I was there a few weeks ago now(Boxing Day) but this sign and any geese weren't there by then! I didn't see the Cereposis either- or Ruddy-headed, and the sign for the latter had disappeared also. The pens between the Freckled Ducks and the Magellans seemed to be empty.
@Pertinax
Just curious... is that a new sign or are these being phased out? It does not have the conservation status shown, and so would not pass a UK Zoo Licence inspection...
I don't know. I didn't take this one- Pipaluk did. I am not aware of their current signage policy either. Its an ongoing mystery whether their Ashy-headed geese are on/off display. Having failed to see them the previous visit, I was told when I messaged the Trust to enquire last year that they were in fact off display- but that was before this signage was photographed(by Pipaluk after reading my comments) last October. Then I go on Boxing Day but neither the sign or the birds are there again by then...mysterious...
@pipaluk Yes, I remember you noting that. Maybe they read the conversation on here and put the sign up just as a joke. It wouldn't surprise me...! But it definately wasn't there by Boxing Day...
Sheldgeese can be buggers to house and exhibit because of their pugnacious behaviour. Hopefully they will be back on exhibit soon ! @Andrew Swales what is the UK zoo license regulations about signage ?
@cuckooduck I am not sure whether they have been on show at all at Slimbridge during at least the last twelve months. When I enquired Slimbridge simply said they were 'offshow'- no explanation. Most of their Sheldgeese are kept in seperate pens in one area but some seem to be missing recently, on my visit on Boxing Day I saw neither Ashy-headed, or Ruddy-headed, or Cereopsis either. Orinoco are now in the South American pen, while Abyssinian Blue-winged I think shares with some other species.
@Pertinax Slimbridge currently has the following Sheldgeese species on display :
Cereopsis- with a gosling- Loopway pens
Andean geese-Loopway pens
Greater Magellan-Loopway pens
Black Spurwing-Loopway pens
Orinoco- In South America
Abyssian Bluewing- Next to the Lesser Flamingos
I believe Slimbridge still holds Ruddy headed and Ashy headed geese, off display. It seems that Slimbridge rotates the Sheldgeese species it exhibits in these pens, and I am sure both Ashy heads and Ruddy heads will be back on display soon
