I'm not clear whether they have yet got another, 2nd male group, somewhere near the entrance, as well as the male/female group under the Ski-lift. Either they have or they will have shortly.
The second group is or was the last time I looked next to the spider monkeys.
There is still half of the hillside under the chairlift that is unused, I'm still waiting for something impressive to go in there but I've heard of no plans.
Perhaps they are waiting to see how well the Gelada start breeding,and then they will extend it for them and add the Barbary Sheep into that enclosure with the breeding Gelada group.
Perhaps they are waiting to see how well the Gelada start breeding,and then they will extend it for them and add the Barbary Sheep into that enclosure with the breeding Gelada group.
I sincerely hope this happens, or at least give the sheep an enclosure of their own. It's always bugged me that the Barbary sheep have been stuck in that pit for so long when Dudley has so much available space going unused.
I sincerely hope this happens, or at least give the sheep an enclosure of their own. It's always bugged me that the Barbary sheep have been stuck in that pit for so long when Dudley has so much available space going unused.
Yes it may be a pit,but it probably has the best looking group of Barbary Sheep in the UK,as the enclosure is pretty much perfect for them and sometimes if something isn't broke don't try and fix it!
Yes it may be a pit,but it probably has the best looking group of Barbary Sheep in the UK,as the enclosure is pretty much perfect for them and sometimes if something isn't broke don't try and fix it!
It may not be broke but it doesn't look great and as I've already said Dudley has plenty of hillside for them to roam, stick a bit of (whisper it) mock rock in with them and jobs a good'un! I know the current enclosure is fine but a new one could be so much better!
I would think a Gelada/Barbary mix is very likely for the future-its been used a number of times on the Continent. Though as ZG said, the current Barbary sheep enclosure is probably actually more suitable for them as it is all hard ground for hoof wear, and terraced to allow them good exercise.
Living on a grassy hillside those benefits will be lost- they may have more space but they will have to trim their hooves a lot more(=stress in catching them up at intervals) and there is always possible parasitic build-up to consider too. If they had lots of rockwork to climb on, okay, but I can't see them adding boulders or ledges on that hillside- its too complicated/dangerous. So they would be moving to a less suitable environment and for the Sheeps' health at least, they are probably better off where they are, though it might well happen if they think it makes a better display.
