Edinburgh Zoo Edinburgh Zoo News 2023

I'm not sure if these are both the females that originally came from the USA, or one of them and one since bred at Edinburgh, or both bred in Edinburgh. If the former they are now pretty old and probably past breeding age. Depending on that, they will need probably need fresh stock if they hope to continue breeding, but a new male is obviously the first priority. It would have to come from Europe unless Port Lympne have a suitable aged male in their large group they are prepared to release (Their Drills are EEP owned/managed afaik).

From an old USA thread on Zoochat I can confirm the two female Drills at Edinburgh are the original ones that came from the USA as the names tally. I believe they are full sisters, both born in Atlanta and later transferred to Columbus, from where they came to Edinburgh. Birthdates are 1996 and 2001, making them 27 & 22 respectively. So this puts them nearer the upper ages for breeding though it may still possible (for one anyway) if a new male is obtained. I don't know how many babies have been born at Edinburgh but presumably no females.
 
Attended one of the Panda themed events recently (as part of the “Giant Farewell”) after booking tickets back in January.

Went very well & was lovely seeing some of the animals before the zoo had officially opened, as always the staff were very friendly and it was nice to visit the mansion house too.

Can’t help but feel RZSS slightly missed a trick here though as the events were extremely limited when they first released they sold in less than 2 hours (raising at least £42k).

While I used to work in events and I know it’s not easy to plan these things I do feel they should of maybe allocated extra mornings for these events (Bamboo Brunch/Panda pancakes) in the past few months (there’s only been 2 a month I believe).

Still, I was lucky and in my view it was worth it - as an added bonus I saw David Field too.

On a side note, recently they’ve expanded their discovery team and have brought in a number of RZSS “Ambassadors” to supplement the Discovery Rangers. It’s great to see they are expanding the team as an additional layer of engagement between the Zoo and visitors.
 
Update from today:

1. There's a strange small flower bed in the old meerkat enclosure.

2. The new sloth is in the main enclosure with Fe.

3. The smaller section of the pygmy hippo enclosure has got new substrate with woodchip at the back and sand at the front. Both hippos seemed to enjoy resting in the sun.

4. The hippo house was closed saying 'The hippos need rest' and advising you to go and visit some of the other indoor enclosures.

5. The Taiwan beauty snake enclosure in wee beasties is now empty and unsigned, with all furnishings removed from the enclosure.

6. The cloud rat outdoor enclosure was being painted when i walked past.

7. Both drills were active inside and outside.

8. The former tapir enclosure (now warty pig) cannot be viewed outside anymore and there was no sign of them indoors, though they were still signed.
 
Update from today:

1. There's a strange small flower bed in the old meerkat enclosure.

2. The new sloth is in the main enclosure with Fe.

3. The smaller section of the pygmy hippo enclosure has got new substrate with woodchip at the back and sand at the front. Both hippos seemed to enjoy resting in the sun.

4. The hippo house was closed saying 'The hippos need rest' and advising you to go and visit some of the other indoor enclosures.

5. The Taiwan beauty snake enclosure in wee beasties is now empty and unsigned, with all furnishings removed from the enclosure.

6. The cloud rat outdoor enclosure was being painted when i walked past.

7. Both drills were active inside and outside.

8. The former tapir enclosure (now warty pig) cannot be viewed outside anymore and there was no sign of them indoors, though they were still signed.
Where’s the new meerkat exhibit?
 
Where’s the new meerkat exhibit?
It's the one at the entrance, it's a few years old now.
Update from today:

1. There's a strange small flower bed in the old meerkat enclosure.

2. The new sloth is in the main enclosure with Fe.

3. The smaller section of the pygmy hippo enclosure has got new substrate with woodchip at the back and sand at the front. Both hippos seemed to enjoy resting in the sun.

4. The hippo house was closed saying 'The hippos need rest' and advising you to go and visit some of the other indoor enclosures.

5. The Taiwan beauty snake enclosure in wee beasties is now empty and unsigned, with all furnishings removed from the enclosure.

6. The cloud rat outdoor enclosure was being painted when i walked past.

7. Both drills were active inside and outside.

8. The former tapir enclosure (now warty pig) cannot be viewed outside anymore and there was no sign of them indoors, though they were still signed.
Also another thing to add:

Some of the meerkats have moved to the sick kids building in town as they have built a small enclosure for them outside the building to entertain the children. It will apparently be the only meerkat enclosure outside a children's hospital in Europe.
Meerkat Manners! Cute critters find new home at Edinburgh children's hospital (vnexplorer.net)
I presume these will be the males, as when I last saw them in 2022 they were in the monkey house (the former gibbon enclosure in there, I think)
 
It's the one at the entrance, it's a few years old now.

Also another thing to add:

Some of the meerkats have moved to the sick kids building in town as they have built a small enclosure for them outside the building to entertain the children. It will apparently be the only meerkat enclosure outside a children's hospital in Europe.
Meerkat Manners! Cute critters find new home at Edinburgh children's hospital (vnexplorer.net)
I presume these will be the males, as when I last saw them in 2022 they were in the monkey house (the former gibbon enclosure in there, I think)
They haven't built the enclosure at the hospital, think it's happening next year.
 
Other news from recent visit:

The living links has had a facelift. Most of the old signage is now removed, the place had got a fresh lick of paint and there is new interactive signage for IDing the primates. The climbing structures are also looking good.
 
I visited last night for the zoo nights:

The picture of the animals on the wall inside the entrance building has been redone and they have put a timeline on it.

Nico the sloth seems to be doing well, he was hanging just over my head this evening, I hadn’t seem any sloth do that at the zoo yet.

The Giant anteater was very active, wandering around its enclosure.
 
I visited last night for the zoo nights:

The picture of the animals on the wall inside the entrance building has been redone and they have put a timeline on it.

Nico the sloth seems to be doing well, he was hanging just over my head this evening, I hadn’t seem any sloth do that at the zoo yet.

The Giant anteater was very active, wandering around its enclosure.

Are some animals closed off for those? I heard you can’t see animals such as the pandas or the koalas during the sundown events.
 
A million quid a year just for them to be off show for a special event at the zoo, which is an excellent money making opportunity.
 
Update from today:

1. There's a strange small flower bed in the old meerkat enclosure.

2. The new sloth is in the main enclosure with Fe.

3. The smaller section of the pygmy hippo enclosure has got new substrate with woodchip at the back and sand at the front. Both hippos seemed to enjoy resting in the sun.

4. The hippo house was closed saying 'The hippos need rest' and advising you to go and visit some of the other indoor enclosures.

5. The Taiwan beauty snake enclosure in wee beasties is now empty and unsigned, with all furnishings removed from the enclosure.

6. The cloud rat outdoor enclosure was being painted when i walked past.

7. Both drills were active inside and outside.

8. The former tapir enclosure (now warty pig) cannot be viewed outside anymore and there was no sign of them indoors, though they were still signed.


More flowers, fantastic.

Also (and apologies for stupidity), but where is the cloud rat enclosure?
 
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