Paignton Zoo Paignton Zoo 2021
- Thread starter TriUK
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The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
.....positive from a welfare point of view as PZ has much more space than NZ, obviously.
I don't know the specifics of the TB source, but recall it may have been an issue at CWP and/or PZ re. the failed transfer of lionesses from CWP.
It is a personal contextual concern I have; that PZ may be reducing the number of breeding programmes they are involved with, losing key species from the collection and falling behind other zoos in the UK in terms of exhibit development and design. I hope my feelings are wrong and that the TB outbreak (and subsequent financial outlay on badger fencing), Living Coasts financial overheads/losses, Brexit restrictions (PZ front of house staff are very quick to mention this from script) and Covid 19 are just short -term issues that they'll soon overcome.
African Lions are a conservation concern now in their own right, but does this news highlight the success of the Asian breeding programme in UK/Europe - is it winding down - or are PZ just phasing out another key species short or medium term? Is there a plan? A smaller cat species like Serval or Lynx would be better served in the NZ enclosure.
I expect Paignton wanted to keep exhibiting Lions, wasn't able to take on any more Asiatics due to the TB issues, and with the Newquay Africans outgrowing their exhibit, QED.
The general public won't really pick up on the difference, the remaining Asiatic won't be at any risks of TB, nor would any other Asiatics.
Bit rough on the Africans if TB does reoccur but they are probably seen as more expendable in terms of numbers.
The general public won't really pick up on the difference, the remaining Asiatic won't be at any risks of TB, nor would any other Asiatics.
Bit rough on the Africans if TB does reoccur but they are probably seen as more expendable in terms of numbers.
Also the male is vasectomised, so not a potential breeding group.
Not great news really, I hope this is a temporary measure and Paignton keep Asiatic lion again in the future
Not great news? I couldn't disagree more, my friend. This is a fantastic upgrade for the Newquay lions, and by the sounds of things, will provide an opportunity for the lone male at PZ to join some conspecifics.
I understand your point mate, but for a major zoo like Paignton this is not a good move.
If the lions at Newquay were ex Longleat, they were just lucky to be alive regardless of how poor the Newquay enclosure is! Longleat love a bit of euthanasia!!
*I thought zoos weren’t allowed to hold Asian and African Lions on the same site
*I’d be very surprised if Boss, the Newquay male, would tolerate another male in the enclosure
*Newquay have a long history of holding ex-Longleat lions
I believe @ThomasNotTom is referring to Yali joining / forming a pride at another collection, as Paignton have stated will happen.
Not quite - late September, from what I was told at the time of my visit last month.
Whoops. My bad, should have read the small print
This Lion move seems like all round good sense to me. I always thought the Newquay enclosure was too small for a pair, let alone the current trio. So many holders of Asians nowadays that one less will surely not be a loss, though Paignton will of course lose the kudos of being involved in another endangered species programme by going out of them. For the visitors to Paignton I'm sure the change will scarcely be noticed, though Newquay will have lost a major species but I believe there is frequent critisism of the enclosure size so they will be free of that also.
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Gigit
Well-Known Member
There for all to see this morning - a new born Hartmann's Mountain Zebra foal. Just like the proverbial buses, you wait 9 years for one and then two come along almost together! Jabali x Leila. Everything looks fine so far.
Lions - judging by the comments under the Facebook announcement, the non-zoo nerd couldn't care less whether the lions are African non-breeders or part of the Asiatic breeding programme. They are all just 'lions'. I personally think it's a shame we're losing the Asiatics. To amuse ourselves while walking to the zoo this morning, we discussed what other Newquay animals could be imported and where they could go - maybe in the event of them giving up on NZ. Lots of space for them.....
Lions - judging by the comments under the Facebook announcement, the non-zoo nerd couldn't care less whether the lions are African non-breeders or part of the Asiatic breeding programme. They are all just 'lions'. I personally think it's a shame we're losing the Asiatics. To amuse ourselves while walking to the zoo this morning, we discussed what other Newquay animals could be imported and where they could go - maybe in the event of them giving up on NZ. Lots of space for them.....
it is going to be a big move for them
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
It’s only 2 species…
Paignton phased out penguins once before, I doubt they’d ever bring them back.
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
@Rajang21 2 species is a lot too loose for a small Zoo like Newquay. The 2 species that.have\are leaving are a couple of the biggest animals,at Newquay Zoo.
It’s simply species whose welfare needs would be better met at the bigger of the two sites. Newquay will almost certainly source more appropriate replacements.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
Highly unlikely, I think, for an organisation that's strapped for cash to consider setting up a new penguin exhibit with all its associated infrastructure. Much easier to imagine wildebeest sweeping majestically over Paignton's plain.