mazfc
Well-Known Member
No they're staying where they are, but with an extension for the parade
Twycross Zoo Twycross Zoo news 2012 #3
- Thread starter Gigit
- Start date
No they're staying where they are, but with an extension for the parade
One of the older females(Tonzi or Minbu) is considered 'reproductively inactive' now, quite possibly as a result of not being bred from for too long an interval after her first calf. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that applied to the other same-aged female too.
That leaves 'Noorjahan' and 'Tara' at Twycross- both with one failed birth/calf each so far, and of course 'Karishma' at Whipsnade with a successful calf.
AI costs thousands.... and as Twycross have learnt the hard way this year, it doesn't always equal a successful birth. They've got to ask themselves, can they really afford it again? If the financial situation is as bad as it sounds right now, then I think not..
Another (possibly cheaper) option might be to temporarily split the herd up and loan the younger cows out to somewhere with a breeding bull (Pretty much what they did before with Tonzi and Mimbu) but it's finding somewhere that is willing to take them and get very little in return for it. Another issue is that Twycross still work there elephants in full contact. The cows in question are going to have to either go to a collection that still works in full contact (there are some obviously, but it does limit choices as far as placing them) or they will have to change to protected contact whilst they are away. But I'd expect Twycross to have issues with them on return if they'd been in protected contact for a number of months only to then have to swap back suddenly
Haven't been to Twycross for a while so my memory of the layout is hazy... but there is no chance they could convert/build on the land of the vacant Giraffe house to create a bull facility?
If this zoo wishes to continue with the keeping and breeding of Asian elephants long term, your suggestion of using the space adjacent to the elephant house that was occupied by the giraffes, I think is an excellent idea, it would certainly pay for itself long term, considering the high cost of AI treatment that this zoo are currently using to impregnate their cow elephants, plus, from a visitor point of view, an impressive adult bull elephant would make an interesting, popular exhibit, just one problem, of coarse, pounds and pence, I would think this project would have to join the queue for future developments,what this zoo could do with is a modern day Solly Zucherman, who, during his time at London was very good at getting rich people who were interested in the place to put large amounts of money into it.
josh_08
Well-Known Member
Twycross Zoo Visit (14/10/12)
Visited the zoo today, couple of things to report;
1. Giraffe; As we all know the giraffe have now left and the zoo has put up signs on the enclosure. Going around the zoo i heard many people say 'lets go see the giraffe' so im guessing there was a few dissapointed people. From reading the discussion on this thread regarding if their departure will effect the zoo i did think it would, but being there today, i dont think it made much difference.
2. Tapirs/Capybara; All tapirs were active today in the sun, and even saw Madge the malayian tapir. Shes now in the house viewable by the public. The capybara have a new baby.
3. Elephants; They have now moved into protected contact with the elephant training shows stopped. The indoors has had an update (due to the pc) and i have a few pics of it. Also Noorjahan has recently been AI, although its still to early to tell if it has worked, so in a couple of months we'll know if its worked.
4. Amur/Snow Leopard; The amur enclouse appears to have had new planting/ vegetation added and was looking fresh. Didnt see any of the snow leopards so unsure if the cubs have left or not?
5. Penguins/ Owls; Penguins are now back in the enclosure, but work is still being done on the 'extra part'. Personally i think its a bit pointless. I do like the newly refurbished owl enclosure.
6. Orangutans/ Bonobos; The orangs were active all day, swinging on the ropes outside, running around chasing each other, was nice to see. The bonobos are in the two groups, with around 4-5 in each. In one section there has been a new cage built for the youngest baby so she can now be in the main day room with them. This is another step for her introduction to the group. Also one of the females looked very large, so may be another baby soon?
7. Sealion/Bushdog; The old sealion pool thats being refurbished for bush dogs is coming along nicely. Again i thought the zoo may suffer with their loss, as i even enjoyed to see them, but like the giraffes i dont think it will make much difference, especially as they are showing what will be replacing them in due course.
8. Meerkats/ Striped Hyaena; Meerkats Have had some work done on the enclosure with a small barrier placed onto of the wall to stop people reaching over i guess. The hyaena sisters were seperated with one in the small holding all day pacing the fence.
9. Chimps; Greenmile- Only saw the 3 chimps (benji, rosie and tuli) in there so im guessing all the others have now been moved for sure. The enclosure behind Norton is off-limits to the public and the chimps didnt come outside so im not sure on the numbers in there. In 'chimp complex' the two males (danny and tommy ?) are still on one side and not in with the main group yet. Jambos group who now live in the 'old gorilla house' all seemed fine. Again some vegetation has been added and wired off so the chimps cant touch it. From the viewing inside, 'joes den' has been updated to accomodate the chimps, althought not entirely finished.
10. Gorillas; The group seemed calm through-out the day. Oumbi just sat and regurgitaded his food for a long time with ozala pacing around inside and out. Biddy and asante stayed in most of the day only venturing outside when the food was delivered. Ozala is now looking very large and uncomfortable when lying down so i dont think it will be to long until she has her fourth baby.
On my last visit i felt that the zoo seemed empty, and from the updates and discussions on this thread since then many have experienced the same feelings, especially with the departures of the sealions and giraffe. But today i felt that the it seemed slightly more alive. Maybe it was the nice weather that made the animals more active or all the current work going on. From today it did not feel like a zoo that was in the process of shutting down, just updating itself ... but i know its the money that really matters.
The only negative that i can think off is how impersonal the zoo has become with the removal of all name signs etc which i persoanlly liked. This goes the same for the 2012 Guide Book which doesnt really give much information about its animals, only listing what they hold. Think Ive covered everything, but will add if needed and will try to upload some photos.
Visited the zoo today, couple of things to report;
1. Giraffe; As we all know the giraffe have now left and the zoo has put up signs on the enclosure. Going around the zoo i heard many people say 'lets go see the giraffe' so im guessing there was a few dissapointed people. From reading the discussion on this thread regarding if their departure will effect the zoo i did think it would, but being there today, i dont think it made much difference.
2. Tapirs/Capybara; All tapirs were active today in the sun, and even saw Madge the malayian tapir. Shes now in the house viewable by the public. The capybara have a new baby.
3. Elephants; They have now moved into protected contact with the elephant training shows stopped. The indoors has had an update (due to the pc) and i have a few pics of it. Also Noorjahan has recently been AI, although its still to early to tell if it has worked, so in a couple of months we'll know if its worked.
4. Amur/Snow Leopard; The amur enclouse appears to have had new planting/ vegetation added and was looking fresh. Didnt see any of the snow leopards so unsure if the cubs have left or not?
5. Penguins/ Owls; Penguins are now back in the enclosure, but work is still being done on the 'extra part'. Personally i think its a bit pointless. I do like the newly refurbished owl enclosure.
6. Orangutans/ Bonobos; The orangs were active all day, swinging on the ropes outside, running around chasing each other, was nice to see. The bonobos are in the two groups, with around 4-5 in each. In one section there has been a new cage built for the youngest baby so she can now be in the main day room with them. This is another step for her introduction to the group. Also one of the females looked very large, so may be another baby soon?
7. Sealion/Bushdog; The old sealion pool thats being refurbished for bush dogs is coming along nicely. Again i thought the zoo may suffer with their loss, as i even enjoyed to see them, but like the giraffes i dont think it will make much difference, especially as they are showing what will be replacing them in due course.
8. Meerkats/ Striped Hyaena; Meerkats Have had some work done on the enclosure with a small barrier placed onto of the wall to stop people reaching over i guess. The hyaena sisters were seperated with one in the small holding all day pacing the fence.
9. Chimps; Greenmile- Only saw the 3 chimps (benji, rosie and tuli) in there so im guessing all the others have now been moved for sure. The enclosure behind Norton is off-limits to the public and the chimps didnt come outside so im not sure on the numbers in there. In 'chimp complex' the two males (danny and tommy ?) are still on one side and not in with the main group yet. Jambos group who now live in the 'old gorilla house' all seemed fine. Again some vegetation has been added and wired off so the chimps cant touch it. From the viewing inside, 'joes den' has been updated to accomodate the chimps, althought not entirely finished.
10. Gorillas; The group seemed calm through-out the day. Oumbi just sat and regurgitaded his food for a long time with ozala pacing around inside and out. Biddy and asante stayed in most of the day only venturing outside when the food was delivered. Ozala is now looking very large and uncomfortable when lying down so i dont think it will be to long until she has her fourth baby.
On my last visit i felt that the zoo seemed empty, and from the updates and discussions on this thread since then many have experienced the same feelings, especially with the departures of the sealions and giraffe. But today i felt that the it seemed slightly more alive. Maybe it was the nice weather that made the animals more active or all the current work going on. From today it did not feel like a zoo that was in the process of shutting down, just updating itself ... but i know its the money that really matters.
The only negative that i can think off is how impersonal the zoo has become with the removal of all name signs etc which i persoanlly liked. This goes the same for the 2012 Guide Book which doesnt really give much information about its animals, only listing what they hold. Think Ive covered everything, but will add if needed and will try to upload some photos.
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