ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2011

[johnstoni.]

Enough UK collections have gone into this species for them to have been placed elsewhere fairly easily I think, however without examining those establishments that have acquired this species since 2008/2009 and then establishing where their animals came from, I think it would be difficult to find out short of emailing ZSL. I think the likelihood of them being exported is low.

 

[Pertinax]

ISIS shows none at London now, but 1.1 (plus 2?) at Whipsnade. There is a '1' in each of the four columns (male/female/unknown/birth). Make of that what you will.. did Whipsnade perhaps move the original two female offspring(to Jersey) but now have their ex London parents + more recent offspring?

 

[Animal]

1. The Australian area(ex Mappins) seems to be a real backwater. Many visitors probably don't even go there. Those that do stay a very short time only, as did I

It was the same for me. They could at least use the pavillion at the visitor area for something. So you have a boring exhibit and a empty house next to it. Also that the big rock have no animals on them is not great.

2. Penguin Beach. Very good exhibit. Bigger even than I expected. But they could have some problems with leaf fall from the big overhanging Plane trees during the autumn. I couldn't find the single Rockhopper Penguin. Is it still there?

I saw at least three rockhoppers a few weeks back.

Hunting Dogs -still one of their best Mammal exhibits IMO.

Is there the option to go into the houses next to their exhibit (former hoofstock-stables I guess). Because there are many stairs down there.

5. Cat Terraces. I estimate the moat of the Lion Enclosure occupies a bigger area than the land area for the Lions.
The monkeys here seem totally out of place. I'd rather see them moved out of the zoo except maybe the Francois Langurs, which should be given a higher profile exhibit.

The lions have also a second exhibit, that they hardly use as I've seen it. So I'd say they have enough space. Also do I know some lions that like to swim in water.

I missed in the whole catcomplex the clouded leopards and the persian leopards. Without them it is a bit dull I'd say.

 

[devilfish]

I saw at least three rockhoppers a few weeks back.

Three? Are you sure they weren't macaronis? Ricky the Rockhopper was still there on my visit this week, he's easiest to spot during feeding times when he stays by the keepers' feet. I also really liked their new enclosure - I think it was the first time I've seen penguins porpoising in an outdoor pool.

 

[lechweoryx]

ISIS shows none at London now, but 1.1 (plus 2?) at Whipsnade. There is a '1' in each of the four columns (male/female/unknown/birth). Make of that what you will.. did Whipsnade perhaps move the original two female offspring(to Jersey) but now have their ex London parents + more recent offspring?

The birth is the unknown.

 

[devilfish]

3. Clore/Rainforest World House... Downstairs in the Moonlight World, some of the signage on the exhibits was very difficult to read. Nothing for the Bat Cave?

I agree, a lot of the signs weren't properly backlit, making them very difficult to read. There is a sign for the Seba's short-tailed bats, but I remember that it was also switched off. I think it's between the bat and the loris enclosures.

 

[johnstoni.]

I agree, a lot of the signs weren't properly backlit, making them very difficult to read. There is a sign for the Seba's short-tailed bats, but I remember that it was also switched off. I think it's between the bat and the loris enclosures.

I'm suspicious (in a good way) that ZSL will create a better bat exhibit which is walk-through at some point....I think the masterplan showed one of the tunnels under the road being converted into a bat cave. Personally I'd love them to use the African Bird Safari for fruit bats in the way Bristol exhibits them.

 

[johnstoni.]

It was the same for me. They could at least use the pavillion at the visitor area for something. So you have a boring exhibit and a empty house next to it. Also that the big rock have no animals on them is not great.

The pavilion is used for high-end functions, it is hired out for various events, generating far more for ZSL than it would used in any other way.

I saw at least three rockhoppers a few weeks back.

Unless you saw five macaronis also, I would bet these would be macaroni penguins.

Is there the option to go into the houses next to their exhibit (former hoofstock-stables I guess). Because there are many stairs down there.

Disability discrimination has resulted in various parts of the zoo being closed to visitors. As much as the underground deer and antelope houses were amazing (as several species were rotated per yard, you'd always have the surreal experience of going into an undeground bunker faced with herds of deer, gazelle and antelope in dimly-lit stalls with no natural light), I would imagine there would be no way ZSL could hope to breed from their wild dogs with visitor access to the night quarters.

 

[Pertinax]

The birth is the unknown.

Got it now- so Whipsnade Red River Hogs are 1.1. + one unknown sex. Anyone know if this is the ex London pair of adults?

 

[stulch]

Penguin Beach

When I was there on Sunday 17th July they had written on the board inside the incubation room the following:-

Penguins in pool
----------------

5 Macaroni
6 African Black Foot
1 Rock Hopper
55 Humboldt

I assume this is up to date.

 

[Pertinax]

you'd always have the surreal experience of going into an undeground bunker faced with herds of deer, gazelle and antelope in dimly-lit stalls with no natural light.

I doubt the inside areas will ever have public access again. Each stall front was barred if I remember correctly. These stalls were used in a zoo book (was it Hediger's Man and Animal in the Zoo or something else?) as an example of bad design for nervous ungulates- lots of sharp corners and square edged drinking troughs they could damage themselves on.

Two other comments from this area;

The Tapir House was (as per usual) shut, though the tapirs were outside on view.

Okapis- the male Okapi calf is weaned and 'ready to go'. He was outside while his mother (Elila? spelling?) and the male Mbuti (the calf's father is Dickie now at Chester) were each using an indoor stall.

 

[stulch]

Penguin Beach

I took this on Sunday 17th July, is this the Rockhopper?

 

[Pertinax]

I believe it is, yes. I looked at the identification photos and the Macaronis don't have the thick fluffy feathered triangle between their yellow tufts, which are also more like a 'spray' in the Rockhopper, as it looks to be here.

Anyone care to confirm as I'm not a penguin expert.

 

[stulch]

I'm suspicious (in a good way) that ZSL will create a better bat exhibit which is walk-through at some point....I think the masterplan showed one of the tunnels under the road being converted into a bat cave. Personally I'd love them to use the African Bird Safari for fruit bats in the way Bristol exhibits them.

I love the walk-through bat exhibit at Chester, I'd love ZSL to replicate that one. Although I doubt they would have the space at London they would have plenty of space at Whipsnade, somewhere, although I love the place, I wish in many ways they would make more use of (I understand however, that most of their income comes from London).

 

[stulch]

Penguin Beach

From the same day, Macaroni?

 

[johnstoni.]

thats a macaroni penguin, judging by the bill shape and the 'monobrow'.

 

[Shirokuma]

Yes, I find the bill shape is the easiest way to distinguish the macaroni. I think rockhoppers are a nicer looking penguin to be honest.

 

[volvox]

Yes, the one in the top photo is Ricky the rockhopper, that's the right identification number on his wing tag, and he always has such a soppy look to him! He and the six blackfooteds will stay at London till September.... something to do with the breeding season, I believe.

 

[Cat-Man]

Oohh look what i've found:-

Westminster City Council

You need to click on view supporting documents on the right hand side near the top and then you can see all the plans, documents etc. (you may have to tick a box and click another (submit) box to get there).

The 2nd, 5th, 7th and 15th of the Drawings (as they are listed) are plans from above.

The 9th drawing down is an artists impression.

The background papers are also worth a read especially the Design and Access Statement (11th down from the very top).

There is also a draft London Zoo Masterplan from 2007 there!!!!

I hope this link works as i've never done one on here before (and my maths is right!).

hey, im sorry to bump an old thread , but i can't seem to find the view supporting documents on this website?, could anyone help me?

 

[stulch]

hey, im sorry to bump an old thread , but i can't seem to find the view supporting documents on this website?, could anyone help me?

The website design has changed you now just have to click on the documents tab.