Edinburgh Zoo Edinburgh Zoo News 2015

[Macaw16]

Only one King penguin on the "walk" but hey that was novelty enough.
Not a fan of non-live exhibits such as the animatronic dinosaurs but my 3 yr old daughter and most of the other kids loved them.

The zoo is hilly and you seem to have to do a lot of walking, whereas filling these enclosures would break up the "hike".

The was only one Penguin in the parade when I visited on the 27th (this one being a Gentoo).

The dinosaurs I thought were just boring.

Great idea, the bit around the top of the Zoo really needs filling (ie not just having a lone Darwin's Rhea).

 

[Jackwow]

My last visit to Edinburgh Zoo was on 2nd March 2014 and I visited 4 times the previous year. Since my last visit I have been back to Edinburgh 9 times (average 4 days each visit) but obviously never returned to the zoo. Nuff said.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

My last visit to Edinburgh Zoo was on 2nd March 2014 and I visited 4 times the previous year. Since my last visit I have been back to Edinburgh 9 times (average 4 days each visit) but obviously never returned to the zoo. Nuff said.

Similar situation here - I visited Edinburgh 14 times between January 2010 (my first visit) and April 2013 (my last visit) and despite having the opportunity a number of times since, I just cannot find the heart to visit the place again it was already being bled dry of all I loved about it back in April 2013, so I think I would just be depressed by a return visit at present.

 

[Jackwow]

Conversely I have been to the Highland Wildlife Park 21 times since the beginning of 2013 and it's also owned by RZSS!

 

[sooty mangabey]

I just cannot find the heart to visit the place again

Way back in the mists of time, I elected to study in Edinburgh, in part because it was (and is) a wonderful city, but also because of the zoo. In my four years there, I visited the zoo, on average, about once a week. Like @TLD and @Jackwow, I must admit that I find the present incarnation deeply unappealing. One of those zoos - Marwell being an obvious parallel - that really has gone downhill in recent years....

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Conversely I have been to the Highland Wildlife Park 21 times since the beginning of 2013 and it's also owned by RZSS!

If it weren't a bugger to reach, I'd visit HWP all the time too!

One of those zoos - Marwell being an obvious parallel - that really has gone downhill in recent years....

That said, I'd argue that Marwell is *still* a pretty decent collection despite having declined somewhat over the last decade or so, whilst Edinburgh has declined faster and further. The former still has some of the treasures and allure it once had, whilst the latter has been systematically stripped of everything that made it special since Chris West came in.

Best way I can describe the difference in my mind is that Marwell is on the other side of the UK, but if the opportunity came up to re-visit I would take it, whilst Edinburgh is the nearest big collection to me and I actively don't *want* to return.

 

[FunkyGibbon]

I know it's a lot to ask but would someone be prepared to briefly summarise the 'downfall' of the collection and what Edinburgh has lost?
I first visited in February 2013 and was very impressed. At that point I wouldn't really consider myself an enthusiast but I had still visited plenty of good zoos.
In fact the only bit of the zoo that I didn't like was Big Cat Valley, where in my memory the enclosure were too small.
I'm not in any way disagreeing with the consensus here, I am just interested to get the context for this discussion as I have no knowledge of the zoo prior to my visit.

 

[pipaluk]

If it weren't a bugger to reach, I'd visit HWP all the time too!



That said, I'd argue that Marwell is *still* a pretty decent collection despite having declined somewhat over the last decade or so, whilst Edinburgh has declined faster and further. The former still has some of the treasures and allure it once had, whilst the latter has been systematically stripped of everything that made it special since Chris West came in.

Best way I can describe the difference in my mind is that Marwell is on the other side of the UK, but if the opportunity came up to re-visit I would take it, whilst Edinburgh is the nearest big collection to me and I actively don't *want* to return.

I agree Edinburgh's collection has declined a lot in recent years and possibly even faster than Marwell. When I visited for the first time in 2009, I thought it was probably the best zoo I had been to in the UK. It certainly wouldn't be now, but I think it would still be as 'decent' a collection as Marwell. I believe your first visit to Marwell May have come after its decline had already taken hold, so possibly not comparing equally?

 

[kiang]

I know it's a lot to ask but would someone be prepared to briefly summarise the 'downfall' of the collection and what Edinburgh has lost?
I first visited in February 2013 and was very impressed. At that point I wouldn't really consider myself an enthusiast but I had still visited plenty of good zoos.
In fact the only bit of the zoo that I didn't like was Big Cat Valley, where in my memory the enclosure were too small.
I'm not in any way disagreeing with the consensus here, I am just interested to get the context for this discussion as I have no knowledge of the zoo prior to my visit.

This thread may help.

http://www.zoochat.com/38/10-years-383603/

 

[Macaw16]

I guess when I visited I enjoyed it, as it was my first visit, so didn't miss any species, but if I visited five years ago, I would have probably been sad about the species which they've lost.

And the only bit which I didn't particularly like (not including the dinosaurs which are absolute crap) was the rhino enclosure as I thought it was too small; maybe they could move the Malayan Tapir to the to of the hill, and extend their enclosure into that area, while still keeping the existing part of the enclosure.

 

[Davef68]

I missed the AGM this year, and haven't heard any reports about what was said or any questions from the members to the Board, but I get the impression any criticism is unwelcome anyway, and they can't seem to see the wood for the trees.

The comments about the cat enclosures being too small usually makes me smile, not least because they actually weren't that small, but the way the landscape works meant they appeared smaller than they were - and cats spend most of the day sleeping anyway! However, they were run down and modern practice meant larger ones that they couldn't afford short term, were needed.

One thing I have noted is that since Chris West came in, many of the non-South east asian species have gone

 

[cracker]

I missed the AGM this year, and haven't heard any reports about what was said or any questions from the members to the Board, but I get the impression any criticism is unwelcome anyway, and they can't seem to see the wood for the trees.

The comments about the cat enclosures being too small usually makes me smile, not least because they actually weren't that small, but the way the landscape works meant they appeared smaller than they were - and cats spend most of the day sleeping anyway! However, they were run down and modern practice meant larger ones that they couldn't afford short term, were needed.

One thing I have noted is that since Chris West came in, many of the non-South east asian species have gone

I attended the AGM and the only questions I remember being asked were regarding transport up the hill - its being looked into but they have the minivans taking people up the hill just now as well as the mobilty vehicles which anyone can ask to you. The other question was about pricing of individual membership in relation to joint membership , which they said they'd look into.Their were no contentious questions asked at all.

 

[ShonenJake13]

First ever visit to Edinburgh.

I can see from the comments here what people think of the zoo, but I for one liked it a lot.
Saw Yang Guang; however from what the keepers were saying they'll be closing the exhibit off indefinitely starting tomorrow as Tian Tian probably has conceived.
Also saw the koalas; last time I saw these was in Madrid (same with pandas) and Duisburg; glad to see em in the UK!
First time I've ever seen drills; sad not to see a fully adult male, or that there's a normal group (two males and a female from what I could see).
Budongo Trail and Penguins Rock were both amazing exhibits (despite the underwater viewing windows at the latter being insanely dirty), and I enjoyed seeing the leucistic penguins, pelicans and lemurs.
I admit I didn't go to the top of the park today (I plan on going tomorrow) but I had a question; zootierliste state there are both Siberian and Sumatran tigers; is this the case?
Also, where do the three-banded armadillos, margays and ground cuscus live?

 

[Macaw16]

First ever visit to Edinburgh.

I can see from the comments here what people think of the zoo, but I for one liked it a lot.
Saw Yang Guang; however from what the keepers were saying they'll be closing the exhibit off indefinitely starting tomorrow as Tian Tian probably has conceived.
Also saw the koalas; last time I saw these was in Madrid (same with pandas) and Duisburg; glad to see em in the UK!
First time I've ever seen drills; sad not to see a fully adult male, or that there's a normal group (two males and a female from what I could see).
Budongo Trail and Penguins Rock were both amazing exhibits (despite the underwater viewing windows at the latter being insanely dirty), and I enjoyed seeing the leucistic penguins, pelicans and lemurs.
I admit I didn't go to the top of the park today (I plan on going tomorrow) but I had a question; zootierliste state there are both Siberian and Sumatran tigers; is this the case?
Also, where do the three-banded armadillos, margays and ground cuscus live?

Margays and Ground Cuscus aren't there anymore, on 27th July the Armadillos were in brilliant birds. When I visited, the were a number of drills, including adult males (did you see them both indoors and out?).

 

[cracker]

First ever visit to Edinburgh.

I can see from the comments here what people think of the zoo, but I for one liked it a lot.
Saw Yang Guang; however from what the keepers were saying they'll be closing the exhibit off indefinitely starting tomorrow as Tian Tian probably has conceived.
Also saw the koalas; last time I saw these was in Madrid (same with pandas) and Duisburg; glad to see em in the UK!
First time I've ever seen drills; sad not to see a fully adult male, or that there's a normal group (two males and a female from what I could see).
Budongo Trail and Penguins Rock were both amazing exhibits (despite the underwater viewing windows at the latter being insanely dirty), and I enjoyed seeing the leucistic penguins, pelicans and lemurs.
I admit I didn't go to the top of the park today (I plan on going tomorrow) but I had a question; zootierliste state there are both Siberian and Sumatran tigers; is this the case?
Also, where do the three-banded armadillos, margays and ground cuscus live?

There are only Sumatran tigers, the last Amur tigers held at the zoo were moved to HWP.

 

[Davef68]

We all love the zoo, just think it could be better than it is! It can be a bit of a maze if you are unfamiliar with it.

Map: http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/media/420180/ez-map-july-2015.pdf

Unless they've moved them again, the Margays are back on-show (They never went away, but were off show for several years) - they are in the small buildings/enclosures to the East of the Sun Bear enclosure.

The armadillos are not on show as such (They were in brilliant Birds but have moved out again), but used for the Animal Antics display. They have an older one, Dylan who has been at the zoo for a long time and was due to be retried, so they got a new male and female for training, who promptly bred! Occasionally one can be seen scurrying around in one of the enclosures just behind the education centre.

http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/animals-attractions/animals/southern-three-banded-armadillo/

Edinburgh Zoo - Meet Rica Edinburgh Zoo?s New Baby Armadillo

The Sumatran Tigers are in an enclosure just behind the wallaby walkthrough or at the end of the 'Conservation Corridor' to the East of the Scottish Wildcats

 

[Pertinax]

First time I've ever seen drills; sad not to see a fully adult male, or that there's a normal group (two males and a female from what I could see).

You should have seen an adult male Drill- possibly it was out of sight- unless its died/been moved recently. They had a trio of one male and two females- one of the females has bred-I think twice, which may be the young males you saw. The second female( they were two sisters from Columbus Zoo in the US) has recently moved to pair with a male at the Suffolk Wildlife Park(Africa Alive). Its also possible Edinburgh will be allocated a replacement female.

 

[ShonenJake13]

Having now researched drill appearances, it was two females and a youngster. Couldn't see a male; inside or out. Will try looking again today.

 

[Pertinax]

Having now researched drill appearances, it was two females and a youngster.

I think its more likely you saw mother and two different aged offspring(both male?) I think there is only the one(adult) female at present since the second one left (unless another has already arrived that is).

 

[ShonenJake13]

I think its more likely you saw mother and two different aged offspring(both male?) I think there is only the one(adult) female at present since the second one left (unless another has already arrived that is).

Possibly yes. One was definitely a female, the other may be a subadult male as it didn't seem to have any swelling, and was larger than the other.
There definitely isn't an adult male, and the pandas have been closed indefinitely.
Also, I spotted both the margay and the three-banded armadillo that runs around outside today.
I'm curious; does anyone know which individuals of the chimpanzee troop are P.t.verus and which are P.t.troglodytes? From there I can work out who is non-subspecific.
I'm assuming the individuals who came from Beekse Bergen are P.t.verus...but can someone help me out? Thanks