Edinburgh Zoo Edinburgh zoo
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johnstoni
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Edinburgh was one of the last 'mainstream' uk/charitable zoos to have African lions (before Whipsnade reversed the trend last year), they had an elderly female African until at least the early 2000's, so that may be correct, although of course she could have been off-exhibit when you went. You would know if she was still alive because there is a stipulation with the Asiatic lion breeding programme that no institution may keep them while they have African lions in their care. So, to put it simply, Edinburgh were waiting for Asiatics long before she passed away - if you saw Asiatic lions, it would mean she had already gone by then.
Went to Edinburgh Zoo this week – only my second time, the first was more than 20 years ago. It is really a great collection and I had not realised quite how many rare and seldom seen in the UK species it has : ratel, wolverine, koala, dik-dik, nyala, musk deer, goral, Bawean deer, Japanese serow (although didn’t see these – have they gone to HWP?). Lesser kudu and Darwin’s rhea rather than the usual more common counterparts. The monkey house contained only unusual species: aye-aye, purple-faced langur, l’Hoest and Hamlyn guenon, drill, although the building itself is dated and the aye-aye display in particular was poor. However the drills and aye-aye are to move into the renovated old ape house next year. Some great enclosures such as the African aviary, hunting dogs, maned wolves, gelada baboons.
Budongo is a very good exhibit, although in truth it was not as large or innovative as I expected. Eschewing the natural look for a sleek office modern office block from the outside, it is basically an ape house with three well furnished indoor areas and a spacious external enclosure. The feeling inside is more of a natural history museum than an immersion exhibition, but I liked it.
As previously mentioned, the bird and reptile collection is now fairly rudimentary, reptiles especially are reduced to the odd tank around various animal houses.
Lorikeet landing is pretty disappointing. I like these birds even though I used to get them in the back garden. It is just a small walkthrough warehouse, not very well planted up yet (to be fair it has only been open 6 months) and although ISIS lists 56 birds there did not seem to be nearly as many as that, and it seemed a little empty. Nectar feeding by the general public (which would make it more attractive to the GP) has been suspended as the birds were getting aggressive and biting.
Living links had only just opened and there were two groups each of capuchins and squirrel monkeys in a large house with four indoor dens and two large outdoor areas. This is principally an animal behaviour research area but is well signed and although the monkeys are common I thought it was a very good exhibit.
An interesting aspect is the was the southern half of the zoo is next to a hotel and a very busy road into town, yet the top of the zoo is very open and makes you feel as though you are miles away.
Does anyone know where the giant pandas would be placed, as there is no immediately obvious site to me?
Budongo is a very good exhibit, although in truth it was not as large or innovative as I expected. Eschewing the natural look for a sleek office modern office block from the outside, it is basically an ape house with three well furnished indoor areas and a spacious external enclosure. The feeling inside is more of a natural history museum than an immersion exhibition, but I liked it.
As previously mentioned, the bird and reptile collection is now fairly rudimentary, reptiles especially are reduced to the odd tank around various animal houses.
Lorikeet landing is pretty disappointing. I like these birds even though I used to get them in the back garden. It is just a small walkthrough warehouse, not very well planted up yet (to be fair it has only been open 6 months) and although ISIS lists 56 birds there did not seem to be nearly as many as that, and it seemed a little empty. Nectar feeding by the general public (which would make it more attractive to the GP) has been suspended as the birds were getting aggressive and biting.
Living links had only just opened and there were two groups each of capuchins and squirrel monkeys in a large house with four indoor dens and two large outdoor areas. This is principally an animal behaviour research area but is well signed and although the monkeys are common I thought it was a very good exhibit.
An interesting aspect is the was the southern half of the zoo is next to a hotel and a very busy road into town, yet the top of the zoo is very open and makes you feel as though you are miles away.
Does anyone know where the giant pandas would be placed, as there is no immediately obvious site to me?
zoogiraffe
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The Giant Pandas are to go in the Asian Lion enclosure which will move in to the Amur Tiger enclosure once they have gone to Highland Wildlife Park.They will eventually get a purpose built enclosure.
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I was at Edinburgh last week also, although I have visited more frequently than Pygathrix in the past few years. I agree with most of his judgements.
I like Budongo: the indoor areas are quite spacious, if you consider the height as well as the width and length. I did think that if they want to keep 30 chimps, they may get crowded, particularly if they can't/don't want to go outside in the winter, but then I reasoned that Chester's indoor enclosure is little larger than one of the Budongo cages and a large number of chimps live there. I wasn't awfully impressed with the lighting: I would prefer bigger skylights. I was surprised that the keepers have to use a ladder to open up the two overhead walkways - but they resonate wonderfully when the dominant male charges along them as he displays. The presenter said that the chimps should be allowed into the outdoor area later this week.
I also agree that Lorikeet Landings is disappointing. The square structure is unimaginative and there is a shelf where the walls join the roof where the lorikeets can be virtually out of sight. Again the lighting is not wonderful, which may be one of the reasons why the vegetation is pretty sparse - although I'm sure the birds don't help. The honeyeater's area looks like an afterthought - it's probably fine for the birds, but it doesn't show them off.
I think Living Links is very nice. The monkeys in the eastern half were enjoying their enclosure when I was there. It would be interesting to watch some of the experimental work which will be observable when it gets under way.
Photos will appear in the Gallery eventually
Alan
I like Budongo: the indoor areas are quite spacious, if you consider the height as well as the width and length. I did think that if they want to keep 30 chimps, they may get crowded, particularly if they can't/don't want to go outside in the winter, but then I reasoned that Chester's indoor enclosure is little larger than one of the Budongo cages and a large number of chimps live there. I wasn't awfully impressed with the lighting: I would prefer bigger skylights. I was surprised that the keepers have to use a ladder to open up the two overhead walkways - but they resonate wonderfully when the dominant male charges along them as he displays. The presenter said that the chimps should be allowed into the outdoor area later this week.
I also agree that Lorikeet Landings is disappointing. The square structure is unimaginative and there is a shelf where the walls join the roof where the lorikeets can be virtually out of sight. Again the lighting is not wonderful, which may be one of the reasons why the vegetation is pretty sparse - although I'm sure the birds don't help. The honeyeater's area looks like an afterthought - it's probably fine for the birds, but it doesn't show them off.
I think Living Links is very nice. The monkeys in the eastern half were enjoying their enclosure when I was there. It would be interesting to watch some of the experimental work which will be observable when it gets under way.
Photos will appear in the Gallery eventually
Alan
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johnstoni
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I have to say I'm intrigued that they are placing brown capuchins with squirrel monkeys in a mixed exhibit. I'm sure they coexist in the wild but capuchins are known to occasionally prey on smaller mammals and I can't imagine it would take much for them to kill a baby squirrel monkey....hopefully that won't happen but I don't think the eventuality can really be prevented if it is going to.....
An old video from Edinburgh zoo from 1926
YouTube - Edinburgh Zoo (1926)
YouTube - Edinburgh Zoo (1926)
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