Edinburgh Zoo Edinburgh Zoo News 2016

Tiger Tracks

More info on new Tiger enclosure:

Laughing in late June 2016, the new home for Jambi and Baginda will be more than three times the size of the existing enclosure. It will feature a spectacular ground level viewing tunnel for visitors, covered pathways, a high level viewing area, feeding post and cubbing den. Tiger Tracks will also boast climbing structures for the tiger pair, heated rocks to relax on, ponds to splash in and a new indoor house.
 
Visited the zoo this afternoon, vast majority of animals were showing really well and the zoo looked good in general, a few points to note:

- the Rock Hyrax seem to be in a small enclosure between the Gelada's and the Asiatic Lions, didn't actually see them in this enclosure or the main enclosure but signs up suggesting the main enclosure is undergoing renovation.
- The Aviaries at the back of the Sun Bears have all been removed, don't know what the intention is there?
- Penguin breeding season is well and truly underway, the Rockhopper's have been moved to a smaller breeding enclosure next to the Scottish Wild Cat's and have laid 9 eggs at the most recent count, Gentoo's can be seen nesting in a photo I've added.
- Work has started on the new tiger enclosure, going to be situated behind the current lion and tiger enclosures...no mention of what will happen to the current tiger enclosure when the new one is finished?
- Hazarding a guess that the Asiatic lioness is pregnant, judging by her size, Grevy zebra mares looked heavy as well, female panda was no where to be seen!
 
- the Rock Hyrax seem to be in a small enclosure between the Gelada's and the Asiatic Lions, didn't actually see them in this enclosure or the main enclosure but signs up suggesting the main enclosure is undergoing renovation.

Isn't the hyrax enclosure being renovated for the use of red panda?
 
Isn't the hyrax enclosure being renovated for the use of red panda?

Could be, would be nice to see a larger (than the current inhabitants) species make use of this exhibit.

I didn't realise the current Tiger enclosure would be a part of the new one, was hoping for a new Cat species to come into the collection to make use of the old enclosure.

In other news, the Gentoo's have laid 15 eggs so far!
 
The Rockhoppers seem to prefer that enclosure, here's hoping for some successful breeding (finally!)

Is there a new male Zebra - IIRC the one that was there had been neutured a few years back as his genes were well represented in the populations?

The aviaries behind the Sun Bears went about 18 months ago, as far as I know they are to remain as more gardens at present
 
The aviaries behind the Sun Bears went about 18 months ago, as far as I know they are to remain as more gardens at present

After all, what Edinburgh REALLY needs most of all at this point is fewer enclosures and more gardens where enclosures once stood! :rolleyes:
 
Is there a new male Zebra - IIRC the one that was there had been neutured a few years back as his genes were well represented in the populations?

Maybe they aren't pregnant then as I've not heard anything about a new male being brought in.
 
Just announced Chris West is leaving:

RZSS Statement from Chair Jeremy Peat | Edinburgh Zoo

Longer message from West in the email:

Important announcement from Chris West, CEO

It is with sadness that I am writing to you to let you know of my impending departure from RZSS to return to Australia at the end of July. My family and I have thoroughly enjoyed the last nearly four years in Scotland; however, all our children are either in Australia or heading down under and, with our first grandchild due in August, now feels like the right time to return to Adelaide.

RZSS is a great conservation organisation that is full of tremendous people. It has always been a leader and will continue to be a vital 'player' nationally and internationally. Much has been achieved, but of course there is (always!) more to do.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your continued support of RZSS - we really couldn't do any of this without you. Thanks to you we are able to develop and improve our two parks, care for over 180 species in our collections, reach out to educate the wider community about wildlife and carry out front line conservation work in the field.

Whilst I won't be departing the Society until the end of July, plans are already underway to find my replacement. In the interim, our Managing Director Barbara Smith has agreed to act as Interim CEO and the Senior Management Team and Board will ensure full support and continuity going forward.

I look forward to welcoming many of you to RZSS Edinburgh Zoo and RZSS Highland Wildlife Park in the near future.

My sincere best wishes,

Chris West

Maybe we can get back on track now.....
 
We can but hope........

Out of curiosity, anyone interested in working out how many species the RZSS collections had when he came in, as opposed to the 180 or so they have now?
 
Good news; I have found the Edinburgh stocklist from the start of 2012, around the time he came to the zoo.

Bad news; the most *recent* stocklist, which was accessible on the RZSS website as of last week, is now no longer available and I lack a copy.

Will start counting up taxa as best I can, anyhow.
 
Okay, I have compiled a total for the mammals, birds and herptile taxa present at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park on 01/01/2012, and a similar total for the present time.

At the start of 2012, the status quo was as follows:

Edinburgh held 86 mammal taxa, 65 bird taxa and 15 herptile taxa.
Highland Wildlife Park held 27 mammal taxa, 6 bird taxa and 4 herptile taxa.

Therefore, the two collections held 166 and 37 taxa respectively, for a total of 203 taxa.

At the present time, the status quo is as follows:

Edinburgh holds 62 mammal taxa, 49 bird taxa and 12 herptile taxa.
Highland Wildlife Park holds 25 mammal taxa, 7 bird taxa and zero herptile taxa.

Therefore, the two collections hold 123 and 32 taxa respectively, for a total of 155 taxa.

As far as Edinburgh Zoo in particular is concerned, the areas where particular losses have taken place are primates (5 taxa lost), carnivores (5 taxa lost) and artiodactyls (6 taxa lost).
 
Okay, I have compiled a total for the mammals, birds and herptile taxa present at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park on 01/01/2012, and a similar total for the present time.

At the start of 2012, the status quo was as follows:

Edinburgh held 86 mammal taxa, 65 bird taxa and 15 herptile taxa.
Highland Wildlife Park held 27 mammal taxa, 6 bird taxa and 4 herptile taxa.

Therefore, the two collections held 166 and 37 taxa respectively, for a total of 203 taxa.

At the present time, the status quo is as follows:

Edinburgh holds 62 mammal taxa, 49 bird taxa and 12 herptile taxa.
Highland Wildlife Park holds 25 mammal taxa, 7 bird taxa and zero herptile taxa.

Therefore, the two collections hold 123 and 32 taxa respectively, for a total of 155 taxa.

As far as Edinburgh Zoo in particular is concerned, the areas where particular losses have taken place are primates (5 taxa lost), carnivores (5 taxa lost) and artiodactyls (6 taxa lost).

In case you should do your maths correctly: birds at Edinburgh Zoo 16 taxa (!!!!), herps is a little less dramatic at 3 herp taxa - allthough admittedly its non-focus on reptiles and amphibians (not to speak of fish and inverts ...) in this day and age for a well to do and representative zoological collection like Edinburgh is even more concerning ... -.

Perhaps a case of slightly overdoing it ... over the MAMMALIA! :rolleyes:
 
What do you mean by this comment ?!

I'm puzzled too :p

Edinburgh's herp and fish collection has been tiny ever since they closed their reptile house in order to build Budongo, so that's actually another issue on top of the recent decimation of the collection.
 
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