Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo news 2010 #2

Some camera traps have been setup on the zoos own private nature reserve Umphafa:

 
Last edited by a moderator:
7th April 2010


Colchester Zoo sad to announce loss of male African Lion, Subu

Colchester Zoo is very sad to announce that our male African Lion, Subu was sadly put to sleep on Thursday 1st April.

Subu was being closely monitored by his Keepers after some concern for his health and following an initial Veterinary examination it was decided that he required further medical investigation. A final veterinary examination was carried out on 1st April, and on veterinary advice the decision was made that the only option was to put him to sleep. Evidence from this final examination and X-Rays taken showed that Subu had been suffering from chronic active spinal arthritis, which had caused the symptoms that were seen in his deteriorating health.

Subu was born at Woburn Safari Park on the 22nd April 1989, and came to Colchester Zoo on the 8th December 1989, along with his two sisters Ashanti and Massing; when they were just 8 months old. He was a prominent figure at the Zoo, and his roars could often be heard throughout the park around his feeding times.

Zoological Director, Anthony Tropeano commented, “Subu was one of the zoo’s great characters, well known to staff and visitors alike. I have worked with him for 21 years and feel his passing is an end to an era. He will be greatly missed.”


The enclosure at Lion Rock is currently unoccupied during this time.
 
Written on the zoo's facebook page it states that opal has passed the calf:

"Opal has now given birth to the still born calf that had sadly been retained and has been closely watched by her Keepers following this sad loss to ensure that her health and well being has not suffered. Her health will continue to be closely monitored to make sure that Opal is still able to conceive again in the future"
 
Update from today, 14th April 2010:
-Blue magpies have either left or are offshow as the silvery marmosets are back in their enclosure.
-There seems to be a Hammerkop in every aviary apart from the mixed one, with one being in the Yellow Billed storks, Scarlet Ibis and Waldrapp aviaries.
-Most of the african paddock animals were out, with only Cynthia and zamba and two zebra being on the hardstand.
-Red ruffed and B+W ruffed lemurs have swapped enclosures.
-There is also a male Binturong being kept in the Otter/Langur mixed enclosure. :D
-At first I thought that Rajang was missing :eek: but must have been hidden at the back of the outdoor enclosure.
Enclosure Developments:
-Lion Rock was having work done to it, with the rockworks being resprayed and new feed poles being put up.
-The new south american walkthrough is progressing nicely with a roof now over the walkway, not sure it will be finished by the end of the month though :rolleyes:
-Dende the Leopards old area had been demolished, and they appear to be redoing some of the fake rock so I'm not too sure whats happeneing here :confused:
 
Just a note to say that the zones at the zoo are no more!

Also, in memory of Katavi, the cheetah enclosure has now been renamed:
Katavi Cheetah Breeding Centre.
 
we might have some cheetah cubs this year:) and hopefully they won't need hand raising. cz usually has cheetah cubs born every 2 years or so(well thats what happened in 2006 & 2008):). it'll be a miracle if they have no problems with their legs though, as all 4 previous cubs have had the same problem.

nice name for a cheetah enclosure, but why 'katavi cheetah breeding centre' because they're having much success with breeding. it is likely though that if uria saw katavi being put down she might think that the keepers are going to put her next litter down.:(
 
I agree it would be good to see some cubs this year cheetahgirl, I assume they have taken the possibilty of more legs problems into account before breeding again.

Also Katavi was probably treated in the hospital at the zoo so I doubt if his mother saw anything of the treatment he had or him being put down. Also being handreared I am not sure of the relationship they had.
 
Right for starters: There are more cheetah cubs born at Colchester Zoo than you think ;)

The idea of putting an animal down next to its den mate (which was all Uria thought Katavi was) is ridiculous.

Hopefully the male Ares has done his business and Uria may be pregnant.
 
i thought the only litters they have ever had are the triplets in 2006 and katavi and her litter in 2008

Katavi was born in June 2008 (the only cub in the litter) but rejected within hours by her mother Uria. Hence she was handreared by Anthony Tropeano.

Zooleopard - what do you mean about more cubs being born than you think - wink wink ?!?
 
There were five in Katavi's litter. Unfortunatley four were already dead when they were found. Uria showed no interest so the decision was taken to hand rear Katavi.

There are many more litters that have been born over the years. Born being the keyword here. Most litters of Uria's have not survived or have only lived for a couple of days.
 
Cheetah girl.

Cheetah's sometimes kill there first litter of cubs and eat them this is especially true for Cheetah's that become mothers for the first time. Many zoo's will not announce that a Cheetah is expecting her first litter of cubs as this tends to happen alot.
 
So if thats the case then hopefully there will be more success with chettah breeding at Colchester later.:)
 
Back
Top