Well hi there!

M

MexPirate

Active Member
15+ year member
Suppose I should introduce myself, been really impressed by all the info here so thought it was about time to register and start posting.

I am a mature student trying to finish a degree in animal science and management and I am currently volunteering/doing a small research project at Twycross zoo (working with the bonobos).

Am particularly interested in primates, especially apes so expect to see my name pop up in any related threads :)
 
Welcome to the Zoobeat forum, there are a number of people on the forum who have a strong interest in primates as you will see.

Do you know whats happening with the Asian elephants at Twycross in repect to breeding, as you would know they dont have a bull at the zoo, with two cows being bred before which were sent to London (I think), We have heard some chatter about AI but no real information about the herd lately
 
I know that they have regular training to accept AI and that one of them is currently pregnant, but I think that has already been mentioned on here already. Not aware of any plans to get a male in, will speak to the elephant keeper when I go for a smoke break to see what I can find out so let me know if there's any specific questions you want me to ask.
 
MexPirate said:
I know that they have regular training to accept AI and that one of them is currently pregnant, but I think that has already been mentioned on here already. Not aware of any plans to get a male in, will speak to the elephant keeper when I go for a smoke break to see what I can find out so let me know if there's any specific questions you want me to ask.
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Thats great news with one of the cows being pregnant, how far gone is she ?
also how many cows are they going to AI :cool:
 
Well hi there,

Great to have you on the forum. Perhaps you have noticed that some of us are real fanatics when it comes to Twycross Zoo. We have it in for the old zoo management (lol). :D

In particular, we focus on the great ape breeding programmes for which some of the ins escape us. Similarly, the elephant group at Twycross has come in for some criticism too.

Do not worry though, we are not vindictive ....., it is all in a good cause (lol).

Well hope you can shed some light on both taxa. And sure if you can tell us anything else on comings and goings at Twycross we stand recommended.

Have a nice time on the forum with us!

Jelle :eek:
 
Yes, news of the opinions of Twycross shared by some people here has spread pretty far - I knew of that before I even visited the site.

Things aren't perfect there by any means but they do what they can with the resources they have available to them, the staff work 6 days out of 8 (most also do extra shifts to cover holidays etc) for 10 hours a day for less money than I get for being an office monkey.

Must say I don't fully understand the criticisms of the elphant group, there isn't a male there but they are attempting to breed from the animals, would guess that she must be around 2 months gone, but could be more - will add to my list of things to find out.

As for the apes their record with the Bonobos is impressive in my eyes (Diatou is pregnant again I'm glad to say), there was a new chimp born at the end of last year and the orangs seem to be producing regular young, I don't know a great deal about the Gorillas but they are breeding although a string of unrelated deaths are unfortunate they certainly don't represent a lack of care for the animals.

I'm not blind to the problems but I am completely biased as I have fallen in love with the place, just keep in mind that like most zoo's they are a charity and whilst they would love to build massive enclosures for everyone and house huge groups - it just isn't always practical.
 
MexPirate; said:
Must say I don't fully understand the criticisms of the elphant group, there isn't a male there but they are attempting to breed from the animals, would guess that she must be around 2 months gone, but could be more - will add to my list of things to find out.
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I think the main bee in peoples bonnetts regarding the elephant group is the cows could have been sent to another zoo for breeding when the time was right since they dont hold a bull, I think this was done twice in the past resulting in two calfs so two cows were proven breeders, it just seems a lot of wasted time when they could have beed producing more calfs, as we know cow elephants are not that easy to come by these days
 
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Hi mex, I am a primatologist who also has a strong ape focus! Good to see another primate face, maybe one day we can take over and there be no more talk of ele..........
 
Hi MexPirate and also Jo,

You are both invited to indulge into our European forums on great apes (e.g. lowland gorillas in europe). I am sure Pertinax and Yassa would not mind either to have you around there!

Re the charity bit on Twycross. I do think that us citizens can do a little more in that respect. Personally I am of the opinion that zoos are scientific/cultural institutions that should be municipally, federal and government funded (the rest I put in the Twycross forum as this is just a welcoming thread) :p
 
Yes please jelle, linky?
 
Failed to get any info on the elephants today :( crossed Tapirs/Gorillas/Bonobos off my list though so will see if i can grab the elephant keeper next week.

Don't forget education! that is probably the most important aspect for most zoo's in my eyes, conservation is an essential part of course - but education from zoos has the power to reach further than most conservation efforts
 
MexPirate said:
Not aware of any plans to get a male in, will speak to the elephant keeper when I go for a smoke break to see what I can find out so let me know if there's any specific questions you want me to ask.
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What I'd really like to know is WHY they won't have a bull elephant? There seems to be the space so is it it a management/safety issue? If I knew the reason I'd probably understand the situation better.:)
 
Welcome to the forum. I have visited Twycross many times over the past 35 years and it is still one of my favourite zoos. I am as well aware of its shortcomings as many others here: but I also know its strengths, and perhaps we ought to celebrate those more often. I hope you can help us to appreciate things better.

Alan
 
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