Twycross Zoo Twycross Zoo news 2012 #2

[johnstoni.]

And the great ape house exteriors would have the scope to be infinitely better if they were roofed over, IMHO.

that's quite interesting, as its not as if the aesthetic quality of the enclosures would be ruined by doing this. I watch the gorillas at ZSL hobble around on woodchip in their day-room and can't ever imagine London giving them deep layers of fermenting straw to forage through, but with Twycross, whats to lose? Maybe the lawns in the outdoor ape enclosures look natural to the majority of the public, I don't know.

 

[Pertinax]

And the great ape house exteriors would have the scope to be infinitely better if they were roofed over, IMHO.

Re caging for their Primates, as they obviously can't provide enormous treed enclosures, a la Howletts/PL(new enclosures) style, then covered caging is still the best option IMO as giving the most climbing/height opportunities. I would just like to see fewer species given far more room i.e. only one enclosure/species on each side of those primate blocks.

Regarding the Apes- roofing over the enclosures would help them all. Orangutans and Chimps would have about x5 climbing opportunity and x3 space to use, Gorillas might not climb that much (except if fed from the roof) but would benefit from added security.

 

[Pertinax]

t I watch the gorillas at ZSL hobble around on woodchip in their day-room and can't ever imagine London giving them deep layers of fermenting straw to forage through,

Woodchip is c**p for Gorillas- its too dry and sharp for their sensitive feet. Paignton used it for a while and the Gorillas used sections of cardboard to walk on to avoid treading on the woodchip. It looked a mess too. They have taken it out again- the enclosure looks far better as a result.

 

[Pertinax]

I would however look to have some of the primates relocated to collections where they would have some means to breed or be amalgamated into functional social groups. Dianas and Roloways are held elsewhere f.i.

Agree it would always be better for them to stay in breeding situations rather than 'sanctuaries' if possible, maybe splitting pairs and repartnering them at other locations. Change of partner/diet/location can work wonders. Elderly males sometimes find a new lease of breeding life with new partners. It largely depends whether any such situations are available.

 

[IanRRobinson]

Woodchip is c**p for Gorillas- its too dry and sharp for their sensitive feet. Paignton used it for a while and the Gorillas used sections of cardboard to walk on to avoid treading on the woodchip. It looked a mess too. They have taken it out again- the enclosure looks far better as a result.

You really do wonder at the mentality of zoos getting substrates wrong for great apes. Dear God, what do human feet feel comfortable walking on?

 

[Pertinax]

You really do wonder at the mentality of zoos getting substrates wrong for great apes. Dear God, what do human feet feel comfortable walking on?

I suppose you can't blame them for experimenting but recognising when its not suitable is even more important! I was very pleased to see recently that Paignton have gone back to the original flooring. Peat might be a good substrate for Apes though, but might look 'messy' if it was on the glass windows!

 

[Nisha]

Crowned Lemur born on 10th June
Baby lemur proving popular at the zoo | This is Leicestershire

 

[DesertRhino150]

A new baby Michie's tufted deer was born today (6/7/2012)

 

[Maguari]

A new baby Michie's tufted deer was born today (6/7/2012)

Excellent news!

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Male Boulas has been transferred to Longleat.

Source and link: BBC News - Twycross Zoo gorilla moves to Longleat for breeding programme

 

[Pertinax]

Good news. And presumably Boulas' erstwhile partner 'Biddy' will/has been transferred into the other group around now as they won't want her left on her own.

 

[Bele]

The news report says that Twycross now have 3 gorillas - no mention of Biddy .

 

[OrangePerson]

The BBC seem to be claiming Boulas is going to breed. Aren't Longleat getting a bachelor group?

 

[Yassa]

The information in the article is misleading on the border to being lies. Boulas is not breeding, which is the reason for the transfer to a bachelor group. He will never breed and certainly not at Longleat in an all-male-group. He doesn`t has a role to play in the EEP.

 

[TARZAN]

The information in the article is borderline misleading. Boulas is not breeding, which is the reason for the transfer to a bachelor group. He will never breed and certainly not at Longleat in an all-male-group.

You have just taken the words from my mouth Yassa, hope this was a mistake about only now having three gorillas, is Biddy still at Twycross?

 

[Pertinax]

There is a photo of Biddy on Flickr dated 7th July (saturday) so I guess she is still there and they have the wrong info in the write-up.

The BBc just print what they are told, though the relevant phrasing in the article doesn't actually say Boulas is moving 'for breeding' (he obviously isn't!) but implies his move is part of breeding/management programmes though in reality it doesn't directly involve him except as a member of a new bachelor group- unless his move allows Biddy to breed again.

 

[josh_08]

Twycross have announced Boulas' departure, and also state that biddy will be gradually introduced into Oumbies group so she is still alive. The article includes images of him being loaded up with one of his new keepers from Longleat.

Bye Bye Boulas

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Cannot believe the BBC would willfully print any inaccuracies. I am not sure though how well to do they are in their Zoo Enquiries Department in order to separate the good from the bad and inaccurate in zoo story lines. I suspect it is a (poor) PR/marketing department job.

Putting 2 and 2 together I had always suspected TZ still had 4 gorillas (instead of the reported 3) and Biddy is still at Twycross. Personally, I have cannot see her ever integrating well in the current Oumbi led group (hope I may be proven wrong though ... over time).

 

[Pertinax]

Biddy is still at Twycross. Personally, I have cannot see her ever integrating well in the current Oumbi led group (hope I may be proven wrong though ... over time).

I would take the opposite view- Biddy is a very normal, though late middle-aged female and shows proper respect to males. She has had three previous adult male partners(four if you include 'Joe' in the past) and got on well with all of them, and she took to Boulas immediately. There may be scuffles initially but I would expect her integration to go smoothly otherwise.

 

[mazfc]

I would take the opposite view- Biddy is a very normal, though late middle-aged female and shows proper respect to males. She has had three previous adult male partners(four if you include 'Joe' in the past) and got on well with all of them, and she took to Boulas immediately. There may be scuffles initially but I would expect her integration to go smoothly otherwise.

Couldn't agree more pertinax. Biddy a lovely well balanced gorilla, used to living in mixed groups. She knows asante and her daughter ozala (being a bit obvious with that one I know ) I don't see any reason to be concerned.

Oh and she's definitely alive and well. Eating as only Biddy can.