What will 2012 bring?

I forgot - tuatara at Chester, would love some young 'uns! Or fertile eggs incubating would be a good start!
 
Right have been gazing into my Crystal Ball here are a few predicitions for what will happen in 2012,some are serious some are very much tongue in cheek,its up to you to decided which is which!!

First off I would like to see a third collection do a walk and talk for zoochat,and hopefully the continued good relationship with Chester Zoo.

Now for Twycross as some of you know this is a place with a special place in my heart for various reasons,first off I would love to see them actually build a new exhibit for a species,that is actually a primate!Also I would love to see the Trustess wake up and see whats going on before things are to late.The South American Sealion's to leave the collection and their pool be converted as a new enclosure for Penguins!

Next up RSCC to re-open at a new location.

Now for Chester Zoo nothing much to happen at the zoo for 2012 building wise,the Dinosaurs to be a major sucess and the first sucessfull captive breeding of T-rex.At least 3 new species of primate to arrive at the zoo,but not necessarily on-show.The arrival of species to be exhibit in Islands when its completed.More species of Birds of Paradise.The first fertile Tuatara eggs outside of New Zealand plus the arrival of a second male.The deperature of the Komodo Dragon starter kit so he can be replaced my a far more interesting species of reptile,a species of Ratsnake going on-show.

Dudley Zoo to actually get the grant money they have applyed for and stop chasing false dawns all the time,the arrival of Giant Panda to go in the old Bear Ravine.

London Zoo to re-claim it's rightfull place as the UK's number 1 collection.

Belfast Zoo to surprise us all by bringing in a species that we all want to see,the arrival of a male Tree Kangaroo.

Edinburgh Zoo to break the 1 million barrier of visitors and an increase in visitor complaints due to the fact the only things the Pandas do are sleep.

Highland Wildlife Park to finally get the long awaited Musk Ox,and the shock arrival of Marco Polo Sheep.

An increase in the number of collections that keep Bears along with an increase in the types kept in the country.

The World of Crocodiles to breed another species of Crocodilian,and increase the number of species kept at the collection.

South Lakes Wild Animal Park to admit its Giraffes are antiquorum and not peralta.

Also I think we will lose a few collections due to the economic climate in the country,also we could see a major collection admit its on the verge of closing like London was in the 90's.

Many new species to arrive during the year at various places,and many UK first breedings.

Many more zoo visits and meet ups with fellow zoochatters up and down the country.
 
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Or maybe it could be achieved with a bit of spare cash (perhaps generated by the Giant Pandas) and a favour from the military as I know they've assisted in building various enclosures, I assume at no cost, in the past.

That is correct, the Royal Artillery provided the labour free of charge for the construction of the polar bear enclosure for Mercedes at the Highland Wildlife Park.
 
Next up RSCC to re-open at a new location

Seems highly unlikely, but then again the whole of RSCC's history is unlikely. If it did I would hope it would open somewhere easily accessible by a large number of people (preferably within half an hour of me).

London Zoo to re-claim it's rightfull place as the UK's number 1 collection.

I honestly can't see anywhere catching Chester up any time soon.

Belfast Zoo to surprise us all by bringing in a species that we all want to see,the arrival of a male Tree Kangaroo.

Nothing good that they would do would surprise me that much, it's such a great place it's the norm for them to do things so well.

An increase in the number of collections that keep Bears along with an increase in the types kept in the country.
y

We've already got the maximum of types, unless you're playing your sub-species joker again.:D Though more Bears is always good with me.

South Lakes Wild Animal Park to admit its Giraffes are antiquorum and not peralta.

David Gill admitting he's wrong, now you're being silly:). There's more chance of South Lakes getting Giant Pandas.

Many more zoo visits and meet ups with fellow zoochatters up and down the country.

Absolutely, that's what it's all about.
 
Also I would love to see the Trustess wake up and see whats going on before things are to late.The South American Sealion's to leave the collection and their pool be converted as a new enclosure for Penguins!

From all that has been discussed about Twycross recently, I rather hope they do too.;)

I think the Sealions/Penguins idea is a very good one as the pool is too small for the Patagonian sealions, but of course they won't want to lose a major species, will they?

A few other personal hopes;

1. Marwell-Black Wildebeest either to get a paddock(if they still haven't got one) or leave the collection for somewhere better.

2. Port Lympne- Return to their previous pedestrian layout for visitors(some hope:rolleyes:)

3. London- either exchange male Gorillas, or add a younger (fertile) male to the existing group-so they can breed again.

A HAPPY CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR REGULAR ZOOCHATTERS.
 
I can only agree with zoogiraffes's and Pertinax's comments (except the bit about T. rex :eek:).
Personally I would like a couple of surprises in 2012: a beautiful new species that I haven't seen before and an unexpected breeding success. Of course it would spoil the surprise if I could make any predictions about the species or zoos involved.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all
Alan
 
If all goes to plan 2012 will bring me two new rodent species, a new bovid and a new deer species at the place with the pandas. So while all the non-enthusiast visitors are queuing up to look at the black and white bears, I will have plenty of opportunity to do my new animal spotting.
 
Hopes for 2012, London,to continue the good work and hopefully raise sufficient funds to build their next new major exhibit for the tigers, two minor things, more pay boxes open at peek times so intending visitors do not have to queue for unacceptable lengths of time,also at the gift shop, could they please stop this irritating charge for a bag when people have been good enough to patronise the zoo and make purchases at the gift shop.Whipsnade, I look forward to seeing the baby elephants grow up, hopefully a vaccine will be developed to prevent in future premature deaths from that dreadful and heartbreaking herpes virus.Edinburgh, I would sincerely like the giant panda exhibit to be a success, financially and otherwise, hopefully money raised from this could go towards better accommodation for sea lions and some of the cats, perhaps enclosures of the same standard as what they have for their chimps and penguins, please no more of this ridiculous breed to cull policy and no more attempts to put on shows watching an animal being cut up, the public do want it and do not accept it. Blackpool, I think the time has now come for Blackpool to consider the future of their elephants. I am not saying that they are living in bad conditions, but are not comparable with the likes of Chester, Twycross and Whipsnade.Either improve facilities for the elephants or if this not possible or practical then perhaps it is time to consider them to be re homed, it would be a loss to the zoo, of coarse, to no longer have elephants, however, other major collections have stopped keeping elephants and are still here today. I would like the proposed new elephant facility at Longleat to come to fruition, perhaps the Blackpool elephants could go there to join Anne, as both Indira and Marsella are former circus elephants I am sure they would enjoy spending their retirement with Anne, reminiscing about their years in the business:)Twycross, well I look forward to the day when the bulldozers move in to demolish the vacated green mile chimp houses, I hope all goes well with their integration with the other chimps housed elsewhere in the zoo, I hope the financial state of this zoo improves, they certainly have a loyal visitor number to make this possible, however could they please stop this £1 charge for babies please. As Mr. Zoo giraffe stated, hopefully the trustees will wake up before it is too late, with all respect was there any need to state the obvious!, which reminds me did you enquire any further about an M.B.E. for Miss Evans?, that would be a great thing to happen at this zoo next year!
 
however could they please stop this £1 charge for babies please.

What babies have Twycross charged the public to see? It was South Lakes that had the charge/donation to see the white rhino calf, is this what you're thinking of or have I missed anything?

Also, will have to disagree about the Edinburgh 'show.' There was a lot of controversy indeed, and probably not a good time in Edinburgh's history to try it with everything that happened last year, but I think it would be worth another try. If the animal needs the autopsy [all zoo animals do] then why not allow people interested in biology/vetinary science to watch so that they can learn about the process? I imagine it would be highly educational. There is however the problem of people that just want to go in for a morbid look at something being cut up.

Would the idea of a public autopsy sit a little more comfortable with you if Edinburgh weren't making money from it, or if it was only open to people with a genuine interest in the biology side? I think there was no problem with a charge personally, if people had not boycotted it then maybe money raised could go towards better accomodation for the sea lions or big cats?
 
Chester 2012 Wishlist

Young to the following:
Asian Lion
Giant Otter
African Hunting Dogs

The mixing of Jaguars Sophia and Pele.

Whilst it would be nice to see the Jags together, they are both probably a bit past it in terms of breeding , Pele was very prolific at Marwell of course but is now an old cat , and Sophia was not in the best physical shape I thought.
 
What babies have Twycross charged the public to see? It was South Lakes that had the charge/donation to see the white rhino calf, is this what you're thinking of or have I missed anything?

Yes you are missing something as Twycross brought in a charge of £1 for human babies to enter the zoo this year,so that they could bring in a few more pennys to the zoo!
 
In 2012, collection-wise - It would be nice IF; South Lakes stopped winging about the council and everything else , if Eagle Heights decided exactly what they are doing and stopped being so unprofessional , they need to knuckle down or pack it in completely.
Let`s hope Edinburgh Zoo has a better year after all the uncertainty of the last 12 months , it would be wonderful to see the potential new Polar Bear pairing at Highland , and with it - the prospect of the first Polar Bear cubs in the UK for many years is an exciting one! It would also be good for another collection to take on the challenge of producing another good Polar Bear exhibit in the UK , it will be needed for sure , forget the antis and plow some decent money into it , if others can do it overseas then why not here!? Polar Bears WILL become seriously endangered , so zoos need to act now and prepare for that likely-hood.
Let`s hope that no more smaller collections are lost - particularly with regard to the bird gardens that are left - though this may be wishful thinking if current economic trends continue of course?
The best of luck to Blackbrook in their fight for survival and Galloway too - I hate to see any zoo close, (even the slightly poorer ones can be put right with enough support). Marwell need to think, very carefully. It would be good to see Dudley Zoo actually move forward , I love the place but it is such a shame to watch it simply stagnate.
London Zoo need a dose good luck, and better publicity in 2012.
I would like to see the King Cobra Sanctuary and Crocodiles of the World go from strength to strength and have a damn good year! RSCC to get themselves sorted out - it is such a choice collection - it is crying out for a good site and more investment!
Species-wise ; I would like to see more- Bears , Caprine species , small mammals , birds and more diversification , less Meerkats and Lemurs (of the same species over and over again) - they are nice, but really, we dont` need to see them everywhere surely.!!
 
No, I have no problem whatsoever for an autopsy to take place in private if it indeed is advantageous to vetinary and zoological research, I remember well when Chi Chi the giant panda was at the end of her days, when she finally breathed her last there was someone waiting to take her eyes out, this would further research into the eyes of giant pandas, that's fine the animal is dead, if taking her eyes out is beneficial to the future to the well being of giant pandas, all well and good. Regarding the £20 a ticket show at Edinburgh, which incidentally was cancelled, despite what Cracker states, (pity Cracker didn't reply so quickly when I enquired about the future of the second litter of red river hogs and commercial sponsorship of the Giant pandas, perhaps loyalty to Edinburgh Zoo was the reason) I can only reiterate what my own vet's comment was regarding this, disgusting.As for your enquiry to what baby animal Twycross are currently charging £1 to see, the answer is NONE, the £1 charge I am refering to is for literal babies, i.e. homo sapiens, to enter the zoo. As for your suggestion that Edinburgh should have another attempt at an autopsy show, well the least said about that the better, I recall you previously stating that you would like to pursue a career in the zoos, if this is your attitude I don't think you would be very sucsessful, a career in merchant banking I would think would be more up your street.

I can categorically state the post-mortem did take place as I know of people who attended. I didn't reply about the future of the second litter of red river hogs because I don't know anything about it or the commercial sponsorship of the pandas. All zoos make money in many different ways and considering that the majority of those who attended the post-mortem (which is not a show just like the lectures given by the many scientists at the series of Living Links lectures were not shows) were veterinary students who felt the information was valuable to them then I find it sad a qualified vet thinks this is disgusting. I would easily prefer them to make a profit from this than a what I call a show - bicycling parrots or asking people to pay for a photo posing with an animal.

I think your attitude to the Javan Rhinos post leaves a lot to be desired when you expect to be able to state your opinion as though it's fact but belittle someone elses opinion so easily. As I stated before in response to someone else posting again about Edinburghs post-mortem I think the best thing to look forward to in 2012 is looking forward itself.
 
Yes you are missing something as Twycross brought in a charge of £1 for human babies to enter the zoo this year,so that they could bring in a few more pennys to the zoo!

My apologies, I'd completely forgot that Twycross had brought that policy in :eek:.

@TARZAN: I won't say too much more on the matter of the autopsy, but if an animal has died naturally and needs an autopsy, then what is so disgusting about giving intrested parties an option to watch it and at the same time LEARN more about it, ie. the processes, what sort of things are looked in to during the examination and how things are diagnosed post mortem etc.

I agree with your sentiment that if Edinburgh are trying to just make money off a bit of morbidness from the general public then yes, it is disgusting. However, I don't personally see the problem with giving the chance for GENUINELY interested parties [who may want to/are pursing a career in the field] to watch and learn from it. You have your opinion, I have mine, I have no problem with that. But my personal opinion is that if the right people attend these events then they could be highly educational and mutually beneficial.
 
My apologies, I'd completely forgot that Twycross had brought that policy in :eek:.

@TARZAN: I won't say too much more on the matter of the autopsy, but if an animal has died naturally and needs an autopsy, then what is so disgusting about giving intrested parties an option to watch it and at the same time LEARN more about it, ie. the processes, what sort of things are looked in to during the examination and how things are diagnosed post mortem etc.

I agree with your sentiment that if Edinburgh are trying to just make money off a bit of morbidness from the general public then yes, it is disgusting. However, I don't personally see the problem with giving the chance for GENUINELY interested parties [who may want to/are pursing a career in the field] to watch and learn from it. You have your opinion, I have mine, I have no problem with that. But my personal opinion is that if the right people attend these events then they could be highly educational and mutually beneficial.

Very well, let's agree to disagree on the autopsy show! best wishes to you for Christmas and New Year,and plenty of enjoyable zoo visiting next year.
 
Very well, let's agree to disagree on the autopsy show! best wishes to you for Christmas and New Year,and plenty of enjoyable zoo visiting next year.

I'm happy with that :p. Best wishes to you over the festive period and beyond, and happy zoo visiting 2012 :).

Back to the point of this topic [kind of, it's more what it will bring for me that any particular zoo], I'm looking forward to the possibility of doing my first German trip, with Duisburg, Cologne, Wuppertal and Krefeld on the cards [maybe more].

Following that will be a trip up to Edinburgh to see the pandas and a great deal more that I missed first time. Will also likely get another trip or two done depending on finances and how much time we would have available. Also a good deal more day visits to some more UK collections, and of course return visits to zoos I've already been to [Cotswolds, Chester, Bristol, London, Whipsnade etc]

Also got some pretty interesting lizards that will be brought home soon all being well. I won't say too much cause I don't wanna jinx anything, but a couple know about them and it's hardly hidden very well in certain parts of the internet. I don't know exactly how common they are in private hands, but zootierliste only shows two European collections that house the species [both in Germany].

Zoo-wise, I'm looking forward to seeing plans for 'Islands' at Chester when they're submitted to the council. Other than that, I can't think of anything off the top of my head, just be interesting to see what the zoo world has to throw at us this year :D
 
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