South Lakes Wild Animal Park South Lakes news thread 2015

Echoing what has already been said, the Evening Mail then reported it was in fact a badger- hardly anyone even acknowledged the article because they couldn't bash Gill or the Zoo, he's a man with many faults but people need to stop jumping on the bandwagon
 
monkeyarmy said:
Which is some ways worse as surely the keepers should know how many lemurs there are in the park, then all it will require is a head count, problem solved.
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Not really. If there were only a dozen or so lemurs then sure, but with over 100 it's not really feasible. Especially if the only information they have is a lemur is lose but not which species. And even if all the lemurs were found to still be on-site, there's still the issue of a possible lemur someone roaming around the countryside and I'd imagine that's an issue most zoos would try and deal with.

~Thylo:cool:
 
Weare2 said:
Not that simple as there are over 100 lemurs that roame freely across the site.
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As part of the keepers duties as well as the establishments duties under various rules, regulations, it is common for staff to count their animals or charges before start of the working day and after prior to closing. Checking boundary fences and enclosures is also part of the job. Excuses such as because there are many freely out and about does not wash and is poor animal keeping skills. As for John2584; agreed that very little has been mentioned about the corrected article. However, Gill brings it on and upon himself regarding his super ego, his blame game, and indeed he has many faults but very little good in him. The public do make many calls to various zoos etc saying that one of their animals has been seen outside the zoo or escaped, it comes with the job. It is however, for the staff and management to maintain a healthy PR, and though some don't, it would have been the correct method for the news paper to call the zoo and check, as well as for the zoo to put out a memo saying that no such animal did escape and, make sure the staff are aware of their duties. Gill and his zoo or safari zoo? does have a huge habit of animal escapes and other related problems, it would be silly playing that down.
 
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@BSS1, Your recent posts are noticeably less hysterical and slightly less indecipherable, so I am grateful for small mercies.
But I wondered if Monkeyar.e, is your new stooge?
And also do you lie awake at night, working yourself into a frenzied state about the great MR. Gill?
Just curious..
 
dublinlion said:
@BSS1, Your recent posts are noticeably less hysterical and slightly less indecipherable, so I am grateful for small mercies.
But I wondered if Monkeyar.e, is your new stooge?
And also do you lie awake at night, working yourself into a frenzied state about the great MR. Gill?
Just curious..
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Your wit is noted. Back in the 1980s working at Edinburgh I was a primate keeper and in charge of the gorilla and small monkey houses as well as other primates, so I find your notion somewhat witty. Also, I note that South Lakes today have posted various pictures of their lemurs and the following comment.

This is why we are so unique... come and witness the beautiful colours of our Tambopata Amazonas experience where you are immersed within the "forest" and surrounded by over 100 birds that live in the jungle region of Peru. (and one or two more ! ). We have by far the largest groups of Lemurs anywhere in Europe and if you buy the special wristband we allow you to feed them at the special times given to you. so don't put it off .... SAFARI ZOO is by for the most family friendly zoo in the UK and the new expanded zoo is now open and at only £15.50 per adult and up to 4 kids FREE with a full paying adult nowhere else can give you such amazing value for money !
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with various young lemur and a mix of other birds, animals etc.
 
Having known keepers at the zoo and volunteered there, I can confirm EVERY lemur, squirrel monkey etc is counted, often resulting in staff of every animal section staying late to get them all in, count, then let them back out in in the summer - staff DO NOT leave until they are all counted, I have personally stayed two hours once getting lemurs in
 
John2584 said:
Having known keepers at the zoo and volunteered there, I can confirm EVERY lemur, squirrel monkey etc is counted, often resulting in staff of every animal section staying late to get them all in, count, then let them back out in in the summer - staff DO NOT leave until they are all counted, I have personally stayed two hours once getting lemurs in
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It is part of the job, even if you work late or have to come in early or on days off, it is still part of the job and legal requirements so enjoy it...
 
John2584 said:
Having known keepers at the zoo and volunteered there, I can confirm EVERY lemur, squirrel monkey etc is counted, often resulting in staff of every animal section staying late to get them all in, count, then let them back out in in the summer - staff DO NOT leave until they are all counted, I have personally stayed two hours once getting lemurs in
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Er I hate tot bust your bubble but letting out and putting to bed is a key part of being a keeper, staying late isn't anything special
 
bigcat speciali said:
It is part of the job, even if you work late or have to come in early or on days off, it is still part of the job and legal requirements so enjoy it...
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monkeyarmy said:
Er I hate tot bust your bubble but letting out and putting to bed is a key part of being a keeper, staying late isn't anything special
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er, John2584 doesn't appear to be complaining about it - he was simply saying that in his experience the lemurs are counted, because you two were bitching about them not being counted!
 
We visited South lakes in the week, must say that the 'new' zoo is much improved.

* entrance now just off the main road, so no traipsing through Dalton itself

* new entrance building big and impressive, actually looks like a proper zoo now rather than the old wooden kiosks

*new toilets, cafe and shop located in entrance/exit building. Lots of larger family friendly toilets (baby change and disabled)

*new outdoor play area next to entrance is brilliant, we zoo with a young child and have to say that this is the best well thought out kids park we have been to in a zoo with separate toddler section, close to ice creams and toilets. Kids ice creams and drinks only £1. Loads of picnic tables.

*africa paddock on right has zebra, wilderbeast, donkeys, goats. Rhinos and giraffes yet to move.

*extension of Madagascar walk around again good, animals seem happy roaming freely though kangaroos have already worked out most people come with bags of food for them

*new aviary that holds birds of prey was impressive - the size of it lets birds fly from one end to the other and you can walk right through it on the path that tuns through the middle

*hippos in new area, seemed happy lolling about on grass, pool doesn't seem much bigger than the old one but is heated

*sumatran tigers - there are two new females since we last visited and it seems that the male is out and the females rotated. Fence between the two old enclosures is gone do the enclosure itself is massive

*possibly the best thing in my mind is all those awful red gravel paths have been tarmaced!!! A big improvement for pushchairs and disabled users.

Off the top of my head that's most the changes. Oh except they've extended the railway and now you buy wristbands on entry to feed animals at feeding times (giraffes,penguins, lemurs and get a bag of food for kangaroos). Place was packed (car park full when we left) but with all the new bits open it certainly didn't feel that way.

I know most you zoo chatters aren't too bothered about things like play areas and better toilets but Gill is certainly onto something with his free child entry and proved family facilities. The place is much improved.
 
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I think they got the herd from chester but could be wrong
 
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