Bristol Zoo (Closed) Bristol Zoo news 2021

Kera the sister of the Gorilla brothers at Paignton now has a adopted son. Her son is called Hasani.Unfortunately Hasani's Mum Kala rejected him. Luckily Kera stepped up and is now Hasani's Mum.This is supreme news as Kera was handreard like her brothers at Paington. Hasani is the first Gorilla Kera has raised as 5 years ago she was critically ill so could not raise her biological daughter Afia. This development with Kera is extremely positive as it means she may have Babies with Jock Bristol's silverback. Kera is very young so will be Bristol's foster Mum should the need arise in the future. Hand-reared baby gorilla now has surrogate mother
 
The Hedgehog said:
This development with Kera is extremely positive as it means she may have Babies with Jock Bristol's silverback. Hand-reared baby gorilla now has surrogate mother
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Rearing another female's baby will almost certainly not alter her relationship with Jock, as mothering instinct is quite seperate from her lack of other social behaviours. Also, given her close shave with her previous pregnancy, it is probably much safer if Kera didn't breed again anyway. The foster-mother role is ideal for her now.
 
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Good news that finally we know why Gorilla Kera was missing. She has been introduced to baby boy Hasani and as she showed an interest, she's now the new surrogate mother of Hasani.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
As far as detail, do not expect anything. I wonder how much the original masterplan for Wild Place will be followed through on the back of this mission and vision statement?
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It is quite a document- big on vision but as usual with these things, very short on any detail of course. I suspect the end result will be a 'blend' of the original Wild Place concept, but modified perhaps with a lot more 'fill'in' species to make it into the major zoo they are planning. For new species clarification- a long wait probably...:(
 
I have to agree, it's a bit of a pie in the sky idea. Even if it did get built I can't imagine it being a success.
 
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Ned said:
A new proposal for the Clifton site

Plans for new Bristol Zoo site instead of housing
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This whole over-hyped idea that virtual reality wildlife stuff that people would "love" to come see is somehow a great replacement for experiencing live animals is just absurd beyond measure and belief. All well and good the old mayor ... Ferguson, high profile scientist Alison Roberts and film director Stephen Daldry have thrown their weight behind this has me unconvinced and just sound a tad bit opportunity knocks ....

On top, I think that promotional video is very short on actual detail and conveniently "uses" (for lack of a better description) images of zoo animals as a mirror to garner interest for this venture. Further, the mere suggestion that the Zoological Society would still warm around the idea of selling up the site for housing on site is just preposterous. If can remember the last vision statement by them was talking of developing a conservation hub center and learning experience and leaving the green park intact. This "housing project" discourse is a just an old rehashed idea that was shot down years ago by residents and Council in order to have Clifton remain a greenfields' site. Somehow, these 2 elements just does not sit right with me.

The final detail: Is the Zoological Society even prepared to sell the site at THE PRICE they would want for it in order to fully relocate to Wild Place and create the world class zoo from the historical ashes of the Clifton legacy to the BigCityLife / Our World Bristol. I just cannot see that happening anytime soon.
 
gentle lemur said:
The idea is not a bad one, but it does not need to go on that site in Clifton. As it is, my guess is that it may delay the planning process and so upset the zoo's planned timetable.
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Anything proposed without prior consultation with the current ownership is counterproductive and not in the interest of the zoo, the *new party* nor the wider public and the city of Bristol. They made a high PR video put it out and not talk to zoo management at all. These reacted mildly surprised to say the leest. Honestly not the way to conduct business and it will delay relocation of zoo to WP and finally let BZ the space to develop into a second Chester Zoo but different. Not good....
 
Ned said:
Looks like the zoo are still planning to use the site for housing.

Team appointed to design the new future of the Bristol Zoo Gardens site | Bristol Zoo
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I read the brief and admittedly they talk of some housing on the BZ site with low carbon impact and with full consideration given to the park's greenfield value and biodiversity and housing restricted to the historical built up areas of the site (and not the green and park areas). The entire planning process is due to go before local council and residents so they are amply consulted how the BZ site will develop over time and - I believe - encouraged to become active in this.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
This whole over-hyped idea that virtual reality wildlife stuff that people would "love" to come see is somehow a great replacement for experiencing live animals is just absurd beyond measure and belief. All well and good the old mayor ... Ferguson, high profile scientist Alison Roberts and film director Stephen Daldry have thrown their weight behind this has me unconvinced and just sound a tad bit opportunity knocks ....

On top, I think that promotional video is very short on actual detail and conveniently "uses" (for lack of a better description) images of zoo animals as a mirror to garner interest for this venture. Further, the mere suggestion that the Zoological Society would still warm around the idea of selling up the site for housing on site is just preposterous. If can remember the last vision statement by them was talking of developing a conservation hub center and learning experience and leaving the green park intact. This "housing project" discourse is a just an old rehashed idea that was shot down years ago by residents and Council in order to have Clifton remain a greenfields' site. Somehow, these 2 elements just does not sit right with me.

The final detail: Is the Zoological Society even prepared to sell the site at THE PRICE they would want for it in order to fully relocate to Wild Place and create the world class zoo from the historical ashes of the Clifton legacy to the BigCityLife / Our World Bristol. I just cannot see that happening anytime soon.
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Yes I pretty much think the same that it would never be a substitute for real animals.

The truly sad thing IMO is that the majority of the species kept at the old Bristol zoo site are the smaller endangered species that rarely get time of day in many collections and that absolutely should be highlighted to the public.

Anyway the idea of VR replacements for real animals at zoos instead of the real thing is hardly a new one.

It was proposed in an essay (probably the weakest one IMO) by one of the contributing writers of the book "Ethics on the ark" which was published in the early 1990's.

For me the whole VR thing sounds both absurd and disturbing (sort of reminded by the book "Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep" in a depressing way).
 
The individuals involved talking about ethics in "Ethics on the Ark" are hardly the paragons or path makers of society. I am inclined towards placing them among a rather narrow-minded lot holding fundamentalist and romantic views concerning wilderness, wild state and "freedom" in nature (as if animal and plants species ... nay, even habitats and entire ecosystems, ... would joyfully experience the notion ... oh, and now we are free at last. I find that whole lot rather suspect both in moral standards as well as political affiliations.

BTW: It is quite apparent that Torydom are well in with the JAF on the "gorilla reintroduction" project, but when you look at their track record in environment, setting policy standards and conservation action (e.g. fox hunting, badger culling ... shoot my grouse fun and frolics et cetera) it is all rather thin on the ground. Case in point: The COP meeting in the UK this year and the Chancellor of the Exchequer has as yet not even committed a single dime on this very important international meeting for biodiversity conservation and climate action. Oh well, .....
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
The individuals involved talking about ethics in "Ethics on the Ark" are hardly the paragons or path makers of society. I am inclined towards placing them among a rather narrow-minded lot holding fundamentalist and romantic views concerning wilderness, wild state and "freedom" in nature (as if animal and plants species ... nay, even habitats and entire ecosystems, ... would joyfully experience the notion ... oh, and now we are free at last. I find that whole lot rather suspect both in moral standards as well as political affiliations.

BTW: It is quite apparent that Torydom are well in with the JAF on the "gorilla reintroduction" project, but when you look at their track record in environment, setting policy standards and conservation action (e.g. fox hunting, badger culling ... shoot my grouse fun and frolics et cetera) it is all rather thin on the ground. Case in point: The COP meeting in the UK this year and the Chancellor of the Exchequer has as yet not even committed a single dime on this very important international meeting for biodiversity conservation and climate action. Oh well, .....
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Sorry Kifaru it's taken a while to reply to this.

Are you referring to the book "Ethics on The Ark" ?

Because in my comment I was referring to the book which IMO is a largely thought provoking one about the future of zoos.

That said there are a few essays in that book that evidently were written by the kind of people you describe (like the essay I mentioned in my other comment).

However there are also some essays which are gold and describe the predicament that zoos find themselves in today and possible solutions or paths forward out of the quagmire / rut.
 
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