Bristol Zoo (Closed) Bristol Zoo news 2017

It is with great sadness that we announce that Nato, our male pygmy hippo, has died.
Zoo vets had been treating Nato to ease pain and discomfort from suspected arthritis. He also underwent surgery in 2013 for skin cancer (melanoma). Our mammal keepers and vet team had been closely monitoring his condition, however, due to the advanced nature of his illnesses and recent deterioration of his health, the decision was made for him to be put to sleep, aged 37.

John Partridge, senior curator of animals at Bristol Zoo, said: “Nato arrived at Bristol Zoo in 2001 from Whipsnade Zoo and was a much-loved animal with a lovely, confident personality. Over the past year or so we have seen a general deterioration in his condition despite extensive veterinary treatment and intense keeper care. It was therefore decided by all those working with him that it was time to let him go. This is a very upsetting time for our keepers and we know you will all share in our sadness.

“Pygmy hippos have an average life expectancy in captivity of 35-40 years so he has done very well to reach the grand age of 37 years. He will be sorely missed by all of us at Bristol Zoo and by many visitors who come to see him.”
Nato was born at Barcelona Zoo in December 1979 before being moved to Whipsnade Zoo in June 1990.

He recently became father to Hugo, Bristol Zoo’s five-month-old pygmy hippo calf and has sired seven surviving offspring in his lifetime; including two who were born at Bristol Zoo. He had 13 grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren.
Zoo staff will contact the co-ordinator of this important breeding programme to inform them of this sad event and will be making plans to receive a male pygmy hippo in due course as a new breeding partner for Sirana, Bristol Zoo’s breeding female pygmy hippo, who is currently with calf.
It is important to ensure that Bristol Zoo continues to contribute to the programme for this critically endangered species, although the arrival of a new male may be delayed until Sirana’s current calf is moved on as part of the European breeding programme.
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The latest avian flu map by DEFRA indicates that Bristol Zoo is still in an avian flu zone, meaning safety measures are likely to continue for the time being.
 
Such a shame about Nato, I hadn't heard the news before reading this. I was lucky enough to work with him during work experience at the zoo last year, he was a lovely creature and you could tell he enjoyed interacting with the keepers; I'm sure he will be missed.
 
Visited on Sunday and noted the Eastern Quoll are no longer on show in the Nocturnal House, (or have left the collection) they been replaced with a second exhibit of Ground Cuscus
 
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matthew said:
Visited on Sunday and noted the Eastern Quoll are no longer on show in the Nocturnal House, (or have left the collection) they been replaced with a second exhibit of Ground Cuscus
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Will be such a shame if they have left the collection! They are one of my favorite animals to see when i visit..... Hopefully they are just off show; the zoo has 2/3 enclosure out the back that the public cant see,so they could be there... but im pretty sure they have mouse lemur and Slow Loris occupying those enclosures at the moment.
 
Given their very short lifespan, the animals from Leipzig are most likely dead now. Did the species ever breed at Bristol?
 
Swampy said:
Given their very short lifespan, the animals from Leipzig are most likely dead now. Did the species ever breed at Bristol?
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If you are referring to the Quolls, no I don't think they ever bred.
 
giant_anteater said:
Visited today. Still probably my favourite zoo in the country. Good news is that the quolls have already returned. They were back on display in the nocturnal house, putting on a good show.
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Great to hear quolls are on display again! I've spoken to one of the keepers who said these are a new pair.
 
zoogiraffe said:
Not even close to it being all of them. I suspect what will replace them is more of them, just a guess given how many they breed.
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I didn't realize they had so many! Thanks for the information ZG
 
2 Ring tailed Lemur's born - cousins not siblings. The ring tailed's were hiding inside at feeding time yesterday, this is probably why.
 
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