Belfast Zoo Belfast Zoo News 2023

Does anyone know if the 10 year old male Gorilla 'Baaku' is still living in the group, or alone now?
 
Red panda cub born back in June.

Belfast Zoo

I was at the zoo for a couple of hours today with the following notes:
  • I went to see the lions' new enclosure, which has not just more space, but also more features like logs, rocks and a shelter, though I'm not so keen on the concrete behind the viewing windows. The lions were in their house; one of the lionesses was resting while Qays and the other lioness were looking at the visitors.
  • I popped into the rainforest house to check if the fruit bats were still there, as they're still listed on the zoo's website whereas Zootierliste list the zoo as a former holding. I couldn't see any bats, so I guess they have left (unless they're off show, but that might not be the case).
  • I saw the spot-necked otter for the first time! I've always been unlucky trying to see it so this was a major highlight.
  • I saw Bora outside briefly in the sun bear enclosure, and I noticed Indera's sign has been taken down now that he's left.
  • The cheetah is in the enclosure next to the gorillas, where the lion-tailed macaques (later colobus) used to be. All of the climbing structures in that enclosure are gone, and there are now at least two wooden platforms and a shelter for the cheetah.
  • In response to Pertinax's post above, I can confirm that Baako is still there. His sign was up and I saw him outside with Namoki.
  • The rhea are now in the old maned wolf enclosure (no. 27 on the map). I saw one rhea at the top of the enclosure.
  • Red-footed tortoises were in the Monkey house, in where the red howler monkeys used to be (the howlers are apparently no longer there as Zootierliste will tell you, but again are still listed on the zoo's website).
  • I also saw a flamingo chick among the flock.
I will upload some photos later on.
 
Forgot to mention, I noticed there seemed to be a side extension of the spider monkeys' house, made of fencing with poles and ropes inside. I assume this is for keeping individuals separate when necessary?
 
I am curious how the conditions at Belfast were poor? It never looked too different from a lot of other elephant enclosures I've seen. Apparently it was said by the BIAZA though according to the article. I am also wary about moving two old cows to another country...

This leaves us with 10 zoos left in the UK with elephants (5 of each species) but with Howletts' herd departing to Kenya in the near future and Blair Drummond and Longleat only having singletons it seems this will only keep going down.
 
It's always a bit risky to move elderly elephants, so it's an interesting decision to shift them to Burgers' Zoo in the Netherlands.

Here's the first outdoor area at Belfast Zoo for the two females:

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@MagpieGoose

Second, larger yard:

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@MagpieGoose

Indoor area:

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@MagpieGoose
 
Alwaysevergreen said:
Does it actually say when they are leaving ?
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Presumably once arrangements have been made and the Elephants are reliably crate trained. I'd be very surprised if the move was undertaken before the Spring now. Particularly with red tape/paperwork and health checks etc for moving them out the continent. These large animal moves take months (sometimes years) to arrange
 
The enclosure at Burgers' is quite a bit larger, and was purpose-built for elderly cows, I believe, so it's a good idea in that regard. But I agree that the process of transporting them could be difficult...
 
I have visited both zoos and I dont believe the outdoor enclosure in Burgers is larger then in Belfast. And Burgers only has one outdoor yard which needs to be seperated by hotwire if new elephants arrive, which is not an ideal siuation. Socially its good to bring these two pairs of old ladys together so that no one is alone in case one of them dies. But the Belfast females wont have more space then they have now.
 
I believe the reason given previously was that Anne is not acclimated to other elephants so they are waiting until she dies before taking on others.
Shame London couldn't put their old house back into its intended use but would probably not meet current management criteria anyway.
 
GaryA said:
I believe the reason given previously was that Anne is not acclimated to other elephants so they are waiting until she dies before taking on others.
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True, with the greatest respect to Anne though if I recall from an episode of Animal Park from a few years ago the keepers had said her health charts had now “plateaued” and she was now on a slow decline. It’s a shame that Belfast couldn’t have held out for a bit longer. Compared to the destinations mentioned, Longleats space and facilities are essentially a blank canvas.
 
GaryA said:
I believe the reason given previously was that Anne is not acclimated to other elephants so they are waiting until she dies before taking on others.
Shame London couldn't put their old house back into its intended use but would probably not meet current management criteria anyway.
Click to expand...
I think it's for the best that elephants will never be kept in the Casson again.
 
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