Knowsley Safari Park Knowsley Safari Park News 2012

Ellipsen Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus ssp. ellipsiprymnus if my binoculars don't decieve me. All this rain has made the grass grow long, so not quite 100% sure.

Knowsley have ramped up on the diversity of hoofstock in the last 2 years. I hope they have plans to increae the number of paws too with a male Amur Tiger, that would be a grand arrival..hopefully!!
 
Update 24th August 2012

A few snippets from this morning's safari...

There are 4 Waterbuck in the park - 2 males and 2 females - One of the males is kept down by the zebra in the last paddock as he is the none breeding one and the other 3 are in the big paddock with the Rhino.

There are a few young sitatunga fawns born in the last month or so

There are also 3 lesser kudu in the fenced enclosure just by the cattle grid on the exit into the zebra paddock - these are 1 young male and 2 female. The intention is NOT to put them loose in the paddocks with the other hoof stock yet as they are new and a bit more shy that the other animals so establishing them as a breeding stock first is the priority.

The young Roan is doing well - growing fast - thought to be a male - awaiting confirmation.

Two of the Rhino are pregnant again - all of the females and the ~18month old calves were out in the paddock this morning meaning that 'Sharka' the male was in the house are kept in.

The Lion pride is smaller after the loss of a couple of the older lionesses - natural turn over - the youngsters are growing a pace and establishing themselves into the pride nicely. The two newest cubs as the article above states are being introduced slowly to the pride. They were in the sand paddock this morning allowing them to see and be seen but not released straight into the park.

There are now only 2 African Hunting Dogs - 2 older females 'Lessa & Nora' no real clarity on if the long term plan is to extend the pack or arrange a 'new' pack.

Ankole Cattle group now no longer has a male in the herd - so they are all females and their calves.

The Cape Buffalo male was right by the road this morning with his harem and a very impressive specimen he is, at least one of the cows is very round :D

The Nilgai Males are in the baboon enclosure to separate them from the females in the main park.

The Axis Deer & Lechwe all have young too.

The 2 Blesbok are a mother and son and so not a breeding pair - they are very curious animals and wandered across to see why there was a group of people outside the vehicles by the baboon fence in their enclosure - they seem to be settling in well.

Think that's about all my memory is capable of - I may have forgotten something as usual.
 
Just two rhinos pregnant?
I was under the impression four where. Which two are?
Also check out the 'swollen' udders on the cape cows, may tell you which individuals are pregnant!:)
 
Cape buffalo cows

Pootle said:
Also check out the 'swollen' udders on the cape cows, may tell you which individuals are pregnant!:)
Click to expand...

Would this(or these) be the first birth of Cape Buffalo in the UK for many years now? I remember the ages of these females being listed on here and all are quite advanced but hope that two or three of them at least are still not too old to breed.
 
Pertinax said:
Would this(or these) be the first birth of Cape Buffalo in the UK for many years now? I remember the ages of these females being listed on here and all are quite advanced but hope that two or three of them at least are still not too old to breed.
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I believe that West Mid's also bred a few in the last year or two. However I'm not too sure on the year.
 
Yes WMSP have had at least one calf in the last three years.

As for the Knowsley cows, yes they are fairly old, Havant (the bull) has covered all the females so I would like to think there will be some success here. I would hope at least a calf or two will be on the way.
Just a few hours ago I was watching the non breeding waterbuck male rutting with the male sitatunga!
Also a birth too within the last few hours of a blackbuck There was also another female away from the herd down by a tree, so she may be giving birth too soon.
 
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Elephant swap.

Does anybody know when 'Nissim' is due to leave and the new bull arrives? It's a shame they can't get him breeding.:(
 
Jordan-Jaguar97 said:
Does anybody know when 'Nissim' is due to leave and the new bull arrives? It's a shame they can't get him breeding.:(
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Someone who went on the elephant feed evening yesterday might have more news but I was told "not any time soon but he will be eventually" that's conclusive then :D
 
karoocheetah said:
Someone who went on the elephant feed evening yesterday might have more news but I was told "not any time soon but he will be eventually" that's conclusive then :D
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I think you will be able to recall like me last year, that the Nissim move was virtually a done deal. He had his ankle ‘bracelets’ on ready, I even saw the ‘elephant removal lorry’ parked up waiting. Having seen this, I can only assume that the delay must have been from the other side (Boras Zoo, Sweden), as it was all systems go at Knowsley, or it appeared to be at least.
 
Pootle said:
I think you will be able to recall like me last year, that the Nissim move was virtually a done deal. He had his ankle ‘bracelets’ on ready, I even saw the ‘elephant removal lorry’ parked up waiting. Having seen this, I can only assume that the delay must have been from the other side (Boras Zoo, Sweden), as it was all systems go at Knowsley, or it appeared to be at least.
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Yep - that was certainly the case and I have several photos of Nissim stomping around in his bracelets too. But things have obviously changed given the answer now.
 
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Pootle said:
I think you will be able to recall like me last year, that the Nissim move was virtually a done deal. He had his ankle ‘bracelets’ on ready, I even saw the ‘elephant removal lorry’ parked up waiting. Having seen this, I can only assume that the delay must have been from the other side (Boras Zoo, Sweden), as it was all systems go at Knowsley, or it appeared to be at least.
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The move was initially delayed due to rough seas around the time of the expected move. The transporter has to be booked well in advance and it was well into 2012 before they had another slot to carry out the planned transfer

Since then - Well.... This picture tells it's own story. Nissim clearly got the message! Not saying at ALL that this was sucessful but could possibly explain why Knowsley might be holding off on a transfer for the time being
https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=2196281702199&set=o.45071598768&type=3&theater
 
Nisha said:
The move was initially delayed due to rough seas around the time of the expected move. The transporter has to be booked well in advance and it was well into 2012 before they had another slot to carry out the planned transfer

Since then - Well.... This picture tells it's own story. Nissim clearly got the message! Not saying at ALL that this was sucessful but could possibly explain why Knowsley might be holding off on a transfer for the time being
https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=2196281702199&set=o.45071598768&type=3&theater
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Rough Seas, cheers Nisha, a fair enough reason.
In addition to that, I think Karoocheetah will agree in that he has grown bigger!, I know it is only a year, but he looks as though he has increased upwards and outwards too.
 
Pootle said:
Rough Seas, cheers Nisha, a fair enough reason.
In addition to that, I think Karoocheetah will agree in that he has grown bigger!, I know it is only a year, but he looks as though he has increased upwards and outwards too.
Click to expand...

Agreed - I was quite surprised by how much he'd grown as it's been a couple of months since I'd been in and he is noticably bigger, taller & bulkier.
 
I have just got back from my second visit to Knowsley (I can't remember my first as I was only a youngster). I made the following observations;-

Giraffes- only 2.0 left know. Unsure why they only have two I was under the impression they had 3.0.

Lions- the two new cubs are not fully mixed with the main pride yet. They're still kept on the yard.

New Birds of prey experience- I saw the following birds in the new Birds of prey experience;

Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Bateleur Eagle
Lanier Falcon
Burrowing Owl
European Eagle Owl
European Black Kite
Hooded Vulture
White-Backed Vulture

Bug House- a very nice Morelet's Crocodile is now on-show.
 
Bwassa said:
Was the Morelet's Croc a youngster? Was it in the old Caiman exhibit?
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Can't help where it is at Knowsley... but I can tell you that it's five years old. Was hatched at Cotswolds in 2007, although it came via another collection during 2011
 
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