Yeah, the last of the Baikal seals at Leipzig died in late November 2013 and Leipzig is one of the collections I will be visiting. But I'm not *that* annoyed, as there are plenty of other things to look forward to and it happened a fair bit in advance of my trip - had it happened the morning I visited it would have stung!
I saw Baikal seals at Twycross in the late 80s. What's the story behind them? Did they get them from Russia? I imagine it would have been far from straightforward.
I saw Baikal seals at Twycross in the late 80s. What's the story behind them? Did they get them from Russia? I imagine it would have been far from straightforward.
On this photo http://www.zoochat.com/41/twycross-zoo-pinnipeds-baikal-seals-140371/ John Dineley says "I recall about this time that a number of zoos in Europe had Baikal seals. I suspect they may have come in via Ravensden Zoological the animal dealers in Bedfordshire. They are very attractive species and of course live in fresh water. Not sure who displays them at the moment. Obviously some Russian zoos or aquariums would but a side from that I don't know."
So I have heard, although I will not be holding my breath as I suspect it might only be re-opened for the official event taking place before Herr B departs, then closed again.
Unfortunately the part of the ABH which would most interest me - the indoor cat enclosures - will not be re-opened by then as far as I can gather.
