way.
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Yes David Armitage is very experienced and "a safe pair of hands", a good choice indeed.
 
Nanook said:
Yes David Armitage is very experienced and "a safe pair of hands", a good choice indeed.
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Such gain can and only work if and it is a big if, that David Gill relinquishes his hold both physically and financially. If David Gill and his wife remains at the helm in any shape or form then the demise and sorry state of affairs shall continue.
 
The hiring or secondment of David Armitage is certainly most welcome and hopefully will bring the facility into line with zoos of similar size and stature as well as reap its full potential.

If DA does get it his way and do what he is very good at, it is definite 500%+ for SLWAP as well as all zoo afficionados both local and far and wide.
 
Old make tiger Padang has been moved to share the snow leopards enclosure. Are they expecting a new male for the three female tigers?
 
They
Weare2 said:
Old make tiger Padang has been moved to share the snow leopards enclosure. Are they expecting a new male for the three female tigers?
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They already have another male - the brother of the youngest female. He arrived with her from France last year
 
David armitage was around doing jobs. All the walk ways planks have been removed as well. Had the tapirs moved or left?
 
Weare2 said:
David armitage was around doing jobs. All the walk ways planks have been removed as well. Had the tapirs moved or left?
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I saw David Armitage this morning when I briefly stopped to have a quick look. I was on my way heading back home from a photo shoot and only had a short period of time as the snow was falling elsewhere which had curtailed my length of stay. Anyway. I saw David hammering away on a large piece of wood, trying to lift and remove. The park was quiet and the staff were doing their duties. I asked if Dave Gill was about, was informed that he and his wife (vet for the safari zoo park) were away to Wyoming. That I found a bit odd, Gill has criminal convictions and the USA has a zero tolerance for those entering the US with any type of conviction even it is a speeding fine or parking ticket and, must visit the US consulate in London to obtain permission to enter. Anyway, the park itself looked as if there were working of some sort going on and various tape marking off exhibits.
 
bigcat speciali said:
I saw David Armitage this morning when I briefly stopped to have a quick look. I was on my way heading back home from a photo shoot and only had a short period of time as the snow was falling elsewhere which had curtailed my length of stay. Anyway. I saw David hammering away on a large piece of wood, trying to lift and remove. The park was quiet and the staff were doing their duties. I asked if Dave Gill was about, was informed that he and his wife (vet for the safari zoo park) were away to Wyoming. That I found a bit odd, Gill has criminal convictions and the USA has a zero tolerance for those entering the US with any type of conviction even it is a speeding fine or parking ticket and, must visit the US consulate in London to obtain permission to enter. Anyway, the park itself looked as if there were working of some sort going on and various tape marking off exhibits.
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The USA's policy on visas for those convicted of criminal offences - as I understand it - is that they take a dim view of "moral turpitude" (lovely phrase). Whether they consider Gill's record as evidence of MT is a matter for them :)

I don't know David Armitage, but if his role is to set the charitable trust on a new strategic tack, then spending his time hammering away on chunks of wood seems ....... strange.

But strangeness and South Lakes are not strangers to each other. :)
 
SHAVINGTONZOO said:
I don't know David Armitage, but if his role is to set the charitable trust on a new strategic tack, then spending his time hammering away on chunks of wood seems ....... strange.
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Frankly, I think that having someone working in the SLWAP management who is willing to pitch in with the practical improvement work is a good sign!
 
David Armitage`s appointment can only be a good thing, (whatever Gill does) he is a true grafter and proper no nonsense zoo-man, and his input should not be underestimated.
 
Nanook said:
David Armitage`s appointment can only be a good thing, (whatever Gill does) he is a true grafter and proper no nonsense zoo-man, and his input should not be underestimated.
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Well said,DA is very much a man that has made in impact at every collection he has ever worked at!!
 
Gill is not in Wyoming,was in the zoo car park yesterday morning clearing snow,more of the spurious comments that emanate from this place
 
bantam said:
Gill is not in Wyoming,was in the zoo car park yesterday morning clearing snow,more of the spurious comments that emanate from this place
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I can only say that is what I was informed by a member of staff whilst my brief visit. I do see that he has mentioned his stay via his own Facebook page.
January 15 at 6:51pm ·
We spent this week at our home in the mountains of Wyoming, deep in the wild and cold winter. We left for the very last time with a few tears... our time living in Wyoming is over we cleared out our personal items and left the most perfect stunning home for the new owners. The hardest decision ever !!
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