Any idea what species (a bear)?
Dudley Zoological Gardens Dudley Zoological Gardens in 2011
- Thread starter Paix
- Start date
Any idea what species (a bear)?
We could start a guessing game or put what we'd like to see in there.
I think it's unlikely to be bears, but who knows.
For me a couple of options would be a return of wolves as they used to live in the bear ravine.
European or American bison would look good, or move the giraffe into here as it's bigger, although it would then cost more with the building of a new house needed.
Whatever happens it's exciting for me as at last my local zoo seems to have a bit of cash to improve still further.
African Spur Tortoise are currently using the old Porcupine House. The outdoor area will have a minor refurb in the spring but the Tortoise is indoors now.
The Bear Ravine has got a sign on it saying that it's under consideration for a heritage lottery grant and they won't be doing anything with it for now due to the inspections and tests that have to be carried out on it as part of the grant consideration. The grant would allow it to be restored
I didn't see an aviary sorry but I wasn't looking for it and could have missed it.
The Bear Ravine has got a sign on it saying that it's under consideration for a heritage lottery grant and they won't be doing anything with it for now due to the inspections and tests that have to be carried out on it as part of the grant consideration. The grant would allow it to be restored
I didn't see an aviary sorry but I wasn't looking for it and could have missed it.
News from my visit today, there are more births in the South American enclosure, 4 beautiful capybara's, just over a week old, it was standing room only in the little house today, with 4 tapirs and now 7 capybara's, good job the mara's didn't want to come in too. It's funny to me that even though the tapirs are much bigger the capybara's always seem to get the best patch of straw.
The lovebirds aviary seems to be complete, only thing missing is the birds.
The porcupines seem happy in their new home, they have dug holes and seem happy just to sleep the day away in them as usual.
The snow leopards were very active pacing up and down and sniffing at each other thru the mesh.
Not many people at the zoo today, it's a shame as they have the winterwonderland event on, maybe a price reduction just for this time of year would be an idea.
The lovebirds aviary seems to be complete, only thing missing is the birds.
The porcupines seem happy in their new home, they have dug holes and seem happy just to sleep the day away in them as usual.
The snow leopards were very active pacing up and down and sniffing at each other thru the mesh.
Not many people at the zoo today, it's a shame as they have the winterwonderland event on, maybe a price reduction just for this time of year would be an idea.
adrian1963
Well-Known Member
Any idea what species of Lovebird they are going to have as they do have some Black Cheeked Lovebirds according to zooterliste but I have never seen them around the zoo.
The zoo is usually quiet this time of year just wait till next week when the junior schools start arriving for santa and when the schools break, I have stopped going this time of year just because there are too many children and not enough teachers.
The zoo is usually quiet this time of year just wait till next week when the junior schools start arriving for santa and when the schools break, I have stopped going this time of year just because there are too many children and not enough teachers.
Wolves or Bison would be pretty cool. I'm rather influenced by my recent trip to Artis, but a mixed african might work, it seems bigger than the space at Artis and they have giraffe, zebra, springbok and oryx. It would fit in rather well with the lions up above and the chimps across the way.
I'd also like to see the orangutans moved here, but with their current enclosure recently refurbished this seems unlikely.
How about a carnivore we don't have in the country? I'm thinking Dingo, certain Hyaena species, something like that?
We've already got all the Hyaena species in the country, though you'd have to travel a bit (and be lucky in some circumstances) to see them.
I'd like to see Dingo re-established in the UK, though sourcing might be an issue (I know they're about in Europe, but not many).
You'd have to be more than just lucky to spot the Brown Hyena at Port Lympne, from what I have heard.....
Dudley have had Spotted Hyaenas in the past (1960's). As an exhibit they aren't brilliant- quite retiring and/or sleep a lot.
For Dudley's Bear Ravine-from the suggestions above- I'd say Wolves would make the best exhibit. They are often active and it is a large spacious area but not suitable for Hoofed animals as it is a steep-sided valley. But Wolves (preferably Spanish ones) could make good use of it.
I saw Dudley's hyaenas in the late 80s/early 90s - the last one was still there at the time of their first big lottery money application so at least 1994.
adrian1963
Well-Known Member
Last Hyaena to be at the zoo was around 1996 and replaced by the Manned Wolf in the enclosure by the Lynx and Giraffe's, I would love to see the new Sumatran Tigers in the enclosure and using the Tiger enclosure for Black & Gold Howler Monkeys
The last hyaena remained for a short while after the Maned Wolves arrived. He (?) was moved to an enclosure at the end of the chimp enclosure (I think it was originally built for camels and can still be seen through the trees). I don't think it was officially on show, but you could walk down a track at the end of the main path and get a great close-up view.
adrian1963
Well-Known Member
If I remember right I think I have a photograph in the Dudley Zoo Gallery of the place you are on about, you are correct Robmv it was built for Camels and I have found out since posting from a member of the old zoo staff that thier was Hyaena kept in the old Camel House part and yes it was off show but they didn't say if it was moved on or if it died at the zoo does anyone know.
adrian1963
Well-Known Member
Found the photograph of the old camel enclosure just past the end of the current Chimpanzee enclosure.
http://www.zoochat.com/198/unknown-enclosure-199415/
EDIT - You have to look through the trees to see the stable doors
http://www.zoochat.com/198/unknown-enclosure-199415/
EDIT - You have to look through the trees to see the stable doors
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
The aviary that has been built on the end of the Orang House,is now home to a group of Black-faced Lovebirds.The Porcupines are now in Monkey-tails and the Sulcatta Tortoise have moved to the old Porcupine exhibit,also there is a sign on the Tiger enclosure saying that at the moment,they do not have any but early in the new year a female and Amur and Sumatran Tiger will,arrive to live in the enclosure,apart from that cannot think of anything new since my last visit.
Last edited:
Jordan-Jaguar97
Well-Known Member
I knew were the Sumatran pair were coming from, and this makes it a little more obvious were the Amur female is coming from. Is this Amur female to stay in the UK after Dudley [Presuming she's moving on?]
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
The sign only said they had 2 females arriving one of each sub-species,it didn't say anything about a male Sumatran arriving,so i'm guessing at the moment a change of plan has happened.
Jordan-Jaguar97
Well-Known Member
Thank you.
It does seem as though their has been a change of plan. Will this be the first time Dudley have held two different sub-species? [Pure ones?]
It does pose another obvious question, assuming two different types of tigers are to be on show, where will they be housed?
adrian1963
Well-Known Member
Bear Ravine maybe?