Twycross Zoo What would you do?

[Pertinax]

I'm not sure the elephant grass paddock would suit them either. Even without the cost of a new house and hard standing, the grass area is not much bigger than their old area, and has incredibly steep sides which would need sorting.

The grass area of the elephant paddock is used by them (afaik) for exercise and grazing-even if they don't have fulltime acess. So if used for something else they would be denied that freedom. As you point out, its also a 'mounded' or hilly shape with ditches- totally unsuitable for Giraffe.

Realistically, if they were to have Giraffe and /or Zebra again (they had Zebras many years ago) the place for them would be in new accomodation and paddocks in one of the undeveloped fields owned by the Zoo(there is still undeveloped land isn't there?) New housing = major expense= unlikely to happen in the short term.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

I am not aware though of any other changes planned for the Ape housing, or the majority of other primate enclosures- apart from what has been done recently- 1. Chimp moves, 2. roof on half of chimp enclosure, 3 lemur walkthrough, 4. open air De Brazza extension and 5. the planned upgrade of the Bonobo house. While all are commendable improvements, they barely scratch the surface when looked at relative to the overall general standard and appearance of Primate housing at

I was merely suggesting stuff that needs to be done in the medium term. I am fully aware that the current financial situation makes it next to impossible to do more than what you term ..."barely scratching the surface". I wish it would be otherwise, because I am quite fond of the place (mind only visited once recently!) and have known its past colorful history with many zoological rarities in primates!

 

[Pertinax]

I just have trouble reconciling the words 'World Primate Centre' with the types of buildings most of them are still living in at Twycross in 2013. I guess such a title conjures up visions of an Apenheul.....

 

[canaryboy]

Sorry about continuously posting about twycross, but I had an idea. What about turning the aviaries behind the tropical house into a walkthrough lorikeet aviary where the public can buy pots of nectar for £1 for instance and can feed the lorikeets at designated times. If regulated and supervised by a volunteer this fun activity could make a lot of money for the zoo. It works at Paradise park and other zoo's why not Twycross?

 

[Pertinax]

What about turning the aviaries behind the tropical house into a walkthrough lorikeet aviary where the public can buy pots of nectar for £1 for instance and can feed the lorikeets at designated times. If regulated and supervised by a volunteer this fun activity could make a lot of money for the zoo. It works at Paradise park and other zoo's why not Twycross?

They may well have considered it... however remember 'Rainbow Landings' (same thing) at Edinburgh closed after they had various problems with. One was that the Lorikeets got overfed and were less keen on doing their thing for the visitors. Bristol had one too in the aviary next to the Bird House, but not sure if they still have it.