Dudley Zoological Gardens Dudley Zoo news 2025

I couldn’t find the binturong. I was told they’re down at the bottom too, but even the staff weren’t sure where they’ve been moved. Does anyone know more about the Lar gibbons’ move? Are they going to stay down there permanently? I really hope not. They look so cramped, and they’re not used to that. They’re used to big trees and swinging. I feel so sorry for them like that now.
 
sloggervlogger said:
I couldn’t find the binturong. I was told they’re down at the bottom too, but even the staff weren’t sure where they’ve been moved. Does anyone know more about the Lar gibbons’ move? Are they going to stay down there permanently? I really hope not. They look so cramped, and they’re not used to that. They’re used to big trees and swinging. I feel so sorry for them like that now.
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I think the Gibbons may end up moving in with the Orangutans. (as far am I'm aware, at least).

Both the palm civet and Binturong are still listed on the zoo's website so it doesn't look like they've gone. Would be interesting to know what they've got planned for 2026... maybe the old gibbon area will become refurbished for some different animals? And what other changes are being done to the lynx exhibit?
 
sloggervlogger said:
I couldn’t find the binturong. I was told they’re down at the bottom too, but even the staff weren’t sure where they’ve been moved. Does anyone know more about the Lar gibbons’ move? Are they going to stay down there permanently? I really hope not. They look so cramped, and they’re not used to that. They’re used to big trees and swinging. I feel so sorry for them like that now.
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As I understand the situation with the gibbons, is that their indoor accommodation is to be enlarged and the outside enclosure was to be enlarged and cleared. Did you notice if there was any work going on at the old enclosure?
 
Could the binturongs and civet be in the black lemur enclosure by the chimps?

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I don't think the gibbons will be staying in that enclosure down at the bottom of the zoo very long term. I think the zoo does want to mix them with the orangs eventually (but surely new housing would need to be constructed adjacent to or within the orang house first, so why the sudden move?).

The main problem with the current gibbon house has always been its lack of height. The issue is that it sits directly in front of the grade I listed castle, so I'd be very surprised if they'd be allowed to extend it vertically. However, its height wouldn't be a problem for a terrestrial species.

If the zoo were to extend the outdoor area of the gibbon enclosure (which would be unnecessary if it were to continue holding gibbons as it's perfectly fine for gibbons as it is), I don't think the zoo would extend it to the left into the newt pools. Directly to the right of the gibbon outdoor area is one of the sea lion pools (parts of which are also listed), which is what makes me think the zoo intends to transform the gibbon enclosure into one for a semi-aquatic species such as giant otter, tapir or pygmy hippo that incorporates one of the sea lion pools. The zoo only has one older female sea lion left, who I presume will live out the rest of her days in the other sea lion pool further along.

Time will tell.
 
Benosaurus said:
Could the binturongs and civet be in the black lemur enclosure by the chimps?

-

I don't think the gibbons will be staying in that enclosure down at the bottom of the zoo very long term. I think the zoo does want to mix them with the orangs eventually (but surely new housing would need to be constructed adjacent to or within the orang house first, so why the sudden move?).

The main problem with the current gibbon house has always been its lack of height. The issue is that it sits directly in front of the grade I listed castle, so I'd be very surprised if they'd be allowed to extend it vertically. However, its height wouldn't be a problem for a terrestrial species.

If the zoo were to extend the outdoor area of the gibbon enclosure (which would be unnecessary if it were to continue holding gibbons as it's perfectly fine for gibbons as it is), I don't think the zoo would extend it to the left into the newt pools. Directly to the right of the gibbon outdoor area is one of the sea lion pools (parts of which are also listed), which is what makes me think the zoo intends to transform the gibbon enclosure into one for a semi-aquatic species such as giant otter, tapir or pygmy hippo that incorporates one of the sea lion pools. The zoo only has one older female sea lion left, who I presume will live out the rest of her days in the other sea lion pool further along.

Time will tell.
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I would think the pygmy hippo would be an attractive and good alternative!

Hopefully, they would have another species as well on the ground or arboreal for this new space. I prefer the car gibbons to relocate permanent to the orang utan habitats / exclosures and that over time the gibbons are an added on feature of the "new' Orang Utan House.
 
Come to think of it though, thematically I would favour more that pygmy hippo and ... hey, bongo would be nice additions near the current chimpanzee exclosures. Being ambitious, perhaps even a primate like western colobus monkeys or one of the African Cercopithecinae.
 
A new waterfall minus pool, has been constructed in the Linne’s Two-toed sloth, white-faced saki and Azaras agouti enclosure. It's been documented that the sloth prefer to drink from running water. It's proving to be a wonderful enhancement.
 
I don't know if the above is or isn't a new tiger house, but I find the resemblence (albeit minor at this stage) to the diagrams below, that are taken from the planning application for a new tiger house from around 5 years ago (before everything was halted due to lockdown), rather interesting.

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Benosaurus said:
I don't know if the above is or isn't a new tiger house, but I find the resemblence (albeit minor at this stage) to the diagrams below, that are taken from the planning application for a new tiger house from around 5 years ago (before everything was halted due to lockdown), rather interesting.

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Oh wow. Yes that might well be it. That would be great.
 
Do you think the lynx will get a new enclosure built somewhere on site? I know the outdoor enclosure was rather small but it would be a shame if they left the collection.

Still, it would be nice to see some extension work done for the tiger.
 
sloggervlogger said:
I couldn’t find the binturong. I was told they’re down at the bottom too, but even the staff weren’t sure where they’ve been moved.
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I've just received my December newsletter and apparently the binturong and civet have moved to the former gelada indoor house by the fairground.

Animallover1998 said:
Do you think the lynx will get a new enclosure built somewhere on site? I know the outdoor enclosure was rather small but it would be a shame if they left the collection. Still, it would be nice to see some extension work done for the tiger.
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According to the newsletter, the lynx are having a new outdoor habitat built, so it sounds as though they are staying.
 
I'm happier now I know that lynx will be staying. I worked with lynx at Dudley just over 30 years ago. I especially remember Gandalf the male, a very placid cat and the young that he fathered. I can't remember the name of the female, can anyone else ?
 
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