Paignton Zoo Paignton Zoo News 2016

Thank you both! A screen-view is better than no-view, will be sure to look for it on my trip :)
 

I am not really afraid of kiwis :D and my doubts were, of course, allayed by the affirmations of the ZooChatters in this thread - and by Gigit's photo of the CCTV screen, which looks reassuringly similar to a very small haystack :)
Of course it's not really a UK first, but that won't stop me renewing my Paignton membership next week, although I don't expect to actually see the kiwi in the foreseeable future.

Alan
 
First in over 25 years, of course - which is something to celebrate nonetheless :)
 
"Exciting plans for the Savannah!"

The Savannah plans are now on display in the zoo's reception area. It is proposed that a wide variety of African animals, mostly mammals and birds, will be exhibited, some of which will be new to the zoo's collection. But the key animals are Black Rhino, White Rhino, Elephant, Rothschild's Giraffe, Hartmann's Mountain Zebra and Vulture. It looks as though the Zebra will be coming down from their 'mountain' to join the Giraffe with the Lechwe taking their place. The Takin will move in opposite the Tur, with Zebra housing replacing their enclosure. It also appears that the Camels are staying. I'll upload a photo of the new layout if it's readable.
 
Savannah

My photo of the proposed layout isn't clear enough to upload. The Red River Hogs, Camels, Maned Wolves, Cheetah and Black Rhinos are staying put and (hopefully) the Mandrills, although not labelled on the map. The Tapirs, Anoa and Capybara aren't shown and the Peccaries have been replaced by 'Village'. There are Meerkats and Aardvark roughly where the Anoa is now, an Aviary where the Badger viewing area was, and Badgers in the Darwin's Rhea enclosure (next to the Black Rhinos). There's 'Giraffe feeding (future phase)' near the Elephant & Giraffe house. And the Ostriches will be in with the Lechwe.

I expect the plans will appear online at some point.
 
...the key animals are Black Rhino, White Rhino, Elephant, Rothschild's Giraffe, Hartmann's Mountain Zebra and Vulture.

Two species of rhino? Are the whites likely to be mixed with another species? And are elephants definitely staying at the zoo beyond Duchess? I was under the impression she would be the last one to kept there!
 
Two species of rhino? Are the whites likely to be mixed with another species? And are elephants definitely staying at the zoo beyond Duchess? I was under the impression she would be the last one to kept there!

There's a mock-up of what they're aiming for with giraffe, zebra and rhino together in an enclosure. I imagine 'Elephant' is included because Duchess is still with us and that's where she lives. I was under the same impression as you regarding the future.
 
Savannah

I've put a photo of the proposed layout of the Savannah in the Gallery. It's taken from the zoo's display board about the plans.
 
Just been looking at some of Gentle Lemur's new additions to the Paignton gallery. There seem to be a few interesting bird species popping up at Paignton lately. Besides the Kiwi and Lesser Adjutants, I notice they now have Blue-crowned Motmot & Bare-faced Curassow.
A visit is definitely overdue.
Does anybody know of any other recent bird additions?
 
The Kiwi, Lesser Adjutant and Motmot are all taxa I will hopefully see for the first time at Walsrode in less than a month :) maybe Paignton should look into getting a Bird of Paradise or two, to really solidify their growing reputation for odd birds!
 
Just been looking at some of Gentle Lemur's new additions to the Paignton gallery. There seem to be a few interesting bird species popping up at Paignton lately. Besides the Kiwi and Lesser Adjutants, I notice they now have Blue-crowned Motmot & Bare-faced Curassow.
A visit is definitely overdue.
Does anybody know of any other recent bird additions?

I think that both the curassow and the motmot are actually long term residents but both are in aviaries that have areas which are difficult to view, so that they are easily missed. Actually the bird collection seems to be in a perpetual state of flux, as the scarlet ibis aviary is being renovated and there is supposed to be new aviary beside the new lemur house, which is still under construction, so a lot of birds have been moved around and I don't think the music has stopped yet :)
The kiwi is only visible on CCTV while it is asleep during the day, but red-fronted kakarikis occupy the same aviary in the daytime. As far as I am aware, these are the only new arrivals this year.
Last year's bird additions were the lesser adjutants and the elegant crested tinamous, which are both well worth seeing if you haven't already done so.

Alan
 
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