They are still in their enclosure unfortunately. There is a lot of work going on at the Rhino house with some substantial new walls and gates. I’m guessing this is to help make it “Pembe proof”, facilitating his move back onto the drive.
Knowsley Safari Park Knowsley Safari Park news 2022
- Thread starter Keelan
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I heard a while back that one of the Rhino’s may be pregnant but I haven’t heard anything recently. Pembe is quite challenging by all accounts and has demonstrated the power and ability to escape from the existing house grounds. I think he was moved to the elephant house as it is much more secure with strong and high barriers/fences. Sharka the older male had previously shown little interest in the younger females (Bayami & Keeva) preferring Winnie, Piglet & Meru. I have noticed of late that he is spending most of his time with Meru and the two youngsters rather than with Winnie & Piglet so maybe he is now interested in mating with the younger Rhino now they have matured.
It has been officially confirmed that Bira (14 years old) has moved to Tayto Park in Ireland. The park has a history of taking on more mature tigers. The last female arrived at the park in 2013, where she spent 8 years before being put down for health related issues in 2021, aged 21. The plan is to integrate Bira and (potentially breed her) with their 17 year old male tiger Khan.
In other news the Eastern Kiang were today out and about mixing with the camels, Yak and deer on the drive. They seemed to be very much enjoying the huge open space.
There was a bit of a change in Rhino dynamics today as Bayami who always hangs out with the other youngster, Keeva and older Rhino, Meru was actively trying to win favour with the other older girls Winnie & Piglet. I have seen a few examples of Keeva trying to exert her dominance over Bayami over the last few months so it is unsurprising. Work continues at a pace on the Rhino enclosure works so I can only imagine it won’t be long before Pembe returns to shake things up
In other news the Eastern Kiang were today out and about mixing with the camels, Yak and deer on the drive. They seemed to be very much enjoying the huge open space.
There was a bit of a change in Rhino dynamics today as Bayami who always hangs out with the other youngster, Keeva and older Rhino, Meru was actively trying to win favour with the other older girls Winnie & Piglet. I have seen a few examples of Keeva trying to exert her dominance over Bayami over the last few months so it is unsurprising. Work continues at a pace on the Rhino enclosure works so I can only imagine it won’t be long before Pembe returns to shake things up
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I didn’t see the Zebra yesterday but I’m guessing they are still in their original location but I think they are restricted from accessing their paddock when the Kiang are free roaming. I think there is an expectation that the Kiang would gather by the fence surrounding the Zebra paddock causing a roadblock. It is obviously not an option to allow both the Zebra & Kiang to free roam that section of the Safari park as there is the potential of hybrid offspring occurring between the two species.
I therefore expect that sightings of the Kiang free roaming on the drive will remain a rare event until the Zebra are relocated. It should be noted that the Kiang also have their access to the drive restricted when there are very young deer on that section of the drive as the Kiang pose a threat to them.
I’m only guessing there must be a lack of suitable housing for the Zebra over on the section with the Rhino, Ostriches and Forest Buffalo where the Plains Zebra used to free roam. I can only imagine that the original plan was to integrate the Zebra on that section. If for whatever reason that is now no longer possible it may be in the best interests to relocate them to another collection.
I believe that after Maya’s departure the pack now consists of 3 males and 1 female from the 2020 litter plus the 4 cubs born this year to the other female from the 2020 litter.
Visited today and a few things to note. Zebras are still in the same place. I think the park need to make a decision on what to do with the zebras because not only is it unfair to keep them in there, they are also having to keep the kiang in their own paddock to prevent conflicts. Would love to see the zebras back onto the safari drive but if this cannot be the case then I think the zebras should be moved on which would be a shame. Work is coming along nicely at the rhino house. All 6 of the rhino's there were in the smaller of the reserves as currently the other section has no gate leading onto it. The ostrich were not visible I guess because of bird flu.
The moose was also a now show today. The wolf pack look great but I was surprised to see pups because before hand they were a sibling pack but they all seem content. Sad to see the tiger enclosure now empty but hopefully this will make way for a new carnivore.
Not much to report on the foot safari other than the former wolf enclosure now looks like it could be ready for the wolves again if this move is still planned. However all signage to the area has been removed. The only sign there says that the wolves are on the drive as usual. Could this mean another be carnivore for here if the wolves are kept on the safari. Perhaps they could bring in a new pack of young wolves or potentially something like painted dogs. But that is probably wishful thinking
The moose was also a now show today. The wolf pack look great but I was surprised to see pups because before hand they were a sibling pack but they all seem content. Sad to see the tiger enclosure now empty but hopefully this will make way for a new carnivore.
Not much to report on the foot safari other than the former wolf enclosure now looks like it could be ready for the wolves again if this move is still planned. However all signage to the area has been removed. The only sign there says that the wolves are on the drive as usual. Could this mean another be carnivore for here if the wolves are kept on the safari. Perhaps they could bring in a new pack of young wolves or potentially something like painted dogs. But that is probably wishful thinking
That's a relief
(that she was there and ok, not that she was being chased!)I did 2 circuits myself before and after the bus, once at around 10.30 and once about 3.30 and didn't see her on either of those goes round either
Excellent news
I remember being on the baboon bus earlier in the year and the guide saying they thought/were hopeful that one was pregnant
Full announcement due tomorrow