Banham Zoo Banham Zoo Mixed African Paddock?

[Richie Hell]

Most the people I've spoken too have said they prefer Africa Alive over Banham as it's bigger and has the larger animals like Rhino. I don't think adding a mixed African paddock would have any further impact on Africa Alive's popularity than adding the Giraffes might already have had. With some unusual species it should make an interesting exhibit.

As for Egyptian Geese, they already occasionally turn up in the local zoos of their own accord.

 

[CiaranDUK]

Well they are locally in East Anglia. But rarer elsewhere and absent altogether in climatically wetter parts of UK, mainly because they need dry conditions for successful breeding.

Highly aggressive, they will fight and injure smaller ducks (as too will Shelducks) so I'd never recommend them in a mixed waterfowl collection anyway.

Oh I see. When I worked at Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, we had European Shelducks in with many species of waterfowl, including the very small Ferruginous Duck, and they got on fine with everything.

 

[ZooLeopard]

what program did you use to make that! :O

just quickly on word lol

sorry if its a bit small

 

[CiaranDUK]

Heres a quick little picture i made of what i think Banham Zoo should do...

Good idea but I cant see the diamond shaped thing as when you click on the picture it comes up on a black background.

Most the people I've spoken too have said they prefer Africa Alive over Banham as it's bigger and has the larger animals like Rhino. I don't think adding a mixed African paddock would have any further impact on Africa Alive's popularity than adding the Giraffes might already have had. With some unusual species it should make an interesting exhibit.

As for Egyptian Geese, they already occasionally turn up in the local zoos of their own accord.

Really?! Most people I talk to prefer Banham as it has more of the more popular animals like Tiger, Camel, Penguin, Seal(ion), Snow Leopard, etc

 

[lechweoryx]

Reply to CIARANDUK, I was just interested as it would be good to have someone who works with the animals on the forum.

 

[redpanda]

Highly aggressive, they will fight and injure smaller ducks (as too will Shelducks) so I'd never recommend them in a mixed waterfowl collection anyway.

I didn't know that, perhaps pygmy geese would be a better choice then.

PS. in regards to them being an introduced pest in this country, the same could be said of wallabies, yet most zoos still keep them.

 

[CiaranDUK]

Reply to CIARANDUK, I was just interested as it would be good to have someone who works with the animals on the forum.

Oh right, yeah then I do work at with the animals at Banham Zoo.

 

[CiaranDUK]

I didn't know that, perhaps pygmy geese would be a better choice then.

PS. in regards to them being an introduced pest in this country, the same could be said of wallabies, yet most zoos still keep them.

Yeah I suppose, but then they're a more interesting species to see in a Zoo than an Egyptian Goose.

 

[ZooLeopard]

here is a better idea of what i mean...

 

[redpanda]

Yeah I suppose, but then they're a more interesting species to see in a Zoo than an Egyptian Goose.

But why, if they are only being kept in a large water-hole exhibit with several similar species, does it matter if they are "interesting"? Realistically, they would only be there to bulk up numbers and the signage would likely stretch to a picture and a few basic bullet-points if that.

 

[CiaranDUK]

here is a better idea of what i mean...

Is that a walkthrough enclosure then?

But why, if they are only being kept in a large water-hole exhibit with several similar species, does it matter if they are "interesting"? Realistically, they would only be there to bulk up numbers and the signage would likely stretch to a picture and a few basic bullet-points if that.

But there would be no point in acquiring Egyptian Geese when they're everywhere in East Anglia anyway. They would probably turn up anyways! Ha ha.

 

[redpanda]

But there would be no point in acquiring Egyptian Geese when they're everywhere in East Anglia anyway. They would probably turn up anyways! Ha ha.

On the contrary, if presented in the right way, they could make a very interesting and relevant exhibit. By having them in an enclosure depicting their natural environment, the zoo could educate its visitors on the damage that alien species, like the egyptian goose, can do. This could then be related to a number of conservation issues revolving around the introduction of non-natives.

 

[ZooLeopard]

I had in mind a large walkthrough avairy, which visitors have to emerse themselves in to access the decked african style veiwing area. This open type building looks over the main waterhole and features interactive videos and information panels. The spoonbill exhibit covers a large space which incorporates part of the waterhole and contains a sandy beach area, rocky nesting and wetland plants.

This is my own personal vision though so it may be a bit far fetched!

 

[Cheburban]

Hi everyone,

My understanding is that there are no such plans for such an exhibit, the plans for mixing the Grevy's and the Giraffe are still being considered but due to the financial climate are on hold for the time being. As with all things there is often alot of 'tea break chatter' but often that is all it is, I am sure that much of what has been written on here may have been discussed very informally but I am sure there are no firm plans at the present time for such an exhibit.

 

[ZooLeopard]

thanks Cheburban for pointing out the obvious!

i think we all understand that Banham zoo cannot afford to build such an exhibit in the current climate!

It should be a great investment for Banham and I am certainly looking forward to its construction.

Also i thinks CiaranUK is a volunteer at the zoo and i think he knows whats going on!

 

[CiaranDUK]

I had in mind a large walkthrough avairy, which visitors have to emerse themselves in to access the decked african style veiwing area. This open type building looks over the main waterhole and features interactive videos and information panels. The spoonbill exhibit covers a large space which incorporates part of the waterhole and contains a sandy beach area, rocky nesting and wetland plants.

This is my own personal vision though so it may be a bit far fetched!

No, I see what you mean! Sounds interesting.

On the contrary, if presented in the right way, they could make a very interesting and relevant exhibit. By having them in an enclosure depicting their natural environment, the zoo could educate its visitors on the damage that alien species, like the egyptian goose, can do. This could then be related to a number of conservation issues revolving around the introduction of non-natives.

Ahh, I see what you mean, that could actually work quite well.

 

[ZooLeopard]

thanks CiaranUK!

 

[taun]

thanks Cheburban for pointing out the obvious!

i think we all understand that Banham zoo cannot afford to build such an exhibit in the current climate!

So why is a "volunteer" saying they are then? Or have a missed the point that this is a personal vision thread?

It should be a great investment for Banham and I am certainly looking forward to its construction.

Also i thinks CiaranUK is a volunteer at the zoo and i think he knows whats going on!

So they say, there has been alot of people on here claim to be this and that. Then I find its strange that they allow them to post such info?

 

[Cheburban]

thanks Cheburban for pointing out the obvious!

i think we all understand that Banham zoo cannot afford to build such an exhibit in the current climate!

It should be a great investment for Banham and I am certainly looking forward to its construction.

Also i thinks CiaranUK is a volunteer at the zoo and i think he knows whats going on!

Not sure I made myself clear enough....my understanding is that there are NO plans for such an exhibit and never have been. As far as I am aware it has never been formally discussed, although I would never go as far as to say NEVER, the main part of that part of the zoo was to move the Grevy's so that they shared the paddock with the Giraffe, its possibole they may have discussed the possibility of additional species but I dont think this was any more than a bit of chatter amongst staff. As previously pointed out unless it was done very differently it would be in direct competition with their sister park Africa Alive!

 

[Richie Hell]

Really?! Most people I talk to prefer Banham as it has more of the more popular animals like Tiger, Camel, Penguin, Seal(ion), Snow Leopard, etc

Yeah, I've always thought Banham to have the better variety of species, and a more interesting collection, but I guess some of the average visitors are easily wowed by the larger animals and larger enclosures. I think it also helps that AA is a nicer environment with a lot of relatively newly built buildings.