Lafone
Well-Known Member
Woodside do it too and it's a delightful space.
Chester Zoo Chester Zoo discussion and questions 2025
- Thread starter Typhlonectes
- Start date
Woodside do it too and it's a delightful space.
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
I don't understand how netting over will prevent bird flu,especially, as one of the main forms of transmission is via bird droppings.
Presumably it deters/prevents birds swooping down for food so reduces likelihood of droppings ending up there
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
Wild birds would still perch on it.
They don't tend to at Whipsnade where they have the netting over the penguins. I can't say they never do but I've never seen them do so.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
I think it is to discourage wild birds from using feeders and sharing the spaces and then droppings are less likely to accumulate.
Although you see the odd Herring / Black backed gull perching on the penguin net at Whipsnade (usually eyeing the Eider ducklings with sinister intent in season) it's much smaller numbers than would be down in the water and in the feeders without, compared to say CWP where wild birds are cohabiting the space and breeding around the lake and ducks are occasionally wandering around in the penguin space.
Having said that a lot of netted spaces have small wild birds, unless you make the netting really fine all the way around - one of the netted aviaries at CWP is I guess like that to keep the free flight birds in vs the wild ones out as the wire fence around the space has enough room for wild birds to get in - it has an active and breeding Blackbird population.
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
I agree, it's a tough one. However, having spoken at length with two vets,which specialize in exotics, particularly birds ,they advised me that to minimise the chances of my birds becoming infected, I was to cover outdoor flights in a solid cover. Fortunately, with my son working in the building trade, he obtained many (and I mean many) used polycarbonate sheets, which are now bolted on top of all of our outdoor flights. I know zoos can't do this on the same scale but its the only realistic way.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Must be quite a challenge and indeed a worry.
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
Owning your own collection is always a potential worry, so if it's doable, it helps you sleep better. But, you know what, I've been doing this for so long, I have become accustomed knowing every day can be a challenge and I can't think of a better life
Fallax that has been a plan for many years. Hopefully they'll get around to doing it now.
Didn't she pass it in 2022 or was there another one after that?
I don't believe so. I believe she's been carrying this calf since 2021, sired by Emmett just prior to his departure to Blackpool in late 2019.
It was brought up in the Whipsnade '22 thread.
Destiny Raven-Silva
Member
I was told today that the bush dogs would be returning to the zoo tomorrow, and will be going in their old enclosure by the cheetah.
I hope this is true because I have desperately missed them
I hope this is true because I have desperately missed them
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
I hadn't realised they were off show, when I visited two years ago they were in the savannah indoor enclosure in Spirit of the Jaguar?
Does anyone know if the sole male Cheetah will move back to the previous enclosure for the species recent vacated by the African wild dogs or will he remain where he is?
Their post has no source so idk if it's just them making it up
Destiny Raven-Silva
Member
He has moved to the opposite enclosue a couple of weeks ago. Bush dogs are going in their old, old enclosure near the red pandas, just for clarification.
Also dont know if its been mentioned, but chester has recieved a new male fossa, who was having a grand old time playing outside when i visited yesterday.
I have heard some of the things he/she mentions.