Rare Species Conservation Centre RSCC, The rare species conservation centre & zoological garden, Sandwich, Kent

The Sun Bears hadn't arrived when I last went. A lot of money has been spent on making the enclosures look nice. There is a lot of artificial rockwork with viewing windows set into it. But in my opinion, the two enclosures are a little on the small side. I know that size is not the be all and end all of enclosure design but we all know what Sun Bears are like in captivity.
 
this is a bit random, but is it sort of like the old bear enclosures at colchester? Like kindo of modern and acceptable/naturalistic looking, but still a bit too small for bears?
 
Paradoxurus said:
I know that size is not the be all and end all of enclosure design but we all know what Sun Bears are like in captivity.
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What do you mean by that? Are they like Polar bears are (quite prone to stereotype behavior)? Only ever seen them in Belfast and Berlin, and they were either sleeping or really inactive.
 
I suppose that the enclosures are like more modern versions of Colchester's. Thats a pretty accurate description. The visitors can also see into the dens as well.

As bears go, they are very active, difficult to contain and need a lot of stimulation.
 
Paradoxurus said:
I do hope to get over there in the next couple of weeks to catch up with the place. I was last there in December (closed to the public during the week at that time of year) and they were in the process of constructing raised walk ways over a couple of soon-to-be cassowary paddocks.
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If only I had checked here and read this before making the 170mile trip just to see the closed sign on the door :(

The place seemed really small, how long do you think it would take to explore the place fully?

Will head back there after 21st March when they are open through the week.
 
So you all know a bit more about RSCC and it's animals. Primarily it was set up as a showcase of lesser known species, seldom represented in zoo, we obviously have other species but our main focus is the more obscure. We also are involved in a great deal of in situ conservation work for these species often overlooked. We work with a lot of rescue centres in SE Asia and we recently received 1.1 unrelated Cambodian Sun Bear orphans. They have a new style of enclosure no bear pit, but open electric fenced area. They have settled in amazingly well and are highly active. We will soon be receiving Pileated Gibbon, Smooth Coated Otter and Golden Cat amongst other things.

Please all do come and visit it is only a 2 acre facility but is a smart and interesting little place compared to many of its small UK counterparts.
 
Any chance of some photos of the bears in their exhibit?
 
Neofelis,

Where will you source the pileated gibbons from? Are these also confiscated individuals? It would be great if the EEP would get some unrelated new founders in.
 
Sounds amazing. 2 acres doesnt sound a lot, can the zoo grow in the future. Cant wait to give the place a visit.
 
Sure I will try to get some photos on here at the weekend of the Sun Bears in their enclosure. Pileated Gibbons are from a rescue centre that we support, yes it will be really good to get some new blood into the program. RSCC has land behind it that we can obtain so it should be about 7 acres in the future. We don't want the centre to become too big, rather very focussed and so that we can ensure that the animals facilities are always good and in tip top shape. When I took over the site the facilities were terrible even down to the cafe and entrance, so we have already had to re do pretty much all of the outdoor enclosures and the cafe, gift shop etc, next to be pulled apart is our indoor forest area then the place should be looking good.

We have already had some breeding success since we have been in operation: Ocelot, Fat Tailed Dwarf Lemur, Red Ruffed Lemur, Goeldi's Monkey 3 X, Otters we should have many more births this year. At present we have about 100X specimens in the collection
 
Can I ask you, what does the tapir paddock look like these days? Are you planting to plant it out/ shade it at all? Are your tapirs of breeding age yet and what are your expectations in terms of breeding from them?
 
NEOFELIS said:
Sure I will try to get some photos on here at the weekend of the Sun Bears in their enclosure. Pileated Gibbons are from a rescue centre that we support, yes it will be really good to get some new blood into the program. RSCC has land behind it that we can obtain so it should be about 7 acres in the future. We don't want the centre to become too big, rather very focussed and so that we can ensure that the animals facilities are always good and in tip top shape. When I took over the site the facilities were terrible even down to the cafe and entrance, so we have already had to re do pretty much all of the outdoor enclosures and the cafe, gift shop etc, next to be pulled apart is our indoor forest area then the place should be looking good.
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Neofelis,

Is RSCC at all a member of BIAZA and/or EAZA? What chance of the sprouting zoo becoming involved in EEP programmes?

Also like to know about your tapirs? What age, sex, date of birth and origins?
 
Dear Jelle and Johnstoni,

RSCC is a member of BIAZA and we are about to apply for membership of EAZA, before applying we wanted to spend time getting the premises to the good state we wanted them to be in. We are already active members of EEP'S for all the EEP species we keep here.

Our Malayan Tapirs are Kingut ( over 20 odd years old - he is a bit of a rescue case as he has back leg problems and has never managed to breed (although he is unrepresented and important bloodline wise), he was wild caught in Indonesia and was given to us on loan by Howlett's we are looking after him until he is gone as we wouldn't like to see him put down, Malacca is about 4 years old she was born at Port Lympne once a suitable male can be received then we hope to start breeding. Our Tapir Paddock has had some shade trees planted in it last autumn, a bathing pool added and will also have more shade added in the next few weeks. Our site was very open and it has taken time to get it more planted - we took the Tapirs on as a favour for Howlett's as they needed them moved within a month due to turning their home into a colobus monkey area last year. However we plan to continue with Malayan Tapirs permanently. Sorry I don't have exact DOB's to hand.

Out of interest what are both of your backgrounds.
 
So your male must have been one of the 2.2 they imported from Singapore at the end of the 80's. I guess the other male and the females formed the nucleus of their breeding group in the years since the import.

I was a keeper years ago, and became an aquarist for several years following that. I have recently returned to university and I'm basically on this board to develop ideas for when I look to do a masters and PhD related to animal behaviour/captive environments.
 
Unfortunately this is common with the species, but the general studbook recommendation is that we do not pair him again with a mate. So he will stay at RSCC as an exhibit only animal, we are not willing to risk him killing or injuring another female.
 
Do you plan to acquire a new pair to try and breed them, or are you not planning to breed the species now?

I thought that most clouded leopards were introduced to their mates when one of them was a considerable amount younger than the other, because mating, in this species is supposed to cause great pain to the female.
 
Just to clarify regarding my post of March 2008, RSCC has been extensively re built by our team, not because it was entirely necessary or it was a poor facility, the previous owner did a really good job previously with the place known formerly as monkey rainforest, and built it entirely from scratch and to a good standard. He was dedicated to his goal of Lemur and Small Primate Conservation.But due to personal health circumstances had to part with it. We have had to renovate and rebuild due to the complete change in species focus from the past owners to ourselves. First and Foremost I would like to apologize for any offense that this caused the previous owner, who certainly like all of us was dedicated to animals and their care.
 
Hello,
I was just wondering if anyone has managed to get down to the RSCC yet? If you have what are your thoughts on it.
My thoughts on my first walk round were quite positive. There was lots of building work going on but if you saw past all that the potental was there and with the variety of amazing animals what could go wrong!!
Since then my views have changed alot. From the public side of things it looks good. Nice signs, walk ways, glass fronted houses. Brilliant! Its such a shame more effort hasn't gone into the animals enclosures. The only change I've seen to them is the turn over of animals in them!!!
What I don't understand is, if you know you are getting an animal get the enclosure ready for them. What sticks in my mind the most is the pallas cat. The enclosure size is probably ok but all it has in it is a shed on the floor and a drain pipe to sit on. No trees, shelves, plants, shade. Again the cloudies and the fossa has minimal branches. Tapirs have on shade or water. A Civet hasn't got access outside there are phesants in there.
It looks like the keepers are doing their best was what they have.
For me it seems they need to stop getting new animals in and concentrate on what is already there. I do hope the place improves cause it could be a lovely place.
 
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