ZSL London Zoo Moose at London zoo
- Thread starter markun
- Start date
First moose (or elk) at London was in 1857, with more later in the 19th century which were said to be both from Europe and N. America, so both "elk" and "moose". To the best of my knowledge none have been kept at London in "recent" history, i.e. the past 50 years although Whipsnade maintained their animals for a number of years.
Which begs the question why are they so rare in zoo's?
I've only ever seen them at Prague zoo and always make a bee- line to see them because they are different and interesting to view (for me at least).
On the same sort of topic, I saw my first beaver (no joke!) in Cologne Zoo at the start of December, why ain't these creatures seen more in UK zoo's?
I've only ever seen them at Prague zoo and always make a bee- line to see them because they are different and interesting to view (for me at least).
On the same sort of topic, I saw my first beaver (no joke!) in Cologne Zoo at the start of December, why ain't these creatures seen more in UK zoo's?
Hello chizlit, welcome to zoochat, both the European elk (moose) and beaver can both be seen at the highland wildlife park up here in Scotland, the elk are the only ones in a public collection in the UK.
Whereas the beavers can be seen at WWT Martin Mere, and i believe Wildwood in Kent, Curraghs wildlife park on the Isle of Man, Edinburgh are showing 1.1.2, and Paradise park.
I didn't realise Edinburgh were getting them. Unless they are in quarantine for their proposed release into the wild here in Argyll.
Most likely the real reason for zoos not exhibiting beavers in this country anyway is due to their low visibility in their exhibit, they never show themselves.
Whereas the beavers can be seen at WWT Martin Mere, and i believe Wildwood in Kent, Curraghs wildlife park on the Isle of Man, Edinburgh are showing 1.1.2, and Paradise park.
I didn't realise Edinburgh were getting them. Unless they are in quarantine for their proposed release into the wild here in Argyll.
Most likely the real reason for zoos not exhibiting beavers in this country anyway is due to their low visibility in their exhibit, they never show themselves.
Kiang,
About those pesky beavers, yes I do agree that if they were kept in zoo's here 9 times out of 10 you wouldn't see them (I guess I was lucky in Cologne), this is the same problem at my local zoo , Dudley, from last year they had a new badger enclosure, I really can't see that any of the paying public will ever see them!
Seems like most of the beavers are way up north in the UK so there's little chance of me seeing them and I guess I'll just have to go back to Prague to see the moose, which isn't a problem as I think it's a fantastic zoo.
About those pesky beavers, yes I do agree that if they were kept in zoo's here 9 times out of 10 you wouldn't see them (I guess I was lucky in Cologne), this is the same problem at my local zoo , Dudley, from last year they had a new badger enclosure, I really can't see that any of the paying public will ever see them!
Seems like most of the beavers are way up north in the UK so there's little chance of me seeing them and I guess I'll just have to go back to Prague to see the moose, which isn't a problem as I think it's a fantastic zoo.
markun
Well-Known Member
I guess it was a reference to Whipsnade. In terms of them being difficult to maintain, I have heard that they are very sensitive to variations in climate, they overheat very easily and generally do not thrive in collections situated outside their natural range
Beavers are a particularly difficult species to display well (I have talked about this in a number of other threads, so won't repeat myself). As for you being able to visit a collection close by I would suggest WWT's Martin Mere which is just north of Liverpool. Not seen the exhibit in person, only on TV, so cannot comment on your chances of seeing animals.
Moose/elk are rarely kept in captivity due to a specific diet. In the wild a large proportion of their food is aquatic plants which contain (I think) high concentrations of sodium, amongst other items. They are also browse feeders rather than grazers (this is quite different to most other cervids) and thus cannot be kept on a basic deer diet. Other problems relate to the difference in social dynamics (loners rather than herd species) and disease susceptibility in young calves. Such a pity as they are magnificent species.
Beavers
Beavers can also be seen at Beaver Water World ( a mainly rescued reptile collection in Kent). When I went they were very active.
Beavers can also be seen at Beaver Water World ( a mainly rescued reptile collection in Kent). When I went they were very active.
MARK
Well-Known Member
Your quite right,
so it's back to mooseMemories of Moose
I can't really imagine these enormous and impressive deer ever being kept at ZSL though its possible in the days before Whipsnade existed. At Whipsnade they lived in the paddock on the North escarpment which currently has reindeer. This is the 'cold' side of the zoo and their situation was no doubt a deliberate choice for a 'cool temperate' species. However although they were very impressive to see, it wasn't a good exhibit really with a trampled 'poached' muddy paddock and- given Moose are waterloving- no large area of water to immerse themselves in as they often do in the wild. The Moose never looked to be in top condition either, perhaps as a result.
I can't really imagine these enormous and impressive deer ever being kept at ZSL though its possible in the days before Whipsnade existed. At Whipsnade they lived in the paddock on the North escarpment which currently has reindeer. This is the 'cold' side of the zoo and their situation was no doubt a deliberate choice for a 'cool temperate' species. However although they were very impressive to see, it wasn't a good exhibit really with a trampled 'poached' muddy paddock and- given Moose are waterloving- no large area of water to immerse themselves in as they often do in the wild. The Moose never looked to be in top condition either, perhaps as a result.
I think in the wild twins are more common than singles.
Bwassa
Well-Known Member
We saw the moose at Highland Wildlife Park last September. We'd first seen moose at Berlin Tierpark, but in Scotland, they were right next to the car. Wow, they are impressive beasts! We watched them for a good 30 minutes. I'm 6' 2", and they were easily taller than me at the shoulder. I got plenty of fantastic photos, and camcorder footage. It's quite a drive to the Highland Park, but well worth the trip. My next mission is to see the male with full antlers. Now that would be a wow!
Wasn't Whipsnade the first collection to breed moose, back in the 1950s, certainly in the UK.
P.S. Just realised, if they were the only collection in the UK to keep moose, it's not that impressive a record!
Wasn't Whipsnade the first collection to breed moose, back in the 1950s, certainly in the UK.
P.S. Just realised, if they were the only collection in the UK to keep moose, it's not that impressive a record!
I am almost 100% certain - No. It would in fact be interesting to know if any other UK collection apart from ZSL/Whipsnade has ever kept them- until Highland Wildlife Park's. Whipsnade's were, I think, American, whereas HWP's are of course the European species(Elk). The only major difference between them I know of is that the American bulls have a considerably bigger spread of Antlers.
If you want to be even more impressed, try seeing them in the wild!!!