West Midland Safari and Leisure Park 'Big' news from West Midlands

Bwassa

Bwassa

Well-Known Member
We were at West Midland last week, and there was a lot of building activity going on in the Asian Reserve.
The centre of the exhibit, (roughly centre, outwards from the Spotted Deer enclosure) was fenced off and banners were up stating a new exhibit coming in 2010. There was a pattern behind the lettering, and when we got closer, I noticed it was a close-up of the skin of an Indian Rhino !
So, it appears that a new paddock is being constructed within the reserve along similar lines to the White Rhino area on the left as you leave the safari drive.
Exciting times, although I seem to remember reading that West Midland couldn't get any Indian Rhino in a thread last year, I think.
The pair of Grevy's Zebras were out in the African Reserve with the rest of the Zebras.
The Cape Buffalos were back in their boma, with a calf. It looked as though there were 1 male; 2 females and the calf, who is starting to lose his/her red colouration.
The park seems to have moved from keeping South African Fur Seals to keeping Californian Sealions.
The Reptile House is now home to 2 young Cuban Crocodiles. They are in the exhibit opposite the Anaconda, that previously held Spectacled Caiman. They look about 4 feet long. Couldn't see anyone about to ask where they came from, or if they were a breeding pair.
 
Indian Rhino! There going up in the zoo world wonder where they will source them from? :D :D Definetly making a trip to see them next year!
 
I went for the first time this year today:
- as already mention they have two cuban crocodiles (I was supirsed how small they were). Is west midlands the biggest collection of crocodilians? they do have 4 species.
- saw white lion cubs playing around
- The new enclosure in the asian reserve had a big trench around it. I didn't recognise the pattern as rhino skin though :o
- Amur leoaprds still pacing in their frankly disgraceful enclosure that can only be described as a hell hole :mad: . such magnificant cats deserve so much betetr than a glass box crowded with people and filled with a few clumps of bamboo and a climbing frame. It is disgusting in the most severe use of the word.
The hippo heard is without a male although quite active and I'm pleased to say the pool looked reasonably clear and no longer had that putrid stench erupting from its vile gloopy depths.
 
Paulkarli08 said:
Edinburgh Zoo maybe? They have 2:0, possibly wanting to move one of these on?
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Doubt it. Edinburgh won't be getting a female until there new exibit is built. Doesn't seem much point in moving a male until they are ready for a female. What are the current numbers at Whipsnade?
 
foz said:
Is west midlands the biggest collection of crocodilians? they do have 4 species.
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No a couple of other collection also have 4 species:
these are
Paignton:Nile,Cuban and Salt Water Crocs and Cuviers Dwarf Caiman
Thrigby:Mugger,Salt Water Croc,American and Chinese Alligator(although the later is off-show)

Also there is at least 1 private collection with at least 3 more species than West Midlands have.
 
Bwassa said:
We were at West Midland last week, and there was a lot of building activity going on in the Asian Reserve.
The centre of the exhibit, (roughly centre, outwards from the Spotted Deer enclosure) was fenced off and banners were up stating a new exhibit coming in 2010. There was a pattern behind the lettering, and when we got closer, I noticed it was a close-up of the skin of an Indian Rhino !
So, it appears that a new paddock is being constructed within the reserve along similar lines to the White Rhino area on the left as you leave the safari drive.
Exciting times, although I seem to remember reading that West Midland couldn't get any Indian Rhino in a thread last year, I think.
The pair of Grevy's Zebras were out in the African Reserve with the rest of the Zebras.
The Cape Buffalos were back in their boma, with a calf. It looked as though there were 1 male; 2 females and the calf, who is starting to lose his/her red colouration.
The park seems to have moved from keeping South African Fur Seals to keeping Californian Sealions.
The Reptile House is now home to 2 young Cuban Crocodiles. They are in the exhibit opposite the Anaconda, that previously held Spectacled Caiman. They look about 4 feet long. Couldn't see anyone about to ask where they came from, or if they were a breeding pair.
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i do belive that (well wheni went in 2006) they had Calafornian sealions AND Cape (South African) Fur Seals
 
At work experience I'm sure they mentioned something about going out of African seals, so Bwassa is probably right.
 
Ash said:
At work experience I'm sure they mentioned something about going out of African seals, so Bwassa is probably right.
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why are they going out of the seals, they are the only ones in the uk arn't they?
 
I don't know why, but I doubt they're the only ones. I think Bristol keep them.
 
Ash said:
I don't know why, but I doubt they're the only ones. I think Bristol keep them.
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Bristol and Living Coasts have South American Fur Seals (Arctocephalus australis). Besides West Mids, Banham and Gweek have South African.
 
Whipsnade have 2:3 asian rhinos, but they only got a new male last year so I can't see them letting any of their females go and isn't the male calf only about to turn 2 so he'd be a bit young to move isn't he?
 
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Didn't ISIS list around 8 South African Fur Seals there a couple of years ago? Combe Martin also kept this species until recently.

So now there are just a couple at Banham and Gweek?

What 7 species of crocodilian are kept at the private collection you mention zoogiraffe? Is this the same collection that has a false gavial originally from Paignton?
 
Maguari said:
Bristol and Living Coasts have South American Fur Seals (Arctocephalus australis). Besides West Mids, Banham and Gweek have South African.
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I knew it was one of the South's lol. Thanks for that.
 
would this imply that Cape fur seals were acquired by collections either waiting for or unable to obtain californian sealions?
 
johnstoni said:
would this imply that Cape fur seals were acquired by collections either waiting for or unable to obtain californian sealions?
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California sea-lion. No 'n'

Yes. In 1972 the US introduced the Marine Mammal Protection Act that really complicated acquiring marine mammals from the US. Basically all animals post act would be considered the property of the US government and importer had to agree a Letter of Compliance. Fortunately, breeding California sea lions is very common place in Europe now.
 
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johnstoni said:
What 7 species of crocodilian are kept at the private collection you mention zoogiraffe? Is this the same collection that has a false gavial originally from Paignton?
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No this collection is not the one that has the False Gavial from Paignton,from that I take it that it`s still alive.As for the other collection pm as I will not post anymore than I have on the forum already.
 
I'm not interested in knowing what the collection is, and if you aren't in a position to speak about species then I mistook your intention when you mentioned the collection a few posts ago.
 
Stripes said:
Indian Rhino! There going up in the zoo world wonder where they will source them from?
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IF(note the IF) the new exhibit is for Indian Rhino- and the description of the Banner rather suggests it might be, possibly there has been a rethink about their suitability as new holders?

If there has, then its likely they would be offered (2) young males in the first instance- but not necessarily both from the small UK stock(as in Edinburgh's case).
 
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