I went to Twycross today thanks to the reporting on here of the event to commemorate Molly Badham's life this weekend. I'm very glad I did - it was a moving yet happy occasion, which I feel was exactly the kind of event that Molly herself would have wanted.
The zoo had a big marquee up next to the Cockatoo Cafe, with a stage where zoo staff gave a short talk about Molly's life 4 times during the day. This was followed by screening some short films which were shown on a local news programme when Molly received her MBE a few years ago, and this included clips from the zoo archive and the old PG Tips chimp adverts. Throughout the day there were displays of old photographs, press cuttings, guide books, souvenirs etc. illustrating the history of the zoo - there was also a condolence book that many visitors were signing, and a sales stand where booklets about Molly were on sale.
Today was the nicest day of the year so far weather-wise, and I couldn't help but think that Molly was blessing the day with her presence somehow by making the sun shine. The zoo was very busy and the catering outlets and shops were doing a brisk trade.
A few observations on the animal side of things now:
There are no bush dogs anymore, they have been replaced by pudu, as the area they previously occupied appears to be undergoing redevelopment. The red bellied lemurs have also gone, as has one of the Amur Leopard cubs. Apparently the adult male Diesel is to go to another collection at some point, which will leave the other male cub to stay at Twycross and be paired up with a female.
The red bellied lemurs' enclosure is now occupied by Vasa Parrots (I think that's what they were anyway!). The windows have been partly covered up as the birds are new to the enclosure and this has been done whilst they are settling in.
The new Borneo Longhouse area is EXCELLENT. Although it is more a re-development of what was already there, the exhibits have been laid out in a very imaginative way and it is very attractive. There are some nice storks and egrets, some massive aviaries, and a superb new enclosure for a trio Scottish Wildcats. Viewing is through glass windows and this exhibit is a good compromise of being animal-friendly, with very dense foliage for the cats to hide in, and also offers excellent viewing for visitors. The only negative point is that the display is somewhat spoilt by the very priminant signage which has a picture of what I think may have been a Fishing Cat - but it certainly wasn't a Scottish Wildcat!
Good views of both Malayan Tapirs today. The nearby paddock area is being disrupted and I'm guessing this may be used to give the tapirs extra space. Time will tell!
Twycross looks as good as ever and it's good to see that even without Molly Badham, the zoo is clearly going to keep on going from strength to strength.
The zoo had a big marquee up next to the Cockatoo Cafe, with a stage where zoo staff gave a short talk about Molly's life 4 times during the day. This was followed by screening some short films which were shown on a local news programme when Molly received her MBE a few years ago, and this included clips from the zoo archive and the old PG Tips chimp adverts. Throughout the day there were displays of old photographs, press cuttings, guide books, souvenirs etc. illustrating the history of the zoo - there was also a condolence book that many visitors were signing, and a sales stand where booklets about Molly were on sale.
Today was the nicest day of the year so far weather-wise, and I couldn't help but think that Molly was blessing the day with her presence somehow by making the sun shine. The zoo was very busy and the catering outlets and shops were doing a brisk trade.
A few observations on the animal side of things now:
There are no bush dogs anymore, they have been replaced by pudu, as the area they previously occupied appears to be undergoing redevelopment. The red bellied lemurs have also gone, as has one of the Amur Leopard cubs. Apparently the adult male Diesel is to go to another collection at some point, which will leave the other male cub to stay at Twycross and be paired up with a female.
The red bellied lemurs' enclosure is now occupied by Vasa Parrots (I think that's what they were anyway!). The windows have been partly covered up as the birds are new to the enclosure and this has been done whilst they are settling in.
The new Borneo Longhouse area is EXCELLENT. Although it is more a re-development of what was already there, the exhibits have been laid out in a very imaginative way and it is very attractive. There are some nice storks and egrets, some massive aviaries, and a superb new enclosure for a trio Scottish Wildcats. Viewing is through glass windows and this exhibit is a good compromise of being animal-friendly, with very dense foliage for the cats to hide in, and also offers excellent viewing for visitors. The only negative point is that the display is somewhat spoilt by the very priminant signage which has a picture of what I think may have been a Fishing Cat - but it certainly wasn't a Scottish Wildcat!
Good views of both Malayan Tapirs today. The nearby paddock area is being disrupted and I'm guessing this may be used to give the tapirs extra space. Time will tell!
Twycross looks as good as ever and it's good to see that even without Molly Badham, the zoo is clearly going to keep on going from strength to strength.
