Edinburgh Zoo Pandamonium to hit Edinburgh! #1

I personally don't understand the negative comments about watching pandas. I saw them in Chiang Mai zoo, Thailand and have to say it was well worth the trip out of town. They were very active climbing and foraging but this was possibly due to the fantastic enrichment they were given, which I'm sure Edinburgh will do this too.
 
Pertinax said:
I can see how the old Ape House, despite its bad design and shortcomings is basically suitable, as it has the two outdoor and two indoor enclosure for keeping them seperate when necessary. It will need considerable refurbishment to make it suitable for such VIP inhabitants now but they are obviously aware of that.
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I think that's right but look at the refurb they did for the sun bears, I think it's very effective and they probably have a bigger budget and more ambitious plans.

I think it is also important to note that it's a bit different to London Zoo's old panda enclosure which was really just a monkey cage.
 
I have been planning an Edinburgh visit since last easter to see koalas, but decided to wait for the rumoured pandas, despite having made the trip a few years ago to see them in Berlin, I'm now getting reeeaally impatient, hurry up Edinburgh!!
 
I'll get panned for saying this, but since I was little there were 3 species I wanted to see above any other.

1) Giant panda
2) Polar bear
3) Koala

June 2010 gave me the chance to see the Polar bear and koala for the first time, and hopefully I can get another visit in when the pandas arrive to tick off all 3. I will have seen all of my top-3 'most wanted' for the first time thanks to RZSS. (and yes, I know they're boring, but in my opinion they will be worth seeing at least once)
 
Javan Rhino said:
I'll get panned for saying this, but since I was little there were 3 species I wanted to see above any other.

1) Giant panda
2) Polar bear
3) Koala

June 2010 gave me the chance to see the Polar bear and koala for the first time, and hopefully I can get another visit in when the pandas arrive to tick off all 3. I will have seen all of my top-3 'most wanted' for the first time thanks to RZSS. (and yes, I know they're boring, but in my opinion they will be worth seeing at least once)
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Much as all the regulars at Edinburgh Zoo comment how the koalas spend so much time sleeping, you should see how excited we all get when we see them awake. Kids at Christmas spring to mind. Imagine what we are all going to be like with pandas!

I think all of us connected with RZSS can sometimes forget how many "only ones in the UK" species we have, even the iconic ones. We have to remember that in the zoo world today to be able to keep animals as part of a breeding program a zoo has to meet some incredible standards. I think it would be fair to say everyone is buzzing about this announcement, especially after such a difficult 2010.
 
Javan Rhino said:
I'll get panned for saying this, but since I was little there were 3 species I wanted to see above any other.

1) Giant panda
2) Polar bear
3) Koala
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No reason for you to get panned for that at all. You're not alone. :)

I'm really pleased that Pandas are at last heading to Edinburgh. I hope it helps turn things around financially for the zoo, and bring visitors (and their money) into the region too. I hope to eventually see the Pandas once the furore has died down after they arrive. I'll be very interested to see their enclosure too. I think an old ape pen would be a great choice for locating them to be honest, if that's where they're going, as it's a great way to get an old outdated enclosure ripped out and rejuvenate that part of the zoo by spending the decent budget the Pandas will have afforded them.

While not one of my top favourite animals, I did always want to see a Panda before they seemingly inevitably vanished into extinction. I consider myself fortunate to have seen one when I went along to Ueno Zoo in Japan. I was fortunate to be there a week before Ling Ling passed away from old age, but I was glad to see the big black and white ball of fluff sleeping away half in and half out of his water dish.

If Edinburgh are to receive a young pair maybe they'll be as active as the ones on the natural history programmes that have proliferated the networks in the last six months. I can't imagine them being as active as the Red Pandas that I love so much, but it would be nice to see. :)
 
Secret Squirrel said:
I'll be very interested to see their enclosure too. I think an old ape pen would be a great choice for locating them to be honest, if that's where they're going, as it's a great way to get an old outdated enclosure ripped out and rejuvenate that part of the zoo by spending the decent budget the Pandas will have afforded them.

If Edinburgh are to receive a young pair maybe they'll be as active as the ones on the natural history programmes that have proliferated the networks in the last six months. I can't imagine them being as active as the Red Pandas that I love so much, but it would be nice to see. :)
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1. I don't think the old Ape House will be 'ripped out'- more likely refurbished and done up for the pandas. But it doesn't seem too clear to me yet if that's going to be only a temporary, or more permanent home.

2. This pair were born in 2003 so already seven years old and mature. They are past the 'cute playful' youngster stage. However, I think they'll be most active in the first months after they arrive while the enclosure(s) are still new to them, and then probably also during those brief periods when there is(hopefully) mating activity. From what I've seen of Pandas, the older and more solitary a zoo Panda is, the more it sleeps, I think.
 
Much as all the regulars at Edinburgh Zoo comment how the koalas spend so much time sleeping, you should see how excited we all get when we see them awake. Kids at Christmas spring to mind. Imagine what we are all going to be like with pandas!
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I was very fortunate that the first time I entered that building, one was awake munching away (well, at least partially awake).

No reason for you to get panned for that at all. You're not alone.
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Well, that's good to hear :D
 
I remember Yabbra waking up and deciding he would go for a right walk about room and then a climb of the tree one of the times I have been in there, have managed to see them a few times awake!!

When it comes to Panda's. While they do sleep a lot you do tend to find them more active around dinner and lunch time and it has been known from the US pandas that they may be more active earlier in the day and at the end of the day as well (but I think this is due to heat and it being cooler, so not an issue here!)

Bao Bao in Berlin loves to sleep but once he is up for dinner (and he enjoys Pretzel's!) he walks about and stretches for a bit after dinner before having a nap again.
 
Mr T said:
I personally don't understand the negative comments about watching pandas. I saw them in Chiang Mai zoo, Thailand and have to say it was well worth the trip out of town. They were very active climbing and foraging but this was possibly due to the fantastic enrichment they were given, which I'm sure Edinburgh will do this too.
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Well my comments were made purely from my own personal experinces of seeing Giant Panda on the four occassions that i`ve had the chance to see them,all at different times of the day!Also those user`s on here that know me in person also know that I`m not the biggest fan of anything that is cute and cuddly,and makes the General Public go Ahhh,give me a Warren`s Zonure and you might even get me going Ahhh!!
I`m glad that you had a far more positive experience of seeing them than me,may be IF i visit Edinburgh after they arrive my views on them may change.
 
All that has been confirmed is 2011. As per when that will be announed at a later time, as it has still to be decided between EZ and China
 
Good god I'm over the moon and I've never been to Edinburgh!!! I was actually only planning a trip to Edinburgh in Easter but guess I'll have to hold it off until a date is worked out!:P
I assume there would be an 'unveiling ceremony' for such a grand occasion. Because I'd love to be there! Such a happy place.
Any Edinburgh keepers protest to me camping out on a pathway:D lol j/k

Pandas boring? Never!
Animals of any species? Never. Least not to me.....not yet.;)
 
Mr Saxon said:
Animals of any species? Never. Least not to me.....not yet.;)
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Spot on. What I love about the natural world, everything's brilliant in it's own little way! :D*

* 'Cept maybe mozzies... interesting biology though!
 
Lol that's what I love, every animal every zoo or park I visit or ever will we be full of epicness. Doesn't matter if I've seen the species once, twice, hundred or thousand times. It's just....fab, every single minute.

IMO (can't forget to put one of those in)
 
Mr Saxon said:
Good god I'm over the moon and I've never been to Edinburgh!!! I was actually only planning a trip to Edinburgh in Easter but guess I'll have to hold it off until a date is worked out!:P
I assume there would be an 'unveiling ceremony' for such a grand occasion. Because I'd love to be there! Such a happy place.
Any Edinburgh keepers protest to me camping out on a pathway:D lol j/k

Pandas boring? Never!
Animals of any species? Never. Least not to me.....not yet.;)
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You can camp next door, there is a cosy hotel just next to the zoo door :)
 
The Gorilla House, now I cannot think where that is right now, is there anything living in there at the moment?
Would I be right in thinking that it is own by the Baboons ?
 
Scorg said:
The Gorilla House, now I cannot think where that is right now, is there anything living in there at the moment?
Would I be right in thinking that it is own by the Baboons ?
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Going on what I've heard it is the current Guinea baboon enclosure - the picture is in the gallery. As a matter of interest, does anybody think Edinburgh will keep the baboons and find somewhere else in the zoo, or will they go to a different zoo?
 
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