Paignton Zoo How are the elephants?

[Maguari]

Why not extend the current enclosure all the way back to the rhino paddock and across to the old red brick houses currently used for Capybara/Tapir/Anoa and 'Winter Ostrich'?' Then, as someone pointed out earlier on, it could house a 'retirement herd'?

If Elephants are not in the 'masterplan' then that whole area from the Badger Hide across to the back of Monkey Heights and up to the camel and Barbary Sheep, and above the cheetahs area, could become one huge African exhibit with overhead walkways?

It always amazes me (and I'm sorry to pick on your post for this, TriGB!) how the first thing so many people think of whenever changes are afoot is 'how many areas can we lump together into one big exhibit?'! All that happens is that that one big exhibit takes up half the zoo and reduces the number of animals and species on show. Better to lose one big species than 15 or so smaller ones, in my book.

For the short term, I suspect Duchess will live in solitary retirement; unless she seems to be reacting adversely to being on her own I suspect bringing in other animals may be prohibitively expensive (although, of course, this depends on what the zoo's future elephant intentions are).

If the zoo do not intend keeping elephants once Duchess dies, then I would expect the giraffes to be given the whole house and paddock, possibly with the addition of one or two other species (preferably browsers rather than grazers, at least while the paddock recovers!).

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

It always amazes me (and I'm sorry to pick on your post for this, TriGB!) how the first thing so many people think of whenever changes are afoot is 'how many areas can we lump together into one big exhibit?'! All that happens is that that one big exhibit takes up half the zoo and reduces the number of animals and species on show. Better to lose one big species than 15 or so smaller ones, in my book.

For the short term, I suspect Duchess will live in solitary retirement; unless she seems to be reacting adversely to being on her own I suspect bringing in other animals may be prohibitively expensive (although, of course, this depends on what the zoo's future elephant intentions are).

If the zoo do not intend keeping elephants once Duchess dies, then I would expect the giraffes to be given the whole house and paddock, possibly with the addition of one or two other species (preferably browsers rather than grazers, at least while the paddock recovers!).

Affirmative, no point in sending her away. As long as her emotional welfare in solitary is not compromised she should never be moved, that is utmost animal welfare (strange this may shoud to some).

I do wonder what long term plans are - as the facility was built from scratch - and must have had in mind that both Gay and Duchess being elderly eles would at some point cease to be ...

Do you have any ideas what vision/long-term plan the zoo management has to that effect? Or anyone else for that matter ...???

 

[Gigit]

Quote from a local newspaper:
"The zoo says there are no plans to bring in more elephants and Duchess has her own health problems which the zoo is monitoring to make sure she maintains a good quality of life."

 

[TriGB]

It always amazes me (and I'm sorry to pick on your post for this, TriGB!) how the first thing so many people think of whenever changes are afoot is 'how many areas can we lump together into one big exhibit?'! All that happens is that that one big exhibit takes up half the zoo and reduces the number of animals and species on show. Better to lose one big species than 15 or so smaller ones, in my book.

I respect your point of view. However, why would we have to reduce the number of animals and species? Colchester and many other zoos have an African or Asian themed exhibit with lots of smaller enclosures making up one big exhibit!

 

[TriGB]

Quote from a local newspaper:
"The zoo says there are no plans to bring in more elephants and Duchess has her own health problems which the zoo is monitoring to make sure she maintains a good quality of life."

Thanks for this. Are locals asking for a replacement animal?

 

[Maguari]

I respect your point of view. However, why would we have to reduce the number of animals and species? Colchester and many other zoos have an African or Asian themed exhibit with lots of smaller enclosures making up one big exhibit!

Nothing wrong at all with that if it's done right. But I think that giving half the zoo over to one of them is a mistake; I still think that in most cases they lead to reduction in animal species on display as more space is given over to theming/landscaping and species that don't 'fit' are moved out.

 

[Gigit]

Thanks for this. Are locals asking for a replacement animal?

The quote is just part of a report from the zoo on Gay's death. It doesn't mention the views of the public.

 

[greyone]

Duchess

I am just hoping that Duchess will cope on her own. The zoo will seem empty without any elephants, but i personally feel that zoos generally are not the place for such a majestic animal. Perhaps safari parks or zoos that can give the elephants alot of space.
One of the elephant keepers did say along time ago, that the zoo would not have any new elephants.
I will miss seeing Gay at the zoo.
I saw that Noahs ark has plans to bring elephants there. With their reputation, surley this will never be.

 

[Cat-Man]

i remember seeing both elephants in 2007, they were beuties, magnificent. in fact, my aunt and uncle helped move them from their old to new enclosure!
rip
does anyone have any pics of their old enclosure

 

[Gavin123]

Very sad news, Gai was a very charismatic animal and the keepers must be devestated.
Agree the enclosure once dutchess passes away is most likley to be turned over to the giraffes as the existing enclosure is not large at all.
I have some photo's somewhere of them in the old enclosure when they were opposite the baboons that i will try to dig out and load up when i get the chance.

RIP Gai.