Not difficult if it was a hot day there. They'd all be lying around in the shady places, probably in the covered enclosures.
Port Lympne Wild Animal Park Port Lympne 2013
- Thread starter Nisha
- Start date
Not difficult if it was a hot day there. They'd all be lying around in the shady places, probably in the covered enclosures.
Djala's group update.
There are several blogs on their website about the Djala group's return to Gabon. The most updated one says that they arrived safely and are now living on the island- several of the females/young have been seen, but not Djala, although they say he's nearby as they can smell him!
It seems they circumnavigate the island by boat to check on them, presumably it would be too dangerous to land with Djala present.
There are several blogs on their website about the Djala group's return to Gabon. The most updated one says that they arrived safely and are now living on the island- several of the females/young have been seen, but not Djala, although they say he's nearby as they can smell him!
It seems they circumnavigate the island by boat to check on them, presumably it would be too dangerous to land with Djala present.Not a bad idea, although bringing several stranger females together to form a new group might prove rather unsettling for them, but its no different from if they were sent to other zoos etc. The best male I think would possibly be 'Ambam' as his mother's side is not that strongly genetically represented there. However if they do form another breeding group for the 'Palace of Apes' I suspect they may use some younger animals in its formation, as they did when Djanghou's group was formed.
catinthehat
Well-Known Member
I don't know if anyone has seen this ad for Howletts and Port lympne....Makes interesting watching about how they are different, seeing animals as guests yet also showing Damien cuddling gorillas and tigers. Never seen so many contradictions in a 50 second video!
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This release implies that there have been suggestions in the press that the parks were going to close, not surprising really given D.A. keeps going on about wanting to close his parks/zoos down. Maybe their marketing department has to try and clarify the situation to avoid people thinking they are actually closing.
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sooty mangabey
Well-Known Member
More nonsense from the ridiculous little man who owns this zoo:
Look into the eyes of a caged tiger and you will see the zombie victim of 'zoochosis': A passionate plea by conservationist who breeds big cats to return them to wild | Mail Online.
What he has to say is beyond contempt. I have every respect for those who are against the idea of keeping animals in captivity, but this attempt to ride two horses at the same time is simply nauseating.
Surely BIAZA and EAZA should not be working with zoos whose owner brings the zoo world into disrepute in this manner?
Look into the eyes of a caged tiger and you will see the zombie victim of 'zoochosis': A passionate plea by conservationist who breeds big cats to return them to wild | Mail Online.
What he has to say is beyond contempt. I have every respect for those who are against the idea of keeping animals in captivity, but this attempt to ride two horses at the same time is simply nauseating.
Surely BIAZA and EAZA should not be working with zoos whose owner brings the zoo world into disrepute in this manner?
Spot on assessment, the hypocrisy on display is astounding.
I'm really wondering if he genuinely thinks he's "squaring a circle" of his stance, it's all just spin to justify denuding animal collections making financial losses or he's a deluded fool.
How he can claim a (typically educational) Sea Lion display is not in the best interests of animals whilst hugging Gorillas and Tigers is beyond me.
It'll be interesting to see how his logic applies when either park transfers animals to other zoos in the future (surely transferring animals only sustains other zoos which is not consistent with his "close down zoo" rhetoric).
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Gigit
Well-Known Member
I wonder when he last visited a zoo that wasn't his own? His descriptions of animals with nowhere to hide, no shelter and no privacy don't tie in with any zoos I've been to in the last 20 or so years. Silly little man, but he must have a good publicist to keep being given space to air his views. His father must be turning in his grave.
I agree completely, but don't underestimate the Aspinall family's connections with the influential people in politics and the media. For example John Aspinall's step-brother is the father of our (beloved) Chancellor of the Exchequer. Damien may talk hypocritical balderdash, but so far he hasn't said anything as offensively barmy as some of his old Dad's political statements.
Alan
IanRRobinson
Well-Known Member
I very much doubt if Damian and Gideon are buddies. Their fathers fell out spectacularly, according to the Brian Masters biography, which would hardly have made the story up. Indeed, I have wondered if Osborne's thinly disguised dislike of green issues isn't a reaction against his uncle.
More seriously, I do begin to wonder if those species held at Howletts and Port Lympne should be realistically written off from their studbooks. The prospects of long-term collaborative breeding do look problematic. As I've written before, I do feel that another responsible holder for Eastern Black Rhino is needed in particular - which I would like to see being Whipsnade.
More seriously, I do begin to wonder if those species held at Howletts and Port Lympne should be realistically written off from their studbooks. The prospects of long-term collaborative breeding do look problematic. As I've written before, I do feel that another responsible holder for Eastern Black Rhino is needed in particular - which I would like to see being Whipsnade.
Rosie – the grumpy rhino who doesn’t really think she’s a rhino – has been mixed with male Zambezi and another female. Although she is not interested in mating with Zambezi at all, this mixing is a positive sign as she doesn’t really mind the interaction with other rhino’s - which she has rarely accepted before!
We are currently waiting on male Vungu who is at Howletts to be transferred to his new home in Rotterdam. It is then that we will start movements between Howletts and Port Lympne to make way for a new breeding male called Sammy. He will make his way from Chester zoo and be introduced to females at both parks. He is a very large breeding male and we really look forward to giving him a new home here in Kent.
We are currently waiting on male Vungu who is at Howletts to be transferred to his new home in Rotterdam. It is then that we will start movements between Howletts and Port Lympne to make way for a new breeding male called Sammy. He will make his way from Chester zoo and be introduced to females at both parks. He is a very large breeding male and we really look forward to giving him a new home here in Kent.
And from what I can gather, Sammy is extremely important to the EEP as his genes are unrepresented. That's if I'm thinking of the right rhino though, he is the one from Japan(?) right?
Martin Smith
Member
I take it Damian Aspinall isn't that popular then? I've been out of touch for many a year and don't keep up with recent gossip..... I worked at Port Lympne for 10 years but that was when the Old Man was still alive so we never saw Damian..... and I mean never! Must admit I was very surprised when I heard he took over!
Well, having a major UK collection run by someone who is vehemently anti-zoo whilst at the same time taking every opportunity to have photo opportunities of himself cuddling gorillas and tigers can be a little controversial!
Martin Smith
Member
Hahaha! Funny that he exhibited damn near zero interest whilst his old man was alive!
Also funny that a man who poses for photos like this:
is saying stuff like "All this suffering, for what? Nothing more than our own amusement. That is hard to stomach."
As I found back in June when I visited for the first time, Port Lympne is a great place - it has great enclosures and a lot of species that sorely need conservation, and unbelievably helpful and friendly staff. Just a shame that the man at the top seems to hold those visiting his collections and others in some contempt, calling us misguided in our enjoyment of them, and calling any other collection claiming to be involved in conservation liars!