In a while, crocodile (lizard)!
A good piece here to kick off 2021 positively and an interesting re-branding of the tropical house.
A good piece here to kick off 2021 positively and an interesting re-branding of the tropical house.
Paignton Zoo Paignton Zoo 2021
- Thread starter TriUK
- Start date
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
I woke up to sad news from Paington Zoo. Gambira who was born at the Zoo in 1997 has passed away. Gambira was a milestone resident of Paington, as she was the first Bornean Orangutan born within the Zoo. Gambira was the last progeny born to wild born female Bornean Orangutan Bulu. Bulu was rescued by David Attenborough. Before moving to the English Riviera Bulu resided at London Zoo. Gambira had deformed limbs, due to being an incestuous individual conceived in an accidental mating between Bulu and her son Nickel. For the last few years Gambira was alleged to be moving to Jerusalem. Paington Zoo released the below statement regarding Gambira's death.
My thoughts at this deeply devastating time are with @Gigit @Pertinax as well as the other Orangutans and of course the Zookeeper's who spend everyday with the animals.
@Gigit and @Pertinax now that Gambira has died, do you think think Mali and Tatau's move to Colchester will be cancelled? I say this as the reason for Mali and Tatau moving was too make room. Obliviously with Gambira's untimely death,room has been made at Paington in a way that no one would have liked.
Please share all your memories of Gambira and her mother Bulu below
RIP Gambira Devon's first born and much loved Orangutan 1993-2021[/USER]
My thoughts at this deeply devastating time are with @Gigit @Pertinax as well as the other Orangutans and of course the Zookeeper's who spend everyday with the animals.
We are sad to announce the loss of our Bornean Orangutan Gambira.
Gambira suffered a severe upper leg fracture in September 2020 and at the time underwent emergency surgery with a specialist team. The lengthy procedure appeared to go well and there were initial indications that Gambira had started to recover from her injury.
However, within the last week primate keepers noticed that Gambira was experiencing significant problems with her leg, including mobility. For her best interests, the decision was made to anesthetize Gambira again so that our vets could investigate further. Unfortunately, they discovered that the break had not healed and was unlikely to do so. Therefore, for her welfare, the decision was made to euthanize her.
Gambira was 23 years of age and had lived at the zoo all her life having been born here. Her biggest love was food, and she was often the individual that would be constantly eating whether inside or outside!
A kind-natured, intelligent ape, Gambira had more recently become an ‘aunty’ figure to youngster Natalia, who lived with her, mum Chinta and male Wousan.
The passing of beautiful Gambira is a huge loss to the zoo and she will be dearly missed by many.
@Gigit and @Pertinax now that Gambira has died, do you think think Mali and Tatau's move to Colchester will be cancelled? I say this as the reason for Mali and Tatau moving was too make room. Obliviously with Gambira's untimely death,room has been made at Paington in a way that no one would have liked.
Please share all your memories of Gambira and her mother Bulu below
RIP Gambira Devon's first born and much loved Orangutan 1993-2021[/USER]
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@Gigit may correct me, but to the best of my knowledge, Gambira had no leg deformities. I'm not sure about the Jerusalem suggestion, but I don't believe Gambira was planned to move at any point over the last few years.
The move to Colchester is not to make room. It is an EEP recommendation and is in no way affected by this sad turn of events.
Gambira was the last progeny born to wild born female Bornean Orangutan Bulu. Bulu was rescued by David Attenborough.
Gambira's mother Bulu was not 'rescued by David Attenborough'. She was born at London zoo in 1961. Her father 'Charlie' was presented to the zoo by DA, but his exact source is not known to me.
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Would that be the 'Charlie' described in Attenborough's Zoo Quest for a Dragon?
Gigit may have further details but Gambira did appear to have some slight physical abnormalities to her legs in that they were rather short. There was talk of her moving to a Middle East zoo at one stage but it seems this was later retracted.
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Yes.
Though it is an EEP recommendation, I believe it is at least partly to 'make room' as the two sets of mothers and daughters at Paignton are not compatable. But Gambira was not part of this so this move will still obviously happen(or may already have done so- nobody seems to know yet).
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
Gigit
Well-Known Member
In response to some of the above comments regarding Gambira, yes, she had short legs but so did her mother. They didn't stop her doing anything as far as I could see. There were plans for her to move to Jerusalem years ago, long since abandoned.
Bulu's father, Charlie, was taken from the wild in Borneo and featured on one of David Attenborough's early films. Sir David retained an interest in Bulu's life thereafter.
There may well be a surviving half-sibling of Gambira and Nakal around but it would take me some time to look it up.
Bulu's father, Charlie, was taken from the wild in Borneo and featured on one of David Attenborough's early films. Sir David retained an interest in Bulu's life thereafter.
There may well be a surviving half-sibling of Gambira and Nakal around but it would take me some time to look it up.
That’s the one
Nakal is now the only living offspring of Bulu, with his son Banggi now the breeding male at Jardin des Plantes in Paris.
The Maned Wolves have moved (back) into their revamped exhibit. I saw one from the Macaque webcam just now (4 pm Fri 5th March), which is great news. It also allows for Cheetah rotations if needed. I hope that the zoo have had the opportunity, resources & support to move in some animals to fill the many empty areas in time for re-opening, especially with the Lego sculptures now gone.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
They're visible on the webcam at the moment. They were moved to the stork aviary a while ago (lost all concept of time) when work was being done around their enclosure.
How many Cassowary does that leave Paignton with?