South Lakes Wild Animal Park South Lakes 2011 news

[Jordan-Jaguar97]

I suspect they are all over twelve years old then as they all arrived there the same time/year. The four bears are two pairs of sisters I believe.

Presumably Pair 1. Alice(at Belfast) & Mona
Pair 2. Zamora and Zepita.

On the South Lakes Website at the time it announced their arrival and there is still something about it on the current website, but not as new arrivals obviously so is no longer dated. It was a good long time ago though.

Mona and Alice were born 17/01/99. Zamora and Zepita were born 24/12/99. They arrived in 2002.

 

[Jordan-Jaguar97]

Ntombi the white rhino gave birth to a female calf at 10.20 this morning and has been named Indianna.

I believe it's a male.

 

[Mr T]

I believe it's a male.

I thought it was a female because of the comment the park made on their facebook page about the calf making 'her first tentative steps'. However a more recent post suggests it is a male so I guess they made a spelling mistake in all their excitement.

 

[bigcat speciali]

I was amazed to see Asian short clawed otters in this mixed bear exhibit, the bears do not appear to have any interest in them, and the otters no apparent fear of the bears.

At Glasgow, the Asiatic Black bears shared the huge enclosures with all sorts of natural wildlife including; fox, deer, badger. Not one bear killed or was seen to attack any wildlife, not even when we filmed with D. Attenborough, did the bears attack or kill. Mind you, the bears did have a go at giving us keepers a fright when they ran at us, or wanted their food including dead chickens and rabbits or legs of beef. If the enclosure is large, has coverage and privacy, and the public are kept at distance; you will see that bears in general will suffice to their own ways and show more natural behaviour, and that goes for most creatures. In saying that, bears can be so difficult to predict that even the most experienced can be fooled.

 

[Shorts]

At Glasgow, the Asiatic Black bears shared the huge enclosures with all sorts of natural wildlife including; fox, deer, badger.

Really, this is fascinating and intriguing. How big was the enclosure and how did the deer get in? I'm assuming they weren't put in by the zoo but can't imagine how wild deer would get into an enclosure which I assume was robust enough to stop the bears getting out.

If I remember correctly, it was quoted as being about 4 acres in size. I'm equally intrigued by the idea of Foxes and Badgers enclosed permanently with the Bears. Not so much because the bears didn't harm them (as Himalayan bears are largely omnivorous/carrion eaters), but surely they would have repeatedly dug their way out (or tried to) as both species roam/forage over considerable distances each night. Did they live permanently inside the enclosure? Did they breed?

Also, what species of Deer was involved?

 

[IanRRobinson]

Really, this is fascinating and intriguing. How big was the enclosure and how did the deer get in? I'm assuming they weren't put in by the zoo but can't imagine how wild deer would get into an enclosure which I assume was robust enough to stop the bears getting out.

At London the female Sloth Bear "Lanka" killed a Reeves' muntjac that was housed in the same enclosure when the Mappins went through its Bear Mountain incarnation.

That was the end of keeping ungulates in with the bears.

 

[bigcat speciali]

Really, this is fascinating and intriguing. How big was the enclosure and how did the deer get in? I'm assuming they weren't put in by the zoo but can't imagine how wild deer would get into an enclosure which I assume was robust enough to stop the bears getting out.

If I remember correctly, it was quoted as being about 4 acres in size. I'm equally intrigued by the idea of Foxes and Badgers enclosed permanently with the Bears. Not so much because the bears didn't harm them (as Himalayan bears are largely omnivorous/carrion eaters), but surely they would have repeatedly dug their way out (or tried to) as both species roam/forage over considerable distances each night. Did they live permanently inside the enclosure? Did they breed?

Also, what species of Deer was involved?

Yes, the size is correct.
No, the never did attempt nor was there any notion of attempt to dig out from both upper and lower enclosures. They lived in the enclosures and also were housed in what was at that time the best voted encloure and house, winning numerous awards. Winter the bears were moved to the top enclosure and kept indoors when weather was dangerous. The wildlife were wild, as the enclosures were built, the wildlife stayed and moved freely, also the foxes and badgers could come and go due their own size and ability to climb. Deer that were seen were roe. The bears never killed or attempted to kill any known wildlife, anyway, the food that was given was more than ample also the bears spent a good amount of time up in the trees, which the public enjoyed...

 

[Pertinax]

Presumably there was enough leftover food to sustain badgers and foxes as well.

I wonder if the Roe Deer were permanent residents or got in and out when they wished?

 

[Mr T]

Back on the topic of South Lakes and not London and Glasgow zoo bear exhibits. The new baby rhino is on view today so anyone wanting to see a very cute little rhino should get themselves down there this weekend. Remember that entry to the park is free this winter too.

 

[Jordan-Jaguar97]

Back on the topic of South Lakes and not London and Glasgow zoo bear exhibits. The new baby rhino is on view today so anyone wanting to see a very cute little rhino should get themselves down there this weekend. Remember that entry to the park is free this winter too.

I'll be visiting next saturday, any requests?

 

[Mr T]

Some pictures of the new addition would be great, thanks Jordan.

 

[Jordan-Jaguar97]

No problem Mr t, I was planning to anyway it may be in the house as it has recently snowed up at the lakes.

 

[Mr T]

Don't think its been snowing over here mate but I think the pair are being kept in the house for the time being in order to get them bonded and away from the other animals they share their enclosure with.

 

[Jordan-Jaguar97]

My wet and windy visit today!

I visited today, as you can see from my title it was very wet and windy. I arrived at half past ten, the park wasn't to busy.

My first stop was the West- Africa enclosure home to pygmy hippos (Hexaprotodon liberiensis) and mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) from what I counted there were six mandrills outdoors and three indoors, the adult and breeding male Tomer was indoors. The pygmy hippos were restricted to their indoor confinement, Quma the female was seperated from Wamburbutuh the male, I did not see him whilst I was there.

I decided to miss a few species out and return to them later as the more popular species (giraffes, rhinos etc) were busy. So then I made my way to the Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae), neither Alisha or Padang were indoors or outdoors at first but after a while Alisha appeared from the off-show den and started pacing.

After spending fifteen minutes or so with the tigers I then went to a small enclosure opposite them which, was the home of the park's pair of fennec foxes (Vulpes zerda) which for a change were fairly active it maybe something to do with them having a kit over the summer, something you may be interested in was they now cannot access their outdoor area it is now home to raccoons, although I did not see any.

Next door to them was the park's group of humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) which looked very well and their first breeding occured in 2011.

Across from the penguins were the jaguars (Panthera onca) which were snoozing about for around about an hour. Later in the day I returned to find them stalking a man's electrical wheelchair which a few of the public found amusing. Bonita the young female is really maturing and Saka the male is looking like a real male which is always nice to see.

I made my way around to the primate house which was looking very full with primates. The three siamangs (Hylobates syndactylus) were relaxing enjoying some bananas and carrots. Cayaha the young female is now nearly fully weaned according to a keeper, the same keeper said Indah the fully grown female will be kept at the park until Willie her father passes away then a new male will be transferred to the park and a new pair will be formed. There is a new male black howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) he was howling trying to impress the two females. The mixed exhibit looked bare with only the pacas, tamarins and sloths on-show. The white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) were looking really well I only saw three an adult pair plus the youngster born 7th June 2010. The group of Colombian spider monkeys (Ateles fusciceps robustus) are all together, Azuza and Julia the young females which arrived earlier in the year from Wuppertal.

I then headed down to the lion house and enclosure. The pride of three African lions (Panthera leo) were indoors, Shikar the male is a hybrid (ISIS list him as hybrid) the two females Tasa and Chevelle, stayed indoors all day. Kadi the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) cub born 7th September to Alisha and Padang is nearly full sized and very playful.

After leaving the lion house, I thought I'd see Indianna the southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum) he was indoors with his mum Ntombi. Before entering the house I had to pay a donation of a pound to see the youngster. Ntombi and Indianna were seperated from the rest but I could see two other rhinos in the house, as well as the other three outside. He was quite cute actually!

The bears of the Andes indoor area was actually in the rhino house, so I had a look at the four at the park. Snoopy the park's male was in his own bedding area whilst Mona, Zepita and Zamora were in the next pen. The park's Brazilian tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) Libby and Tippy were kept in their yard with the park's single capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris)

One of my favourite species (although not very common!) are Giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) they were indoors which were a shame but Carlos the male was showing a lot of interest in Tupi so who knows!

Next on my things to see was the aviary, which was home to a number of bird species. Unfortunately it was closed but I still so a number of species. A very lively Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) was snapping at a number of visiters!

I also wanted to see a few lemur species but I only got to see the common ring-tails and red ruffs which was a shame.

After seeing the majority of species I decided to see a few of the one's I had missed out on. I returned to the giraffe house at feeding time, Dayo the West-African giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis peralta) was staying very close to one of the females, Bo and Tibor the other male giraffes (one is pure-bred and the other is hybrid) were also with the group of 1:3 peraltas.

I was leaving the park when I suddenly remembered three species I had forgot to see, I was very lucky to see one. I remembered I didn't see the two snake species which were the Burmese rock pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) and Boa constrictor (Boa constrictor). On my last visit to the park there were two male Burmese rock pythons and a male Boa constrictor, there is now only singles of both.

The other species I forgot to see was one of my favourites but very common which was Nina, the park's female Amur tiger. She was outdoors feasting on a chicken, she's looking very well which was pleasing.

I left the park at half past three. Some of my notes were:
- The tayra are arriving in January 2012.
- The guidebook lists the park is now home to Saddle back tamarins and Banded mongoose.
- South lakes wild animal park has bred their African spurred tortoises.

If you have any questions, I'll try my best to answer them.

 

[mazfc]

Thank you for the report Jordan.

What was the donation for?

 

[zoogiraffe]

Thank you for the report Jordan.

What was the donation for?

I think it is a stealth payment to see the baby Rhino,seeing as its been born during a period when the collection is free to enter,so if you want to see the latest STAR of the collection you have to pay to see it!

 

[Jordan-Jaguar97]

As zg says yes, it was to see the young rhino.

 

[zoogiraffe]

As zg says yes, it was to see the young rhino.

Thanks for clearing that up,when it was first posted that a baby Rhino had been born I very nearly,posted a tongue in cheek comment saying they would charge,to see it glad to see that Mr Gill didn't let me down by doing it.

 

[Jordan-Jaguar97]

Thanks for clearing that up,when it was first posted that a baby Rhino had been born I very nearly,posted a tongue in cheek comment saying they would charge,to see it glad to see that Mr Gill didn't let me down by doing it.

It was actually quite a shock when I arrived, a lot of the visitors turned away and moved on to the next exhibit which I thought was rather disrespectful after asking for a pound to see a baby rhino after the park allowing them in for nothing!

 

[Shorts]

It was actually quite a shock when I arrived, a lot of the visitors turned away and moved on to the next exhibit which I thought was rather disrespectful after asking for a pound to see a baby rhino after the park allowing them in for nothing!

Yeah, but not arguably as bad as misleading people into coming to your zoo (and buying food, guidebooks and souvenirs) by saying there's free entrance and then charging extras to see something they'd expected to see for free. It's a theoretical thin end of a wedge -the rhetorical question is how many extras get charged for before the entrance is no longer deemed free (the answer my friend is bolwing in the wind).