Oh what a day! I've had a brilliant day
Arrived at the park early doors and got booked onto the first Landrover tour. Whilst I was waiting I took a wander to the Red Pandas and was lucky enough to see both Pandas awake and posing for photos.
It was cold and I didn't want to sit about so I decided to take a walk to the viewpoint over the Polar Bears, where the wolf lookout used to be. Well, good call that because in the enclosure before Mercedes' one (behind the old wolf one, attached to the Polar bear pen) was Walker!
He is, naturally, much smaller than Mercedes. He's tall though, when he stands up on his back legs he's not much smaller than her, but she is much bulkier. He was bounding around the enclosure as happy as larry.
Headed off for my tour and expected it to be cancelled as I was the only person booked on, but instead Alex took just me out
It was really good, he gave tonnes of information on the animals in the reserve. Nothing major to really report there except that the (7?) Kiang that have been moved from the front reserve into the main reserve were moved because they were picking on the Camels!
Whilst on the tour I heard over the radio that "the meeting" was going ahead. With all the staff around the polar bear enclosure it was very clear that today was going to be the day for Mercedes and Walker to meet without the separation of bars. I was told that they have been barking at each other and had shown some signs of aggression, but that the keepers were very keen to get them together and that they were very, very hopeful they'll settle in together nicely.
So I will apologise now because I didn't get to the wolf wood and missed lots of bits of the park today. I really struggled to tear myself away from the introduction of the pair. I will aim to get pics of the wolf wood on my next trip (hopefully next week).
At first Mercedes was up the top of the big enclosure when Walker came out. He was tempted to the pool by a toy and it was quite a while before they took any interest in each other. Eventually Walker inched himself bit by bit up the hill towards her, only for her to chase him back down. There was one moment where they faced right off - mouths wide open, teeth showing - that I seen, but other than that it seemed that Walker was quite inquisitive about Mercedes, but she was a little put out at the wee upstart in her pen. He seems to have settled really well, he was bounding about the enclosure and responding well to toys and the keepers.
The Tigers were on their usual good form dashing about their pen. I was told they are doing really well since the loss of Yuri. Sascha was a bit lost at first, but they've all bounced back well. Vladimir is going to Knowsley after Christmas, probably around March but there's no fixed date yet he said.
I asked about the Pallas Cats and the first person had no idea about them and didn't think they had them. She said she'd ask someone and find out for me by the time I got back from my Landrover tour. They are indeed there, but there's no news on where they are going to be on the park or when they'll be on show. Most likely not this year was as specific as they got.
Musk Oxen and Amur Leopards I was told would arrive at some point next year.....hopefully. Not really much info given, sorry.
It was lovely to see Walker and even better to be able to view the meeting between him and Mercedes. Getting my own personal tour, close ups of the Tigers and Red Pandas and even a glimpse of both Lynx made it a great day overall. I'm just sorting my photographs and will get some up soon. Julz
