Lakeland Wildlife Oasis Lakeland Wildlife Oasis News

I visited Wildlife Oasis again on Tuesday 25th June, mainly to see the recent additions and get some photos of this year's butterflies. A few things of note:
- The new long-eared hedgehogs were very active and running around their enclosure (in the nocturnal section, where the Gambian pouched rat used to live), I was expecting them to be asleep or hiding away somewhere, but they do seem to be very lively and I got a couple of good photos of them. It was also nice to see one of my favourite birds, the green aracari, in another collection. They live in the former cottontop tamarin enclosure.
- There are some new fish in one of the freshwater aquarium tanks in the corridor between the butterfly walkthrough and the tropical hall, where pearl gourami used to be. The signage lists Congo tetra, neon tetra, glowlight tetra, Endler's livebearers, leopard catfish (Corydoras Julii) and harlequin rasbora.
- Unfortunately, the zoo has also seemed to have lost a fair number of species since my last visit in February. All of the Javan sparrows and violet turaco that were free-flying in the tropical hall are now gone, with the recently acquired red-whiskered bulbuls and cinnamon ground doves being the only birds left in there (though sadly the doves were a no-show this time). As mentioned above, the cottontop tamarins have also left so the aracaris could have their enclosure, and the panther chameleon who also lived in the tropical hall has recently died. There are also only two Rodrigues fruit bats left now, I'm not sure what happened to the third one.
- development of the zoo's new car park is coming along very well, and was close to done, and a new terrarium has been built next to the reception desk, though I thought it best not to ask what animal would be going in there, as I thought it might be a surprise.
- Speaking of tanks, sadly the coral reef aquariums are starting to get full of brown algae again, the fish didn't seem quite as lively as they often do. and there also doesn't seem to be as much in there as there once was, unless the hermit crabs and other invertebrates were just hiding somewhere.
 
On July 8th, the zoo announced they moved their (1.0) Mbu pufferfish Baloo back on display in the new lobby area.

Lakeland Wildlife Oasis
I was wondering what they would put in that new tank. I've never seen Baloo so this is very good news! Sadly I probably won't be able to visit Wildlife Oasis again this year, unless I can squish in a day some time in September or October, buy if not I may have to wait until next Summer to see Baloo and the new owls.
 
A new exhibit has opened, a fish tank themed around monsoons, with a waterfall feature designed to mimic rainfall, and two new species, pea pufferfish and Kuhli loaches:

Meet the creatures of the Monsoon!

Pea Pufferfish - The smallest pufferfish in the world! These cute little fish are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Redlist.
Kuhli Loach - These eel-like fish are nocturnal, social fish that enjoy spending their time at the bottom of the tank in amongst the rocks and plants.

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Construction has started on an enclosure for a new animal, under the code-name "Project Hendrix". This is the second time I can recall that the zoo gave an upcoming project a code-name, the first one being "Project Whoville" for what would eventually become the snowy owl aviary. Any ideas on what "Hendrix" could be a hint at?

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Construction has started on an enclosure for a new animal, under the code-name "Project Hendrix". This is the second time I can recall that the zoo gave an upcoming project a code-name, the first one being "Project Whoville" for what would eventually become the snowy owl aviary. Any ideas on what "Hendrix" could be a hint at?

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Are they replacing a current exhibit or have they found some room elsewhere, it’s only a small place?
 
Construction has started on an enclosure for a new animal, under the code-name "Project Hendrix". This is the second time I can recall that the zoo gave an upcoming project a code-name, the first one being "Project Whoville" for what would eventually become the snowy owl aviary. Any ideas on what "Hendrix" could be a hint at?

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My suggestions were Axis (bold as love) deer or something with Little Wings :D
 
Are they replacing a current exhibit or have they found some room elsewhere, it’s only a small place?
I can't tell based on the photo exactly what part of the zoo it's being built in, but they have recently been building a new, larger car park on the opposite end of the main building, so I'd guess it's being built either on or close to the old car park.
 
Drusillas had a red-handed tamarin called Hendrix born this summer? Probably a bit too young to move collection though.. any other animals called Hendrix?
 
Another teaser has been posted about Project Hendrix, showing more of the new enclosure being built and with the caption "There's nothing wrong with hairy feet".

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