josh_08
Well-Known Member
Twycross Zoo Visit -(30/10/2011)
Visited Twycross today, Just a few things to report.
1. Snow leopards were very active today, with both cubs in full view. Also the Amur Leopards were in view alot of the time, although i must say the one thats in the 'offshow' part seemed very stressed out passing back and forth constant and giving out small growns/rumbles. Amurs had been given pumpkins for some enrichment.
2. Prarie dogs are in the process of being caught so some maintenance work can be done on the enclosure. The meerkat enclosure is starting to look very messy with blocks of broken soil everywhere. They had some very small pups in the group. Again had been given Pumpkins.
3. Madge the tapir has been moved back into the house/enclosure at the far end so only saw her when she was being fed late afternoon. I only saw one brazillian tapir (male) so the female might have died/been moved on? or just stayed well hidden all day.
4. The striped Hyenas enclosure was filthy and the glass needs to be replaced. Both stayed indoors today though.
5. Camels stayed in the house but both looked very large, especially one of them so maybe theres a baby on the way? But couldnt tell which one was which as both have grown their winter coats. The 'new' female has been there for a few years now so hopefully she has now fully matured and ready to mate.
6. Elephants and giraffes- nothing really to report and all seemed fine.
7. Orangutans/Bonobos- Molly is very active and playful playing with her mom and big sister. Went outside to see where Kibriah and there was a woman (around 40's) throwing food over to her. So i walked round next to her to see what it was and she was throwing smarties!! Really annoyed me as firstly shes a grown woman with children around so setting a bad example and secondly there where signs right infront of us saying 'Do not feed'. When she was doing it though Kibriah was claping her hands and doing signs to us all and then Batu came running out and joined in.
Both baby Bonobos were right up by the glass playing, was lovely to see. The house felt empty thought, like there was some missing and even to look at there looked like there wasnt as many in there as before.
8. Chimps -GreenMile; Alot of the chimps are still in there although it did feel quite empty and bare. From what i can remeber seeing there was about 6/7 adults and baby tuli remaining. Little tuli spent all day indoors. Does anyone know if she has much contact/relationship with her dad and rosie?
Enclosure behind Norton Grange; The chimps who where moved out of GreenMile where in a section on their own so still being introduced. One of the original chimps in that group was winding them up, he kept displaying and hitting the mess at them.
Chimp Complex; On the outside of this eclosure there has been a rail gate put up to stop the public getting up close to the glass, not sure why they have done this? But all the chimps in this house seemed fine.
9. Gorilla's - Bad news to start with
. The new house was closed with signs up on the door explaining the current situation;Okanda has been seperated from Ozala and is being looked after by the zoo vet around the clock as he is quite unwell. So i found a keeper and asked what the plan is and there hopeing he will make a full recovery and will be back with ozala asap. He said hes making porgress so far so hopefully he will be okay! Also spoke about Asante's move back into the group. He said that she is doing really good, and now that Oumbi is proven there might be a chance with asante mating with him and having her own baby. Personally i think this will not happen as she just doesnt get along with males (except ti, mambi and matadi) and due to her current age. I had a look throught the glass and Asante stayed up on the platforms all day while Oumbi and Ozala rotated inside and out. At one point Oumbi was just staring at Asante for a long time then just went mad banging the glass and throwing things. Oumbi also smelt very bad
Spoke to the keeper abit about Bongo, and he told me biddy was quite down for about a week following bongos death which is understandable as they were companions for many years! She did seem quite today staying nearer the back of the house but while outside came right upto the glass, same as Boulas. Also 'joes old part' is infested with mice! saw atleast 9 just moving round and the keeper said its from the large haye bails they have bought it but they are trying to solve the problem with lots and lots of traps. I asked about any moves (biddy transfering over to oumbis etc) and all he said was nothings planned at the minute.
Ill have a look through my photos and will try to pick some without reflections on and will upload them.
The only negatives of the day that i can think of is the glass panels on nearly all the animal enclosures as the reflections ruin alot of pictures! oh and the woman feeding Kibriah Smarties.
I think ive covered everything but will add if needed
Visited Twycross today, Just a few things to report.
1. Snow leopards were very active today, with both cubs in full view. Also the Amur Leopards were in view alot of the time, although i must say the one thats in the 'offshow' part seemed very stressed out passing back and forth constant and giving out small growns/rumbles. Amurs had been given pumpkins for some enrichment.
2. Prarie dogs are in the process of being caught so some maintenance work can be done on the enclosure. The meerkat enclosure is starting to look very messy with blocks of broken soil everywhere. They had some very small pups in the group. Again had been given Pumpkins.
3. Madge the tapir has been moved back into the house/enclosure at the far end so only saw her when she was being fed late afternoon. I only saw one brazillian tapir (male) so the female might have died/been moved on? or just stayed well hidden all day.
4. The striped Hyenas enclosure was filthy and the glass needs to be replaced. Both stayed indoors today though.
5. Camels stayed in the house but both looked very large, especially one of them so maybe theres a baby on the way? But couldnt tell which one was which as both have grown their winter coats. The 'new' female has been there for a few years now so hopefully she has now fully matured and ready to mate.
6. Elephants and giraffes- nothing really to report and all seemed fine.
7. Orangutans/Bonobos- Molly is very active and playful playing with her mom and big sister. Went outside to see where Kibriah and there was a woman (around 40's) throwing food over to her. So i walked round next to her to see what it was and she was throwing smarties!! Really annoyed me as firstly shes a grown woman with children around so setting a bad example and secondly there where signs right infront of us saying 'Do not feed'. When she was doing it though Kibriah was claping her hands and doing signs to us all and then Batu came running out and joined in.
Both baby Bonobos were right up by the glass playing, was lovely to see. The house felt empty thought, like there was some missing and even to look at there looked like there wasnt as many in there as before.
8. Chimps -GreenMile; Alot of the chimps are still in there although it did feel quite empty and bare. From what i can remeber seeing there was about 6/7 adults and baby tuli remaining. Little tuli spent all day indoors. Does anyone know if she has much contact/relationship with her dad and rosie?
Enclosure behind Norton Grange; The chimps who where moved out of GreenMile where in a section on their own so still being introduced. One of the original chimps in that group was winding them up, he kept displaying and hitting the mess at them.
Chimp Complex; On the outside of this eclosure there has been a rail gate put up to stop the public getting up close to the glass, not sure why they have done this? But all the chimps in this house seemed fine.
9. Gorilla's - Bad news to start with
. The new house was closed with signs up on the door explaining the current situation;Okanda has been seperated from Ozala and is being looked after by the zoo vet around the clock as he is quite unwell. So i found a keeper and asked what the plan is and there hopeing he will make a full recovery and will be back with ozala asap. He said hes making porgress so far so hopefully he will be okay! Also spoke about Asante's move back into the group. He said that she is doing really good, and now that Oumbi is proven there might be a chance with asante mating with him and having her own baby. Personally i think this will not happen as she just doesnt get along with males (except ti, mambi and matadi) and due to her current age. I had a look throught the glass and Asante stayed up on the platforms all day while Oumbi and Ozala rotated inside and out. At one point Oumbi was just staring at Asante for a long time then just went mad banging the glass and throwing things. Oumbi also smelt very badSpoke to the keeper abit about Bongo, and he told me biddy was quite down for about a week following bongos death which is understandable as they were companions for many years! She did seem quite today staying nearer the back of the house but while outside came right upto the glass, same as Boulas. Also 'joes old part' is infested with mice! saw atleast 9 just moving round and the keeper said its from the large haye bails they have bought it but they are trying to solve the problem with lots and lots of traps. I asked about any moves (biddy transfering over to oumbis etc) and all he said was nothings planned at the minute.
Ill have a look through my photos and will try to pick some without reflections on and will upload them.
The only negatives of the day that i can think of is the glass panels on nearly all the animal enclosures as the reflections ruin alot of pictures! oh and the woman feeding Kibriah Smarties.
I think ive covered everything but will add if needed
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