Indeed. She's still slightly fluffy around the edges, though.
Banham Zoo Banham Zoo News
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Indeed. She's still slightly fluffy around the edges, though.
Andrew Ling
Member
The youngster Sundara also has a very stripey tail , she is gorgeous
Very sad news
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Amur tiger, Kuzma, on March 2, 2023.
Due to his advancing years, Kuzma was being closely monitored by his keepers and unfortunately, his health began to deteriorate in recent weeks. Following an examination yesterday morning, our veterinary team confirmed that Kuzma was suffering from end stage heart failure. Our keepers and vets were in full agreement that the kindest option was to put him to sleep.
At 14.5 years old, Kuzma lived almost his entire life at Banham Zoo and was paired with female tiger Mishka as part of the International breeding program. The pair successfully bred in October 2021, leaving behind their cubs Luka and Kira.
We know that our staff, members, and visitors will miss him dearly.
Faye Bethell, Veterinary Director at ZSEA, said: “Kuzma was a delight to work with and a favourite for many of our keepers and visitors. The results of his tests showed he had end stage heart failure, which sadly left us with no option but to put him to sleep. He will live on in our memories and of course through his two cubs, Luka and Kira.”
Graeme Williamson, Head of Living Collections at ZSEA, said: “We are all deeply saddened to lose such an iconic animal at Banham Zoo. Kuzma truly was one of a kind and will be sorely missed by all.”
Our thoughts and thanks are with our keepers and veterinary team who provided Kuzma with the best possible care and love. We are grateful for the memories he left behind.
These photos were taken by keeper Holly.
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Amur tiger, Kuzma, on March 2, 2023.
Due to his advancing years, Kuzma was being closely monitored by his keepers and unfortunately, his health began to deteriorate in recent weeks. Following an examination yesterday morning, our veterinary team confirmed that Kuzma was suffering from end stage heart failure. Our keepers and vets were in full agreement that the kindest option was to put him to sleep.
At 14.5 years old, Kuzma lived almost his entire life at Banham Zoo and was paired with female tiger Mishka as part of the International breeding program. The pair successfully bred in October 2021, leaving behind their cubs Luka and Kira.
We know that our staff, members, and visitors will miss him dearly.
Faye Bethell, Veterinary Director at ZSEA, said: “Kuzma was a delight to work with and a favourite for many of our keepers and visitors. The results of his tests showed he had end stage heart failure, which sadly left us with no option but to put him to sleep. He will live on in our memories and of course through his two cubs, Luka and Kira.”
Graeme Williamson, Head of Living Collections at ZSEA, said: “We are all deeply saddened to lose such an iconic animal at Banham Zoo. Kuzma truly was one of a kind and will be sorely missed by all.”
Our thoughts and thanks are with our keepers and veterinary team who provided Kuzma with the best possible care and love. We are grateful for the memories he left behind.
These photos were taken by keeper Holly.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
What a shame. He was a lovely animal and fantastic to watch. I visited recently and he was such a focus for visitors.
Really sad time for the keepers and the zoo. It’s great he was able to spend nearly all his life in one place and left the lovely cubs to succeed him.
Andrew Ling
Member
He was an amazing gentle giant, full of character loved to roll and amazing Dad to Kira and Luka. He was placid with his new family and tolerated so many bites to legs and neck, not once snapping back. He will be very sadly missed and loved. RiP big Man x
Lafone
Well-Known Member
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I personally like to think the reason Kuzma was such a great, gentle father to all his cubs, not just Luka and Kira, was because he himself had a really good relationship with his own father when he was a cub himself.
He was truly one of a kind, and it won't be the same without him.
He was truly one of a kind, and it won't be the same without him.
Banham is planning to keep more native animals: Norfolk's Banham Zoo plans more native species - BBC News
Lafone
Well-Known Member
That's a great idea and look forward to seeing that, the opportunity to visit exotics and native wildlife in a single place as nice as Banham would be awesome.
Banham have sent out an email regarding their vision for 2030, lots of interesting plans, hopefully all will come to fruition. Small amount happening at Africa Alive too but not on the scale of Banham.
Copy and pasted the email here:
Our mission is to Preserve Wild Futures by protecting endangered species, inspiring and engaging with the fascination of nature, and to spark a life long interest in people of all ages to help us protect the rich diversity of our precious world.
We want Banham Zoo and Africa Alive to be places where our members can continue to connect peacefully with animals from around the world, whilst also understand and enjoy native wildlife, flora and fauna in our green open spaces, improving your wellbeing.
Our Five Key Aims
Grow the proportion of native and international species at our zoo with targeted conservation action to more than 80% over the next 10 years.
Develop the Native Haven of the East through a major programme of grant funding capital investment and create world class education centre of National significance.
Engage and Connect with more than 1 million visitors and members per annum at Banham Zoological Gardens and 500,00 visitors and member per annum at Africa Alive Zoological Reserve.
Inspire and Create conservationist of the future by delivering an immersive educational experience for school children and students with particular focus on native species to Great Britain.
Become a carbon-neutral organisation and achieve a positive overall life-cycle impact.
The Native Haven of the East Project at Banham Zoo
It comes at a time when there is heightened concern for nature, following warnings from David Attenborough that ‘nature is in crisis’ and the launch of RSPB Scotland and WWF Scotland’s Save our Wild Isles campaign.
The Native Haven Project will offer:
• A diverse range of native landscapes that work harmoniously together incorporating native breeding programmes for release
• Blend with our existing amazing International animals
• Create new outdoor play areas around the zoo
• Create new indoor buildings making our site weatherproof all year round
• Create new facilities making the site accessible for all
• Create new facilities to build regional skills focused on sustainability and conservation
• Utilise unused spaces on the 50-acre site, by creating a new Native Haven of British Isles Trail around the outer perimeter
• Be part of a reinvention programme to become a sustainable and modern zoo
What will the Native Trail include?
The new trail will take visitors on an interconnected journey around the British Isles, where they will be educated and inspired around conservation concern from the East of England to the wilds of Scotland, whilst also being able to continue to enjoy the amazing International endangered species which already call the zoo home.
It will celebrate incredibly diverse landscapes, habitats and biodiversity found across the UK, featuring new indoor and outdoor experiences such as:
• A Temperate Celtic rainforest Dome
• The Magical Underground Centre where technology will be used to create an immersive experience exploring mycelium networks and sub ground habitats, alongside essential nocturnal breeding programmes
• A Forest Bug school in the trees
• A Norfolk brick Garden of Eden, focusing on endangered Invertebrates and native flowers
• New play areas for children of different ages and needs
• Sustainable ‘Night in Nature’ accommodation overlooking our majestic giraffes
• A Walled garden with a butterfly house
• The Skills and research hub providing learning and skills opportunities to support with retaining talent within the region and enabling people to become advocates of our planet to help secure its future
How long will it take?
We envisage the project will take 10 years to fully complete and each project will be taken step by step to avoid disruption to both our amazing animals and our amazing visitors who support our mission.
From Autumn 2023, we will be showcasing a trail around our site which will detail the future development plans.
What is happening at Africa Alive?
We are currently formulating our plans at Africa Alive and will release these fully to our members later this year.
Due to the rich biodiversity and positioning on the coastline beside other nature reserves, its location provides the ideal location for the reintroduction of native species, and future collaborations would enable us to:
• Grow the number of International amazing animals through breeding programs
• Protect and release, where appropriate, native endangered species
• Create employment opportunities within the local area
• Contribute to regeneration of the local economy through tourism
• Empower future generations about sustainability
• Create a peaceful environment to connect in nature
Copy and pasted the email here:
Our mission is to Preserve Wild Futures by protecting endangered species, inspiring and engaging with the fascination of nature, and to spark a life long interest in people of all ages to help us protect the rich diversity of our precious world.
We want Banham Zoo and Africa Alive to be places where our members can continue to connect peacefully with animals from around the world, whilst also understand and enjoy native wildlife, flora and fauna in our green open spaces, improving your wellbeing.
Our Five Key Aims
Grow the proportion of native and international species at our zoo with targeted conservation action to more than 80% over the next 10 years.
Develop the Native Haven of the East through a major programme of grant funding capital investment and create world class education centre of National significance.
Engage and Connect with more than 1 million visitors and members per annum at Banham Zoological Gardens and 500,00 visitors and member per annum at Africa Alive Zoological Reserve.
Inspire and Create conservationist of the future by delivering an immersive educational experience for school children and students with particular focus on native species to Great Britain.
Become a carbon-neutral organisation and achieve a positive overall life-cycle impact.
The Native Haven of the East Project at Banham Zoo
It comes at a time when there is heightened concern for nature, following warnings from David Attenborough that ‘nature is in crisis’ and the launch of RSPB Scotland and WWF Scotland’s Save our Wild Isles campaign.
The Native Haven Project will offer:
• A diverse range of native landscapes that work harmoniously together incorporating native breeding programmes for release
• Blend with our existing amazing International animals
• Create new outdoor play areas around the zoo
• Create new indoor buildings making our site weatherproof all year round
• Create new facilities making the site accessible for all
• Create new facilities to build regional skills focused on sustainability and conservation
• Utilise unused spaces on the 50-acre site, by creating a new Native Haven of British Isles Trail around the outer perimeter
• Be part of a reinvention programme to become a sustainable and modern zoo
What will the Native Trail include?
The new trail will take visitors on an interconnected journey around the British Isles, where they will be educated and inspired around conservation concern from the East of England to the wilds of Scotland, whilst also being able to continue to enjoy the amazing International endangered species which already call the zoo home.
It will celebrate incredibly diverse landscapes, habitats and biodiversity found across the UK, featuring new indoor and outdoor experiences such as:
• A Temperate Celtic rainforest Dome
• The Magical Underground Centre where technology will be used to create an immersive experience exploring mycelium networks and sub ground habitats, alongside essential nocturnal breeding programmes
• A Forest Bug school in the trees
• A Norfolk brick Garden of Eden, focusing on endangered Invertebrates and native flowers
• New play areas for children of different ages and needs
• Sustainable ‘Night in Nature’ accommodation overlooking our majestic giraffes
• A Walled garden with a butterfly house
• The Skills and research hub providing learning and skills opportunities to support with retaining talent within the region and enabling people to become advocates of our planet to help secure its future
How long will it take?
We envisage the project will take 10 years to fully complete and each project will be taken step by step to avoid disruption to both our amazing animals and our amazing visitors who support our mission.
From Autumn 2023, we will be showcasing a trail around our site which will detail the future development plans.
What is happening at Africa Alive?
We are currently formulating our plans at Africa Alive and will release these fully to our members later this year.
Due to the rich biodiversity and positioning on the coastline beside other nature reserves, its location provides the ideal location for the reintroduction of native species, and future collaborations would enable us to:
• Grow the number of International amazing animals through breeding programs
• Protect and release, where appropriate, native endangered species
• Create employment opportunities within the local area
• Contribute to regeneration of the local economy through tourism
• Empower future generations about sustainability
• Create a peaceful environment to connect in nature
ZooAtHome
Well-Known Member
This sounds interesting and a bit different!
Banham Zoo have released on their Facebook page a map showing what the zoo looks like currently, and what will be changed as part of the Native Haven project (aimed to be complete by 2035). These are the areas and changes I can see:
Proposed area A: East of England - currently unused land behind the outdoor theatre (which will remain in place)
Proposed area B: Magic Underground - on unused land between zebras and giraffes
Proposed area C: Garden of Eden and Butterfly House - on current llama paddock
Proposed area D: Wetland and Bird Zone - on land that includes current sitatunga paddock
Proposed area E: Wilds of Scotland - on currently unused land near to gelada paddock
Proposed area F: Celtic Rainforest Biodome - on land behind tropical house
Apart from area D, all the other areas will incorporate new indoor areas. The animals mentioned are crayfish (area A) and butterflies (area C); area E will include a new bug school, but I am unclear if this will house live animals.
Also, the farm barn will be replaced with a new welcome play area, with the farm barn moving to the bottom of the zoo, behind the giraffes.
Because of the developments, some animals will be moving. These are the changes I could find:
- Llamas will move into a new paddock next to the new farm barn, behind the giraffes.
- Meerkats and wallabies will get new enclosures near the red pandas and otters, adjacent to area E.
- Prairie marmots will get a new enclosure below the Sri Lankan leopards.
- Sitatunga are not named on the new map, but the zebra paddock has been renamed as Moorland Area mixed species enclosure (including zebras), so they could end up there.
- Unfortunately, it does seem that quite a few aviaries will be removed, without any replacement elsewhere in the zoo.
This map, also on the zoo's Facebook page, is the source of all the information:
Proposed area A: East of England - currently unused land behind the outdoor theatre (which will remain in place)
Proposed area B: Magic Underground - on unused land between zebras and giraffes
Proposed area C: Garden of Eden and Butterfly House - on current llama paddock
Proposed area D: Wetland and Bird Zone - on land that includes current sitatunga paddock
Proposed area E: Wilds of Scotland - on currently unused land near to gelada paddock
Proposed area F: Celtic Rainforest Biodome - on land behind tropical house
Apart from area D, all the other areas will incorporate new indoor areas. The animals mentioned are crayfish (area A) and butterflies (area C); area E will include a new bug school, but I am unclear if this will house live animals.
Also, the farm barn will be replaced with a new welcome play area, with the farm barn moving to the bottom of the zoo, behind the giraffes.
Because of the developments, some animals will be moving. These are the changes I could find:
- Llamas will move into a new paddock next to the new farm barn, behind the giraffes.
- Meerkats and wallabies will get new enclosures near the red pandas and otters, adjacent to area E.
- Prairie marmots will get a new enclosure below the Sri Lankan leopards.
- Sitatunga are not named on the new map, but the zebra paddock has been renamed as Moorland Area mixed species enclosure (including zebras), so they could end up there.
- Unfortunately, it does seem that quite a few aviaries will be removed, without any replacement elsewhere in the zoo.
This map, also on the zoo's Facebook page, is the source of all the information:
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Good day out at Banham today and nice to catch up with @TNT again! Good weather, chilly but the rain mostly held off. Sixth zoo so far this week and still a few days holiday to go.
Same bird flu precautions in place as previous visit with the flamingoes off the lake and the penguins closed off. The ring tailed lemur walkthrough is still having work done - should be looking good when it’s finished.
Was nice to wander around and look over at the areas being targeted for the expansion now the map has been published - it’ll make for a bigger footprint but still not massive so should be a great balance.
The sun conures were making a real noise in the tropical house - I don’t recall them being in there on my last visit but they might have just been quieter.
Lots of animals in their outside enclosures enjoying the spring weather including the blue eyes and bamboo lemurs and the Saki monkeys, Siamang and gelada. The young Saki was off mum briefly so got some good views there. I’d seen it inside on my previous visit so was great to get some photos. Both leopards were very active as were the tigers and small cats. Don’t get to see sea lions on two consecutive zoo visit days much so that was fun. The prairie dogs were very busy gathering bedding for their burrows - it would be great to see youngsters again this year.
Was sad not to see Kuzma the male tiger who died recently - judging by the visitors commenting on his absence at the enclosure, he is much missed.
This is such a good time of year for zoo trips all round though - pretty good weather, not too hot for the animals meaning lots of activity and not too crowded.
Same bird flu precautions in place as previous visit with the flamingoes off the lake and the penguins closed off. The ring tailed lemur walkthrough is still having work done - should be looking good when it’s finished.
Was nice to wander around and look over at the areas being targeted for the expansion now the map has been published - it’ll make for a bigger footprint but still not massive so should be a great balance.
The sun conures were making a real noise in the tropical house - I don’t recall them being in there on my last visit but they might have just been quieter.
Lots of animals in their outside enclosures enjoying the spring weather including the blue eyes and bamboo lemurs and the Saki monkeys, Siamang and gelada. The young Saki was off mum briefly so got some good views there. I’d seen it inside on my previous visit so was great to get some photos. Both leopards were very active as were the tigers and small cats. Don’t get to see sea lions on two consecutive zoo visit days much so that was fun. The prairie dogs were very busy gathering bedding for their burrows - it would be great to see youngsters again this year.
Was sad not to see Kuzma the male tiger who died recently - judging by the visitors commenting on his absence at the enclosure, he is much missed.
This is such a good time of year for zoo trips all round though - pretty good weather, not too hot for the animals meaning lots of activity and not too crowded.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Email to Banham / Africa alive members about the opening of the new wallaby walkthrough at Banham. Members tours at 1030 / 1430 tomorrow.
Marks the redevelopment of the former lemur walkthrough with new wallabies joining the collection. Not sure which sub species and whether there are more than one type.
I did enjoy the lemur walkthrough but weather wise there was a fair amount of time with nothing to see in the space so wallabies should be a bit more present for the visitors.
“We have some very exciting news!
We’re delighted to announce our brand-new Wallaby Walkthrough at Banham Zoo! As a member, we would love for you to join us for an exclusive early access event before it's grand opening.
Join us tomorrow, Sunday 30th May for a first-look walkthrough accompanied by a ZSEA Ranger. You'll be introduced to our new arrivals and will have the opportunity to learn a bit more about them.
The guided walks will take place at 10:30am and 2:00pm. Meet outside Wallaby Walkthrough (formally the Lemur Walkthrough) shortly before one of these sessions.”
Marks the redevelopment of the former lemur walkthrough with new wallabies joining the collection. Not sure which sub species and whether there are more than one type.
I did enjoy the lemur walkthrough but weather wise there was a fair amount of time with nothing to see in the space so wallabies should be a bit more present for the visitors.
“We have some very exciting news!
We’re delighted to announce our brand-new Wallaby Walkthrough at Banham Zoo! As a member, we would love for you to join us for an exclusive early access event before it's grand opening.
Join us tomorrow, Sunday 30th May for a first-look walkthrough accompanied by a ZSEA Ranger. You'll be introduced to our new arrivals and will have the opportunity to learn a bit more about them.
The guided walks will take place at 10:30am and 2:00pm. Meet outside Wallaby Walkthrough (formally the Lemur Walkthrough) shortly before one of these sessions.”
They're Parma Wallabies. A total of four males and two females, I believe. They've come from Folly Farm and Cotswold Wildlife Park.
Other 2023 News:
On January 30th, the zoo announced that they acquired a (0.0.1) axolotl which is now on exhibit in the Discovery Centre.
New species! We are delighted to announce a new species here at Banham Zoological Gardens – the axolotl! The axolotl is a paedomorphic salamander... | By Banham Zoo | Facebook
On March 11th, the zoo announced that they transferred a (0.1) coppery titi monkey named Zaria to the Jersey Zoo in Jersey.
Log into Facebook
On April 2nd, the zoo announced that they acquired (1.1) cotton-top tamarins named Barnard and Bee from Parc Zoologique de la Palmyre in France and Welsh Mountain Zoo in Wales respectively which are now on exhibit.
Banham Zoo
On April 13th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (0.1) pygmy marmoset named Chewie to the Dudley Zoo in the West Midlands.
Hello Chewie! – Dudley Zoo and Castle
On April 26th, the zoo announced that its flamingo walkthrough exhibit is back open to the public following the lifting of the avian influenza restrictions.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=612021080970063&set=a.554731850032320
On January 30th, the zoo announced that they acquired a (0.0.1) axolotl which is now on exhibit in the Discovery Centre.
New species! We are delighted to announce a new species here at Banham Zoological Gardens – the axolotl! The axolotl is a paedomorphic salamander... | By Banham Zoo | Facebook
On March 11th, the zoo announced that they transferred a (0.1) coppery titi monkey named Zaria to the Jersey Zoo in Jersey.
Log into Facebook
On April 2nd, the zoo announced that they acquired (1.1) cotton-top tamarins named Barnard and Bee from Parc Zoologique de la Palmyre in France and Welsh Mountain Zoo in Wales respectively which are now on exhibit.
Banham Zoo
On April 13th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (0.1) pygmy marmoset named Chewie to the Dudley Zoo in the West Midlands.
Hello Chewie! – Dudley Zoo and Castle
On April 26th, the zoo announced that its flamingo walkthrough exhibit is back open to the public following the lifting of the avian influenza restrictions.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=612021080970063&set=a.554731850032320
Three Amur tiger cubs have been born:
https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2023-05-03/endangered-tiger-cubs-born-just-weeks-after-dads-death
Three endangered tiger cubs have been born at a zoo, just weeks after their father died.
The unnamed babies were welcomed by mum Mishka on Monday.
From 11 May, the zoo will install a new viewing area for visitors to see the cubs from a safe distance.
https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2023-05-03/endangered-tiger-cubs-born-just-weeks-after-dads-death
Three endangered tiger cubs have been born at a zoo, just weeks after their father died.
The unnamed babies were welcomed by mum Mishka on Monday.
From 11 May, the zoo will install a new viewing area for visitors to see the cubs from a safe distance.
Alwaysevergreen
Well-Known Member
Great news, is it known, how old they are ? I presume, this will be why Luka was moved on so quickly to Africa Alive.
According to the article, the cubs were born Monday and there are plans to introduce them to their older sister in the coming weeks.
Armadillo birth:
It was also mentioned in the article above an armadillo was born:
The cubs are not the only new arrivals at the zoo. Banham's resident armadillo, Melanie, has also recently welcomed a pup with dad Pedro.
Melanie, a mother of four, was described as a "very experienced" mother.