Edinburgh Zoo Edinburgh Zoo News 2021

Jude T said:
So where are they all being kept?

Also does anyone know if they’ve moved the new chimp in with the group yet? If not he’s been alone for quite a while.
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The Lion enclosure can be split into separate area's. The Lions are then rotated between the areas so they all have a turn in each area.

The new Chimp was only alone for a short period of time after his arrival, he was then gradually introduced to the troop. I'm not sure if this integration has been complete or is still in progress, it's very difficult to tell in Budongo if the chimps are being separated or are choosing to be separate from the others.
 
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Quincey said:
The Lion enclosure can be split into separate area's. The Lions are then rotated between the areas so they all have a turn in each area.

The new Chimp was only alone for a short period of time after his arrival, he was then gradually introduced to the troop. I'm not sure if this integration has been complete or is still in progress, it's very difficult to tell in Budongo if the chimps are being separated or are choosing to be separate from the others.
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That makes sense, I hadn’t heard anything on the chimp for a while.
 
Couple of updates from the Zoo this afternoon:

  • The inside of the monkey house is now permanently closed to visitors. The remaining monkey's will hopefully be re-housed within the zoo. 1.0 Gibbon from the Monkey House has been moved to a zoo in Norway as part of the breeding programme.
  • There are currently no plans to bring in a female Malayan Tapir to pair with the resident male.
  • The Cape Porcupines are now in the enclosure next to the otters in the centre of the zoo (previously home to the Red River Hogs/Visayan Warty Pigs/Pygmy Goats).
 
I must admit, the porcupines are far better in that enclosure than any suid. Did you see where the warty pigs are now?

I reckon the resident male tapir is fairly old now, or at least his genes are well represented so he is probably not recommended to breed him.

I hope they knock down the monkey house and expand the old panda complex to make larger sun bear enclosures, maybe use the space for a binturong enclosure or even an aviary.
 
Jude T said:
As doubtful as I am, I do genuinely hope it works.
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So do I, but when they’ve tried this for seven years without success, I struggle to see how this time is going to be any different.

It’d be interesting to see stats on panda breeding success outside of China - but from what I’m observed, it mostly either works or it doesn’t i.e. pairs either never breed; or breed more than once.

I think it’s time to be realistic. This pair are a money pit. Either swap them out for a new pair; or phase out the species and spend the money on other areas that need funding.
 
Quincey said:
Couple of updates from the Zoo this afternoon:

  • The inside of the monkey house is now permanently closed to visitors. The remaining monkey's will hopefully be re-housed within the zoo. 1.0 Gibbon from the Monkey House has been moved to a zoo in Norway as part of the breeding programme.
  • There are currently no plans to bring in a female Malayan Tapir to pair with the resident male.
  • The Cape Porcupines are now in the enclosure next to the otters in the centre of the zoo (previously home to the Red River Hogs/Visayan Warty Pigs/Pygmy Goats).
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Even if there were plans to bring in another female Malayan Tapir, the problem would be sourcing one at the moment. Very few births take place in Europe each year (5 healthy births in a year would be considered a huge success) and those that are being born tend to go to existing EEP holders to form new pairs. The Edinburgh male isn't that old (he was born at Dortmund in 2009) so maybe he will be paired up with another female if one becomes available at some point.. Might have a long wait though
 
Nisha said:
Even if there were plans to bring in another female Malayan Tapir, the problem would be sourcing one at the moment. Very few births take place in Europe each year (5 healthy births in a year would be considered a huge success) and those that are being born tend to go to existing EEP holders to form new pairs. The Edinburgh male isn't that old (he was born at Dortmund in 2009) so maybe he will be paired up with another female if one becomes available at some point.. Might have a long wait though
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I’ve seen the tapirs at Edinburgh a number of times. I find the enclosure really underwhelming for the visitor and always leave thinking that the climate up there just isn’t right for this species, in that enclosure. I could be way off the mark here, but I feel the same about the Rhino enclosure but I do understand they play an important role in the programme.
 
Zoofan15 said:
It’d be interesting to see stats on panda breeding success outside of China - but from what I’m observed, it mostly either works or it doesn’t i.e. pairs either never breed; or breed more than once.

.
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It does seem to be that way...the only change for Edinburgh's pair(female) this time around is they have been moved to different accomodation, I don't think an AI attempt was made last year at all, so this could test whether that makes any difference. Like you I think it is very unlikely. Some press have even stated she 'could be pregnant with her second cub'- a reference to her pre-Edinburgh birth in China.
 
Update from the zoo this afternoon confirming the female Gibbon passed away shortly before Christmas last year due to complications from surgery.
 
Update from the zoo this morning, the Sumatran Tigers have not been introduced to each other yet. The keepers are currently switching the tigers between the 2 enclosures on a regular basis. Currently female Dharma is in the older enclosure and male Lucu is in Tiger Tracks.
 
1st visit of the year today, thoroughly enjoyed being back at the zoo again! Glorious sunshine all day, managed to see the vast majority of the animals, and pretty much all visitors following social distancing and the one way system, fantastic 1st day back!

A few small updates:

  • Visayan Warty Pigs have moved back to their previous enclosure opposite the Egyptian Vultures
  • At least 2 Brown Capuchin young in Living Links
  • Lowland Nyala have been moved to the enclosure between the Zebra's and Tiger's (female Tiger was very interested in them!), although only seen the females, not sure if the male is in their too or if he is elsewhere
  • Enclosure behind the Sun Bear's is being turned into a water feature, pics below:
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