I think Tx put on their Facebook page this week that Jomar is in with the others and playing a lot with Jambo. I hope Ricky gets sorted with some companions soon, he was so full of himself before this all started.
I really do hope that all comes off the ground sooner or later.
I admit the upgrading of primate exhibits is / should be a prime target for Twycross (after all the zoo likes to brand itself that way) as these have been long overdue for a make-over (and not just the great apes I mean).
Another plan: the carnivores towards the back end of the great apes / behind the elephant exhibit. Any progress there?
Almost 100% likely to be the reason- he is usually very placid otherwise nowadays.
Giraffe- this is the 2nd youngish male that has died there in recent years- they lost the previous one 'Zoolu' which was handraised at Paignton too.
I see absolutely no reason why the poor relationship between Oumbie and Asante should be any different this time than previously. If she is already noticeably thin and has fresh cuts again, these are sure signs things aren't good- I fear she is/will simply go downhill again as previously before they had to take her out. She is an extremely humanised female who will never relate to him correctly.
The more Gorillas in the group, the less Oumbie would focus attention on Asante. In a (ideally)much bigger group with say, six females and some youngsters, she could probably just live on the periphery and he'd hardly take any notice of her at all. The close contact/small group is one root of the problem. Asante is a sad legacy of the previous owners' techniques-she should never have been raised in isolation from other Gorillas like that.
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Had my first visit in about 5 months today, only a few things to report;
1. Orangs/Bonobo; The orangs have had netting put up to cover the windows inside as part of an experiment and is expected to take around 4 weeks. This does block viewing though for the public. Nothing new with the bonobos with only a few on display today. The slides were open so some might have been staying in their off-show quarters.
2. Giraffe; The zoo now only has two giraffes (keisha and harriet; both female) after justin the male died back in december. The keeper didnt go into detalis of what happened to him and she just walked off.
3. Tapir/ Capybara; The capybara have had 3 new babies and i was also suprised to see all 3 tapirs today. I thought one of the brazilian ones had died some time ago.
4. Elephants; No news. Tara is now looking very large, waddling around the enclosure taking her time. I think it will be interesting to see how the herd (especially Noorjahan) react the the calf?
5. Amur/Snow Leopard; Only managed to see two snow leopards, have the cubs been moved on? Also the amur was harder to spot being the only one with the whole enclosue to himself now. Its also starting to look a little worn down, but with a bit of planting and fresh vegetation should be alright.
6. Gorilla; The old gorilla house is now closed to the public as they have started work indoors (getting ready for the chimps). Boulas and Biddy are in 'Joe's den' and cannot access the larger side indoors or out. New equipment/frames have been built for them, and also in the larger outdoor bit for the future chimps. Boulas seemed stressed out today, chest beating/ hitting the window and walls and chasing biddy around alot. Was slightly vocal too. Oumbies group seemed very relaxed today including Asante. She was even on the group and by the windows at one point with was rare to see. She is looking very thin (compared to Ozala), and has fresh cutts on her neck, back of head and wrists, im guessing from oumbie- So fighting is still taking place. Oumbie was very relaxed aswell and not doing his usual routine of climbing etc. maybe this is becasue he can no longer see Boulas?
7. Chimps; The group housed near the 'Gorilla Cafe' were shut outside, with Tommy and Danny still being alone. Not sure if the zoo has tried mixing them yet. Greenmile- I'd say there are still around 6/7 chimps left in there. Benjie was in a very playful mood sitting with me for a good while, copying my movements, trying to get at the camera after seeing himself and he also picked up a single strand of hay and was trying to place it in my hands which i found fascinating. The bald male thats left (mongo?) has a very large growth/lump on his neck-have took pictures but arnt good quality. The chimps housed behind Greenmile have been breaking out into squables and fights all day. Keepers were constantly running to and from trying to solve the situation and see who the culprits were. I believe Jomor was picking on Tojo, and Jambo was trying to help him and stick up for him (Tojo also kept doing a hand gesture, patting his chest as if his heart was racing). There is also two chimps inside who are sectioned off from the others. Alot of them have little scratches cuts from the fighting. Genet was being very vocal and it seemed everytime she made some noise they all went for it.
Negatives; The zoo has now placed some bark on some of the ape house's floors. It not only makes the place look dirty and messy but is also hard to walk on as its so thick. There was a group of wheelchair users and parents with prams who also found it hard go over.
Although i would say i've had a pleasant visit, the zoo does now feel empty with a lack of animals on display.
I think i have covered everything but will add if needed
I am sorry to see that Justin the young male giraffe has died, this is the first I have heard of this,surprisingly it has not been mentioned on this forum, also I do not recall reading of any official announcement from the zoo. I am also sorry that when you enquired about Justin the keeper did not go into detail with you and walked away. I understand that keepers are very busy people and they do not have time to stand around talking to visitors all day, however I do think when a visitor enquires about the death of an animal they deserve an explanation to what happened, which I am pleased to say has mostly been the case in my experience. If I had asked about Justin and the keeper had just walked away without going into detail I would have politely called the keeper back and would not have been satisfied until I was told exactly what happened to the giraffe, I do appreciate that you may not have wanted to do this in case you thought they might think you are being too inquisitive, so, what exactly happened to young Justin, anybody know?
No, things do not seam to have improved since last time, I find this worrying, what happens if it gets worse, will she be removed from Oumbie for a second time. It has been suggested that Boulas may have become stressed by the noise of the work which is currently taking place next door, how then will he react when there are a bunch of noisy chimps living there?
The more Gorillas in the group, the less Oumbie would focus attention on Asante. In a (ideally)much bigger group with say, six females and some youngsters, she could probably just live on the periphery and he'd hardly take any notice of her at all. The close contact/small group is one root of the problem. Asante is a sad legacy of the previous owners' techniques-she should never have been raised in isolation from other Gorillas like that.
Yes at the end of the day you are correct in saying that Asante is a sad legacy of the previous owners techniques, although in fairness at the time I am sure that these actions were well intentioned.
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Animals do die,and the zoo's do not have to tell us us anything about why they did,some zoo's have tried opening up to this site,and have had it thrown back in their faces,so I can quite understand why the keepers at Twycross didn't say anymore than they did,they could just be protecting their jobs by not saying anything that could get on to here.I will say is that there was nothing that the zoo could have done to have prevented his death,so the staff and zoo are not at fault in any way so they aren't covering anything up!
I appreciate that zoo animals die and some at a young age, where you have livestock, you will get dead stock, if the zoo could not have done anything to prevent Justin's death, why the wall of silence? and why did the keeper walk away when a well intentioned question about Justin was asked?, and also why should a keeper be frightened of loosing his/her job when only informing a visitor of the truth?
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Because they can have a wall of silence,its their choice what they annouce and what they don't,end of story.
Just because we are interested doesn't mean we have a right to know what happened!
Well as for why a keeper would just walk away they may not have had time,or they may not have wanted to say,they may not have trusted the person asking the question,or it could have been any number of other reasons.
As for a keeper been frightened of loosing their job,seeing as Twycross staff are not allowed on this site,I think enough said.
I have to agree to a large extent, keepers or zoos are not duty bound to give out this kind of info to the public, even if the keeper didn't want to discuss it maybe they were or were not rude by walking away, but it isn't a crime!
We certainly have no "right" to know what happened to the giraffe, but if the zoo makes no statement, they`ll have to live with the speculations and that questions are asked. Which I find PERFECTLY legitimate!
By the way, asking why a young animal died has nothing to do with suggesting that there is anything to cover up. Just that someone want more information, because he cares. Which is absolutely what zoos want us to do.
By the way, asking why a young animal died has nothing to do with suggesting that there is anything to cover up. Just that someone want more information, because he cares. Which is absolutely what zoos want us to do.
They want us to care, but at the same time not to ask the 'wrong' sort of questions!
The word 'death' immediately induces paranioa! Always has, always will.I would suggest its not so much the noise alone, as the general changes and most of all, the presence of unfamiliar workmen etc nearby as male Gorillas are very sensitive to such 'rivals' they do not know, and it can stimulate aggression.
Its possible he may leave the Zoo before the chimps are installed?
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josh_08
Well-Known Member
I dont think the zoo are trying to cover up his death as they are open to the public (myself) about it when asking questions and zoogiraffe and Yassa are both right in saying that they can have a wall of silence, and we dont have a right to know.- we just like to know. Maybe they didnt want to announce it due to the nearing elephant birth which is being largely followed or just because he wasnt an 'iconic' animal such as 'Joe' the late gorilla.
I understand the keeper might not have wanted to tell me why and its her right as she was the person who helped care for and look after him everyday. But, i do feel she could have been a little more polite to me.
Yes Pertinax i plan to email them this weekend, and it is up to them if they wish to share the cause of death.
I understand the keeper might not have wanted to tell me why and its her right as she was the person who helped care for and look after him everyday. But, i do feel she could have been a little more polite to me.
Yes Pertinax i plan to email them this weekend, and it is up to them if they wish to share the cause of death.
Most zoos obviously do tend not to publicise deaths unless it is an iconic animal whose absence is immediately apparent. A young male Giraffe wouldn't quite fit that category but would presumably be missed at least by Twycross regular visitors, so I'm surprised there isn't at least a small printed notice about it in the Giraffe House. Which would also save staff having to evade questions.
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Give it up folks! There is no secret to cover up. Animals are born and some die in a zoo (and some at a young age). If the zoo staff and management do not announce the giraffe's demise .. so be it. Simple zoo code I would think.
We are really not in a position to demand to know what caused this or that animal to die just for us lot being interested. So, it is end of story.
Furthermore, if you do not have any rapport with the keeper ..., what do you expect? Besides, if you would have had a rapport with them and they do decide to give you the news ..., they at least may expect you to remain proxy to that info without spilling it elsewhere (that unless it has by staff management been publicly announced ...). Again, end of story.
I am pleased to see at last some changes taking place to a zoo that has so much potential and a beautiful landscaped setting (and space to roam).
We are really not in a position to demand to know what caused this or that animal to die just for us lot being interested. So, it is end of story.
Furthermore, if you do not have any rapport with the keeper ..., what do you expect? Besides, if you would have had a rapport with them and they do decide to give you the news ..., they at least may expect you to remain proxy to that info without spilling it elsewhere (that unless it has by staff management been publicly announced ...). Again, end of story.
I am pleased to see at last some changes taking place to a zoo that has so much potential and a beautiful landscaped setting (and space to roam).