Chester Zoo Chester Zoo Spring 2015

[Dasyurid2010]

The adult komodos get a carcass feed (deer, half a calf, occasionally just a couple of chickens) on the first Sunday of every month; it's great to watch!

The African wild dogs get a carcass feed twice a week, I believe.

 

[Campbell89]

The adult komodos get a carcass feed (deer, half a calf, occasionally just a couple of chickens) on the first Sunday of every month; it's great to watch!

The African wild dogs get a carcass feed twice a week, I believe.

I stand corrected.

I'm presuming that the adult komodo's are not fed anything inbetween these feeds then.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

that is outstanding! I can imagine some sensitive bunny-hugger types getting all po-faced about it, but I think that would be a magnificent spectacle for visitors.

I'd love to have been able to see that, myself. Sod the bunny-huggers I'd have loved to have seen that as a bairn, too.

 

[Junior Friendly]

that is outstanding! I can imagine some sensitive bunny-hugger types getting all po-faced about it, but I think that would be a magnificent spectacle for visitors.

I don't think many parents would be too pleased at their children getting upset at the sight of this, never mind these so called "bunny huggers". I doubt they would think of it as outstanding neither.

 

[karoocheetah]

I don't think many parents would be too pleased at their children getting upset at the sight of this, never mind these so called "bunny huggers". I doubt they would think of it as outstanding neither.

Having been present at more than one occasion whilst members of the public watched alongside me the vast majority were in awe of the spectacle, a few were a little squeamish but not one of them said that it shouldn't be happening or objected to their children watching - don't be so quick to judge people - have a little faith!

 

[Dasyurid2010]

I don't think many parents would be too pleased at their children getting upset at the sight of this, never mind these so called "bunny huggers". I doubt they would think of it as outstanding neither.

Unfortunately, with all due respect, it is comments like that which have previously caused Chester Zoo's hierarchy to be hesitant about carrying out carcass feeds when it is the animals' welfare and enrichment which should be the priority.

 

[robmv]

Having been present at more than one occasion whilst members of the public watched alongside me the vast majority were in awe of the spectacle, a few were a little squeamish but not one of them said that it shouldn't be happening or objected to their children watching - don't be so quick to judge people - have a little faith!

Likewise: the feeding was proving very popular yesterday (Komodo + carcass selfies in particular!) and there was a member of staff on hand to answer any questions.

 

[Campbell89]

I don't think many parents would be too pleased at their children getting upset at the sight of this, never mind these so called "bunny huggers". I doubt they would think of it as outstanding neither.

To be fair the parents would know they are at a zoo, watching wild animals being fed. They are hardly going to be expecting an episode of come dine with me.

My son was amazed watching the wild dogs being fed a carcass.

 

[Brum]

Likewise: the feeding was proving very popular yesterday (Komodo + carcass selfies in particular!) and there was a member of staff on hand to answer any questions.

Were you one of those taking a selfie rob? If so, stick it in the gallery!

On a more serious note, did you get any good shots that you're willing to share on here?

I don't think many parents would be too pleased at their children getting upset at the sight of this, never mind these so called "bunny huggers". I doubt they would think of it as outstanding neither.

Well I'm a parent of three young girls, aged two, six and nine and I'm pretty sure they would be fascinated by this, it's exactly the same thing they've seen on any number of animal documentaries. As others have said on here, have a little faith in people. Not everything has to be nice to be educational!
Saying that, I remember your (Sorry, your fathers!) outrage of Marius the giraffe being fed to the lions in Copenhagen! You are clearly one of the afore-mentioned "bunny huggers" who sees the world through rose-tinted spectacles!

On a side note, does the fact that I'd let my kids watch this make me a bad parent in your eyes?

 

[Maguari]

Komodo Dragons feed on deer carcasses. It's part of their natural behaviour and Chester should be applauded for allowing them to express it, and for stationing staff to answer visitor questions.

 

[Brum]

Komodo Dragons feed on deer carcasses. It's part of their natural behaviour and Chester should be applauded for allowing them to express it, and for stationing staff to answer visitor questions.

Just a gut feeling but I don't think Junior Friendly knows as much about animals or the inside workings of zoos as they like to make out... And they do love a chance to try and have a pop at the moderators whenever possible!

Also, whenever I've visited Islands In Danger there's normally at least a volunteer (if not an actual staff member) on hand to answer any Komodo questions.

 

[bongorob]

I have seen two carcass feeds, the public enjoy them, the lizards enjoy them. People are forever saying that zoo animals should behave as they do in the wild. Komodos eat deer, what can be more natural?

 

[Campbell89]

Is it more compassionate to feed just the tail of the deer, or a few steaks from it?

If you had even a mere understanding of reptiles you would know that all reptiles, especially snakes, monitor lizards and tegus need to eat whole prey in order to maintain a balance diet. Whole being the key word as they eat bones, organs, hair, feathers, flesh etc hence why you never see snakes being fed chicken breast... They are fed the whole thing.

This is a post by someone that has bred spiny tailed monitors in the past and currently keeps a Bosc/savannah monitor and numerous species of python.

 

[Campbell89]

I think you'll find that if any institution or zoo did a carcass feed for a reptile they wouldn't receive much criticism for it. Not only is it what the animals do in the wild, it is also what they need to survive. I think the zoo would receive more criticism for not feeding the animals the correct diet...

Not providing a reptile with the means for eating whole prey is like depriving a rhino or elephant of hay

 

[Pootle]

Yesterday, the adult Komodo Dragons were fed an entire deer carcass (Fallow I think - it was pretty mangled by the time I got there). It was fascinating to see them tearing off pieces of flesh, but not something I have ever seen before. Is this a regular event?

Right place right time job!. The best feeding I have ever seen in 'Islands in Danger' was the Mountain Chickens next door but one or two from the Komodos tucking into a load of bugs, not much of a comparison


Well actually the food fed to the Mountain Chickens was still alive when they ate it compared to the carcass the Komodos feasted on.

 

[Campbell89]

Right place right time job!. The best feeding I have ever seen in 'Islands in Danger' was the Mountain Chickens next door but one or two from the Komodos tucking into a load of bugs, not much of a comparison


Well actually the food fed to the Mountain Chickens was still alive when they ate it compared to the carcass the Komodos feasted on.

I've got a couple of golden eyes mission tree frogs at home, it is insane the size of the food that frogs can eat in comparison to their body size. They're so entertaining to watch when feeding.

Compared to other monitors komodo's are pretty tame when they're feeding, although I am slightly jealous I missed it yesterday as I was planning to go but was put off last minute by the bad weather near home!

 

[Junior Friendly]

From where was this deer carcass sourced, ex zoo stock or elsewhere?. Could it not have been possible to feed it to the animal concerned when the zoo was closed and there were no visitors about?

 

[Campbell89]

From where was this deer carcass sourced, ex zoo stock or elsewhere?. Could it not have been possible to feed it to the animal concerned when the zoo was closed and there were no visitors about?

I don't think it matters... It's not like they have culled one of their animals to feed another, it most likely came from a deer farm I would imagine.

It's irrelevant when it was fed. It gave people the opportunity to see them acting as they should rather than lay in the same place basking. If people didn't want to see it they could still see the younger komodo's in the opposite vivarium.

Although Chester could have maybe put a sign on the entrance to islands in danger explaining to people that the animals are being feed in a way that mimics natural behaviour (yes they are not hunting but komodo's are known to scavenge) so that people like yourself don't see fit to say that the people watching it aren't compassionate because the komodo's aren't having afternoon tea and biscuits...

 

[Maguari]

Could it not have been possible to feed it to the animal concerned when the zoo was closed and there were no visitors about?

But why would it need to be?

I'm really not trying to be obtuse, but I'm struggling to see what the problem with this is - the public have been reacting positively according to all the the reports we have and the animals get the benefit of the whole-carcass meal and the enrichment.

If it's just that you'd rather not see it then that's fine and your own business, but that's not a reason for the zoo not to do it if most people are happy with it.

 

[Junior Friendly]

But why would it need to be?

I'm really not trying to be obtuse, but I'm struggling to see what the problem with this is - the public have been reacting positively according to all the the reports we have and the animals get the benefit of the whole-carcass meal and the enrichment.

If it's just that you'd rather not see it then that's fine and your own business, but that's not a reason for the zoo not to do it if most people are happy with it.

Well Thank you for posting a civil sensible reply, others please note!. I appreciate that. It is not so much a problem but perhaps these whole carcass feeds could be upsetting to certain visitors, and also there will be those who do not regard this only as a natural way of feeding the animal, which I know it is, but people of a warped mind who will enjoy watching this for the wrong reasons, don't London feed their reptiles with whole animals, rabbits, rats etc. when the public are not present?, this used to be the case I have been lead to believe.