Baringogiraffe12
Well-Known Member
It was mentioned elsewhere they are being sourced from Germany, the collection itself is not mentioned.
Edinburgh Zoo Edinburgh Zoo News 2025
- Thread starter Quincey
- Start date
Berlin, perhaps?
cerperal
Well-Known Member
Would make sense given the plans to expand the former (and future) polar bear exhibit, at the loss of at least one of the sloth bears exhibits. If Edinburgh intend to breed (I have no idea if there is the space for it, presumably so given the attempts to breed the pandas before) a female from Berlin and a male from Leipzig would be the most logical and suit all 3 collections.
Maybe it is not the time for such unfounded speculation, you are making quite a few leaps. Even if they would have the capacity to breed, it is not a given they will receive a female immediately. The last new holders of sloth bear in Europe all started with males only....
We will find out soon enough.
24/06303/FUL | Installation of a new Animal Day den constructed from timber with an associated steel frame. Additional minor landscaping works to be undertaken to suit the new construction. | The Gatehouse Edinburgh Zoo 134 Corstorphine Road Murrayfield Edinburgh EH12 6TS
Going by the plans they have put into Edinburgh council in the link above for approval it looks like they are planning on having a male and a female with this made clear on the plans granted they might not get the male and female sloth bear at the same time
Going by the plans they have put into Edinburgh council in the link above for approval it looks like they are planning on having a male and a female with this made clear on the plans granted they might not get the male and female sloth bear at the same time
cerperal
Well-Known Member
I'd disagree, not least on the suggestion this is "unfounded" especially when it has been explicitly said the bear(s) will be sourced from Germany. I fail to see the leaps made here, aside from speculating they may want a breeding pair which I'm pretty certain I made clear is an if. Of the 4 collections in Germany with sloth bears, 2 have explicitly made reference to at least decreasing numbers, with Berlin appearing to be an almost certainty in the short term. Berlin and Leipzig are therefore the most likely sources and if they wished to acquire a pair - which as @Pingu22 has helpfully replied they do but not necessarily at the same time - it would be logical to acquire one of opposite sex from both given all 3 collections aims with the species. Equally it's possible for 2 to come from Berlin.
Someone made a suggestion, I elaborated. I apologise if that is deemed unnecessary but I felt it appropriate to join a discussion regarding a species a lot of us are rather overly-enthusiastic about
While Leipzig indeed has a male born in 2019 that could leave, they have plenty of capacity to keep holding it and pair it with another individual. I have seen no reference that they need to decrease their sloth bear numbers, but I am happy to be proven wrong.
Additionally a new polar bear enclosure in Berlin is a pipe dream as far as I am aware and certainly no short term timeline. They have other construction plans to focus on first...
There is currently 1 sloth bear that will need to leave its zoo relatively quickly and that is the female offspring in Zlin, as that zoo doesn't have the capacity to separate it long term. Given the fact that new sloth bear holders typically start with only males before a female is given. It is an equally likely scenario that Munster gets the young female from Zlin and one of their males moves to Edinburgh for example. Or alternatively the Zlin female is paired with another male in e.g. Rheine, which means the retirement of another female who is "free" to move.
There are too many variables to know what will happen and we will find out sooner rather than later. I understand all the excitement, but too often speculation here has been taken to be "true" and led to misinformation elsewhere.
cerperal
Well-Known Member
Without wishing to derail the thread further - Leipzig do wish to offload the male born in 2019, it was mentioned in a thread at some point last year and I spoke to a keeper about it in June last year after they were fed which corroborated that information. Last I was aware they wanted to use the other male for breeding again, but plans do change.
RE the polar bears at Berlin - I'm not sure where you're getting your information from, but the Zoo outright said the polar bears are a current priority alongside the okapi and big cat expansions. There was a press release last year regarding it and as you say, given their current construction plans it is a shock and doesn't make a lot of sense in the scheme of things. But Berlin Zoo is Berlin Zoo and they've decided they want polar bears again, meaning the sloth bear exhibits are on the chopping block to allow the polar bear exhibit to expand. I can't remember the exact timeframe but it is within a couple of years
You are quite correct, but again - I was replying to a comment about the possibility of Berlin, and so gave additional information and the most likely option if one arrives from that collection. It's also worth saying that as far as I am aware, the new EEP makes no reference as to whether a zoo should acquire a male before a female and recent acquisitions have instead been dictated by available stock and intention to breed.
As you say, we shall see. But I believe my language in both replies is clear enough that it is not spurious but informed speculation.
Martii
Well-Known Member
Do you know if anything is going to be done below the Giraffes where the Przewalski's are?
No not heard anything about the przewalksi enclosure but again that’s quite a big area they seem to really want to bring the camels back to the zoo I’d rather they put them in place of the Prsewalskis and use the African plains area which is a massive enclosure for something else or maybe use it as a multi animal enclosure would love to have ostriches etc
I indeed misremembered that, heck I even posted it on this forum last year.... But while it does indeed say they want to keep a breeding group of polar bears again, it doesn't say the sloth bears are on the chopping block. For all we know they will get rid of the Arctic wolves and expand the polar bear habitat in that direction. That would make more sense from a species management perspective as EEP species are becoming ever more important at Zoo Berlin.
Martii
Well-Known Member
Wow I wish I keep messaging the zoo to get more birds into the collection
Taken from Highland Wildlife Park social media
Staffa, our wildcat, has moved to her new home at Edinburgh Zoo while we work to refurbish Wildcat Wood over the coming weeks.
This means there are no wildcats on show at the park right now but we can't wait to welcome a new pair once the work has been completed
Don't forget to visit the hilltop hub on your visit and learn more about our work with Saving Wildcats - you can even look out and see the conservation breeding for release centre
Staffa, our wildcat, has moved to her new home at Edinburgh Zoo while we work to refurbish Wildcat Wood over the coming weeks.
This means there are no wildcats on show at the park right now but we can't wait to welcome a new pair once the work has been completed
Don't forget to visit the hilltop hub on your visit and learn more about our work with Saving Wildcats - you can even look out and see the conservation breeding for release centre
LotsOfPenguins
New Member
Ah, sorry, no. I should have noted them. Will check next time!
A brand-new virtual reality experience has launched at Edinburgh Zoo, giving visitors the chance to explore the mountains of Rwanda and observe a family of mountain gorillas.
Six pods have been installed in the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) award-winning Budongo Trail habitat, offering an adventure led by world-renowned primatologist Dr. Tara Stoinski. The wildlife conservation charity’s new encounter allows visitors the chance to discover the unique family dynamics between silverback mountain gorillas and their family.
Prices start at £7 per session and a valid zoo admissions ticket must be purchased. More information can be found at edinburghzoo.org.uk/virtual-reality
Explore the Rwandan mountains during a visit to Edinburgh Zoo
Six pods have been installed in the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) award-winning Budongo Trail habitat, offering an adventure led by world-renowned primatologist Dr. Tara Stoinski. The wildlife conservation charity’s new encounter allows visitors the chance to discover the unique family dynamics between silverback mountain gorillas and their family.
Prices start at £7 per session and a valid zoo admissions ticket must be purchased. More information can be found at edinburghzoo.org.uk/virtual-reality
Explore the Rwandan mountains during a visit to Edinburgh Zoo
Just had members update email, RZSS are also changing their reciprocal zoos admissions (some added some removed)
We would like to make you aware of some changes to your RZSS membership benefits regarding reciprocal zoo admission:
From Tuesday 1 April 2025, your RZSS membership will give you access to the following zoos and wildlife parks:
Bristol Zoo Project, Chester Zoo, Colchester Zoo, Marwell Zoo, Newquay Zoo, Paignton Zoo, Twycross Zoo *plus* new additions Banham Zoo and Africa Alive.
Subject to terms and conditions of the respective sites, some parks may be limited to one visit per year. Please check with the zoo you wish to visit for their terms of entry.
From Tuesday 1 April 2025, members no longer receive entry to Belfast Zoo, Curragh’s Wildlife Park, Dublin Zoo, Fota Wildlife Park or Rotterdam Zoo.
We would like to make you aware of some changes to your RZSS membership benefits regarding reciprocal zoo admission:
From Tuesday 1 April 2025, your RZSS membership will give you access to the following zoos and wildlife parks:
Bristol Zoo Project, Chester Zoo, Colchester Zoo, Marwell Zoo, Newquay Zoo, Paignton Zoo, Twycross Zoo *plus* new additions Banham Zoo and Africa Alive.
Subject to terms and conditions of the respective sites, some parks may be limited to one visit per year. Please check with the zoo you wish to visit for their terms of entry.
From Tuesday 1 April 2025, members no longer receive entry to Belfast Zoo, Curragh’s Wildlife Park, Dublin Zoo, Fota Wildlife Park or Rotterdam Zoo.
OasisGirl94
Active Member
The zoo's remaining red pandas Bruce and his granddaughter Priya are now sharing an enclosure.
GeeZee
Well-Known Member
Speaking of Berlin, I recently visited Berlin Zoo & i was very impressed. Edinburgh could learn a lot from them and some of the enclosures.
It’s disappointing that Edinburgh Zoos footfall has fallen to 531,557 last year, that’s actually quite a staggering drop of nearly 100,000 visitors!! (Last year was 618,719).
I wonder how much of that is because the pandas are no longer there, but equally I still don’t think Edinburgh does enough to brand itself to the wider market in the rest of the UK & internationally, but I’m glad they are doing more events and things lately & the sloth bears are going to be great to see.
It’s disappointing that Edinburgh Zoos footfall has fallen to 531,557 last year, that’s actually quite a staggering drop of nearly 100,000 visitors!! (Last year was 618,719).
I wonder how much of that is because the pandas are no longer there, but equally I still don’t think Edinburgh does enough to brand itself to the wider market in the rest of the UK & internationally, but I’m glad they are doing more events and things lately & the sloth bears are going to be great to see.
The biggest thing any zoo can learn from Berlin is that every available space is used for animals.