I remember an old episode of Monkey Business (or whatever it used to be called) where they sent a monkey to Twycross, it must've been this individual.
A shame that they've gone though, they were a very charismatic species!
Twycross Zoo Twycross Zoo news 2012 #4
- Thread starter Gigit
- Start date
I remember an old episode of Monkey Business (or whatever it used to be called) where they sent a monkey to Twycross, it must've been this individual.
A shame that they've gone though, they were a very charismatic species!
Twycross Chimps
Twycross Zoo's Chimpanzee Blog update:-
Twycross Chimps | Twycross Zoo's Chimpanzee Blog!
Twycross Zoo's Chimpanzee Blog update:-
Twycross Chimps | Twycross Zoo's Chimpanzee Blog!
johnstoni.
Well-Known Member
I wonder if there will be a few casualties from the stress of introductions, although I'm not suggesting this was connected to Ricky's death, as I've no information on the cause. I do still think the risks are well worth it, and I've been very impressed with the sensitivity and tone of Twycross's chimpanzee blog, I really wish their efforts well.
Its possible and it could be stress-related, or completely unnconnected to his recent move-but generally Chimps are far less liable to die from stress-related problems than e.g. Gorillas.
I note from the blog that the last three chimps have now moved from the Green Mile and its finally empty. HURRAY!!!!
If anyone from Twycross is reading this, I also think the blog updates on these Chimp moves have been very good too. I hope they can continue with successful integrations.
I am sorry to hear about Ricky, the chimp blog dated December 2nd states that he was settling well with the other chimps, very sad, how old would he have been, anybody know?. I am pleased to see that the old chimp row has finally been vacated at long last, Benji, Rosie and Tulli being the last to be relocated, looking at a photo of Tulli, it would appear that they are now in the original gorilla house, next to Norton Grange, judging by the "chicken pattern" tiles on the wall, is this correct?
That appears to be the case, as it was mentioned in an earlier blog that when 'Ricky' was moved, the two left in there were Louis and Choppers, and these three are now adjacent to them in the other half of that house.
Sad that one of the chimps has died, however I understand most of twycrosses chimps are elderly. The recent move may have just been co-incidence, especially as the blog reports he had settled in well.
TBH, this needs to happen - twycross need 1 large, multi-generation group of central or western purebreed chimps to breed from.
You cannot claim to be the word primate centre when you only house elderly (or in a coupld of cases) disfunctional ape groups and a rapidly dimishnig collection of other primates.
Personally, my suspiscion aqs to why so many primate species have vanished form twycross recently is due to lack of subspecie clarification. Many of the primates in SE asia have undetermined no's of subspecie (and some, like tarsiers have VERY unclear taxonomy). There has been a huge effort to isolate and not breed from hybrid stock in the last 5 years and i suspect that this means the diversity of UK species and animals will go down before it goes up again. In twycrosses case I really hope inbred/hybrid animals/elderly animals have been sent away to enable more younger, purebred breeding stock to come in. Sadly, my gut feeling says in 5 years time there will be even fewer primates at twycross as there are now judging by progress on pthe rdevelopments there so far.
TBH, this needs to happen - twycross need 1 large, multi-generation group of central or western purebreed chimps to breed from.
You cannot claim to be the word primate centre when you only house elderly (or in a coupld of cases) disfunctional ape groups and a rapidly dimishnig collection of other primates.
Personally, my suspiscion aqs to why so many primate species have vanished form twycross recently is due to lack of subspecie clarification. Many of the primates in SE asia have undetermined no's of subspecie (and some, like tarsiers have VERY unclear taxonomy). There has been a huge effort to isolate and not breed from hybrid stock in the last 5 years and i suspect that this means the diversity of UK species and animals will go down before it goes up again. In twycrosses case I really hope inbred/hybrid animals/elderly animals have been sent away to enable more younger, purebred breeding stock to come in. Sadly, my gut feeling says in 5 years time there will be even fewer primates at twycross as there are now judging by progress on pthe rdevelopments there so far.
To reach that situation with the Chimps would be difficult. Some of their existing ones will be mixed race and others of different/unknown subspecies, while many of them are elderly. I think even if they do build a new complex it will be catering just for the existing chimps they have, at least initially until the 'oldies' have all died off- while there are some younger ones among them which still have most of their lives in front of them.
After numbers were reduced by natural attrition, they could perhaps add some younger purebred animals to such a group, and allow only them to breed, as Edinburgh are doing. However, given their current situation I think such planning would all have to be many years down the line and like others I wonder if the Zoo will last that long.
I would prefer to see the 'unsuitable' primate species (elderly, hybrid,non-breeders, singletons etc)all 'weeded out' and leave to provide extra space to the functional groups that remain. If the three Ape buildings currently housing Chimpanzees ever became empty(of Chimps that is) then I would like to see some unrepresented primate groups e.g. Mandrills/ Mangabeys/Macaques brought in to fill them and give a more representative feel to the Primate collection as a whole. But while those houses remain full, I would prefer not to see them acquire any new species they don't have room for. Of course, the exChimpanzee 'Green Mile' area which is now empty would provide a good site for development of a new Primate exhibit too, as GL pointed out, though I've no idea what they actually plan for that area now.
josh_08
Well-Known Member
From the zoo's website; 'New Exhibits Coming to Twycross Zoo 2013!'
New Exhibits Coming to Twycross Zoo 2013!
New Exhibits Coming to Twycross Zoo 2013!
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Nice to see that they have finally admitted that the Asian Canivores Exhibit isn't going to happen any time soon,Pity the statement about the Amur Leopards reads as if they already have a female when they don't,but then they do need more space and have done from the day that enclosure was built,as for yet another walk through Lemur enclosure lets just hope its better than the Penguins!!
I've got to say I'm pleased to see Twycross focusing on (I'd imagine) relatively inexpensive improvements for current residents rather than forever talking of "pie in the sky" future developments.
I'm intrigued by what "Langurs Outside" will be and agree that the Leopard enclosure needs expansion as (much like the old Lion enclosure) it was only ever at the lowest end of acceptable size when first built (no future proofing whatsoever!). Personally I find Lemur walk-throughs in general a bit meh but, if done well (as I hear the Bush Dog/Coati enclosure was) it'll be a good addition/attraction to improve visitor experiences and hopefully visitor numbers and spending.
Nice concept and reasonably cheap, I hope if they do they ensure there's plenty of climbing opportunities (there's not that many trees at Twycross though they could put up climbing frames) and not just electrify a paddock.
Maybe I'm reading more into this than I should but that one press release gives me more hope that Twycross is getting its game together than anything for years. If nothing else - they're building a new monkey exhibit! When was the last time that happened? Monkeys of the Amazon, probably.