Africa Alive! Africa Alive

It's apparently an Arabic word meaning 'oasis' so presumably the town name just has the same origin.
As a linguïst ... I know these things.

First and foremost, I do suspect the zoo (Africa Alive) have specifically chosen the name for its location in KSA. Tayma is also close to one of the newer projected release sites for Arabian oryx in KSA (far away from the well known Mahazat as-Sayd and Uruq Bani Ma'arid PA's in south west KSA.
 
First and foremost, I do suspect the zoo (Africa Alive) have specifically chosen the name for its location in KSA.

Why do you suspect this? Feels like digging for controversy to me. I think someone either heard the word and liked the sound of it, or sat for half an hour on Google Translate putting in 'desert-y' words to see what they were in Arabic to see what would be a nice name. Don't think there's anything more to it than that, and don't any reason to look for more than that.
 
Why do you suspect this? Feels like digging for controversy to me. I think someone either heard the word and liked the sound of it, or sat for half an hour on Google Translate putting in 'desert-y' words to see what they were in Arabic to see what would be a nice name. Don't think there's anything more to it than that, and don't any reason to look for more than that.
I must concede. Would be surprised that it would be named in the context of the Arabian Oryx given that it is an addax, and Arabian oryx are not overly abundant in the UK [were they ever?] given Europe's stronger history with the scimitar-horned species.
 
We’re delighted to announce the arrival of a female Nile lechwe!

Pip arrived from Watatunga Wildlife Reserve, and she is the last female Nile lechwe left in the UK. Despite the species being endangered in the wild, with a declining population, they are not part of a breeding programme, making this partnership vital to help protect their future.

Pip has joined our male, Nigel, and we hope the pair will go on to successfully breed, and help contribute to the future conservation of their species.
 
We’re delighted to announce the arrival of a female Nile lechwe!

Pip arrived from Watatunga Wildlife Reserve, and she is the last female Nile lechwe left in the UK. Despite the species being endangered in the wild, with a declining population, they are not part of a breeding programme, making this partnership vital to help protect their future.

Pip has joined our male, Nigel, and we hope the pair will go on to successfully breed, and help contribute to the future conservation of their species.

The species only has an EEP (and has had one for years....), so where the nonsense of no breeding program comes from is a feat.
 
The species only has an EEP (and has had one for years....), so where the nonsense of no breeding program comes from is a feat.

According to the Watatunga information it's not the case of the species not having an EEP, it is that they are not part of it so cannot receive a male, so they sent the female to Africa Alive, who are in the EEP to pair her up. The 'they' in the not part of the breeding programme quote is the zoo, not the lechwe.
 
A new female Drill has joined the existing pair, coming from Port Lympne. Seems EEP have maybe been requesting PL to redistribute a few of their females as two went to Edinburgh recently and now this one. (I believe EEP still manage the PL group overall.)
I am glad that the EEP / EAZA has finally started redistributing the new generations to other UK zoos for more effective management.

These days, PL is no longer managing much of anything for ex situ conservation breeding! The Aspinall Zoos' have degenerated into an idiot savante for President playing out inept rewildling dreads with religious bravado (and little rationale to any justified or valid reintroduction efforts.

Whereas I do regard the Javan langur and Javan gibbon in situ programs they drive and some of the black rhino relocations back to Tanzania a real conservation success. On the other hand, they - read DA - has more or less let the existing breeding groups wither and whelk into nothingness.
 
I am glad that the EEP / EAZA has finally started redistributing the new generations to other UK zoos for more effective management.

While much of what goes on at the Aspinall parks perplexes me greatly, in fairness to them I would say that with some primate species like e.g Drill, under their management the group successfully expanded far more successfully than in some conventional zoos and for that reason there are surplus animals available to move to other collections. Coupled with that I think this group have had a bias of female births which of course is far preferable in enabling some available for transfer.
 
Enjoyable afternoon at Africa Alive today taking advantage of the 5pm closing time after the clocks changed.

The young Addax Tayma is really lovely and the female nile lechwe Pip was quite the treat - she seemed to be getting on very well with the male. It's such a nice quiet space at that end of the zoo so was able to spend time watching the pair and the new Sitatunga male (Freddy Jr) who has arrived from Exmoor next door.

The Nyala who were in the same row of enclosures as the Sitatunga and Lechwe are now in the main display enclosure with the rhinos, zebra, blesbok, giraffe etc. There were also some nice Oystercatchers visting that space.

The young Somali wild ass who I saw as a very recent arrival on my last visit is looking very pretty.

Lots of active animals overall all enjoying the weather (20 degrees and sun made quite the change!) and it was particularly nice to see the two lions out sunbathing - always enjoy a visit to them after their Whipsnade holiday.

The route around the back of the lake passing the water buffalo enclosure was barriered off, perhaps flooding or something might be nesting over that side.

The harrier hawk (PJ) from Banham is now in the aviaries in the woodland. Nice to know where it had moved to as was wondering about the empty aviary.
 
On April 29th, the zoo announced they acquired 2 hooded vultures from the Banham Zoo in Norfolk which are now on display in the Woodland Walk area.

Africa Alive Reserve

On May 9th, the zoo announced they transferred a (0.1) red river hog named Peanuts to the Bristol Zoo Project in Bristol.

Red river hog Peanuts recently departed to her new home at Bristol Zoo Project! To help her get ready for her journey, the team completed crate... | By Africa Alive ReserveFacebook

How old is peanuts if you dont mind me asking as i've seen her already and i couldn't put an age on her
 
From social media:
  • last month a Drill was born at Africa Alive. The sire is male Nzuri who arrived from Osnabrück Zoo in June 2022 to be paired with female Rouka.

I believe this is the third baby the female has had. The first, sired by a previous male, was recently sent to Edinburgh. The 2nd( sired by this male?) died at an early age. I believe both were males, the first one certainly is.

A 2nd female was recently added to the pair/group from Port Lympne.
 
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