WhaleShark
Member
That's awful, thanks for letting me know. Poor Hendrix. Hope Flea is doing OK without him.
Exmoor Zoo Exmoor Zoo News 2024
- Thread starter Alwaysevergreen
- Start date
On July 23rd, the zoo announced they launched a new website.
Exmoor Zoo
Exmoor Zoo | Home of the Exmoor Beast
On August 22nd, the zoo announced that a chestnut-naped imperial pigeon hatched a couple weeks prior.
Exmoor Zoo
On August 24th, the zoo announced that a boat-billed heron hatched.
3.9K views · 159 reactions | More babies Baby Boat-billed Heron in all its squeaky glory. We’ve had lots of late babies and here is one of them. #boatymcboatface #babybird... | By Exmoor Zoo | Facebook
On August 26th, the zoo announced that 3 black-crowned night herons hatched.
3.2K views · 73 reactions | More baby birds - Night heron chicks and the music suits them to a T Who wants to rock on with them as they get excited for lunch? Why not come up... | By Exmoor Zoo | Facebook
On September 4th, the zoo announced that a Eurasian spoonbill hatched which is on exhibit.
Exmoor Zoo
On September 8th, the zoo announced that a long-nosed potoroo was born which is on exhibit.
2.5K views · 115 reactions | What a great way to start a Sunday- a joey Potoroo Finally out the pouch this little one has now moved on to some solid foods like their favourites... | By Exmoor ZooFacebook
Exmoor Zoo
Exmoor Zoo | Home of the Exmoor Beast
On August 22nd, the zoo announced that a chestnut-naped imperial pigeon hatched a couple weeks prior.
Exmoor Zoo
On August 24th, the zoo announced that a boat-billed heron hatched.
3.9K views · 159 reactions | More babies Baby Boat-billed Heron in all its squeaky glory. We’ve had lots of late babies and here is one of them. #boatymcboatface #babybird... | By Exmoor Zoo | Facebook
On August 26th, the zoo announced that 3 black-crowned night herons hatched.
3.2K views · 73 reactions | More baby birds - Night heron chicks and the music suits them to a T Who wants to rock on with them as they get excited for lunch? Why not come up... | By Exmoor Zoo | Facebook
On September 4th, the zoo announced that a Eurasian spoonbill hatched which is on exhibit.
Exmoor Zoo
On September 8th, the zoo announced that a long-nosed potoroo was born which is on exhibit.
2.5K views · 115 reactions | What a great way to start a Sunday- a joey Potoroo Finally out the pouch this little one has now moved on to some solid foods like their favourites... | By Exmoor ZooFacebook
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
2 female Red Panda cubs were born on June 8th to Shifumi and Pan.
Devon zoo announces arrival of red panda cubs
Devon zoo announces arrival of red panda cubs
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
They have been named Amber and Pumpkin
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
Spent a grey, but dry and warm day at Exmoor, my fifth visit, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Here are a few updates and observations, as well as a species lists for the new aviaries in and around the recently enclosed lake, as so far as I can tell no such thing exists on the forum at the moment.
As usual, began with the Tropical House, where the former Blue-tailed Monitor enclosure (a lovely rarity that sadly passed away mid-way through last year) is now inhabited by a Green Tree Monitor. The 'Pond Life' aviary near the café, one of my favourites, now has a new species - the Garganey Teal. However, although they were still signed, I couldn't find any Pied Avocets or European Pond Turtles. Perhaps the latter were moved offshow for the winter (although I doubt it seeing as they are of course European), but the absence of avocets I find harder to explain. Of course it is possible that they were simply hiding, but given that there were no less than eight turtles by my count last May, I find it hard to believe. The new Fennec Foxes are lovely. I had seen them once at Colchester many years ago, but had forgotten how small they truly are. Adorable animals, and it is nice to see Exmoor's already huge carnivore collection grow further. Although I could be mistaken, I believe that, despite what the zoo claimed on their socials, they are not inhabiting the former mongoose and armadillo enclosure (which is in the Tropical House, and still holds mongooses and hyraxes), but instead the former Jaguarundi enclosure, near the howlers and potoroos?
Abou the Shoebill is, as ever, a real highlight, and a delightful animal. I was pleased to see that her aviary, which I had always found too small, has been expanded considerably, and now reaches right up to the lake. Not only that, but she shares it with Himalayan Monal, a rather bizarre choice of bird, I must say, but nonetheless some nice company. She was actually walking around on some occasions, which on all three previous times I had seen the species (twice at Exmoor, once at Prague) I had not seen, so this expansion clearly makes a difference. Not only that, but the expansion is a great change for visitors, too, as she can now be seen from across the lake, from the clouded leopards, for example. A keeper mentioned that, of the 18 Shoebills in captivity, only two have not currently got partners, those being Abou and her brother, which means they will sadly never be able to find a partner for her.
Apologies if it has already been mentioned, but there is a Caracal inhabiting the now-empty former Fishing Cat enclosure. Dingos doing well, nice to see them now with the knowledge that they are dingos, rather than assuming they were new signing dogs due to the lack of a sign or announcement. They certainly seem a lot bigger than when I last saw them, and than the singing dogs ever were - perhaps they were pups upon their arrival at Exmoor? New black leopard is a beautiful cat, and was very much visible resting atop his enclosure. Unsuprisingly, the Honey Badgers didn't venture outdoors (only seen them ever do this once at Exmoor), although interestingly the glass viewing for their indoor area has been covered with black curtains. This is most likely just for privacy, but I can't help but fear for illness, while my inner optimist hopes it suggests we can expect cubs!
There are two new weaver species at Exmoor, both major rarities, although one of them has been present since October last year (it wasn't announced in the news thread, but an image of it was uploaded to the gallery by @gentle lemur ), whereas the other is, so far as I can tell, entirely new. The first is the Streaked Weaver, the only ones at a public collection in Europe. They are found in one of several aviaries in that central block near the tortoises and bush dogs, labelled as 'soft-billed birds' (number 21) on the map. Unfortunately, the aviary that they are in is the most overgrown at the zoo, and is therefore very dark. More fortunately, the birds, from what I could tell, like to spend time at the very top where it is most bright. The second is the Black-headed Weaver, which is slightly more common being kept at ten European collections, of which five (including Exmoor) are in the UK. They too have an aviary in the 'soft-billed birds' block, but they in fact have a second aviary in the songbird block near the gibbons and hornbills, labelled as 'roul-roul and guineafowl' (15a) on the map.
Managed to spot the Brush-tailed Bettong that inhabit the ground portion of the douroucouli enclosure in the Callitrichid House, having failed to do so previously, which was nice. Both Spotted Fanaloka were the most active that I have ever seen them, with one individual in particular being very curious and even venturing outside. I had no idea which such little creatures could run so fast, but it demonstrated great pace in running from one end of its enclosure to the other to rest on what I presume is its favourite rock. Ringtails were very lively, and a single Yellow-throated Marten could be seen sleeping, both of which I hadn't seen in either of my two previous visits to the zoo. In one of the terrariums in the Encounter Zone were three very interesting lizards, which were entirely unsigned, but between Google image search and my own assessment, I believe I have identified them as Armadillo Girdled Lizards, which would make them the only ones at a British zoo. That said, I will in due time upload an image to the gallery, and would appreciate ID from someone who knows their lizards better than myself before I make a ZTL addition.
The Snow Leopards are set to arrive next month, and their enclosure is coming along reasonably well. The mesh roof is in place and substrate has been laid, although the walls are yet to have been built and there is a noticeable lack of climbing. To be honest, I am somewhat underwhelmed by how this enclosure is progressing. Too early to judge, but I don't think it is tall enough to allow for sufficient climbing, is a tad on the small side, and unless a lot of planting and rockwork will occur over the next month, I think the landscaping is a little simplistic and lacking in ambition. For a zoo that is set on a rolling hillside, I would like for them to be a little more ambitious when it comes to Himalayan species. But I will stop ranting and judging an enclosure which isn't even finished yet! The Spotted Hyena enclosure, which will open next summer, looks like it will consist of two yards, one quite small with a large mound in the centre, and the other very large and undulating, both very grassy and with some rudimentary enrichment already in place. To be honest, they seem very near complete and I am surprised we have to wait until summer for the species to arrive. Unlike with the snow leopards, I expect this to be a very good enclosure indeed.
As usual, the quality of signage at Exmoor is very high, and I appreciate how open they are with the public, putting up notice boards that detail their plans for plots of land, the health status of animals, or any recent arrivals, departures and births. Interestingly, while reading the sign for the fanalokas, I noted that in 2021 there were plans for both London and Chester to obtain fanalokas in the near future. Wonder if those plans are still in place. It was also interesting to read that, when they first obtained the species, and perhaps to this very day, Exmoor held the only breeding pair of Northern Ground Hornbills in Europe. Notable names among the lists of chicks born this year were Boat-billed Heron and Straw-necked Ibis. From the departures list, I noted that the zoo are now sadly down to just one female Dusky Pademelon with the male having left for Newquay, and down to one male African Civet with his companion leaving for Hadlow College. Interesting arrivals included a pair of Yellow-throated Martens from Drusilla's and a pair of Chestnut-backed Thrush, one from London and the other from Birdworld, a new species for the zoo.
As for the species list for the lake:
Lake / spoonbill half:
Eurasian Spoonbill
Inca Tern
White-headed Duck
White-backed Duck
Lake / pelican half:
Pink-backed Pelican
Common Eider
Red-billed Chough
unsigned egrets (looked like Little Egrets to me)*
Shoebill aviary:
Shoebill
Himalayan Monal
'Pond Life' aviary:
Garganey Teal
Pied Avocet**
European Pond Turtle**
Heron and turaco aviary:
Black-crowned Night-heron
Violaceous Turaco
Grey-headed Swamphen*
Heron and ibis aviary:
Boat-billed Heron
Puna Ibis
Grey-headed Swamphen**
*indicates that species was unsigned
**indicates that species was signed, but not seen
Underlined species are new to the collection, or at least not listed on ZTL (although I have since added them)
Overall, I was astonished by the quality of these aviaries. Not only be the size of them (which was especially great for the choughs and terns, who were endlessly entertaining to watch), but also by the attention to detail for landscaping. Very well-planted without every feeling lazily overgrown, and with streams and water features throughout with very nice rockwork. The water in some parts of the lake was even clear enough that one could observe the ducks diving. It seems as though there is very much a silver lining to the avian influenza outbreak for Exmoor Zoo, and that is that it encouraged them to develop these remarkable aviaries. I wonder if any more will follow.
I have always been of the opinion that Exmoor is the finest 'small to medium' zoo in the country, but the number of new species, the promise of even more in the near future, and the new aviaries that I saw on this visit leaves me believing that it has further asserted that claim. Really enjoyed my day there.
(Heron and turaco aviary, viewed from the café)
(Spoonbill half of lake)
(Progress on Snow Leopard enclosure)
As usual, began with the Tropical House, where the former Blue-tailed Monitor enclosure (a lovely rarity that sadly passed away mid-way through last year) is now inhabited by a Green Tree Monitor. The 'Pond Life' aviary near the café, one of my favourites, now has a new species - the Garganey Teal. However, although they were still signed, I couldn't find any Pied Avocets or European Pond Turtles. Perhaps the latter were moved offshow for the winter (although I doubt it seeing as they are of course European), but the absence of avocets I find harder to explain. Of course it is possible that they were simply hiding, but given that there were no less than eight turtles by my count last May, I find it hard to believe. The new Fennec Foxes are lovely. I had seen them once at Colchester many years ago, but had forgotten how small they truly are. Adorable animals, and it is nice to see Exmoor's already huge carnivore collection grow further. Although I could be mistaken, I believe that, despite what the zoo claimed on their socials, they are not inhabiting the former mongoose and armadillo enclosure (which is in the Tropical House, and still holds mongooses and hyraxes), but instead the former Jaguarundi enclosure, near the howlers and potoroos?
Abou the Shoebill is, as ever, a real highlight, and a delightful animal. I was pleased to see that her aviary, which I had always found too small, has been expanded considerably, and now reaches right up to the lake. Not only that, but she shares it with Himalayan Monal, a rather bizarre choice of bird, I must say, but nonetheless some nice company. She was actually walking around on some occasions, which on all three previous times I had seen the species (twice at Exmoor, once at Prague) I had not seen, so this expansion clearly makes a difference. Not only that, but the expansion is a great change for visitors, too, as she can now be seen from across the lake, from the clouded leopards, for example. A keeper mentioned that, of the 18 Shoebills in captivity, only two have not currently got partners, those being Abou and her brother, which means they will sadly never be able to find a partner for her.
Apologies if it has already been mentioned, but there is a Caracal inhabiting the now-empty former Fishing Cat enclosure. Dingos doing well, nice to see them now with the knowledge that they are dingos, rather than assuming they were new signing dogs due to the lack of a sign or announcement. They certainly seem a lot bigger than when I last saw them, and than the singing dogs ever were - perhaps they were pups upon their arrival at Exmoor? New black leopard is a beautiful cat, and was very much visible resting atop his enclosure. Unsuprisingly, the Honey Badgers didn't venture outdoors (only seen them ever do this once at Exmoor), although interestingly the glass viewing for their indoor area has been covered with black curtains. This is most likely just for privacy, but I can't help but fear for illness, while my inner optimist hopes it suggests we can expect cubs!
There are two new weaver species at Exmoor, both major rarities, although one of them has been present since October last year (it wasn't announced in the news thread, but an image of it was uploaded to the gallery by @gentle lemur ), whereas the other is, so far as I can tell, entirely new. The first is the Streaked Weaver, the only ones at a public collection in Europe. They are found in one of several aviaries in that central block near the tortoises and bush dogs, labelled as 'soft-billed birds' (number 21) on the map. Unfortunately, the aviary that they are in is the most overgrown at the zoo, and is therefore very dark. More fortunately, the birds, from what I could tell, like to spend time at the very top where it is most bright. The second is the Black-headed Weaver, which is slightly more common being kept at ten European collections, of which five (including Exmoor) are in the UK. They too have an aviary in the 'soft-billed birds' block, but they in fact have a second aviary in the songbird block near the gibbons and hornbills, labelled as 'roul-roul and guineafowl' (15a) on the map.
Managed to spot the Brush-tailed Bettong that inhabit the ground portion of the douroucouli enclosure in the Callitrichid House, having failed to do so previously, which was nice. Both Spotted Fanaloka were the most active that I have ever seen them, with one individual in particular being very curious and even venturing outside. I had no idea which such little creatures could run so fast, but it demonstrated great pace in running from one end of its enclosure to the other to rest on what I presume is its favourite rock. Ringtails were very lively, and a single Yellow-throated Marten could be seen sleeping, both of which I hadn't seen in either of my two previous visits to the zoo. In one of the terrariums in the Encounter Zone were three very interesting lizards, which were entirely unsigned, but between Google image search and my own assessment, I believe I have identified them as Armadillo Girdled Lizards, which would make them the only ones at a British zoo. That said, I will in due time upload an image to the gallery, and would appreciate ID from someone who knows their lizards better than myself before I make a ZTL addition.
The Snow Leopards are set to arrive next month, and their enclosure is coming along reasonably well. The mesh roof is in place and substrate has been laid, although the walls are yet to have been built and there is a noticeable lack of climbing. To be honest, I am somewhat underwhelmed by how this enclosure is progressing. Too early to judge, but I don't think it is tall enough to allow for sufficient climbing, is a tad on the small side, and unless a lot of planting and rockwork will occur over the next month, I think the landscaping is a little simplistic and lacking in ambition. For a zoo that is set on a rolling hillside, I would like for them to be a little more ambitious when it comes to Himalayan species. But I will stop ranting and judging an enclosure which isn't even finished yet! The Spotted Hyena enclosure, which will open next summer, looks like it will consist of two yards, one quite small with a large mound in the centre, and the other very large and undulating, both very grassy and with some rudimentary enrichment already in place. To be honest, they seem very near complete and I am surprised we have to wait until summer for the species to arrive. Unlike with the snow leopards, I expect this to be a very good enclosure indeed.
As usual, the quality of signage at Exmoor is very high, and I appreciate how open they are with the public, putting up notice boards that detail their plans for plots of land, the health status of animals, or any recent arrivals, departures and births. Interestingly, while reading the sign for the fanalokas, I noted that in 2021 there were plans for both London and Chester to obtain fanalokas in the near future. Wonder if those plans are still in place. It was also interesting to read that, when they first obtained the species, and perhaps to this very day, Exmoor held the only breeding pair of Northern Ground Hornbills in Europe. Notable names among the lists of chicks born this year were Boat-billed Heron and Straw-necked Ibis. From the departures list, I noted that the zoo are now sadly down to just one female Dusky Pademelon with the male having left for Newquay, and down to one male African Civet with his companion leaving for Hadlow College. Interesting arrivals included a pair of Yellow-throated Martens from Drusilla's and a pair of Chestnut-backed Thrush, one from London and the other from Birdworld, a new species for the zoo.
As for the species list for the lake:
Lake / spoonbill half:
Eurasian Spoonbill
Inca Tern
White-headed Duck
White-backed Duck
Lake / pelican half:
Pink-backed Pelican
Common Eider
Red-billed Chough
unsigned egrets (looked like Little Egrets to me)*
Shoebill aviary:
Shoebill
Himalayan Monal
'Pond Life' aviary:
Garganey Teal
Pied Avocet**
European Pond Turtle**
Heron and turaco aviary:
Black-crowned Night-heron
Violaceous Turaco
Grey-headed Swamphen*
Heron and ibis aviary:
Boat-billed Heron
Puna Ibis
Grey-headed Swamphen**
*indicates that species was unsigned
**indicates that species was signed, but not seen
Underlined species are new to the collection, or at least not listed on ZTL (although I have since added them)
Overall, I was astonished by the quality of these aviaries. Not only be the size of them (which was especially great for the choughs and terns, who were endlessly entertaining to watch), but also by the attention to detail for landscaping. Very well-planted without every feeling lazily overgrown, and with streams and water features throughout with very nice rockwork. The water in some parts of the lake was even clear enough that one could observe the ducks diving. It seems as though there is very much a silver lining to the avian influenza outbreak for Exmoor Zoo, and that is that it encouraged them to develop these remarkable aviaries. I wonder if any more will follow.
I have always been of the opinion that Exmoor is the finest 'small to medium' zoo in the country, but the number of new species, the promise of even more in the near future, and the new aviaries that I saw on this visit leaves me believing that it has further asserted that claim. Really enjoyed my day there.
(Heron and turaco aviary, viewed from the café)
(Spoonbill half of lake)
(Progress on Snow Leopard enclosure)
Attachments
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Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
A really informative post, really enjoyed it
The mongoose and armadillo did inhabit this enclosure between the jaguarundi going off show and the foxes moving in.
Otherwise, thanks for such a comprehensive post!
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Great update thank you.
Has the general breeding situation in captivity with shoebills improved? Have any chicks recently hatched?
From what I understand they have historically had poor breeding record because of human imprinting, and of course the parents only raise one of the chicks
There hasn’t been any recent hatches. If a successful case of breeding happened recently, then I am sure that it would have been a really big deal many people brought up. In the shoebills in captivity thread it has been brought up that humidity has an effect on the endocrine system. Despite the discovery there hasn’t been any updates of note other than one female having laid an infertile egg this year.
I know these are very long-lived birds and have considerable exhibition value even as singles, but maybe if another holder loses one of a pair, there is hope that Abou, or her brother (depending on the sex left) can be paired up. Never say never...
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According to ztl Walsrode only has one female as of May this year. Mandai also has one male left after that preventable incident. As I mentioned in the shoebill thread there are three unpaired shoebills in Japan, but since they are a huge draw I don’t expect any of them to give up their shoebills. Which is quite unfortunate since those three are not kept in desirable conditions.
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
Interesting, the keeper's information must have been out-of-date. He mentioned that their inability to find a partner for her meant that she was passed around from zoo to zoo (if I am not mistaken, she was born at Pairi Daiza and has since lived at Prague and the private Todd Dalton collection in Cornwall), and eventually Exmoor, who were keen to care for the species and unlike other zoos were unbothered by the non-breeding situation, volunteered to care for her. Not sure how accurate his information was, and to be honest I am surprised that there wasn't more demand for a Shoebill. They are perhaps the only bird other than the well-known penguins and flamingos that consistently generates crowds. Whenever I am at Exmoor, crowds seem to be evidently fascinated even though they haven't before heard of the species (at one point, immediately after Abou arrived when flamingos lived in the aviary opposite, I even heard one elderly woman remark to her companions, "what a funny looking flamingo!"). I know they are notoriously difficult to breed, but are they difficult to care for in general?
I don’t think the case is that there isn’t a demand, but that there aren’t enough animals and breeding success to meet the demand. As mentioned elsewhere, it’s not easy (or at least as I recall, it might be prohibited) to import wild caught birds from Africa to the EU. I am not sure if Great Britain is also subjected to similar restrictions, but if it is then that’s not helping either. It would take a miracle to suddenly find the key to shoebill breeding in order to be able to supply zoos with captive bred shoebills.
Shoebills could live up to 40 years in captivity. The late Bill from Izu Cactus Garden in Japan lived there since 1981 and lived there until 2020. Her keepers estimated that she was 50 years old.
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
I was more referring to the fact that the keeper stated (or at least implied by saying that the non-breeding situation is why Abou ended up at Exmoor) that other zoos weren't interested in caring for a Shoebill without a mate. I am aware of the difficulties of importing wild animals out of Africa.
50 years is quite the impressive age! Let's hope that the remaining Shoebills in captivity can equal that.
Ah I see.
I mean it makes sense. If a zoo can afford shoebills then they may as well try to “put them to use”, even if the chances for breeding success are low.
Typhlonectes
Well-Known Member
Great review. European Pond Turtles do “hibernate” in the North of their range, I am currently at a zoo where this species are dormant under the surface. If these are the Armadillo Lizard (Ouroborus cataphractus) these are also at Birmingham Wildlife Park but still a very impressive lizard and highly sought after
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
According to ZTL, Exmoor recieved 1.3 White-tailed Antsangys (Brachytarsomys albicauda) from a private holder in September. Belonging to the Nesomyidae family of rodents, it is one of just two representatives of said family present in European zoos, along with the Gambian Pouched Rat which is also to be found at Exmoor, albeit offshow. The website lists just 4 UK holders of the species and just 11 European holders. Another wonderful addition to Exmoor's rairty collection - let's hope that the listing is accurate (seeing as both a source and an origin for the animals is provided, it most likely is, but either way we will find out soon enough when the zoo lists their Autumn arrivals and births on the signage boards near the entrance), and that if it is, the animals go on-show.
The Antsangy live in the education office and are currently not on show.... the Gambian pouched rats are no longer at the zoo.... Its the time of year that all manner of animals leave and arrive at the zoo, so stayed tuned!