Madagascan exhibits in the UK

[foz]

With the current Tv series i think the time is right to adress the state o madagascan exhibits in the UK. Im thinking that few go beyond the basic ring tail lemurs + another lemur species. Indeed even the (highly entertaining) walkthroughs have become somewhat repetative. I thinking of an exhibit will capture the unqiueness of madagascar rather than the standards.

from what ive seen the Kirindy forest exhibit at Jersey and the Cotswold wildlife park walkthrough all go beyond the expected. (i have seen neither of these in person but they certianly look impressive).

I would say that Newquay's little exhibit is also unexpected, the only walkthrough area is for bird species (which remains quite unusual for a madgascan exhibit) and it of course feature the narrow striped mongoose as well as the crowned lemurs.

What would you reccomend and what would you like to see?

 

[Rothschildi]

I quite like Dudleys walkthrough exhibit, lemur wood. The planting is good, 4 species with the black and white ruffed's stealing the show.

You've made a good point, i think Madagascar gets pigeon holed as lemurs and thats it but really the fauna of the island goes way past that. I think an exhibit like RORA at Chester but on a smaller scale would work well. Perhaps a walkthrough leading to house with a number of birds, reptiles and mammalian species presented in a very natural way.

 

[jerseygorilla]

The best that I know is Jersey's Kirindy Forest. This has a large open air exhibit for Ring Tailed Lemurs (3.4) and Red Fronted Lemurs (2,1). Next, there is a walkthrough bird exhibit which houses Madagascan Crested Ibis (1.1), Hamerkop (1.1), Madagascan Fody (approx. 20), White-Faced Whistling Ducks (at least 6), White-Backed Duck (at least 5), Madagascar Teal (at least 4), Hottentot Teals (at least 4), Black-Winged Stilt (1.1) and Madagascar Turtle Doves (at least 6). After this there is two covered enclosures either side of the bath. The left one is slightly larger, and houses Aye Ayes (1.1) and Giant Jumping Rats (2.2 I think). The left enclosure holds two separate couples of Narrow Striped Mongoose (2.2). There is also a Madagascan hut by the lemur house with a terrace which gives fantastic viewing of the enclosure.

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust | Wildlife park | Animal collection | Exhibits | Kirindy Forest

 

[FBBird]

Cricket St Thomas had a nice big lemur wood with, I think, four species. But it's gone now, with the rest of the collection.