Never nice too see animals put down because their isn't enough room for them. I haven't visited these locations for a few years but Chester zoos old lion enclosure. Yorkshire wildlife do they have one field vacant at the moment? Flamingo land when lions move back into their refurbed enclosure unless the tigers are getting both enclosures again ?
South Lakes Wild Animal Park South Lakes / Safari Zoo Closure
- Thread starter alfiethetortois
- Start date
Wisp O' Mist
Well-Known Member
Even if those facilities have room, where's the benefit in taking on two senior lions?
It must be stressed that as far as we know neither animal has been or is going to be PTS.
Moving a pair of older lions would be a challenge and the risk would be high of not recovering from sedation.
- YWP do currently have the space however they are planning on re-homing another 3 from Ukraine so that space is already taken.
- Chester I believe are planning on getting a new pair of Asiatic once Iblis dies.
- Flamingo Land may have the space however they still have members of their original pride so they are out of the question until the last ones die.
- Africa Alive still have 0:1 left but again will probably have plans for a new pride once Kaya dies.
Alwaysevergreen
Well-Known Member
I don't believe they would risk moving a 19yo Lion either tbh. The 14yo maybe. I believe Blackpool decided to euthanise their senior lion, before their big camp renovations. Does anyone actually know when South Lakes, license actually expires, as although they are publicly closed, as they can still hold the animals there whilst they are licensed. Is there actually anything stopping them keeping the animals there as a private collection as they would have the DWA's already, so they may not be in a desperate hurry to rehome all the animals. I doubt the place will be considered to reopen under new owners and that because of its history, but given the land owners, its not impossible that the site could be used by YWP as a breeding / rescue / quarantine facility in the future, and somewhere animals can temporary be moved to, whilst the park in Yorkshire is developed etc. I guess what it boils down to, is who actually owns the animals on site.
In regards to Scooter, the 14yr male lion, he was born at Knowsley so guessing he would still be under their ownership?
However they don't have any room for him so would be pointless him returning. Again even though I'd prefer to see both Scooter & Chereese rehomed somewhere to retire, would the stress of moving be worth it? Sadly not is my view.
Anyone have any idea where Chereese originally came from or bloodline?
However they don't have any room for him so would be pointless him returning. Again even though I'd prefer to see both Scooter & Chereese rehomed somewhere to retire, would the stress of moving be worth it? Sadly not is my view.
Anyone have any idea where Chereese originally came from or bloodline?
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Chester's old lion enclosure now appears to be a children's playground so introducing a lion may be ill-advised.
Plenty of enrichmentChester's old lion enclosure now appears to be a children's playground so introducing a lion may be ill-advised.
The Barbary Macaque are still on site. As the bushes die down on the roadside it will be possible to look at some of the enclosures. When the lions are on the mound it is possible to glimpse them from the road if in standing traffic and looking the right way.
DCzootripper
Well-Known Member
This does seem like something one of the Aspinall foundation sites would do in a heartbeat with their spontaneous behaviour as of recent.
I just wonder why ... the YWP and other UK collections make such a racket over captive lions in Eastern Europe and spend millions of GBP on confiscation, transport and absorption into their collections of essentially ... - from a collection PoV - none too valuable lions ..., yet stay silent and moribund when it happens within the UK.
BTW: I am the last person to condone any rescuee attempts by reputable zoos with sub standard lion transfers over Continents ..., as I view it as a rather paternalistic - even arrogant - approach to improving animal welfare. There is no Quid Pro Quo ..., it is the old "We know better" policy line that does not give back nor assist in improving zoo and animal welfare/well-being conditions locally (for which the EAZA even has a section to assist sub standard zoos and facilities to invest in their zoos and standards and bring them up to EAZA guidelines levels').
I have heard some things on the local grapevine
YWP has taken over the running of the site and are in the process of relocating experienced staff to be able to take care of remaining animals.
They plan to flatten a lot of the land, and eventually reopen, although on what capacity remains unclear
Still on site - hamydras baboons, lions, bears, lemurs, prairie dogs and several rhino.
No plans to have any remaining animals on site PTS.
I guess time will tell for some kind of official announcement.
YWP has taken over the running of the site and are in the process of relocating experienced staff to be able to take care of remaining animals.
They plan to flatten a lot of the land, and eventually reopen, although on what capacity remains unclear
Still on site - hamydras baboons, lions, bears, lemurs, prairie dogs and several rhino.
No plans to have any remaining animals on site PTS.
I guess time will tell for some kind of official announcement.
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
I wonder, if they are relocating "experienced staff " to the site, who's been looking after the animals all this time ?
Which giraffes are still there?
could monkey world not take baboons and lemurs depending on space
According to this thread there was 1:3. The bull was supposed to move to another UK collection and the 3 females were planned to move to France.
However I'm guessing these plans are either on hold due to logistical issues or have been scrapped
I knew this ..., just I was ACTUALLY more interested to have some more information on the individual animals....!
So, anyone have information on their names, sex, age and species specific affiliations?
(all further information is much appreciated!).
Seen as there is no longer a website or social media page I would suggest you email them directly as it would appear information on individuals is kept secret to South Lakes.