Very sadly, 'Eva' passed away, aged nearly 14, on November 29th 2012.
She was old, and most people never saw her, but I loved getting glimpses of her, and more than once found myself hanging back in the car park after hours to listen to her calling across the valley.
She bore many cubs, and was a beautiful and gentle animal, and I really will have trouble not believing she is just being her usual elusive self, and hiding in her den until we've all gone home.
So sorry to hear that, but she was a good age. Her nighttime barking was one of the iconic sounds of the park. Any idea what will be done with her enclosure?
I'm curious/nosy; do you work @ Durrell?
I agree about her bark, I remember when the Wildlife Camp opened, and the various sounds were explained to the first guests... everyone picked up and the mention of a 'wolf', and the next day, everyone had heard her and wanted to visit her. However, she wasn't easily spotted unless you knew what time she started her 'patrol'. Beautiful old girl that she was, I hadn't seen her but a handful of times before coming to work here, despite being a member and regular visitor.
I am indeed staff, the current Communications Officer to be exact.
i saw a slight hint towards snow leopards on the parks facebook page... i really hope this is true as it would make a fantastic addition to the park and hopefully bring in more visitors!
i saw a slight hint towards snow leopards on the parks facebook page... i really hope this is true as it would make a fantastic addition to the park and hopefully bring in more visitors!
Aha, well 'spotted'. It's too early to know if it is actually possible, but it's something that is being discussed here (with more no's than yeses, I have to be honest). Our Andean spectacled bears are coming up to 27 and 28 years old respectively, and they may need to be moved to a quieter area of the park, perhaps only on part-time display, for the sake of peace and quiet. With essentially no bears and no maned wolf, there is a sizable mammalian hole in our collection.
With tourism to Jersey as it is, perhaps an enticement to visit and view the collection would be sensible move.
Of course, personally, I'd love a pair of Sumatran tigers, especially given our connections to Tripa peat swamp and it's plight... but that's asking a little much!
I believe Snow Leopards were kept & bred @ Durrell over many years in the past. Why not just 'retire' Wolfgang & Barbara, & add another pair of Andean Bears?
Having said that, one could make a very good case for other Sumatran species to be housed near the Orangs, from Sumatran tigers downwards. A tall hornbill aviary would fit well into what could become a South-east Asian themed area.
I have long maintained that Durrell should bring back Snow leopards. Getting rid of them was a mistake. It's an iconic species very popular with visitors, so Snow leopards can be relied upon to pull in more visitors. They'd fill a noticeable gap in the collection (Durrell currently hasn't any feline species). They're endangered, which would be justification alone for welcoming them back. And they would fit in well with the "Highlands" theme. In short, Snow leopards tick all the boxes.
