It was found in the lechwe and the zoo ended up culling the entire herd.
Paignton Zoo Paignton Zoo News 2018
- Thread starter Gigit
- Start date
It was found in the lechwe and the zoo ended up culling the entire herd.
The herd of red lechwe had to be put down due to the disease in September last year (see the Paignton 2017 thread). This means that there have to be regular TB tests for susceptible species and there is a ban on the movement of many species from the zoo.
I'm wondering where a Lion got T.B. from. Is this from some sort of badger contact, or a different source entirely, such as infected meat perhaps?
Gigit
Well-Known Member
The big cat enclosures must be the most secure in the zoo with nothing able to get in or out, and the cats are locked in at night when badgers are active. So it's hard to see how any contact could take place. If infected meat is involved, presumably they've all eaten it.
I've heard that in rare cases wild rabbits, while not necessarily suffering the effects of TB, can be a carrier for it.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
Peacock and new sign in the Ranch, July 2018 | ZooChatOh for goodness sake - I wonder what the child was doing... and then I wonder what the parents were doing too
I read a study that stated that rats, cats, rabbits, foxes, sheep, and deer are all carriers. This is why I can't wrap my head around people who instantly force the blame onto badgers. Plus, it's a disease that they contracted from humans in the first place. The science has shown culling badgers doesn't work and that in virtually all cases it's not from direct contact with badgers, yet the government seems intent on culls?
But in regards to big cats, contaminated meat is the most probable cause. The press release stated the rest of the pride gave negative TB results, but I imagine they will be being re-tested at the next opportunity.
So tis is!
I visited today for the first time for a few weeks. The Cottage Aviary is still not quite finished, but the two fibreglass tanks in the old tenrec house have at least been labelled: '50 Shades of Cray' and 'Cray David' - so we don't need to guess what's in them any longer. I suppose many years ago they would have been labelled 'Reggies' and 'Ronnies', so we must be thankful for small mercies.
Changes are still happening in the Amphibian Ark; the Fea's tree frogs are on-show in the big tank at the front entrance end of the corridor, the other tanks at that end are all being worked on. I couldn't see any animals except fruitflies in the 3 new vivaria for Pebas stubfoot toads etc. and I only spotted two in the older tanks for this species. I saw the Komodo dragon in her new home in the Crocodile Swamp and sympathised with the student with the clip-board who was monitoring her: she told me she was counting tongue-flicks
. All the pacu have been moved into the lily pond, although they haven't planted a lily yet and the two alligator snappers have been moved in with the old saltie - it seemed to me that that the number of mbuna in that pool has decreased sharply, although I don't know whether the staff or the snappers were responsible.
On a brighter note, I spotted three tiny electric blue gecko hatchlings with the adults in the Reptile Nursery and two azure-winged magpie chicks in the Bird Section.
Changes are still happening in the Amphibian Ark; the Fea's tree frogs are on-show in the big tank at the front entrance end of the corridor, the other tanks at that end are all being worked on. I couldn't see any animals except fruitflies in the 3 new vivaria for Pebas stubfoot toads etc. and I only spotted two in the older tanks for this species. I saw the Komodo dragon in her new home in the Crocodile Swamp and sympathised with the student with the clip-board who was monitoring her: she told me she was counting tongue-flicks
. All the pacu have been moved into the lily pond, although they haven't planted a lily yet and the two alligator snappers have been moved in with the old saltie - it seemed to me that that the number of mbuna in that pool has decreased sharply, although I don't know whether the staff or the snappers were responsible.On a brighter note, I spotted three tiny electric blue gecko hatchlings with the adults in the Reptile Nursery and two azure-winged magpie chicks in the Bird Section.
Snappers & crocodile - interesting mix? I thought they'd move the X 3 Dwarf Crocs into the Lily pond? Any movements on the Savannah development - I know that animals can't be moved, but anything structural?I visited today for the first time for a few weeks. The Cottage Aviary is still not quite finished, but the two fibreglass tanks in the old tenrec house have at least been labelled: '50 Shades of Cray' and 'Cray David' - so we don't need to guess what's in them any longer. I suppose many years ago they would have been labelled 'Reggies' and 'Ronnies', so we must be thankful for small mercies.
Changes are still happening in the Amphibian Ark; the Fea's tree frogs are on-show in the big tank at the front entrance end of the corridor, the other tanks at that end are all being worked on. I couldn't see any animals except fruitflies in the 3 new vivaria for Pebas stubfoot toads etc. and I only spotted two in the older tanks for this species. I saw the Komodo dragon in her new home in the Crocodile Swamp and sympathised with the student with the clip-board who was monitoring her: she told me she was counting tongue-flicks
On a brighter note, I spotted three tiny electric blue gecko hatchlings with the adults in the Reptile Nursery and two azure-winged magpie chicks in the Bird Section.
I didn't go all the way up to the giraffes etc, so I can't give a definite answer (but if I thought anything might have happened, I would have taken a look
).
Gigit
Well-Known Member
I did, and nothing's happened. The exciting new meerkat enclosure is the main building site.I didn't go all the way up to the giraffes etc, so I can't give a definite answer (but if I thought anything might have happened, I would have taken a look
Is the new meerkat enclosure in the Farm/pets area where the new boardwalk has been erected?
Gigit
Well-Known Member
Yes. It's hard to see exactly what's happening, but earth is being moved and the back wall has been demolished.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
I've put a photo of the building work in the Gallery. It looks like there will be a small house and two viewing windows replacing the back wall of the Mound/Tunnel area of the Ranch.
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
New Meerkat development, July 2018 | ZooChat
If you click on a member's name, a box should pop up. Click on Media Page, to find their uploads
If you click on a member's name, a box should pop up. Click on Media Page, to find their uploads
