So I might just abandon the thought of waterbuck as wetland antelope altogether . They might as well just be regular savanna-going ungulates like wildebeest or gemsbok or something...
And by the way, when you say there would be no problems with patas monkeys and waterbuck, are you saying that like the waterbuck would just ignore the monkeys completely or would they actually interact with one another without issues?
Sorry, I know that's a hard question to answer... One might actually need to observe behaviors for a while in order to answer it... Just what do you think?
It seems pretty variable - Woburn's Bongo seem to ignore the monkeys altogether, and vice versa, but when water buffalo and Rhesus Monkeys were mixed at Longleat, the buffalo became convenient lookout posts and climbing frames!
The most spectacular primate/ungulate mixed exhibit I've seen is very recently, last month at Bioparc Valencia, where I saw Southern Talapoin, Mona Guenon, Drill, Pygmy Hippo and Sitatunga all mixed together - seemingly very peacefully (DeBrazza's Guenons were also labelled but we didn't spot any).
It seems pretty variable - Woburn's Bongo seem to ignore the monkeys altogether, and vice versa, but when water buffalo and Rhesus Monkeys were mixed at Longleat, the buffalo became convenient lookout posts and climbing frames!
The most spectacular primate/ungulate mixed exhibit I've seen is very recently, last month at Bioparc Valencia, where I saw Southern Talapoin, Mona Guenon, Drill, Pygmy Hippo and Sitatunga all mixed together - seemingly very peacefully (DeBrazza's Guenons were also labelled but we didn't spot any).
As you can see on my profile, I have a very ambitious goal to create a world class zoo and as I was thinking of a patas monkey/waterbuck exhibit, I actually pictured the patas monkeys climbing on top of the waterbucks' backs, ironically! But, yeah, as you said it would definitely be variable... where sometimes they'll ignore each other, then, like the buffalo and macaques, they'll sometimes develop beneficial bonds. But as long as they're not challenging the other for space or territory or picking on the other species, I consider it as "working out." So thanks for your help on my question. I think I'm going to took for the Valencia Bioparc exhibit now!
What I'm looking forward to is a Bronx Zoo trip later this June, but that's nothing compared to the trip you're on right now! I'll certainly be looking for your photo uploads!
What I'm looking forward to is a Bronx Zoo trip later this June, but that's nothing compared to the trip you're on right now! I'll certainly be looking for your photo uploads!
The trip itself is over now, sadly - there's no way I'd have time to sort these photos while travelling. But going through the photos for my records and for uploading here gives me a second run-through!
And I'd love to do the New York zoos one day. Must start saving my pennies!
Next target is a week or so of Leipzig, Halle and the Berlins in September. Lots and lots of animals on that one! Then that's almost certainly it for international zoos until 2012.
The trip itself is over now, sadly - there's no way I'd have time to sort these photos while travelling. But going through the photos for my records and for uploading here gives me a second run-through!
And I'd love to do the New York zoos one day. Must start saving my pennies!
Next target is a week or so of Leipzig, Halle and the Berlins in September. Lots and lots of animals on that one! Then that's almost certainly it for international zoos until 2012.
Have you ever been to any U.S. zoos? I'd assume you have because you travel so often. But, yes, even though there are much greater zoos out in the world than the Bronx, I still anticipate the trip and love going there just for the pleasure of seeing the different animals. It's much better than seeing a robin or blue jay in your backyard, I'll tell you that.
Only six, on a family holiday back in '98 (which explains the odd omissions - left to me there'd have been LA and San Francisco added at least!)
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Sea World San Diego
Living Desert
Grand Canyon Deer Farm*
Oakland Zoo
We also saw a few of the animals at the hotels in Las Vegas, including the white tigers, but not the main areas of Secret Garden as we arrived too late.
There's a reason for the inclusion of GCDF - an odd little place but we went to let me photograph a Pronghorn - we'd seen a couple of large herds in the wild but only while driving and when I either had no film in my camera or the camera was in the boot.
In fact, that's still my best foreign wildlife trip - certainly for mammal diversity - wild Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Coyote, Douglas' Squirrel, California Ground Squirrel, Californian Sea Lion, Black-eared Jackrabbit... only one of which I've seen outside the US (no prizes for guessing which!).
I'm gonna have to say the California sea lion. It seems the most obvious.
But at least you made it to either of San Diego's parks. I've always wanted to go to the San Diego Zoo only because it's the *SAN DIEGO ZOO,* but the exhibits aren't all they're cracked up to be. (some of them, at least ) Honestly, though, I'd rather go to the Safari Park. The variety may be just as big as the Zoo, but it seems more exciting in those open enclosures that you can go on safaris in.
But at least you made it to either of San Diego's parks. I've always wanted to go to the San Diego Zoo only because it's the *SAN DIEGO ZOO,* but the exhibits aren't all they're cracked up to be. (some of them, at least ) Honestly, though, I'd rather go to the Safari Park. The variety may be just as big as the Zoo, but it seems more exciting in those open enclosures that you can go on safaris in.
The San Diego bit was where I put my foot down - no way I was going to San Diego without doing all three!
To be honest, I preferred the zoo over the WAP (as it was then) partly because I really don't like exhibits only being visible from rides, and at the time most of the WAP was only viewable from the monorail. Both were excellent days out though, and I'd love to get back there one day. I'd seriously miss Horn and Hoof Mesa, though...
To be honest, I preferred the zoo over the WAP (as it was then) partly because I really don't like exhibits only being visible from rides, and at the time most of the WAP was only viewable from the monorail. Both were excellent days out though, and I'd love to get back there one day. I'd seriously miss Horn and Hoof Mesa, though...
I see where you're coming from on the "only visible from rides," which is how I feel about the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride @ Disney's Animal Kingdom. It would be spectacular if you could get a deeper look into that savanna enclosure from a viewing dock or patio set up on the inside of the exhibit, where guests could see the animals and watch them for minutes rather than just getting 5-second glimpses.
