Banham Zoo Banham Zoo News

Had a nice return to Banham yesterday, with my most recent visit being June 2022. A few highlights from a good day:
  • I was lucky enough to see all of the big cat individuals throughout the day: -The Amur Tiger family were a lot of fun to see with the cubs playing around and chasing each other in their flooded enclosure, attracting a lot of onlookers and exciting moments also when mum Mishka walked past the window. -Good views of the Sri Lankan Leopard father and son pair, but the individual out in the main enclosure was pacing back and forth a bit, but I don't think it is too unusual and he was exploring the centre of the enclosure more later on. -Both Cheetahs (including Shaka who arrived from sister zoo Africa Alive in November) were quite visible throughout the day. -Snow Leopard Shen spent time on top of his house as well as inside the house a while later.
  • Not long after arriving the Maned Wolves were very active trotting around their enclosure, quite possibly in anticipation of food.
  • It was cool to be able to see Cheetah Shaka, as well as the juvenile Somali Wild Ass that I have seen previously at Africa Alive (shortly before either of them moved) and the South American Fur Seal pair that I saw on their last on show day at Bristol Zoo)
  • The fur seals were making good use of their new pool and hopefully they have a great future at Banham.
  • The spider monkey family were showing off all 3 babies at the front of their enclosure and it was nice to see the whole family interacting with the infants sparking delight in visitors at the enclosure, also the previous Siamang enclosure next door has now been taken over by a small group of Ring-tailed Lemurs.
  • It was really cool to see the Black Howler Monkeys in action and living up to their name at the top of the trees they have access to, attracting quite a crowd in the process. Truly one of the best displays at Banham Zoo.
  • In Penguin Cove the circular grassy area surrounded by walkway was blocked off for access by the penguins, I also noticed more netting lower down in the aviary than last time, almost at head hight. It was interesting to see an individual who was missing an eye who I'm not sure I noticed on my last visit but was getting along fine walking around the beach area.
  • Yesterday marked my first time in the tropical house as it was closed in June 2022, and I was impressed by it. However, whilst I was walking around the building, Sloth Arlo (who celebrated his 7th birthday at the weekend) was getting up to all sorts of misbehaviour by climbing around the roof of the Tropical House, as a keeper called his name from below waiting for him to come down to take part in an experience with a visitor.
 
Rajang-GOAT said:
the previous Siamang enclosure next door has now been taken over by a small group of Ring-tailed Lemurs.
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If it was just two lemurs, these will be the pair that were used previously in the Amazing Animals Display. As this has now ended due to cuts at the zoo, many of the animals are now being re-homed or moved to other locations within the zoo.
 
TNT said:
If it was just two lemurs, these will be the pair that were used previously in the Amazing Animals Display. As this has now ended due to cuts at the zoo, many of the animals are now being re-homed or moved to other locations within the zoo.
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Didn't properly look at them, but there certainly wasn't many and it has already been suggested to me that these were from the display, a shame that it has been brought to an end especially after the Wild Displays at Colchester being stopped a few years ago for reasons of a different nature. Am I right in thinking I wasn't able to get as far to the right of the Vulture aviary as I did last time also?
 
Article on the new South American fur seals:

Banham Zoo in Norfolk Welcomes New South American Fur Seal Duo, Aiming to Shine a Light on Conservation

The integration of Pablo and Toro into Banham Zoo marks a significant milestone following the closure of Sea Lion Bay, a decision prompted by the heart-wrenching loss of Filippa, a 24-year-old Californian sea lion, and the subsequent relocation of another sea lion, Gala, to Woburn Safari Park.

This transition not only symbolizes a fresh start but also highlights the zoo's unwavering commitment to providing a sanctuary for marine life and educating the public about the importance of marine conservation.

Full article in link.
 
Statement from the zoo earlier this afternoon:


"We're sorry to announce the loss of cheetah Shaka, who spent time over the years at both Banham Zoo and Africa Alive. Shaka had been showing signs of old age, and despite veterinary treatment, sadly there was nothing that could be done for him and the kindest thing was to say goodbye.

He'll be missed by all of us at the zoo, but our thoughts are particularly with our keepers at this time, who so lovingly cared for him over the years."


My sympathies to all the keepers who worked with him over the years- large cats have never been a particular interest of mine but always been fond of cheetahs and he was such a handsome cat. Having lost their previous snow leopards last year and now Shaka, I’m acutely aware of how tough a time this must be for anyone who works with the cats and all are in my thoughts.
 
Strathmorezoo said:
Banham and Africa Alive and have appointed new interim CEO Ian Bartlett ,previous roles include CEO of Longleat
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Wonder how he will change tact and direction (and re-inspire staff) at Banham/Africa Alive.

(Longleat is not what I particularly view as to be a very forward looking collection)
 
george.h.martin said:
Banham zoo have announced a female margay has arrived from port lympe to join there current male this is one of 6 new animals that Banham will announce over the coming days
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Nice news. Banham also teased the other animals in an image, looks like another red panda, one of the ruffed black and white lemur (possibly from Africa Alive), small clawed otter, what seems to be a pied tamarin and some other cat, perhaps cheetah. Good to see more animals coming along.

434376270_826431872862315_1688037053502164081_n.jpg
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Wonder how he will change tact and direction (and re-inspire staff) at Banham/Africa Alive.

(Longleat is not what I particularly view as to be a very forward looking collection)
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I was impressed by Longleat's collection when I went a few years ago. There are some rarities such as Kinkajou, Prehensile Tailed Porcupine, Fennec Fox and Wombat on display you don't come across everywhere plus the only Koalas of that particular subspecies in Britain
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Longleat is not what I particularly view as to be a very forward looking collection
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Certainly an interesting view to take given Longleat's constant and often unique developments as others have noted.

I'd say that building a custom elephant house knowing the current inhabitant won't be much of an attraction and intending to get a larger herd once she passes is fairly forward looking.

Hopefully the new appointment brings the Longleat momentum of a new flagship exhibit and some sort of upgrade every year over to Banham.
 
Piece of March 2024 News Not Mentioned:

On March 20th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) white-faced saki monkey was born on February 20th.

Banham Zoo

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Baringogiraffe12 said:
Female snow leopard 'Aurora' due to arrive soon from Thrigby Hall to join resident male, Shen.
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On April 1st, the zoo announced that they will acquire a (0.1) snow leopard which will be on display later in the spring.

Banham Zoo
 
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