ZooChat Challenge Global 2022

The tried and tested method of following a keeper with food earned me these ticks;
Hamerton Zoo: 18th April

43. Rusty-Spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus)
44. Oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus)
45. Aardwolf (Proteles cristata)
46. Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)
47. White-Nosed Coati (Nasua narica)
48. Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus)
Whipsnade Zoo: 2nd May

49. African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus)
50. Wolverine (Gulo gulo)
51. Pygmy Hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis)
52. Common Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)
53. Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa)
54. Ural Owl (Strix uralensis)
 
Second visit to Pafos:

25. Dwarf crocodile, Ostreolamus tetraspis
26. Leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius
27. Caracal, Caracal caracal

Ocelots stayed well out of sight so that's it for Pafos. Pretty tiny total so far this year - hopefully I can redeem myself with a trip to Hamerton. There's potential for some other French zoos as well but we'll have to see.

Battersea Park Children's Zoo 03.05.22

28. Eurasian harvest mouse, Micromys minutus
29. European polecat, Mustela putorius
30. Scottish wildcat, Felis silvestris
31. Six banded armadillo, Euphractus sexctinctus
32. West European hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus

Pretty decent turnout for such a tiny zoo. Hopefully a couple of Asian collections in the summer will boost my somewhat lowly score if plans go ahead :).
 
Hamerton Zoo 9th April:

105. Northern Raccoon (procyon lotor)
106. New Guinea ground cuscus (phalanger gymnotis Leucippus)
107. Sri Lankan rusty-spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus phillipsi)

Yorkshire Wildlife Park 1st May:

108. Bush dog (Speothos venaticus)


Ark Wildlife Park 2nd May:

109. Morelet’s crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii)
110. Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus)
111. African civet (Civettictis civetta)
112. Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus)
113. Crested gecko (Correlophus ciliates)
114. European red fox (Vulpes vulpes crucigera)
115. Jungle cat (Felis chaus)
116. Gargoyle gecko (Rhacodactylus auriculatus)
117. Raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)
 
The final day in UK was bit of a rush between two places, but certainly well worth . Shaldon is a little gem situated on the beautiful south cost of England and despite it's small size have an animal that can justify 4 hours with plane. I can't count it, but that's not a big loss. Visitited the Axe Valley on the same day and updated the list of rarities seen in UK again. The Genets were off-show, cos the plan is to be transferred to the new area, but saw two unexpected ticks. Ztl is very out of date here.

16.04.22 Shaldon Wildlife Trust

157. Northern dry zone slender loris/ Loris lydekkerianus nordicus
158. Western woylie/ Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi
159. Pygmy slow loris/ Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus


16.04.22 Axe Valley zoo

160. Common palm civet/ Paradoxurus hermaphroditus
161. Indochinese leopard cat/ Prionailurus bengalensis bengalensis
162. Potto/ Perodicticus potto
163. Tanuki/ Nyctereutes procyonoides
164. Little Owl/ Athene noctua
165. Australian water rat/ Hydromys chrysogaster
166. European polecat/ Mustela putorius
167. Lesser egyptian jerboa/ Jaculus jaculus

Cedars Nature Centre is one of those small British zoos, that I start to enjoy very much. One or two big rarities, friendly staff and visitors and cozy, "feel like home" atmosphere.

05.05.2022 Cedars Nature Centre

168. Palestina spiny mouse/ Acomys dimidiatus dimidiatus
169. Zorilla/ Ictonyx striatus
 
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Cedars Nature Centre is one of those small British zoos, that I start to enjoy very much. One or two big rarities, friendly staff and visitors and cozy, "feel like home" atmosphere.

05.05.2022 Cedars Nature Centre

168. Palestina spiny mouse/ Acomys dimidiatus dimidiatus
169. Zorilla/ Ictonyx striatus

The good old London gave me two species, as well. Both were very active fortunately.

06.05.2022 London zoo

170. Aye-aye /Daubentonia
madagascariensis
171. Moholi bushbaby/ Galago moholi
 
The good old London gave me two species, as well. Both were very active fortunately.

06.05.2022 London zoo

170. Aye-aye /Daubentonia
madagascariensis
171. Moholi bushbaby/ Galago moholi

Traveling through London and departure from Gatweek is probably the best way to visit British Wildlife Centre from abroad. It's not exactly easy to be reached with public transport, but it's not impossible. Gratitude to @pipaluk, who made me aware of the intriguing species list they offer. Both Dormices - Hazel and Edible didn't show up, but the rest was there.

BTW, if you wander from where San Diego got the idea for the huge Porcupine at the new Children zoo, visit British Wildlife Centre :) There is a huge Hedgehog statue at the zoo entrance, donated by UKTV in 2014.

07.05.2022 British Wildlife Centre

172. American mink/ Mustela vison
173. British bank vole/ Myodes glareolus britannicus
174. Water vole/ Arvicola amphibius
175. European badger/ Meles meles meles
176. Pine marten/ Martes martes
177. European red fox / Vulpes vulpes crucigera
178. Least weasel/ Mustela nivalis
179. Wood mouse/ Apodemus sylvaticus
180. Black rat/ Rattus rattus
181. Field vole / Microtus agrestis
182. Stoat/ Mustela erminea
183. West European hedgehog/Erinaceus europaeus
184. Yellow-necked field mouse/ Apodemus flavicollis
185. Western tawny Owl/ Strix aluco sylvatica
186. Eurasian Long-eared Owl/ Asio otus otus
187. Brown long-eared bat/ Plecotus auritus
 
Out of interest how did you do it? I'd really like to visit this place and at this point only the transport issues have kept me from going.

I traveled to East Grinstead Station from London by train. The zoo website says that this is the closest station with taxi service. When I arrived there was no taxi and no Uber available. I took bus 409 to Albion House and walk 20 minutes from there. The walk is not very pleasant, because you need to walk by the A22, but it's worth it :) I would recommend to call local taxi service in advance from East Grinstead Station or Linfield. I arrived very early and had plenty of time.
 
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Living Desert / Apr 1, 2022
59. Western Screech Owl (Megascops kennicottii)
60. American Badger (Taxidea taxus)
61. Swift Fox (Vulpes velox)
62. Island Fox (Urocyon littoralis)
63. Caracal (Caracal caracal)
64. Cape Porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis)
65. Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby (Petrogale xanthopus)
66. Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

Missed one from Living Desert that I also saw at Charles Paddock:

67. Bat-eared Fox (Otocyon megalotis)

And shark additions from Monterey Bay Aquarium:

68. Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini)
69. Leopard Shark (Triakis semifasciata)
70. Broadnose Sevengill Shark (Notorhynchus cepedianus)
71. Pacific Angelshark (Squatina californica)
 
Which part of the zoo is this? When I visited (6 years ago granted), they just had a big aviary with bat boxes in it that all their rescued bats lived in.

~Thylo

This is the Nocturnal House opposite the Scottish Wildcat. They are signed as a British Bats and big poster clarify the species. I believe that another species can appear there too. There are also 2 Hazel Dormouse, 2 Edible Dormouse and Hedgehog exhibits.
 
This is the Nocturnal House opposite the Scottish Wildcat. They are signed as a British Bats and big poster clarify the species. I believe that another species can appear there too. There are also 2 Hazel Dormouse, 2 Edible Dormouse and Hedgehog exhibits.

Very cool! I remember the house, but no bats were there at the time sadly. Yet to see a European bat species.

~Thylo
 
Traveling through London and departure from Gatweek is probably the best way to visit British Wildlife Centre from abroad. It's not exactly easy to be reached with public transport, but it's not impossible. Gratitude to @pipaluk, who made me aware of the intriguing species list they offer. Both Dormices - Hazel and Edible didn't show up, but the rest was there.

BTW, if you wander from where San Diego got the idea for the huge Porcupine at the new Children zoo, visit British Wildlife Centre :) There is a huge Hedgehog statue at the zoo entrance, donated by UKTV in 2014.

07.05.2022 British Wildlife Centre

172. American mink/ Mustela vison
173. British bank vole/ Myodes glareolus britannicus
174. Water vole/ Arvicola amphibius
175. European badger/ Meles meles meles
176. Pine marten/ Martes martes
177. European red fox / Vulpes vulpes crucigera
178. Least weasel/ Mustela nivalis
179. Wood mouse/ Apodemus sylvaticus
180. Black rat/ Rattus rattus
181. Field vole / Microtus agrestis
182. Stoat/ Mustela erminea
183. West European hedgehog/Erinaceus europaeus
184. Yellow-necked field mouse/ Apodemus flavicollis
185. Western tawny Owl/ Strix aluco sylvatica
186. Eurasian Long-eared Owl/ Asio otus otus
187. Brown long-eared bat/ Plecotus auritus

I made short summary of the current numbers divided by category. It's hard to estimated the possible totals, but it more or less shows which categories I am doing good and where I can improve :)

Monotremidae (Monotremes) 1
Marsupialidae (Marsupials) 15
Orycteropodidae (Aardvark) 1
Tenrecidae (Tenrecs) 1
Xenarthra (Armadillos, anteaters, and sloths) 5
Gliridae (Dormice) 0
Hystricidae (Old World Porcupines) 3
Erethizontidae (New World Porcupines) 1
Castoridae (Beavers) 1
Heteromyidae (Kangaroo-rats) 0
Pedetidae (Springhares) 1
Dipodidae (Jerboas) 1
Calomyscidae (Mouse-like hamsters) 0
Nesomyidae (Malagasy rats and pouched rats) 1
Cricetidae (Hamsters, voles, lemmings, deer mice, and muskrat) 3
Muridae (Spiny mice, gerbils/jirds, Old World mice/rats) 14
Leporidae (Rabbits and hares) 1
Dermoptera (Colugos) 0
Cheirogaleidae (Dwarf and mouse lemurs) 2
Daubentoniidae (Aye-Aye) 1
Lorisoidea (Loris and galagos) 6
Tarsiidae (Tarsiers) 0
Aotus (Night-monkeys) 2
Erinaceidae (Hedgehogs) 1
Chiroptera (Bats) 8
Hippopotamidae (Hippos) 2
Tragulidae (Chevrotains) 2
Pholidota (Pangolins) 0
Nandiniidae (African Palm-Civet) 0
Prionodontidae (Linsangs) 0
Viverridae (Civets and genets) 3
Hyaenidae (Hyaenas) 3
Felidae (Cats) 21
Canidae (Dogs and foxes) 14
Mephitidae (Skunks) 1
Procyonidae (Raccoons, coatis, cacomistles, and kinkajou) 5
Mustelidae (Weasels, badgers, otters, etc.) 13
Apterygiformes (Kiwis) 0
Strigiformes (Owls) 9
Podargiformes (Frogmouths) 1
Gekkota (Geckos) 7
Crocolydia (Crocodiles, alligators, and gharials) 18
Sharks 19
 
Traveling through London and departure from Gatweek is probably the best way to visit British Wildlife Centre from abroad. It's not exactly easy to be reached with public transport, but it's not impossible. Gratitude to @pipaluk, who made me aware of the intriguing species list they offer. Both Dormices - Hazel and Edible didn't show up, but the rest was there.

BTW, if you wander from where San Diego got the idea for the huge Porcupine at the new Children zoo, visit British Wildlife Centre :) There is a huge Hedgehog statue at the zoo entrance, donated by UKTV in 2014.

07.05.2022 British Wildlife Centre

172. American mink/ Mustela vison
173. British bank vole/ Myodes glareolus britannicus
174. Water vole/ Arvicola amphibius
175. European badger/ Meles meles meles
176. Pine marten/ Martes martes
177. European red fox / Vulpes vulpes crucigera
178. Least weasel/ Mustela nivalis
179. Wood mouse/ Apodemus sylvaticus
180. Black rat/ Rattus rattus
181. Field vole / Microtus agrestis
182. Stoat/ Mustela erminea
183. West European hedgehog/Erinaceus europaeus
184. Yellow-necked field mouse/ Apodemus flavicollis
185. Western tawny Owl/ Strix aluco sylvatica
186. Eurasian Long-eared Owl/ Asio otus otus
187. Brown long-eared bat/ Plecotus auritus

Sofia opened the Carnivore house and there is access to the terrarium. I missed the Viatnamese golden gecko, but will have few more chances.

09.05.2022 Sofia zoo

188. Jungle cat/ Felis chaus
189. African Fat-tail gecko/ Hemitheconyx caudicinctus
190. New Caledonian Crested gecko/ Correlophus ciliatus
 
Bronx Zoo: (5/10/22)
81. feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus)
82. aardvark (Orycteropus afer)
83. Cactus Mouse (Peromyscus eremicus)
84. California Mouse (Peromyscus californicus)
85. Arabian Spiny Mouse (Acomys dimidiatus)
86. Pallid Gerbil (Gerbillus perallidus)
87. Bushy-Tailed Jird (Sekeetamys calurus)
88. Northern Luzon Giant Cloud Rat (Phloeomys pallidus)
89. House Mouse (Mus musculus)
90. Eurasian Harvest Mouse (Micromys minutus)
91. South African Pygmy Mouse (Mus minutoides)
92. Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus medius)
93. Greater Malay Chevrotain (Tragulus napu)
94. Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)
95. Leopard (Panthera pardus)
96. Dhole (Cuon alpinus)
97. North Island Brown Kiwi (Apteryx mantelli)
98. Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiaca)
99. William's Dwarf Gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi)
100. Carrot-tail viper gecko (Hemidactylus imbricatus)
101. Chinese Alligator (Alligator sinensis)
 
Whipsnade Zoo: 2nd May

49. African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus)
50. Wolverine (Gulo gulo)
51. Pygmy Hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis)
52. Common Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)
53. Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa)
54. Ural Owl (Strix uralensis)
Forgot geckos counted, so one more to add from Whipsnade;

Whipsnade Zoo: 2nd May
55. Turquoise Dwarf Gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi)
 
Hey all,

I just wanted to pop in and let everyone know (as I did half a year ago) that I have *not* abandoned this challenge, no. :P The semester is now ending soon so my activity in moderating this thread and participating will definitely increase in the coming weeks :). However, I cannot guarantee that I will be constantly on here, my attendance may be just a bit spotty as due to summer classes and work.

And with that, I wish you all some wondrous zoo visits as the Northern Hemisphere enters into summer. Enjoy the sunny weather! :)
 
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