I can tell you we had a very nice view of a kestrel sat on one of the poles in the exhibit!
The fencing did not seem to have changed, so I guess it's still all females - but beyond the fact that they had some chimps I can't be much more help I'm afraid!
I can also tell you that on the return drive today I did espy a llama in the hillside paddock, and it seemed to be a different one (much darker in colour).
This photo incorporates two of Dudley's principal drawbacks; its less than beautiful surroundings (it is the only UK zoo where I have seriously worried about leaving a vehicle in the designated car park) and the limited use it has made of its topography.
Obviously the Zoo's management aren't to blame for the former, but they could do a lot about the latter.
They currently have 2 llama a whitish one and a brown one they also keep Icelandic Sheep in this paddock, nice to know the Kestrel is still about though haven't seen him for a while now
This photo incorporates two of Dudley's principal drawbacks; its less than beautiful surroundings (it is the only UK zoo where I have seriously worried about leaving a vehicle in the designated car park) and the limited use it has made of its topography.
Obviously the Zoo's management aren't to blame for the former, but they could do a lot about the latter.
Sure there is nothing that can be done about Dudley's industrial past, but it does have a certain charm if you look in the right place. Not really sure the parking is any less safe than anywhere else.
As for the use of landscape well yes much better use could be made of it by using species that would fit the hills and woods in the zoo (if they need any guide on how to do this they need just look at Prague, excpept they dont have government handouts to help).
I've asked them in the past if they would consider vicuna (and become the only zoo in the country to hold all four South American camilids), but they said they have no plans at the moment, I think they would look great on the hillside that Maguari so fondly looks at (lol). Just put up a fence on the hillside and split it in two, llama's one side vicuna the other, and the cable car overhead......
Sure there is nothing that can be done about Dudley's industrial past, but it does have a certain charm if you look in the right place. Not really sure the parking is any less safe than anywhere else.
I wouldn't say it was less safe than any other urban car park, but it is massively frustrating.
The car park is chargeable and a good 5min walk around the perimeter from the zoo entrance (see attached photo for the current route from the near end of the car park to the zoo - the car park extends much further off the left so the walk from the main parking are they use is twice as long as this. Orange is the zoo boundary, red is the route).
The car park is monitored by an attendant.
The tickets must be bought from a machine near the entrance of the car park.
The car park attendant could easily sell the tickets, or at least keep a supply of change, but they don't give him any.
On the day I took this picture I found I had no change, so I had to speak to the attendant, park up temporarily near the pay machine, walk around to the entrance and back to get change, go back, buy a ticket, move the car to the far end of the car park and then walk all the way back to the entrance of the zoo.
If they're paying an attendant, why not give him a float and book of tickets?? He speaks to every car as they come in anyway.
