They do already have a few birds in the walled garden area
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Bristol Zoo Project Wild Place Project News 2018
- Thread starter Zooreviewsuk
- Start date
Originally Wild Place was planned to contain several geographically themed areas, 'Europe' was one I believe. Due to financial constraints the reality has seen a more random development with (so far) more species from Africa than anywhere else, though that may just be coincidental. Perhaps the current planned development is an attempt to create at least one of the geographically-themed areas from the original concept. IMO they potentially have one of the best sites in the UK for a major collection- both the grounds and accessability.
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sooty mangabey
Well-Known Member
I’d add that they also have some of the best zoo people in the country leading the whole thing, so the future really should be very bright indeed.
Agreed. It's a huge site with great access. They're off to a promising start. It would be good if they moved the Asiatic Iions from Bristol Zoo to a larger enclosure at WP but I don't know what 'headliner' they would replace them with.
The original plans had a huge Savannah area on the lower part of the site and I wonder if these original plans have now been scrapped. In total the original plans were due to include Congo tropical forest, Sumatra rainforest, Indian Ocean coral reef, British ancient woodland, Tanzania savannah, British habitats, Georgia wetlands and a Costa Rica swamp house.
It would be great to have a huge aviary similar to the Snowden at ZSL over part of one of the woods with a mixture of birds and mammals within. I haven't given enough thought to what I would like to see though.
The original plans had a huge Savannah area on the lower part of the site and I wonder if these original plans have now been scrapped. In total the original plans were due to include Congo tropical forest, Sumatra rainforest, Indian Ocean coral reef, British ancient woodland, Tanzania savannah, British habitats, Georgia wetlands and a Costa Rica swamp house.
It would be great to have a huge aviary similar to the Snowden at ZSL over part of one of the woods with a mixture of birds and mammals within. I haven't given enough thought to what I would like to see though.
Replace Lions with Koala?
Bristol could get koala anyway without losing the Lions! I suggest after the European mammals, tiger then Rhino. I think a few more cheaply accommodated mammals & birds should follow too. Reptiles etc at least 10 years away!
When replacing the Lions was discussed on the Bristol thread a little while back I actually suggested Koala at the time, however there were comments that the availability and therefore the cost of Browse might make Koala prohibitive.
I’m a sucker for weird Australian creatures and wondered if the Lion enclosure could house Koala, Wombat and maybe something else together? Outside of Oz I’ve only ever seen Koala in Vienna, although I will be in San
Diego in 2 weeks time... it would be a real coup
for Bristol if affordable. Im also not sure it fits in with their conservation message.
There will be a ready made Lion enclosure at WP when the Wolves move. Having said that, maybe the fencing might need some alterations.
On a different note, given they’ve done such a good job on theming some of the enclosure, most notably the Geladas, does anyone else find the Cheetah enclosure really uninspiring? Not even one tree for shade
I’m a sucker for weird Australian creatures and wondered if the Lion enclosure could house Koala, Wombat and maybe something else together? Outside of Oz I’ve only ever seen Koala in Vienna, although I will be in San
Diego in 2 weeks time... it would be a real coup
for Bristol if affordable. Im also not sure it fits in with their conservation message.
There will be a ready made Lion enclosure at WP when the Wolves move. Having said that, maybe the fencing might need some alterations.
On a different note, given they’ve done such a good job on theming some of the enclosure, most notably the Geladas, does anyone else find the Cheetah enclosure really uninspiring? Not even one tree for shade
Yes. I think a real or mock rock (kopje) is needed plus an acacia species.
I think that WP really needs a Lion pride and also an indoor or covered area (not heated necessarily) for families.
I really like this place but wish they'd accept Paignton membership. I always buy food n drink and contribute when using it elsewhere.
Marwell also have the space for one massive exhibit of antelope - imagine that field with the tower full of Sable, Roan, Impala, Tommy Gazelle and Waterbuck? Wow!
Koalas and wombats would be such a dull first exhibit (yes I know that the drills and flamingoes are probably the 'actual' first exhibits). While both are interesting species they spend an extraordinarily large amount of time asleep.
No! I can't imagine Bristol without lions and I have no doubt that the Bristol enclosure is perfectly adequate for two adults (+ cubs again one day perhaps). Lions may be larger than koalas, but they are almost as lazy. Remember that Bristol attracts many families with young children, the Zoo needs to keep a few large headline species to draw them in. Koalas could be a nice addition and would only need a relatively small space.
That doesn't stop Wild Place from keeping lions, but they might prefer to get tigers eventually.
Bristol could retain Asian Lions and Wildplace have African?
I would agree Koalas are no substitute for Lions.
Very much a flagship species for the Zoo still, and with the Gorillas and Hippo/Fur Seal, among the few larger mammals still kept. We know they are quite indolent and the enclosure is reasonably spacious but there's still a fair amount of critisism from general visitors about them being there on their FB page, it comes up time and time again. I think if they left there would be a 50/50 split among their visitors as to whether it was a good or bad thing.
Zooreviewsuk
Well-Known Member
A rainforest section remains firmly in the long term plans. It will be built on the exit of woodland around the back of the meadow and abbey.
What species are planned for the rainforest section?
Zooreviewsuk
Well-Known Member
There will be an Inside Tropical house to represent Costa Rican Rainforests, plus some outside exhibits. 6 in total. I believe this is due to be build in 2020 after the Woodlands are finished and should be open to the public in 2021.
The plans as far as I know include;
American Crocodiles
Capuchins
Ocelots
Sloths
Toucans
Coati's
There was original talk of Manatee's, but I believe that has now been scrapped.
The plans as far as I know include;
American Crocodiles
Capuchins
Ocelots
Sloths
Toucans
Coati's
There was original talk of Manatee's, but I believe that has now been scrapped.
I would be very interested to hear your source for this, given the extreme unlikelihood of one species cited.
Zooreviewsuk
Well-Known Member
Went there on an experience day last year and was talking about future builds and I was told they were planning 4 more themed areas over the next ten years , they outlined the woodlands as the next then rainforest, followed by an Indian themed area and then a Himalaya themed area.
I asked the likely species and those were what was said, what of those 6 species would be unlikely ? As all are held in the UK at present?
I asked the likely species and those were what was said, what of those 6 species would be unlikely ? As all are held in the UK at present?
American Crocodile are a) not in UK collections at present and b) not being granted export permits to Europe.
Zooreviewsuk
Well-Known Member
Welsh Zootographer
Well-Known Member
Crocodiles of the World have two American Alligators (Alligator Mississippiensis) not American Crocodile (Crocodylus Acutus).