does anyone want to put their names to their faces in the photo? I see two I recognise (well, one definite and one maybe). And I'm guessing the centre's owner is the one in the middle of the group who is trying to attract the attention of the otters?
OK, here's the website of the IZES: Independent Zoo Enthusiasts Society
and the page that talks about the collectors' fair: News
At the fair they sell/swap zoo books and guidebooks
Indeed - 'Zoo Memorabilia Collectors' Fair' would have been more accurate, but a bit unwieldy for the photo title!
It's always a good social day - I'm not the biggest of collectors myself but I always end up with a few bits and bobs and it's a good chance to catch up. And there's usually a zoo tour in the offing as well, this time of a very nice small collection I'd not done before. The UK IZES fair is nothing like the scale of the September European 'Zoohistiorica' one, but it's good fun.
does anyone want to put their names to their faces in the photo? I see two I recognise (well, one definite and one maybe). And I'm guessing the centre's owner is the one in the middle of the group who is trying to attract the attention of the otters?
The only hardcore, on-here-every-day-sounding-off zoochatter I'm aware of in this shot is zoogiraffe, up at top left. There are at least two others though - but these days I'm not sure I should identify others without permission!
And yes, chap in the middle in blue is the owner - very sensible chap, with a very clear vision for the centre - to have as representative collection as posisble of current UK wild animals (so muntjac in, wolves out).