Belfast Zoo Belfast Zoo News 2025
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Not news from Belfast, but Asian elephant Dhunja who moved from Belfast to Burgers' Zoo a few months ago was euthanized as her health deteriorated (including arthrose) quickly the past weeks.
The link has a short clip with footage of her in her final days and of another elephant saying goodbye to her. She was almost 52 years old.
Burgers' Zoo neemt afscheid van een olifant
The link has a short clip with footage of her in her final days and of another elephant saying goodbye to her. She was almost 52 years old.
Burgers' Zoo neemt afscheid van een olifant
Laboratory 7
Well-Known Member
I have been informed that the male lion passed away at the start of the week, leaving them with just the two females now.
Also rumours that the old sun bear enclosure will become home to a group of bush dogs.
Also certain parts of the zoo suffered significant damage during the recent storms, anything that risked the safety of the animals or public has been made safe, further work putting things right will take place when time and money allow, unless it becomes a safety issue.
Also rumours that the old sun bear enclosure will become home to a group of bush dogs.
Also certain parts of the zoo suffered significant damage during the recent storms, anything that risked the safety of the animals or public has been made safe, further work putting things right will take place when time and money allow, unless it becomes a safety issue.
He was 'Quys' who came from Port Lympne back in the day when they promoted breeding of 'Barbary Lions.' I wonder if Belfast will continue with the 'Barbary' lineage now or just treat them as generic.
cornu aspersum
Well-Known Member
The enclosure where the lions currently are is called "Kingdom of the Barbary Lion", and there is a huge focus on the lions being real Barbaries and Extinct in the Wild, so it seems like they might continue calling them this. I doubt they will continue keeping lions in the current enclosure however, since despite it being decent for the current geriatric inhabitants, it will be small for any active younger animals (and there doesn't seem to be any outdoor speration areas). Maybe some sort of smaller Panthera member or other medium/small carnivore will be kept there in the future.
Sad news he was a lovely animal to work with, well compared to his grumpy ladies!
I find it strange when they opened the new exhibit that they stuck to the Barbary lion story. We all know they aren’t pure Barbary lions and taxonomy has changed a good few years ago. I know it sounds good to the punters but it’s just selling a lie. They also touted breeding over 8 cubs. Only three of these survived all others died less than a few days old.
I agree with your comments Rohin regarding the size and practical element of keeping young breeding lions in the enclosure but I can’t see the Zoo after investing over £1m in the exhibit not continuing to keep lions in it unfortunately but I’d be happy to be proven wrong.
I find it strange when they opened the new exhibit that they stuck to the Barbary lion story. We all know they aren’t pure Barbary lions and taxonomy has changed a good few years ago. I know it sounds good to the punters but it’s just selling a lie. They also touted breeding over 8 cubs. Only three of these survived all others died less than a few days old.
I agree with your comments Rohin regarding the size and practical element of keeping young breeding lions in the enclosure but I can’t see the Zoo after investing over £1m in the exhibit not continuing to keep lions in it unfortunately but I’d be happy to be proven wrong.
I agree. Particularly with the absence of tigers from the collection and the recent departures of sun bears and elephants I don’t think Belfast can really afford to let another charismatic species leave their collection permanently regardless of their taxonomy and/or theming of the exhibit!
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Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
Castration would explain why Tumba doesn't look particularly 'male' in the photos here. I believe he was actually the product of an incestuous mating (not deliberate) with both parents (ex Twycross) carrying the chocolate gene -though I may not have this story exactly right.
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
Yes that's right, he's Pippin x Tekita, the same as Talia (though that might not be as certain as I thought). Tekita's mum was Tara, Tekita's dad was Pippin's brother, with both those males being descended from Coco at Twycross, hence Tumba's chocolate coloured coat. Later I might put up a list of the current 5 Colchester chimps, their birth dates and parents, as well as the same for 3 individuals who have passed away since the exhibit was redeveloped.
The zoo confirmed yesterday that not only has Qays (lion) passed away, but also male Visayan warty pig Malcolm, who was apparently put to sleep the same day as Qays (5 January).
Belfast Zoo | Belfast
Belfast Zoo | Belfast
There’s been no mention of him for a long time.
Andy , Lewis and Lizzie have passed away over the last few years and to be honest I was surprised the zoo hasn’t acknowledged this as they were great zoo personalities.
I have mixed emotions about this move. In one sense I’m sure the introduction of the two males if successful will bring some added dynamics and enrichment to the all female group and the zoo does have some very experienced ape keepers who I’m sure will make the best decisions regarding a safe introductory process. However if it doesn’t go well the house itself isn’t really built for managing two separate groups. I imagine they will give access through some of the back bedroom and alternate access to outside paddock. They previously had to do this when the floor
was replaced a few years back.
My main concern is the direction the zoo is moving towards. I would have thought the future they should be converting the existing ape house for one of the ape species in the long term. We can see most zoos especially with the gorilla EEP insisting on space for two groups etc. and providing multiple indoor areas would allow for better management of the current gorilla group which seems to be struggling to successfully breed.
I have mixed emotions about this move. In one sense I’m sure the introduction of the two males if successful will bring some added dynamics and enrichment to the all female group and the zoo does have some very experienced ape keepers who I’m sure will make the best decisions regarding a safe introductory process. However if it doesn’t go well the house itself isn’t really built for managing two separate groups. I imagine they will give access through some of the back bedroom and alternate access to outside paddock. They previously had to do this when the floor
was replaced a few years back.
My main concern is the direction the zoo is moving towards. I would have thought the future they should be converting the existing ape house for one of the ape species in the long term. We can see most zoos especially with the gorilla EEP insisting on space for two groups etc. and providing multiple indoor areas would allow for better management of the current gorilla group which seems to be struggling to successfully breed.
@Al, my esteemed friend, I just have a lot of reservations (as you probably have ..) over this move. From a curatorial zoo management perspective ... it does not make sense. Personally, I do not think much good will come of it as you say ..., and it would be best if the zoo create a one species great ape exhibit in accordance with EAZA guidelines / criteria for both breeding group and bachelor troupe.
As for the rest of the collection, I suppose we both are in agreement ..., that the zoo on current evidence and with its director (at odds with modern concepts of zoo management ... ahum) is in a totally off the scale trajectory. I truly am sad and long back to the days Belfast Zoo actually looked an inspiring zoo facilitiy to be heading into.
In the short term it allows Colchester to get in a breeding situation and if successful enriches the Belfast groups lives so I do understand the rational to an extent but I just feel Belfast is stuck in this state of uncertainty and just treading water and I feel for the those dedicated staff and the animals in their care.
There certainly has been a shift in the zoos direction and reputation. I had hoped that the decline of the collection would lead to a more harmonious working environment and improved health and safety and welfare for staff and the collection but last years events suggest this is far from the case.
There certainly has been a shift in the zoos direction and reputation. I had hoped that the decline of the collection would lead to a more harmonious working environment and improved health and safety and welfare for staff and the collection but last years events suggest this is far from the case.
As far as I’m aware Baako is still in the group and his mother has not yet had another baby since (again I’m not aware of any pregnancies/births or losses but that’s not to say there hasn’t been any)
Kamali had had her second baby who seems to be doing well and her first with Gugas, Kibibi has left a few years ago.
Namoki had successfully reared Grace for around a year I think before she tragically died but again I’m unaware of any further pregnancies etc
They are certainly a very genetically important group so it would be great to see some expansion and future births!