Noah's Ark Zoo Farm Noah's Ark Zoo Farm 2023

[Smaggledagle]

Other 2023 News:

Spoiler: Domestic News

On February 22nd, the farm announced that a (0.0.10) domestic sheep (breed(s) not specified) named Gromit, Hazel, Morph, Nuts, Piella Bakewell, Preston, Shaun, Shirley, Wallace, and Wendy were born.

It may be Friday the 13th which is... - Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

On March 4th, the farm announced that a (0.1) Highland cow named Merida was born.

She's so fluffy! Our highland... - Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
Highland Cow Zoomies! | Highland calf zoomies Merida could hardly contain her excitement as she zoomed around her new outside paddock. Her energy was so infectious, even mum... | By Noah's Ark Zoo Farm | Facebook

On March 20th, the farm announced that they now have young sheep of 3 different breeds at the facility (Dorset Horn, Jacob, Whitefaced Woodland).

It's the #FirstDayofSpring and... - Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

On March 28th, the farm announced that they moved their Tamworth pigs to a new outdoor exhibit.

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On April 4th, the farm announced that (0.0.8+?) Tamworth pigs were born and are now on exhibit.

Meet our new Tamworth piglets | Snuggling piglets We are thrilled to announce that we have some adorable new additions to our farm section - a litter of Tamworth piglets! These... | By Noah's Ark Zoo Farm | Facebook

On April 9th, the farm announced that (0.0.2) Bagot goats were born which are now on exhibit.

We are overjoyed to announce the... - Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

On July 2nd, the farm announced that a (0.1) British White cow named Fern was born and is now on exhibit.

Newborn British White calf | Moo-sive news Say hello to our adorable rare breed British White calf! Our team has named her Fern Continuing their theme of names inspired by... | By Noah's Ark Zoo Farm | Facebook

On September 14th, the farm announced that their (0.1) domestic water buffalo named Bridget passed away.

We are very sad to announce that... - Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

On September 24th, the farm announced that (0.0.5) domestic guinea pigs named Hobnob, Marmite, Nutella, Roo, and Squriell were born.

Cuteness Warning Our Animal... - Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

On October 20th, it was announced that the farm acquired a (1.0) alpaca named Louis from the Colchester Zoo in Colchester on August 4th.

2023 Monthly Reports | Colchester Zoo

On April 5th, the zoo announced they officially became a charity (still operating under the same name and same staff).

BIG NEWS ALERT! We are thrilled to announce that Noah's Ark Zoo Farm has officially become a charity! Operating under the same name and with... | By Noah's Ark Zoo Farm | Facebook
Big announcement! Noah’s Ark has become a charity. Watch our ribbon cutting live! | By Noah's Ark Zoo Farm | Facebook

On May 20th, the zoo announced that (0.0.2+) black-tailed prairie dogs were born and are now on exhibit.

♥ Prairie Dog Baby Boom! ♥ | It's a baby boom at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm! Lots of playful prairie dog pups have appeared from their burrows, how many will you spot during your visit? | By Noah's Ark Zoo Farm | Facebook

On August 7th, the zoo announced that (0.0.2+) village weavers hatched which are now on exhibit.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2155781451293432

On August 8th, the zoo announced that they acquired a (1.0) greater rhea named Rascal which is now on exhibit.

https://www.facebook.com/noahsarkzo...V46gC15MsK3oA6YLm53vAYyWtvczNdbTzpAohKUh8xDQl

On October 4th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) Grant's zebra was born and was later named Azizi.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3136651899976488
https://www.facebook.com/noahsarkzo...LSqkQTGsba1vhFPUTaBmDabcGMojz3vhaq7koSbRydkZl

Massive News

We have some great news to share this #Humpday! We're thrilled to announce the arrival of a delightfully fluffy, female Bactrian camel calf, born to proud Mum Hetty! She recently took her first steps outside in her paddock. Clare Roberts, Lead Camel Keeper at Noah’s Ark explained ‘We were so proud to see her take her first tentative wobbly steps in her paddock and within a few hours bound around with confidence. She’s proving to be an incredibly popular new addition with both staff and visitors!

Our keepers would like your help in choosing the perfect name for the calf! Please let us know your name suggestions in the comments below. Entries close on Wednesday 18th October.

On October 19th, the zoo announced the camel's name, Tuya.

https://www.facebook.com/noahsarkzo...NKLBM7zNEeM3rujXNhGnbemCNzd2vjLq3cutuyEfRuH4l

On November 6th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.0.2) lesser hedgehog tenrecs which are now ambassador animals.

https://www.facebook.com/noahsarkzo...SDUKnuWspVpUpNQg3u2rGPoDBk18uxZck2HpGAfWeW56l

 

[Embu]

Meet Ronan!

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of a 3 year old Rothschild's giraffe, Ronan!

Ronan has joined us from Belfast Zoo and has spent the last few days settling in with his new pals, Kito and Eller!

Read more about the latest arrival below

Towering New Arrival at Noah's Ark

Slightly unsure why a Rothschild bull has been introduced unless they're planning on rehoming the original pair

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

0:1 called Ella has recently arrived from South Lakes. So a hybrid bull and a Kordorfan(I believe) female. Another hybrid calf probably due in 2024

Another disaster in the making. I really do not understand how an EEP Giraffe with a policy to prevent hybridisation and where Kordofan giraffe and hybrid Rothschild are bound to produce more hybrid offspring. It is absolutely mind boggling.

The Kordofan giraffe and Rothschild's giraffe (Nubian) are both separate subspecies and quite fragmented and not the same.

Masai giraffe Giraffa tippelskirchi 45,400
Luangwa giraffe G. t. thornicrofti 650
Masai giraffe G. t. tippelskirchi 44,750
Northern giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis 5,900
Kordofan giraffe G. c. antiquorum 2,300
Nubian giraffe G. c. camelopardalis 3,000
West African giraffe G. c. peralta 600
Reticulated giraffe Giraffa reticulata 15,950
Southern giraffe Giraffa giraffa 49,850
Angolan giraffe G. g. angolensis 20,200
South African giraffe G. g. giraffa 29,650
SOURCE: Giraffe Conservation Foundation
Giraffe Species - Giraffe Conservation Foundation
Nubian giraffe (includes Rothschild's giraffe) G. c. camelopardalis
Kordofan giraffe (G. c. antiquorum
Northern giraffe: Giraffa camelopardalis - Giraffe Conservation Foundation

Noah's Ark Farm Zoo, take note!

 

[Embu]

Another disaster in the making. I really do not understand how an EEP Giraffe with a policy to prevent hybridisation and where Kordofan giraffe and hybrid Rothschild are bound to produce more hybrid offspring. It is absolutely mind boggling.

The Kordofan giraffe and Rothschild's giraffe (Nubian) are both separate subspecies and quite fragmented and not the same.

Masai giraffe Giraffa tippelskirchi 45,400
Luangwa giraffe G. t. thornicrofti 650
Masai giraffe G. t. tippelskirchi 44,750
Northern giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis 5,900
Kordofan giraffe G. c. antiquorum 2,300
Nubian giraffe G. c. camelopardalis 3,000
West African giraffe G. c. peralta 600
Reticulated giraffe Giraffa reticulata 15,950
Southern giraffe Giraffa giraffa 49,850
Angolan giraffe G. g. angolensis 20,200
South African giraffe G. g. giraffa 29,650
SOURCE: Giraffe Conservation Foundation
Giraffe Species - Giraffe Conservation Foundation
Nubian giraffe (includes Rothschild's giraffe) G. c. camelopardalis
Kordofan giraffe (G. c. antiquorum
Northern giraffe: Giraffa camelopardalis - Giraffe Conservation Foundation

Noah's Ark Farm Zoo, take note!

At least they'll only be one hybrid calf potentially born next year still trying to find out what happened to Kito first calf Gilbert (born 2019) don't know how long he lived for

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

At least they'll only be one hybrid calf potentially born next year still trying to find out what happened to Kito first calf Gilbert (born 2019) don't know how long he lived for

The point is hybrids take up valuable spaces needed to maintain healthy ex situ populations of pure-bred giraffe. The hybridisation issue has been taken up by the Horns within EAZA, only for some collections like NAFZ (and a few other UK collections I will not mention) to continually frustrate that policy from bearing fruit. In other words: new space for the breeding pure-bred giraffe.

 

[Embu]

The point is hybrids take up valuable spaces needed to maintain healthy ex situ populations of pure-bred giraffe. The hybridisation issue has been taken up by the Horns within EAZA, only for some collections like NAFZ (and a few other UK collections I will not mention) to continually frustrate that policy from bearing fruit. In other words: new space for the breeding pure-bred giraffe.

I'm not disagreeing with you
(breeding hybrids only has one purpose bringing in more visitors) I'm unsure what other UK collections are breeding hybrids as every other collection, from my records, have stopped breeding hybrids, maybe one other if they bring in a new bull( but a new calf won't arrive until at least 2025) IF NAZF breed next year one calf born(albeit pointless & space collecting) wont make a huge impact as we have lost 4 hybrid females this year alone in the UK. At least 7 UK collections are former holders/breeders of hybrids & no longer hold any.

Since 2005 there has been at least 1 hybrid death every year and since 2012 there have been 7 hybrid births out of which 4 have since died(5 if Gilbert from NAZF has died as well)

 

[Lafone]

It's hard to see any evidence at the moment that Noah's Ark explicitly plan to breed a hybrid giraffe. Perhaps it's a companion or non studbook move or perhaps the male is waiting to move somewhere else. Can someone post the link about the zoo planning to breed the giraffes that everyone is reacting to as I looked but can't see one.

 

[Embu]

It's hard to see any evidence at the moment that Noah's Ark explicitly plan to breed a hybrid giraffe. Perhaps it's a companion or non studbook move or perhaps the male is waiting to move somewhere else. Can someone post the link about the zoo planning to breed the giraffes that everyone is reacting to as I looked but can't see one.

No one has said there is a definite plan to breed hybrid, it could just be that here was the only place for him to move to atm but I feel we are placing assumptions on NAZF because of their history.
There are other places for the male to have gone but maybe if there was space here it was decided for the best. Maybe NAZF are entering the breeding programme & it's the other 2 that will move who knows?

 

[Lafone]

No one has said there is a definite plan to breed hybrid, it could just be that here was the only place for him to move to atm but I feel we are placing assumptions on NAZF because of their history.
There are other places for the male to have gone but maybe if there was space here it was decided for the best. Maybe NAZF are entering the breeding programme & it's the other 2 that will move who knows?

They do have some history so it’s understandable I guess but equally they don’t have much space there so perhaps it’s a non breeding / holding group.

 

[Charles]

The point is hybrids take up valuable spaces needed to maintain healthy ex situ populations of pure-bred giraffe. The hybridisation issue has been taken up by the Horns within EAZA, only for some collections like NAFZ (and a few other UK collections I will not mention) to continually frustrate that policy from bearing fruit. In other words: new space for the breeding pure-bred giraffe.

Also Kordofan giraffes are arguably the most threatened being critically endangered and not many being in captivity means that each pure one is important

 

[Ned]

When I asked a keeper about their hybrid giraffes a couple of years or so ago, she said
'it's a difficult one. They hybridise in the wild, so it's not unnatural.'
I don't know if this point of view has changed since.