Anteater Shrub
Member
I visited Button in August at Folly Farm, she seemed to be doing well 
Dudley Zoological Gardens Dudley Zoo News 2023
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Manatee_Sloth
Member
Kira has been spotted using the new giraffe paddock extension
https://www.instagram.com/p/CyNaTCno7ul/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://www.instagram.com/p/CyNaTCno7ul/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
The Dudley Hippodrome (a huge derelict building adjacent to the zoo's entrance and car park) is no more...
Alwaysevergreen
Well-Known Member
To make way for a university campus.
I visited yesterday for the first time in 6 months. It was very cold and relatively quiet.
Nice to see the pair of snowy owls in the new enclosure. One has lots of grey barring on their feathers and the other is almost pure white. The wolverines were very active - chasing each other round the enclosure and play fighting. The Arctic foxes are coming into their full winter coats and looked very fluffy. I saw all 3 lynx, although (as far as I could tell) only one had access to the external enclosure. The snow leopards were in the same section of their enclosure but both sleeping on separate platforms.
The changes to the red panda and giraffe enclosures are great. I saw both red pandas although they stayed around the middle of the enclosure, sometimes on the floor and sometimes high up. The giraffes were both in the old part of the enclosure. I only saw one capybara and two mara. The binturongs and palm civet were no shows and the anteaters appeared to be shut in. The new wallaby enclosure looks good although there were nearly as many grey squirrels in it as wallabies! The middle window of the otter enclosure is still boarded up.
The black and white lemurs in lemur wood were very vocal; most of the ring tails were sun-bathing on the roof of one of the houses. The male lion looked impressive and very chilled out. He and the female were lying under the overhang of the old tropical house. No orangs in the new external enclosure - Benji was sat in the old external enclosure and Jazz, Sprout and the youngsters were indoors.
I only saw the male sea lion - no sign of any females - but I did count 10 penguins. A couple of the enclosures in the reptile house were empty and undergoing refurbishment. Lorikeet Lookout was closed for essential maintenance and the land train wasn't running. There appeared to be some construction work taking place beyond the black lemur enclosure (the enclosure beyond it used to hold giant rabbits about 10 years ago but has been empty for some time).
The Zoo has installed more bug hotels around the grounds since my last visit and also more flower tubs. All in all, a good visit.
Nice to see the pair of snowy owls in the new enclosure. One has lots of grey barring on their feathers and the other is almost pure white. The wolverines were very active - chasing each other round the enclosure and play fighting. The Arctic foxes are coming into their full winter coats and looked very fluffy. I saw all 3 lynx, although (as far as I could tell) only one had access to the external enclosure. The snow leopards were in the same section of their enclosure but both sleeping on separate platforms.
The changes to the red panda and giraffe enclosures are great. I saw both red pandas although they stayed around the middle of the enclosure, sometimes on the floor and sometimes high up. The giraffes were both in the old part of the enclosure. I only saw one capybara and two mara. The binturongs and palm civet were no shows and the anteaters appeared to be shut in. The new wallaby enclosure looks good although there were nearly as many grey squirrels in it as wallabies! The middle window of the otter enclosure is still boarded up.
The black and white lemurs in lemur wood were very vocal; most of the ring tails were sun-bathing on the roof of one of the houses. The male lion looked impressive and very chilled out. He and the female were lying under the overhang of the old tropical house. No orangs in the new external enclosure - Benji was sat in the old external enclosure and Jazz, Sprout and the youngsters were indoors.
I only saw the male sea lion - no sign of any females - but I did count 10 penguins. A couple of the enclosures in the reptile house were empty and undergoing refurbishment. Lorikeet Lookout was closed for essential maintenance and the land train wasn't running. There appeared to be some construction work taking place beyond the black lemur enclosure (the enclosure beyond it used to hold giant rabbits about 10 years ago but has been empty for some time).
The Zoo has installed more bug hotels around the grounds since my last visit and also more flower tubs. All in all, a good visit.
Manatee_Sloth
Member
A new male Arctic fox called Spruce has arrived from Highland Wildlife Park
Dudley Zoo & Castle on Instagram: "Welcome to Spruce, who has joined us from Highland Wildlife Park in Scotland. The five-month-old male Arctic fox has been matched with one year-old female, Grace as part of a breeding programme after our other male, Tommy, sadly passed away last month. The four-year-old, who was the last remaining fox from our original arrivals, had been receiving veterinary treatment for the last few months for epilepsy."
Dudley Zoo & Castle on Instagram: "Welcome to Spruce, who has joined us from Highland Wildlife Park in Scotland. The five-month-old male Arctic fox has been matched with one year-old female, Grace as part of a breeding programme after our other male, Tommy, sadly passed away last month. The four-year-old, who was the last remaining fox from our original arrivals, had been receiving veterinary treatment for the last few months for epilepsy."
Lafone
Well-Known Member
That's sad news about Tommy, he was great to watch. I visted Dudley for the first time specifically to see an Arctic fox there, he was obligingly showy on that and other visits since.
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Alwaysevergreen
Well-Known Member
Just saw on Social Media, they had a new Arctic Fox, as the original male Tommy had died recently. I hadn't seen his death posted on here, but may have missed it. I did wonder the other week when I only saw one of them when visiting.
I just saw the post about the new Arctic fox arrival, sad to hear the original pack have all passed away by now but I'm glad to see Dudley aren't giving up on the species.
Also nice to hear some news about a development taking place by the Black lemurs. I figured it's about time they put something new up that area as it's been pretty much empty for a decade.
I forgot to mention that the new bush dog enclosure is progressing well. The house looks bigger and much more substantial than the previous one and it looks as though there will be viewing windows into it. There are plenty of viewing windows round the outside, including some curved ones lower down so children will be able to look right inside the enclosure. The design of the enclosure has a very DZC feel to it - lots of wood and glass - and it follows the contour of the land.
I always thought the Bush dog (former Hyena) enclosure looked rather dated compared to the new-and-improved exhibits around the zoo, I can't wait to see how this enclosure looks when the new pack arrives.
Manatee_Sloth
Member
Two new penguins, Quaver and Chive, have arrived from Woburn Safari Park. This brings Dudley’s total number of penguins to 10.
Dudley Zoo & Castle on Instagram: "Say hello to Quaver and Chive, the newest additions to Penguin Bay! The two male Humboldt penguins have arrived from Woburn Safari Park and have quickly settled in alongside the rest of the colony. Easily recognisable, Quaver has yellow flipper beads, while Chive has green! Both aged four years-old, they’ve helped boost our current Humboldt number to ten!"
Dudley Zoo & Castle on Instagram: "Say hello to Quaver and Chive, the newest additions to Penguin Bay! The two male Humboldt penguins have arrived from Woburn Safari Park and have quickly settled in alongside the rest of the colony. Easily recognisable, Quaver has yellow flipper beads, while Chive has green! Both aged four years-old, they’ve helped boost our current Humboldt number to ten!"
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Had a fun day out at Dudley today. I thought it would be really busy given it is half term, but it was pretty quiet. People may have been put off by the forecast but it stayed dry for most of the day. Saw most animals out and about with the exception of the snow leopards.
I hadn't seen the covered flamingo viewing completed and it works well. I had thought it might be all glass between visitor and the birds, but it still offers free, non windowed views of the water and the windows to the rear means there's lots of light.
Enjoyed the new giraffe extension (it was barriered off on my previous visit). Kira was in it enjoying some browse, Josie seemed a bit more reluctant to go in. Good new space and a significant size upgrade.
The updated red panda enclosure works well. Saw both pandas from the top and then later down the bottom of the enclosure where they were having some training. The viewing from the top is great, with the pandas being high in the trees at the level of the platform.
The update to the bush dog enclosure is coming along well as mentioned above, lots of new viewing windows going in and the new house looks much improved.
The pond area has also been updated with some under water viewing which should be fun.
The tigers were interested in the building work on the bush dog enclosure. They were standing on the bank at the rear of the enclosure and on the platforms which made for some good views. They didn't seem bothered by the noise. The wolverines were also playing about which was great to see.
A nice pair of violet turacos in the aviary with the Himalayan Monal next to the Kookaburra. Unsigned crown pigeons and two red crested turaco in the aviaries down the end near the binturong were also showy. The Sumatran laughing thrush pair were highly active too which was great. I hadn't remembered Puna Ibis in the aviary opposite the sealions (green aracari, scarlet ibis, ringed teal and mandarin duck also in residence) so it was a fun bird day all round.
The sealion pool was being cleaned out, the female sealion was following the keepers around as they drained and refilled the water and it was nice to see the relationship.
Spruce the new fox was active and out and about with Grace, the existing female. He's easy to tell apart at the moment, being much smaller.
The new male lion was separated from the female so didn't see him outside in the enclosure, but got a look through the gate and he looks very impressive. The female was in the main space so got good views of her.
I hadn't seen the covered flamingo viewing completed and it works well. I had thought it might be all glass between visitor and the birds, but it still offers free, non windowed views of the water and the windows to the rear means there's lots of light.
Enjoyed the new giraffe extension (it was barriered off on my previous visit). Kira was in it enjoying some browse, Josie seemed a bit more reluctant to go in. Good new space and a significant size upgrade.
The updated red panda enclosure works well. Saw both pandas from the top and then later down the bottom of the enclosure where they were having some training. The viewing from the top is great, with the pandas being high in the trees at the level of the platform.
The update to the bush dog enclosure is coming along well as mentioned above, lots of new viewing windows going in and the new house looks much improved.
The pond area has also been updated with some under water viewing which should be fun.
The tigers were interested in the building work on the bush dog enclosure. They were standing on the bank at the rear of the enclosure and on the platforms which made for some good views. They didn't seem bothered by the noise. The wolverines were also playing about which was great to see.
A nice pair of violet turacos in the aviary with the Himalayan Monal next to the Kookaburra. Unsigned crown pigeons and two red crested turaco in the aviaries down the end near the binturong were also showy. The Sumatran laughing thrush pair were highly active too which was great. I hadn't remembered Puna Ibis in the aviary opposite the sealions (green aracari, scarlet ibis, ringed teal and mandarin duck also in residence) so it was a fun bird day all round.
The sealion pool was being cleaned out, the female sealion was following the keepers around as they drained and refilled the water and it was nice to see the relationship.
Spruce the new fox was active and out and about with Grace, the existing female. He's easy to tell apart at the moment, being much smaller.
The new male lion was separated from the female so didn't see him outside in the enclosure, but got a look through the gate and he looks very impressive. The female was in the main space so got good views of her.
JonWild
Well-Known Member
The new bush dog enclosure is looking really nice from what I can see. I will have to visit some time when they are finished renovating it.Had a fun day out at Dudley today. I thought it would be really busy given it is half term, but it was pretty quiet. People may have been put off by the forecast but it stayed dry for most of the day. Saw most animals out and about with the exception of the snow leopards.
I hadn't seen the covered flamingo viewing completed and it works well. I had thought it might be all glass between visitor and the birds, but it still offers free, non windowed views of the water and the windows to the rear means there's lots of light.
Enjoyed the new giraffe extension (it was barriered off on my previous visit). Kira was in it enjoying some browse, Josie seemed a bit more reluctant to go in. Good new space and a significant size upgrade.
The updated red panda enclosure works well. Saw both pandas from the top and then later down the bottom of the enclosure where they were having some training. The viewing from the top is great, with the pandas being high in the trees at the level of the platform.
The update to the bush dog enclosure is coming along well as mentioned above, lots of new viewing windows going in and the new house looks much improved.
The pond area has also been updated with some under water viewing which should be fun.
The tigers were interested in the building work on the bush dog enclosure. They were standing on the bank at the rear of the enclosure and on the platforms which made for some good views. They didn't seem bothered by the noise. The wolverines were also playing about which was great to see.
A nice pair of violet turacos in the aviary with the Himalayan Monal next to the Kookaburra. Unsigned crown pigeons and two red crested turaco in the aviaries down the end near the binturong were also showy. The Sumatran laughing thrush pair were highly active too which was great. I hadn't remembered Puna Ibis in the aviary opposite the sealions (green aracari, scarlet ibis, ringed teal and mandarin duck also in residence) so it was a fun bird day all round.
The sealion pool was being cleaned out, the female sealion was following the keepers around as they drained and refilled the water and it was nice to see the relationship.
Spruce the new fox was active and out and about with Grace, the existing female. He's easy to tell apart at the moment, being much smaller.
The new male lion was separated from the female so didn't see him outside in the enclosure, but got a look through the gate and he looks very impressive. The female was in the main space so got good views of her.
Moorhunhe
Well-Known Member
I went today too. But was only there from 10 to 12.
Saw one of the snow leopards high up.
The new Bush dog enclosure, while it looks great inside, I had some troubles walking around it, with all the high wood structure.
Made me feel a bit closed in myself while walking down the path around.
But that's just me, and I'm known to be weird, haha!
Niffler, the binturong youngster was very playful outside. Hanging upside down and playing with the dad.
Was also great to see both wolverines lying about.
And the newest arctic fox edition looked very cute. Sad news about Tommy though.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
I agree it’s quite walled in though the windows are large and well spaced. I’d have liked to see the same open no glass sections as they have on the red panda / flamingo areas as that would break it up (and selfishly make life easier with the camera!) to make it a bit less boxy but it’s got lots of viewing angles.
A pair of bush dogs have arrived into the newly renovated enclosure.A one-year-old male, Twenké, from Thoiry ZooSafari in France and five-year-old female, Dora, from Chester Zoo. It is hoped that the pair will breed.
A couple of photos of the enclosure from the news article...
Hello Twenké and Dora! - Dudley Zoo and Castle
Hello Twenké and Dora! - Dudley Zoo and Castle