Tree kangaroos

I saw Quokka at Blackpool in 1990/91.

Did Blackpool still have spotted cuscus at that time? I feel like I remember them, to the extent that I was surprised when I saw a ground cuscus didn't resemble what I found out to be spotted cuscus several years later. It may be that the guide book still featured them.

So are the ground cuscus (which Blackpool still does well with) descended from the Twycross/Blackpool Papuan marsupial import in the 1970s?
 
johnstoni. said:
I saw Quokka at Blackpool in 1990/91.

Did Blackpool still have spotted cuscus at that time? I feel like I remember them, to the extent that I was surprised when I saw a ground cuscus didn't resemble what I found out to be spotted cuscus several years later. It may be that the guide book still featured them.

So are the ground cuscus (which Blackpool still does well with) descended from the Twycross/Blackpool Papuan marsupial import in the 1970s?
Click to expand...
I certainly don't rember seeing Spotted Cuscus at Blackpool in the late 80's but do remember seeing the Grey Ground Cuscus,they have to day it wouldn't surprise me if these animlas didn't relate back to the original import!!
 
zoogiraffe said:
They certainly had Quokka in the late 1980's as I have a photo of them somewhere at home!!!
Click to expand...

And apparently they were quite aggressive attacking birds (which is quite funny given how they are semi-tame on Rottnest Island off Perth).

Blackpool has previously maintained a relatively high number of marsupials (compared to other UK collections). But as has been mentioned on the rare species/unsuccessful species threads a lack of interest from other UK collections and fresh bloodlines has meant that alot of species haven't continued. I suspect (but I'm sure someone will correct me) that the wallaroos and rock-wallabies are no longer kept at Blackpool, which were present only 10 years ago.
 
tetrapod said:
I suspect (but I'm sure someone will correct me) that the wallaroos and rock-wallabies are no longer kept at Blackpool, which were present only 10 years ago.
Click to expand...

No, I'm afraid you're right - both gone now. They are still good for marsupials though - loads of Long-nosed Potoroos, Grey Ground Cuscus and Agile Wallabies among the highlights.
 
just browsing through the marsupials on offer on Zootierliste, and I'm surprised the only rock wallaby listed for all of Europe is the yellow-footed (although, it has to be said, that is the most attractive species so if you've only got the choice of one then yellow-footed's the one to see). Still, I'm equally surprised just how many species of marsupial overall are available for viewing over there. One could certainly build up a very impressive Australian collection if one had a zoo there, especially in the macropod department.
 
Goddfellow's Tree Kangaroos

Hi,
I visited Belfast last month and saw 3 Goodfellow's.

I also remember the Goodfellow's at Regent's Park in the '80's mentioned by Tim May. It had one of the upper floor enclosures that were only partly enclosed by a glass panel that reached up only about 3 feet, and the Tree Kangaroo used to balance precariously on the thin edge. Remembering this agility, it was with some surprise I observed the clumsiness of the Belfast animals in clambering over even the most gently sloping branch.
 
Last year, London became one of two UK collections holding Goodfellow's tree-kangaroos after London obtained a female.
 
johnstoni. said:
So are the ground cuscus (which Blackpool still does well with) descended from the Twycross/Blackpool Papuan marsupial import in the 1970s?
Click to expand...
old question but I just came across it when this thread was re-awakened.

Blackpool's original animals were a pair imported from the Baiyer River Sanctuary in New Guinea in 1981. Twycross got their first ones from Blackpool in 2009.

Apparently the European population is derived almost entirely [or perhaps solely] from just two pairs - the Blackpool pair and another pair imported to Frankfurt in 1978 (also from Baiyer River). I'd say there's a good bet those two pairs were also related because Baiyer River was breeding to several generations.
 
littleRedPanda said:
Is she on view at London Zoo? I can't find any photos of her there.
Click to expand...

Sadly the tree kangaroo at London Zoo is still off show. There is still talk that she will be on view somewhere in the zoo but I don't think there has been any definite decision
 
Regent said:
Sadly the tree kangaroo at London Zoo is still off show. There is still talk that she will be on view somewhere in the zoo but I don't think there has been any definite decision
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. I decided to email them too, but doubt it will shed any light on it. I'm still gutted that I didn't plan a work trip better a couple of years ago to Belfast, when I could have seen theirs.
 
Children on school visits may well see her as she is round the back of the rainforest, on the way to the Discovery Zone where classes are held.
 
volvox said:
Children on school visits may well see her as she is round the back of the rainforest, on the way to the Discovery Zone where classes are held.
Click to expand...

I am aware that school children may see the tree kangaroo BUT adult visitors have no chance to see her, she is off show
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top