Thank you that's what I wanted to know.
ZSL London Zoo London Zoo News 2023
- Thread starter Kalaw
- Start date
I believe Pertinax also predicted this would happen!
The presenter in the Facebook video comes across as increasingly tired by the whole affair - no doubt the Colobus are very pleased with themselves!
Yes, that was bound to happen. Presenter sounds a bit defeated by it all doesn't he...
Zoo Atlanta (USA) mixes red-tailed guenon and colobus.
Tetradactyla
Active Member
The idea of mixing the Colobus with another species is an interesting one - I don't think I've ever seen Old World monkeys in a mixed species setup, although a little research (leading to a thread on our very own ZooChat, no less!) suggests it can be done successfully.
https://www.zoochat.com/community/threads/primates-in-mixed-exhibits.486857/
It does seem like the preferred option with Old World monkeys is to mix them with either another similar-sized (or larger) primate or a sturdy terrestrial species like pygmy hippo (which is obviously not an option for this enclosure).
I was surprised when the initial plans for the Snowdon included a bird species, since as far as I remember one of the reasons they phased out birds in the Clore Rainforest enclosure was because of the amount of harrassment they suffered at the hands of the tamarins and titi monkeys, which resulted in the casualty of at least one of the Montserrat orioles. Perhaps the dynamic would be different, given that Colobus are primarily folivores, but I would imagine any bird housed with primates would naturally be the target of curiosity, particularly where boisterous youngsters are involved...
https://www.zoochat.com/community/threads/primates-in-mixed-exhibits.486857/
It does seem like the preferred option with Old World monkeys is to mix them with either another similar-sized (or larger) primate or a sturdy terrestrial species like pygmy hippo (which is obviously not an option for this enclosure).
I was surprised when the initial plans for the Snowdon included a bird species, since as far as I remember one of the reasons they phased out birds in the Clore Rainforest enclosure was because of the amount of harrassment they suffered at the hands of the tamarins and titi monkeys, which resulted in the casualty of at least one of the Montserrat orioles. Perhaps the dynamic would be different, given that Colobus are primarily folivores, but I would imagine any bird housed with primates would naturally be the target of curiosity, particularly where boisterous youngsters are involved...
Believe me, if they interfered with an African Grey, they may not escape with all their digits still attached.....
Perhaps the floor area would suit a duiker or small antelope like a klipspringer?
Or some African wading birds? Ibis or Crowned Crane for example?
Another monkey species, perhaps even an Asian one, could work, such as a langur?
Perhaps the floor area would suit a duiker or small antelope like a klipspringer?
Or some African wading birds? Ibis or Crowned Crane for example?
Another monkey species, perhaps even an Asian one, could work, such as a langur?
The Pygmy Hippo exhibit is having some modifications, from what has been constructed so far it looks like an extra small indoor enclosure being created inside on the right hand side in front of the side window. There was some work going on last week to the outside enclosure fence/gate(s)
Okapi exhibit had evidence of work (cement/mixer) in progress , currently to the first indoor enclosure on left as you enter.
Okapi exhibit had evidence of work (cement/mixer) in progress , currently to the first indoor enclosure on left as you enter.
Charles
Well-Known Member
It would be nice even if they built a new avairy for the African greys near monkey valley as when I last visited the avairy wasn’t that great in comparison to all of the other aviaries there
I wonder if its worth trying a few "tree guards" if a wire mesh frame/cover was place over a tree it would allow it to grow without getting crewed to death and provide climbing opportunities at the same time, perhaps after a few years when it has reached a certain size try removing it?
Problem is as soon as they are uncovered they will be picked clean.
Monkeys, like elephants, can never have nice things!
I wonder if pines or palms would work? Inedible, not geographically accurate but would provide greenery and flourish in the UK, especially palms in the warmer inner London climes. Over time, pines would provide a thick layer of dry needles for scatter feeds on the ground.
A few fast growing leylandi would bulk the enclosure out and provide good climbing places.
Or Monkey Puzzle Trees-my Mum & Dad had one that grew from 3ft to 30 ft in only a few years at their old house.
Maybe even some fibre glass trees rather than a climbing frame?
Monkeys, like elephants, can never have nice things!
I wonder if pines or palms would work? Inedible, not geographically accurate but would provide greenery and flourish in the UK, especially palms in the warmer inner London climes. Over time, pines would provide a thick layer of dry needles for scatter feeds on the ground.
A few fast growing leylandi would bulk the enclosure out and provide good climbing places.
Or Monkey Puzzle Trees-my Mum & Dad had one that grew from 3ft to 30 ft in only a few years at their old house.
Maybe even some fibre glass trees rather than a climbing frame?
If the mesh cover did cover up most of the trees the branches growing through would not matter much as the bulk of it is being protected!
Reptile House
Well-Known Member
A delight with zoo now is instead of having small enclosures with one species and that is to have big enclosures with multi-species. Monkey Valley is a good idea, but hasn’t really met expectations. The zoo had visions that the colobus was going to be high up swinging across the enclosure.
Could this facility not hold several types of parrots and have water birds at the bottom? It is big enough.
Could this facility not hold several types of parrots and have water birds at the bottom? It is big enough.
But that is what it DID do beforehand.......
It's interesting to see discussion about mixed-species old world primates being rare. Guenons especially in the wild are very often found in interspecies congregation. For exampls, Spot-Nose, Mona and Diana/Roloway monkeys in West Africa. Often Olive Colobus are also found with them.
Don't think Black and White Colobi (Colobuses?) are as well known for intermingling with other primates but have seen another wild black and white colobus species in congregation with guenons.
I'm sure it could work. However, they are known for being a highly territorial primate among their own species. Could be in a confined space that that would quickly extend to any other primate species.
Could fruit bats work? Biologically primates and bats often share spaces. Straw-Coloured Fruit Bats are rather active in the daylight.
Don't think Black and White Colobi (Colobuses?) are as well known for intermingling with other primates but have seen another wild black and white colobus species in congregation with guenons.
I'm sure it could work. However, they are known for being a highly territorial primate among their own species. Could be in a confined space that that would quickly extend to any other primate species.
Could fruit bats work? Biologically primates and bats often share spaces. Straw-Coloured Fruit Bats are rather active in the daylight.
The aviary needed to be restored, including the replacement of the wire mesh.
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
I remember reading somewhere else on this site that the geometric shape of the aviary didn’t help either. Architecturally, it was a triumph, but the shape meant that, even though the volume was enormous, larger birds could not fly for long enough periods of time. A lack of sufficient heating indoors was also an issue for smaller birds, although I can’t imagine this particular issue would be all that difficult (although perhaps a little pricey) to fix.
Aramar
Well-Known Member
Can I ask from where? There are so many changes lately that it's hard to keep track of the changes.