Edinburgh Zoo Edinburgh Zoo news 2024

[Animallover1998]

I wonder if these cheetahs they're getting will be the Northeast subspecies (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii).

Seems my predictions were right after all!

Had a brief look at cheetahs on ZTL, I didn't notice the Northeast subspecies was listed as an Endangered species while the Southeast subspecies (the more common cheetah in zoos) is listed as Vulnerable.

Either way, it's nice to see more zoos going into this species since the start of the 2020's, with places like Belfast, Yorkshire and Five Sisters adding them to their collections.

 

[Martii]

Following a visit today, the aviary which used to house the Northern Bald Ibis, between the duck pond enclosure (currently home to the pelicans) and the new Cheetah enclosure, is now empty. I believe the Ibis have been moved into the outside enclosures of the old Monkey House, although this area is currently closed off due to the arrival of the new Cheetah so I only got a glimpse from a distance but there was certainly a dark coloured bird of some sort in the outside of the old Monkey House enclosures.

I hope they are not leaving the collection? The zoo bird section has declined in species which is a shame

 

[Rupert89]

The cheetah is now on show according to the zoos facebook

 

[Scottish Wildcat]

Saw her today! But not until the very end. Got a sneaky look at her being fed and had her come right up to the glass! Still seems a bit shy and settling in but when you actually see the size of her the enclosure is a very very good size

 

[Baringogiraffe12]

• Female Sun Bear, Babu, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is currently receiving end of life care, they expect her to pass away in the next few weeks so the zoo will without Sun Bears for a while.

I've just received the new 2024 guidebook from Edinburgh and the most notable admission is the sun bears from the guidebook so would appear this would be more long-term.

 

[Cobi]

I've just received the new 2024 guidebook from Edinburgh and the most notable admission is the sun bears from the guidebook so would appear this would be more long-term.

That’s a shame but I do hope they have a plan in place for whatever comes next, even if only temporary. It’s a prominent enclosure in the middle of the zoo and the zoo really doesn’t need more empty spaces.

 

[Animallover1998]

So does this mean Babu is still alive or is she no longer at the zoo?

 

[Baringogiraffe12]

So does this mean Babu is still alive or is she no longer at the zoo?

There's been no indication from the zoo that she has passed away, incidentally one of the zoo's fan pages on Facebook shows Babu very much alive and well yesterday - long may that continue.

 

[polarbear]

I've just received the new 2024 guidebook from Edinburgh and the most notable admission is the sun bears from the guidebook so would appear this would be more long-term.

Have they issued a new guide book already? The sun bear is shown on p23 of the guide I bought at the zoo in early July, which was only released last year.

Edit: Have just seen on website that they have new guides for 2024 with a koala or tiger cover. The other ones must have sold really well for them to publish a new guide already, or they ordered a small quantity.

 

[GeeZee]

I've just received the new 2024 guidebook from Edinburgh and the most notable admission is the sun bears from the guidebook so would appear this would be more long-term.

That really is a shame, the sun bears have always been a big part of the Zoo, although in the recent AGM (I still need to write up my notes from that) they did tease that they will be a new bear to replace the pandas so I at least hope this will come to fruition.

 

[Cinnamon Ground Dove]

I think a L'Hoest's monkey has been born. I'm sure I saw it hanging onto mum!

 

[Pandaboi]

I think a L'Hoest's monkey has been born. I'm sure I saw it hanging onto mum!

Brilliant news!

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

That really is a shame, the sun bears have always been a big part of the Zoo, although in the recent AGM (I still need to write up my notes from that) they did tease that they will be a new bear to replace the pandas so I at least hope this will come to fruition.

Can you write up your notes of the recent AGM please! I am sure it will be of interest to regular Zoochatters....!

 

[Scottish Wildcat]

A few updates from tonight's AGM:

• The Gelada enclosure refurbishment is now complete and the Gelada's have full access to the enclosure again.
• 1.1 Cheetah are due to arrive at the zoo in the next few months, they will be housed in the exhibit that currently houses the Red River Hogs, with the RRH's moving into what was previously the Pelican's enclosure, with significant refurbishment having been done to that enclosure to make it suitable for the RRH's.
• Pallas Cats will also be arriving soon and will be housed in the currently empty enclosure that was most recently home to the Binturongs.
• Binturongs are on the Zoo's long term species plan, however there are currently no individuals available anywhere in Europe. A Binturong has recently been born in another collection and has tentatively been allocated to the zoo, if this happens the animal involved will likely not arrive in Edinburgh for at least a year.
• Titi monkey's are also due to arrive this year, it wasn't confirmed at the AGM which enclosure they would be going into.
• The replacement species for the Giant Panda will arrive next year, it will be a new species of Bear but no further information was provided.
• Female Sun Bear, Babu, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is currently receiving end of life care, they expect her to pass away in the next few weeks so the zoo will without Sun Bears for a while.
• Male Indian Rhino, Qabid, is due to leave the zoo in November, with 2 new young males due to arrive after his departure. When these 2 new males eventually depart the zoo in a few years time, it is then hoped that a new rhino enclosure will be built.
• There is a new Pudu fawn at the zoo, and the Cotton Top Tamarins gave birth today to twins.
• The refurbishment of the Koala enclosure has been granted planning permission, building warrant is still waiting on a decision, it is hoped work will start here towards the end of the year or the beginning of next year. 2 young male Koala's have been lined up to join the zoo's females.
• Update on penguin chick numbers, 17 Gentoo chicks have hatched this year, alongside 5 Rockhopper chicks.

It was summarised in this message here!

 

[jtrbmvcq]

Visited the other day, I also saw a baby l’Hoest monkey and can confirm the sun bear is still very much alive (albeit heavily pacing and stereotyping all day sadly). Couple of cotton top tamarin babies too, (not sure if they’ve been announced?) but they look a good month or two old. Got a good look at Clio the new cheetah also, she was led down in the shelter in the middle of the paddock with her head up. Spotted the bald ibis in one of the old monkey houses aviaries. Hadn’t been for a long while, can anyone tell me what used to be in the enclosure with the waterfall behind the sun bears and next to the pudu?

 

[polarbear]

Visited the other day, I also saw a baby l’Hoest monkey and can confirm the sun bear is still very much alive (albeit heavily pacing and stereotyping all day sadly). Couple of cotton top tamarin babies too, (not sure if they’ve been announced?) but they look a good month or two old. Got a good look at Clio the new cheetah also, she was led down in the shelter in the middle of the paddock with her head up. Spotted the bald ibis in one of the old monkey houses aviaries. Hadn’t been for a long while, can anyone tell me what used to be in the enclosure with the waterfall behind the sun bears and next to the pudu?

That used to be Baboon Rock - Barbary macaques. Unsure of the year it stopped being used, still marked on map in my 1994 guide.

 

[Jennings]

That used to be Baboon Rock - Barbary macaques. Unsure of the year it stopped being used, still marked on map in my 1994 guide.

It was still there and inhabited by Rock Apes during my first visit in 1996.

 

[adamntitch]

It was still there and inhabited by Rock Apes during my first visit in 1996.

Av seen otters and rock hyrax in there over the years as well

 

[felis silvestris]

It held the gentoo penguins temporarily in 2012 when the main enclosure was being refurbished.

 

[pendraig_milnerae]

I think there are also plans (or at the very least, and idea) to refurbish the old Baboon Rock at some point, especially now they’ve got the waterfall up and running. Please correct me if I’m wrong though.