Twycross Zoo Twycross Zoo News 2018

[Pertinax]

Glad the move went off smoothly, according to the Blackpool FB Tara was already calling to them almost as they were being uncrated..(elephants don't forget! )
2018 has seen two of the most unsatisfactory longstanding elements of Twycross(IMO) finally resolved- female-only Elephant group and Chimpanzees rehoused properly. Very pleased to hear of their safe arrival. They must have moved yesterday I think.

 

[TNT]

They arrived here at Blackpool yesterday in the late afternoon. I watched both unload, apparently they are both happy and healthy.

 

[Pertinax]

They arrived here at Blackpool yesterday in the late afternoon. I watched both unload, apparently they are both happy and healthy.

That was lucky for you. How did they accomplish it in the end, a single or two seperate crates- on two seperate lorries, or what?

And did you get any photos or video?

 

[TNT]

That was lucky for you. How did they accomplish it in the end, a single or two seperate crates- on two seperate lorries, or what?

And did you get any photos or video?

2 crates, not sure about the lorries... But I think someone mentioned one. But don't quote me on that! (One crate was already unloaded by the time I was there, and there were multiple lorries around so I can't be sure).

No I didn't take any photos or videos, we aren't allowed as it's off show. The zoo did however post a short clip on its Instagram.

I can answer any other questions if people have them

 

[Pertinax]

2 crates, not sure about the lorries... But I think someone mentioned one. But don't quote me on that!

Thanks TNT..my guess would be on one lorry so the mother/calf contact wasn't broken more than was absolutely necessary. Tricky operation given their relationship but its obviously gone well.

 

[taun]

2018 has seen two of the most unsatisfactory longstanding elements of Twycross(IMO) finally resolved- female-only Elephant group and Chimpanzees rehoused properly. Very pleased to hear of their safe arrival. They must have moved yesterday I think.

Into another female only group, yep resolved!

Don't get me wrong yes at some point they should be breed with a bull but that could be years down the line....when the time frame is announced we will have a better idea if this was a good move or whether they would have been better going to someone that will move a bull in straight away.

 

[TNT]

Into another female only group, yep resolved!

Don't get me wrong yes at some point they should be breed with a bull but that could be years down the line....when the time frame is announced we will have a better idea if this was a good move or whether they would have been better going to someone that will move a bull in straight away.

I don't think many people would disagree with me that this was the right thing to do? The facilities here are great, as is the level of care from the keeping team.

They may not have a bull yet, but as we all know, it will happen. We can't expect everything to happen at once... It's alot more complicated than people may think.

 

[Pertinax]

Into another female only group, yep resolved!

Don't get me wrong yes at some point they should be breed with a bull but that could be years down the line....when the time frame is announced we will have a better idea if this was a good move or whether they would have been better going to someone that will move a bull in straight away.

From the recent TV programme on them, they were quoted as expecting to have a bull by the end of the year.

 

[taun]

I don't think many people would disagree with me that this was the right thing to do? The facilities here are great, as is the level of care from the keeping team.

They may not have a bull yet, but as we all know, it will happen. We can't expect everything to happen at once... It's alot more complicated than people may think.

No but I was not saying that, I was saying the suggestion by Pertinax to say the situation is resolved because the Elephants are now not under Twycross care is like lifting the carpet up and swiping the problem under. Yes its complicated but was this the only choice? I doubt it. The reason was for leaving was due to not keeping a bull and as of yet Blackpool do not.

I do believe they will get one but if its 5 years down the line, is that good enough? Time will tell I suppose.

 

[taun]

From the recent TV programme on them, they were quoted as expecting to have a bull by the end of the year.

And when did they say the Elephants would move to Blackpool from Twycross

 

[pipaluk]

I know I am in the minority here, but I think only time will tell if this was a good move for the elephants, as taun has suggested !

For Twycross, I think the loss is potentially disastrous! I hope I'm wrong !

Maybe they should have brought giraffe back in the now extended old Paddock , instead of building a new giraffe facility where a bull elephant paddock could have gone?

I fear that unless something 'major' like rhino, hippo( maybe bear or big cat) move into the ex elephant area, this will see less people bothering to visit. For the general public I'm sure elephants were a massive draw!

 

[wibbs]

No but I was not saying that, I was saying the suggestion by Pertinax to say the situation is resolved because the Elephants are now not under Twycross care is like lifting the carpet up and swiping the problem under. Yes its complicated but was this the only choice? I doubt it. The reason was for leaving was due to not keeping a bull and as of yet Blackpool do not.

I do believe they will get one but if its 5 years down the line, is that good enough? Time will tell I suppose.

where does it say or announced its 5 years down the line ,I think your find there hae a bull a lot sooner than 5 years

 

[taun]

where does it say or announced its 5 years down the line ,I think your find there hae a bull a lot sooner than 5 years

Where did I say it had, I am just playing devils advocate here. If all works out, yes its a great move for the elephants but if it doesn't it switches one problem to another zoo. But time will tell on this.

 

[Pertinax]

And when did they say the Elephants would move to Blackpool from Twycross

Afaik it was this year...the new build was only finished by then and they have all moved now. The fact they delayed the move of two of them for about three months is immaterial in the larger scheme of things. I can't imagine they'd go to all this trouble of shifting them to Blackpool, Blackpool building bull quarters- or Twycross being prepared to let them go either- unless there was a definite timeframe on the acquisition of a bull and breeding. Its the whole premise of the move and Blackpool's new accomodation. Blackpool stated publicly on the TV programme that they would have a bull 'by the end of the year'- maybe it won't work out exactly like that but I imagine one is already in the pipeline.

 

[Pertinax]

For Twycross, I think the loss is potentially disastrous! I hope I'm wrong !

Maybe they should have brought giraffe back in the now extended old Paddock , instead of building a new giraffe facility where a bull elephant paddock could have gone?

It may be disastrous for Twycross but its not for the Elephants. Twycross chose not to build bull accomodation( they could have done so at a cost)- that's their decision but instead have finally done the right thing by the elephants. Whether it affects them over the years remains to be seen- people will notice they are not there to start with, but generally have short memories. IMO the needs of the Elephants are the more important thing here.

 

[pipaluk]

Afaik it was this year...and they have moved. The fact they delayed the move of two of them for a few months is immaterial in the larger scheme of things. I can't imagine they'd go to all this trouble of shifting them to Blackpool, Blackpool building bull quarters- or Twycross being prepared to let them go either- unless there was a definite timeframe on the acquisition of a bull and breeding. Its the whole premise of the move and Blackpool's new accomodation. Blackpool stated publicly on the TV programme that they would have a bull 'by the end of the year'- maybe it won't work out exactly like that but I imagine one is already in the pipeline.

The announcement was made early 2017 and I think it was originally due to happen in the summer of last year!

 

[Pertinax]

The announcement was made early 2017 and I think it was originally due to happen in the summer of last year!

Presumably the delay was due to the enclosure not being ready then? I believe it was only completed last winter and their own Elephant only moved in a few weeks before the first Twycross ones arrived. You can't blame Twycross for that..

 

[pipaluk]

It may be disastrous for Twycross but its not for the Elephants. Twycross chose not to build bull accomodation( they could have done so at a cost)- that's their decision but instead have finally done the right thing by the elephants. Whether it affects them over the years remains to be seen- people will notice they are not there to start with, but generally have short memories. IMO the needs of the Elephants are the more important thing here.

I don't think anyone would argue with the needs of the elephants being important, if they go on to breed at Blackpool it will have been a success , but that won't be happening for a while....

 

[Pertinax]

I don't think anyone would argue with the needs of the elephants being important, if they go on to breed at Blackpool it will have been a success , but that won't be happening for a while....

Why do you think it 'won't be happening for a while'?

 

[pipaluk]

Why do you think it 'won't be happening for a while'?

Because they don't have a bull at Blackpool and there appears to be no definite plan(although there possibly/probably is). Given the year delay in moving the females to Blackpool, it's possible there could be similar delays over a bull.