Twycross Zoo Twycross Zoo News 2011 #1

FBBird said:
It may be that Twycross is undergoing the sort of identity crisis that many collections, originated by charismatic and dedicated individuals, undergo when those individuals are no longer around. Look around the UK & you'll see what I mean; the crisis can go on & on.
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TARZAN said:
I think you have a very valid point there.
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Indeed. Australia Zoo seems to be having very similar problems, judging from its threads on here. I think this is quite possibly a factor.
 
I see tonight that the zoo is advertising for a 'Head of Education'. As a teacher I dealt with the same man in this position (who always did a great job ) for many years. What has happened to him? or is this another Mysterious Unexplained Diappearance?
 
Godmoves said:
I see tonight that the zoo is advertising for a 'Head of Education'. As a teacher I dealt with the same man in this position (who always did a great job ) for many years. What has happened to him? or is this another Mysterious Unexplained Diappearance?
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Got it in one!!!Another long serving and well respected member of staff no longer at the Zoo.
 
Anybody know exactly how many staff have gone over the last few years? Someone told me that pictures of three staff used in their recent advertising are all of people who have since got the chop.
 
Godmoves said:
Anybody know exactly how many staff have gone over the last few years? Someone told me that pictures of three staff used in their recent advertising are all of people who have since got the chop.
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This may come out wrong, but here goes:

Do you have any other points on other zoos to make on ZooChat or are you just here for the sole purpose of stirring up dirt on Twycross?

Singular obsession, no matter how justified, is not an attractive trait and it weakens your argument as it can make you come accross as a shunned individual with an axe to grind.

Agreed, Twycross has (some big) problems, but I don't think they're well addressed by jumping in with snide remarks and never properly entering the debate.

Finally, it's possible you may be able to find staff numbers by looking at disclosures in past accounts (downloadable for free at the Charities Commission).
 
Godmoves said:
So how do YOU find working at Twycross?
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I don't work at twycross and I agree with Shorts. You only post detractions against twycross, so it's hard to see you arguments as anything but bitterness, as they are so negatively one sided.
 
Does anyone else think Godmoves as an axe to grind about Twycross or could they be on here just to stir trouble or even be an ex employee
As for Twycross itself I think at the moment if they don't do something soon to resolve all this messing about they could end up like Dudley in the early 80s and thats not a good place to go.
What we should do is see what happens over the next 6 months and then we could see if some of these comments are right or wrong.
As someone once said not everyone like change especially if it means changing something they have been doing for years whether its right or wrong
 
Goodbye last time I shall bother looking here (so don't bother answering this) and for your information no I have never worked at Twycross but do think it's fairly obvious (in my honest opinion) that things are going badly wrong there and that on many internet sites they are spying and sending in false entries (ie free publicity/shut down criticism) for your information before I leave did you know that zoo staff are specifically forbidden from telling anyone on a website where they work? Bye.
 
Not interested in who's leaving or staying on the forum, just want to say that although people that follow zoos closely (i.e. people on here) may think Twycross has it's problems and be frustrated at their lack of progress is the right direction, I very much doubt it will become like Dudley.

It's flat land, set in the countryside so it looks nice and is good for wheelchair/push chair use. This means it will always be a reliable family day out to people that go to zoos without going to scrutinise the stock, staff or internal affairs etc.
 
Godmoves said:
Goodbye last time I shall bother looking here (so don't bother answering this) and for your information no I have never worked at Twycross but do think it's fairly obvious (in my honest opinion) that things are going badly wrong there and that on many internet sites they are spying and sending in false entries (ie free publicity/shut down criticism) for your information before I leave did you know that zoo staff are specifically forbidden from telling anyone on a website where they work? Bye.
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Even though you have told me NOT to reply, I never do what I'm told so here goes.

I'm sorry you feel that your arguments are so weak that you can't defend them rationally, but I appreciate you stepping out before we get one of those awful tit for tat 'debates' that we've had about other zoos on other threads.

I have no vested interest in twycross and no inside information, all I can go on is what I see when I go there. I like the changes I see there - enclosure and animal ethos wise. I can't comment on the staffing situation as I would never presume to ask a keeper to discuss such personal details with me (a total stranger).

I know things aren't perfect there and I know that money is v tight but I hope twycross keep moving forward, and even if they don't, that zoo chatcan have a reasoned, unbiased and nonpersonal debate about it, where contrary opinions can be discussed by adults like adults!!
 
Amy I was not having a go at the zoo itself I was saying if the management don't sort the mess they seem to be in out then it will go the same way as Dudleys Management and yes the zoo will suffer eventually
I do like Twycross so please do not try to make out I am having ago I was just pointing out something that seems to be happeneing in the background
The zoo as come forward on so many fronts and yes it is a great family day out but its like most bussinesses we the general public do not know what is going on behind the scenes
 
Adrian, I never implied you were having a go at Twycross. And even if you were, I would hardly pass comment as I don't happen to like the place myself. All I'm saying is that topographically and aesthetically it will always be far superior to Dudley and that alone will see it hold relatively steady with visitor numbers for as long as zoos remain a popular day out.
 
Amy I agree with what you are saying but unfortunatly most families would much rather go to a zoo that has A animal collection and another major feature in a castle and then you have the unfortunate (some people love them) Tecton buildings as both addmission prices are virtually the same.

I think if the management can sort things out without to much distrubion then the zoo could again be one of the best five in the UK

Look on the bright side at least we can have a chat from different view points without getting upset with each other

Happy zoochatting and thank you for the discussion

edit probally got spelling erors again
 
If that was the case and people would rather visit a zoo, castle and tectons why on earth are there such vast differences in visitor numbers? From memory, and I may be wrong, the approximate annual figures for each collection is roughly 500,000 for Twycross but only 150,000 for Dudley. Whatever the numbers I would bet that Twycross is a much more heavily visited zoo than Dudley.
 
Godmoves said:
Anybody know exactly how many staff have gone over the last few years? Someone told me that pictures of three staff used in their recent advertising are all of people who have since got the chop.
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I also am sick and tired of the "knock Twycross" brigade.
People leave jobs for many reasons, Twycross has undergone a pretty major change in management and I guess a radical change in the whole style and manner of management, some people will be unwilling or even unable to accept such changes and leave, logically they could be described as having had to leave.

A number of posts mention having had the chop, being got rid of, etc. One recent post claims to confirm that three were sacked.

Where have the posters got this information from?
 
I also believe that there is a movement intent on causing trouble and ill feeling, There are definite axe grindings and bitterness, possibly jealousy.
I may well be biased, that is my right.
I visit many Zoos, some are better than others for many different reasons.
I have not visited every UK Zoo (Yet) but Twycross is top of my list.
One thing that I have found is that all the staff I have come into contact with, at all levels, are keen, enthusiastic and knowledgeable, the keepers are keen to impart information about their animals when asked, even on occasions without being asked when someone is clearly more interested than the "just looking at the animals" visitor.
For the record I have no connection to Twycross even though I may describe it as "My Zoo" I do believe in credit where where credit is due.
 
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