For a number of years, it was a treat to see the Sarus pair wading and feeding (naturally) in & around the excellent Pileated Gibbon island. Such a charismatic species.
Paignton Zoo Paignton Zoo 2023
- Thread starter TriUK
- Start date
I have two old postcards that feature a Sarus Crane pair in that iconic setting. I don't know the date but 1950-60's period I would think. Now I know cranes can be very long-lived birds and wonder if the remaining one is from that pair (maybe that's stretching it a bit) or a descendent- did they breed?
I think that would be a stretch if it was that far back. The oldest Sarus on record seems to be c.42 years old (from the genomics website). There was a Siberian Crane at the National Zoo (USA) for c.62 years, from 1906-1968. Another Siberian Crane, originally caught in 1904 and kept in "a German zoo" was acquired by the ICF in 1976 and died aged 82 (or 83 or 85, depending on source). There are lots of internet references to "cranes can live to 70 / 80 / etc years" but they tend to be lacking in specifics and if you trace back references they lead to equally vague original sources. The two mentioned Siberian Cranes I suspect are outliers - the same as how some people live to 120 years old, but that doesn't mean it is normal for all people to do so.
I knew cranes could live for a long time but I had no idea there was records of 70s and 80s! Is it just Siberians that can live that long or has this been recorded across other crane species?
Gigit
Well-Known Member
From my personal records which begin in September 2013, there were then 1.2. The male died in 2015 while one female was on the lake and the other in the ABC. A male arrived from Twycross in December 2015 but died in the summer of 2016. In May 2019, the lake female was due to move and a male was due to arrive to partner the ABC female. One of the females died that year, don't know which one. In December 2019 there were 1.1, as mentioned above.
Post about the zoos history re. Herbert Whitley
One moment, please...
One moment, please...
There appears to have been a sudden increase of Lake Titicaca frogs in the Amphibian Ark. There were more than I could count today.
The panelling between the lion off-show & on-show areas has been removed.
I (?) think there are two more spoonbills in the flock.
Tragopan have replaced the Vietnam Pheasant in the ex Malay Owl aviary.
Bruce the Echidna was active in the back of his outdoor enclosure late afternoon today.
The Cuban Croc is still not on-show in the very ‘lifeless’ Tropical house, though a Crocodile Lizard has been added to a tank.
The flamingo flock were outside in the Ranch farm stalls today, appearing relaxed (?).
The panelling between the lion off-show & on-show areas has been removed.
I (?) think there are two more spoonbills in the flock.
Tragopan have replaced the Vietnam Pheasant in the ex Malay Owl aviary.
Bruce the Echidna was active in the back of his outdoor enclosure late afternoon today.
The Cuban Croc is still not on-show in the very ‘lifeless’ Tropical house, though a Crocodile Lizard has been added to a tank.
The flamingo flock were outside in the Ranch farm stalls today, appearing relaxed (?).
Members received an email update (rare but welcomed) - out takes were:
We’re dealing with a couple of outstanding snagging issues on our new zebra paddock, but look forward to moving them into their new home very soon. There will be some very exciting news about what will be replacing them on the hillside paddock shortly afterwards... We can’t wait to show you our plans!
Our Giraffe House has been closed to visitors while we’ve been working on the outdoor paddocks. Giraffes don’t tend to like too many new things at once so we have staggered the work to make sure they always have somewhere away from view while the disturbances are ongoing. Work on the inside of the house is due to start soon, but since this will involve our giraffes spending more time outside, we want to wait until the weather picks up so it’s warmer for them.
Avian influenza (bird flu) continues to pose a very real risk to wild and captive birds in the UK and overseas. Our priority is keeping our birds safe, and there are a number of changes that we have made and are continuing to make, to allow us to do so. Our flamingos are making themselves at home in the former Ranch building and we are finalising plans for their return to public view in the near future. Our free-flying birds have been rehomed from Tropical Trails to enable this exhibit to stay open, although Arid Lands remains closed for now as a precaution.
Our new pack of lions should be with us very soon! The final upgrades to their home are underway, as is some outstanding work on the trees in the paddock.
We are continuing to address a number of challenges with our Crocodile Swamp building and appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to resolve them. We will provide further updates soon.
An ongoing programme of improvements to our pathways and viewing areas is well underway, with a widening of the pathway that leads to the tigers progressing well.
We’re dealing with a couple of outstanding snagging issues on our new zebra paddock, but look forward to moving them into their new home very soon. There will be some very exciting news about what will be replacing them on the hillside paddock shortly afterwards... We can’t wait to show you our plans!
Our Giraffe House has been closed to visitors while we’ve been working on the outdoor paddocks. Giraffes don’t tend to like too many new things at once so we have staggered the work to make sure they always have somewhere away from view while the disturbances are ongoing. Work on the inside of the house is due to start soon, but since this will involve our giraffes spending more time outside, we want to wait until the weather picks up so it’s warmer for them.
Avian influenza (bird flu) continues to pose a very real risk to wild and captive birds in the UK and overseas. Our priority is keeping our birds safe, and there are a number of changes that we have made and are continuing to make, to allow us to do so. Our flamingos are making themselves at home in the former Ranch building and we are finalising plans for their return to public view in the near future. Our free-flying birds have been rehomed from Tropical Trails to enable this exhibit to stay open, although Arid Lands remains closed for now as a precaution.
Our new pack of lions should be with us very soon! The final upgrades to their home are underway, as is some outstanding work on the trees in the paddock.
We are continuing to address a number of challenges with our Crocodile Swamp building and appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to resolve them. We will provide further updates soon.
An ongoing programme of improvements to our pathways and viewing areas is well underway, with a widening of the pathway that leads to the tigers progressing well.
‘Our Giraffe House has been closed to visitors while we’ve been working on the outdoor paddocks’
This statement confused me, as the house has been closed for a long time before any work on the paddocks started? Much like the nocturnal house, it has been erased as an actual exhibit for a while.
This statement confused me, as the house has been closed for a long time before any work on the paddocks started? Much like the nocturnal house, it has been erased as an actual exhibit for a while.
Me too. Badly written I think. And I haven't heard of a 'pack' of Lions before...
Members received an email update (rare but welcomed) - out takes were:
We’re dealing with a couple of outstanding snagging issues on our new zebra paddock, but look forward to moving them into their new home very soon. There will be some very exciting news about what will be replacing them on the hillside paddock shortly afterwards... We can’t wait to show you our plans!
Our Giraffe House has been closed to visitors while we’ve been working on the outdoor paddocks. Giraffes don’t tend to like too many new things at once so we have staggered the work to make sure they always have somewhere away from view while the disturbances are ongoing. Work on the inside of the house is due to start soon, but since this will involve our giraffes spending more time outside, we want to wait until the weather picks up so it’s warmer for them.
Avian influenza (bird flu) continues to pose a very real risk to wild and captive birds in the UK and overseas. Our priority is keeping our birds safe, and there are a number of changes that we have made and are continuing to make, to allow us to do so. Our flamingos are making themselves at home in the former Ranch building and we are finalising plans for their return to public view in the near future. Our free-flying birds have been rehomed from Tropical Trails to enable this exhibit to stay open, although Arid Lands remains closed for now as a precaution.
Our new pack of lions should be with us very soon! The final upgrades to their home are underway, as is some outstanding work on the trees in the paddock.
We are continuing to address a number of challenges with our Crocodile Swamp building and appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to resolve them. We will provide further updates soon.
An ongoing programme of improvements to our pathways and viewing areas is well underway, with a widening of the pathway that leads to the tigers progressing well.
A primate species would be a good choice for the lower part of the hillside paddock but not too sure how ‘exciting’ Paignton’s plans are going to be.
Gelada? There were ‘rumours’ a few years ago that there may be a feasibility study into re-homing the Hamadryas Baboons there.
I think they will take the easy option and apply to keep a common antelope or deer species that do not require as much hard standing in winter.
Yes, gelada would be great, if a bachelor group like at Wild Place or breeding group like at Banham, but forgot they still haven’t acted on decades old plan to relocate baboons.
Previous baboon plans were for opposite piece of land, where play area is, but hillside could work better for viewing and they had planned a path half way up the current zebra field in Savannah development, which would give good viewing into a lower and upper paddock in area.
For me though, it will be a real shame to remove the iconic Baboon Rock though.
As you say, Paignton will probably go for an easier species.
I think primates would be a poor choice as replacements for the zebras: it's such a big area that constructing primate-proof fencing would be very expensive. I would like to see a group of larger ungulates, such as nilgai, greater kudu or Père David's deer or even okapi, perhaps mixed with a smaller species. Alternatively, if more bongo are available, use the big paddock for a herd of bongo and bring a slightly smaller species for their current paddock - perhaps nyala and/or white-tailed gnu bred at Newquay.
Either would work okay, though they'd have to electify the fences for Geladas while their main problem is they quickly denude the grass in anything but a very large area, the reason why Dudley rotate theirs between different paddocks. Plus they have a good baboon display already.
There were casual mentions from keeping staff about Asian hoofstock. That was around the time that Banteng were penned for the old camel house.
After the financial outlay, inconvenience and stress of erecting badger proof fencing to eradicate TB after the Lechwe & Tur culls, I do wonder if it was ‘worth it’ if the intention was not to bring in ‘replacements’ or new species?
The Bongo idea is good, as the breeding record is not great.
The hillside needs some real consideration.
**Taken from social media**
We are pleased to announce the safe arrival of our three new African lions: Boss, Amahle and Semira.
While they settle into their new home they will not be visible to the public, but we will let you know as soon as you’re able to come and see them. Stay tuned for updates!
We are pleased to announce the safe arrival of our three new African lions: Boss, Amahle and Semira.
While they settle into their new home they will not be visible to the public, but we will let you know as soon as you’re able to come and see them. Stay tuned for updates!
I went today and got my timing spot on, as the 3 Lions had just been let out to explore the main paddock. I was surprised how ‘relaxed’ they appeared. I’m sure their fitness will improve.
There has been no more visible progress on the zebra/giraffe paddocks.
There are now Ural Owls back opposite the Cassowary. The Red Crowned Crane is back on the lake under the Pileated Gibbons & I wondered if this may be a sign that some of the AI restrictions are easing?
The Pied Tamarin enclosure is still empty.
There has been no more visible progress on the zebra/giraffe paddocks.
There are now Ural Owls back opposite the Cassowary. The Red Crowned Crane is back on the lake under the Pileated Gibbons & I wondered if this may be a sign that some of the AI restrictions are easing?
The Pied Tamarin enclosure is still empty.