ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2014
- Thread starter sooty mangabey
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Here is a brief report on the baby Philippine crocodiles from the Daily Express. There are six babies, the first ones to be born in the UK. It doesn't say when they were born, however.
Happy snaps: London Zoo show-off impressive photos of Philippine crocodile babies | Nature | News | Daily Express
Happy snaps: London Zoo show-off impressive photos of Philippine crocodile babies | Nature | News | Daily Express
Fantastic news, this 
And here's the official ZSL page on the news, with some added information- the first baby began hatching on the 16th June, with the other five following over a 48-hour period.
Rare crocs hatching snapped by zookeepers | Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
Rare crocs hatching snapped by zookeepers | Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
I walked past the Zoo a couple of days ago after a trip to NHM with some mates and it's become a lot more "real" now I know how to get to it and how to by tickets that don't require my first born child and a kidney.
Do they only have one Rockhopper Penguin? I'm trying to see all the species of penguin I can in the UK this year. I tried looking in from Regent's Park but I could only see Humbolts.
Speaking of which, I remember hearing that the Zoo was supposed to have a certain number of exhibits you could see for free from the outside. Am I misremembering?
Do they only have one Rockhopper Penguin? I'm trying to see all the species of penguin I can in the UK this year. I tried looking in from Regent's Park but I could only see Humbolts.
Speaking of which, I remember hearing that the Zoo was supposed to have a certain number of exhibits you could see for free from the outside. Am I misremembering?
volvox
Well-Known Member
Yes, just the one rockhopper, Ricky, who is a bit of a prima donna and knows how to pose for the cameras; the rest are just "ordinary" humboldts, including lots of youngsters this year.
I'm usually inside the zoo not walking round the outside, but from memory from the other side of the fence you can see the penguins, of course; giraffes (from the road) and perhaps the reindeer from that side? And I suspect now the camels have been moved you can see them. Can't think of any others but I daresay someone will put me right!
I'm usually inside the zoo not walking round the outside, but from memory from the other side of the fence you can see the penguins, of course; giraffes (from the road) and perhaps the reindeer from that side? And I suspect now the camels have been moved you can see them. Can't think of any others but I daresay someone will put me right!
You can see into the Zoo from many places along the perimeter pathways in Regents Park, and along both roads that pass the Zoo. And from the canal too. The exact animals you can see must vary with the displays and activity, but some of the following I think are the more obvious ones possible;
As well as Giraffe, definately Okapi /Zebra, maybe the Pygmy Hippo too.
Snowdon Aviary?
Vicuna/Squirrel Monkey area?
Childrens Zoo?
Mappins( but nothing on them really now.)
Casson/Tapir area? (elephants were certainly visible).
From the Canal- Hunting Dogs/Pigs in lower Cotton enclosures.
As well as Giraffe, definately Okapi /Zebra, maybe the Pygmy Hippo too.
Snowdon Aviary?
Vicuna/Squirrel Monkey area?
Childrens Zoo?
Mappins( but nothing on them really now.)
Casson/Tapir area? (elephants were certainly visible).
From the Canal- Hunting Dogs/Pigs in lower Cotton enclosures.
I'll have to go sooner rather than later. I'm sure he'll be around for years to come but it's better safe than sorry when it's just one individual. Any reason why he's alone?
There were lots of places that you could look in, and if I had more time I'm sure I could find more if I had more time.
What I meant was that I heard that zoo was required to have some area that was deliberately set up so the public could view from outside the zoo. Did I imagine that?
There were lots of places that you could look in, and if I had more time I'm sure I could find more if I had more time.
What I meant was that I heard that zoo was required to have some area that was deliberately set up so the public could view from outside the zoo. Did I imagine that?
I believe the bearded pigs have one whole half of the outside area of the Casson (Gorilla Territory side) and the Tapirs the half that borders Tiger Territory and the Camels. The Tapirs are divided currently with the adult male in the smaller compound (that previously housed the Anoa) and the female and youngster in the larger compound. Think the youngster Ade might be due to move on this summer.
The tiger Territory Pool was being restored and (partially) filled today.
The tiger Territory Pool was being restored and (partially) filled today.
Any idea where the young male tapir will move on to?
Is the anoa now off-show, left the collection or has it died (it was quite old to begin with)?
Is the anoa now off-show, left the collection or has it died (it was quite old to begin with)?
volvox
Well-Known Member
The anoa is long gone – it's not on the 2014 inventory – I think it died.
The tiger pool was completely filled by the end of the day on Wednesday and Jae Jae was really enjoying it, bounding about and splashing like a kitten (lovely to see!). The cubs were due to be introduced to it soon – may have already happened – I'm looking forward to seeing them try it out.
The tiger pool was completely filled by the end of the day on Wednesday and Jae Jae was really enjoying it, bounding about and splashing like a kitten (lovely to see!). The cubs were due to be introduced to it soon – may have already happened – I'm looking forward to seeing them try it out.
ITV's Zoo series 4 (3 episodes) appears on some schedules as airing from 8pm Sunday 10 August
Return of the documentary following life at London Zoo and Whipsnade, with a new focus on the breeding of critically endangered animals. This edition follows the journey of three Sumatran tiger cubs from the moment they are born to the last time they can be safely handled by keepers and vets, and revisits Flora the pygmy hippo as she continues to receive life-saving treatment for cancer. Plus, head of birds Adrian Walls and the team finally manage to breed their first-ever Humboldt penguin chick, which is soon joined by six more babies. Narrated by Sarah Lancashire.
Return of the documentary following life at London Zoo and Whipsnade, with a new focus on the breeding of critically endangered animals. This edition follows the journey of three Sumatran tiger cubs from the moment they are born to the last time they can be safely handled by keepers and vets, and revisits Flora the pygmy hippo as she continues to receive life-saving treatment for cancer. Plus, head of birds Adrian Walls and the team finally manage to breed their first-ever Humboldt penguin chick, which is soon joined by six more babies. Narrated by Sarah Lancashire.
Visited yesterday- here are some observations;
1. Tiger Territory- I thought this was great( it should be for the cost)- the outside areas are huge and I really like the landscaping- particularly the tall grassland and 'forest' effect in the larger enclosure. London do this sort of thing very well nowadays and I expect similar when they do the Lions too. A pity there is only a pool in one of the two enclosures perhaps.
Also... both Tigers seemed to be together and no sign of the cubs. Where were they? Surely can't be weaned/seperated from the mother yet?
2. Tapirs- outside area is fine but although I saw them outside early on, they were all waiting by the doors- a sure sign of not wanting to be outside...waiting for food- or light too bright perhaps?). Later when the doors were open, they were out of sight. So how much of the time are they actually visible...? The Casson building had signs saying 'closed today'- I wondered if that was in fact true or is that actually all the time now?
3. Gorilla Kingdom area- the new barriers and section of screened glass have not disrupted the viewing. Kumbuka seemed calm and quiet- he is probably better used to the exhibit and proximity of crowds of people now, than he was in the initial months. The broken window hasn't been replaced yet but is electrically fenced off from them. They can approach the other windows outside though. Its a pity they don't remove the ugly fake tree but like the glass panel, that is a winter job really- however I fear the now pointless 'tree' may just stay forever.
4. Monkeys- there is a recent Mangabey baby- group now totals 8 (I think) now. Again its a pity the Colobus and Dianas don't get decent modern outdoor enclosures like the Mangabeys- as it is the whole area is a funny mix of modern and older.
5. Pygmy Hippos-a good display and sympathetically done. I think the laid turf will all disappear over time/during the winter though. The 'washing line' is such a small area I scarcely noticed it.
6. Zebra- there are still four. The photo on the label is a Grevy, not Chapman's though.
7. Okapi- the female was repeatedly mouthing a branch in stereotyped fashion- I only ever notice this behaviour at London.
8.Giraffe House. Still the original and best IMO in the UK. Bright, airy, spacious and well lit. Gives excellent viewing too. Giraffes were outside but I went and sat in there just because I like the ambience of the place. Why do they just keep hybrid females though I wonder?
9. North Bank- very derelict-looking & overgrown. Aviaries empty(larger ones) or with just a few owls(smaller ones). The bank itself would look better with something(anything) in the way of animals displayed on it. Quite a few 'work in progress/empty enclosure' signs here and in the general Clore area too.
10. I heard(or overheard
) a couple of the keeper talks too. It seems they are trained in these to market the Zoo quite aggressively nowadays- the phrase 'ZSL. London Zoo' is mentioned in the talks about every ten seconds and at the Penguin feed the words 'Penguin Beach' were similarly used with great regularity. They highlighted the single Rockhopper 'Ricky' quite a lot in the talk, despite him being nowhere to be seen during it and they just sort of ignored that.
11. The Mappins/Australian area is really 'dead' feeling.
12. The whole Lion area now looks long overdue for the changes that are coming.
I also covered most of the rest of the zoo bar 'Bugs' and the Aquarium this time but nothing else special to comment on. By midday it was very warm and heaving with people- obviously still a popular destination in Summer 2014.
1. Tiger Territory- I thought this was great( it should be for the cost)- the outside areas are huge and I really like the landscaping- particularly the tall grassland and 'forest' effect in the larger enclosure. London do this sort of thing very well nowadays and I expect similar when they do the Lions too. A pity there is only a pool in one of the two enclosures perhaps.
Also... both Tigers seemed to be together and no sign of the cubs. Where were they? Surely can't be weaned/seperated from the mother yet?
2. Tapirs- outside area is fine but although I saw them outside early on, they were all waiting by the doors- a sure sign of not wanting to be outside...waiting for food- or light too bright perhaps?). Later when the doors were open, they were out of sight. So how much of the time are they actually visible...? The Casson building had signs saying 'closed today'- I wondered if that was in fact true or is that actually all the time now?
3. Gorilla Kingdom area- the new barriers and section of screened glass have not disrupted the viewing. Kumbuka seemed calm and quiet- he is probably better used to the exhibit and proximity of crowds of people now, than he was in the initial months. The broken window hasn't been replaced yet but is electrically fenced off from them. They can approach the other windows outside though. Its a pity they don't remove the ugly fake tree but like the glass panel, that is a winter job really- however I fear the now pointless 'tree' may just stay forever.
4. Monkeys- there is a recent Mangabey baby- group now totals 8 (I think) now. Again its a pity the Colobus and Dianas don't get decent modern outdoor enclosures like the Mangabeys- as it is the whole area is a funny mix of modern and older.
5. Pygmy Hippos-a good display and sympathetically done. I think the laid turf will all disappear over time/during the winter though. The 'washing line' is such a small area I scarcely noticed it.
6. Zebra- there are still four. The photo on the label is a Grevy, not Chapman's though.
7. Okapi- the female was repeatedly mouthing a branch in stereotyped fashion- I only ever notice this behaviour at London.
8.Giraffe House. Still the original and best IMO in the UK. Bright, airy, spacious and well lit. Gives excellent viewing too. Giraffes were outside but I went and sat in there just because I like the ambience of the place. Why do they just keep hybrid females though I wonder?
9. North Bank- very derelict-looking & overgrown. Aviaries empty(larger ones) or with just a few owls(smaller ones). The bank itself would look better with something(anything) in the way of animals displayed on it. Quite a few 'work in progress/empty enclosure' signs here and in the general Clore area too.
10. I heard(or overheard
) a couple of the keeper talks too. It seems they are trained in these to market the Zoo quite aggressively nowadays- the phrase 'ZSL. London Zoo' is mentioned in the talks about every ten seconds and at the Penguin feed the words 'Penguin Beach' were similarly used with great regularity. They highlighted the single Rockhopper 'Ricky' quite a lot in the talk, despite him being nowhere to be seen during it and they just sort of ignored that.11. The Mappins/Australian area is really 'dead' feeling.
12. The whole Lion area now looks long overdue for the changes that are coming.
I also covered most of the rest of the zoo bar 'Bugs' and the Aquarium this time but nothing else special to comment on. By midday it was very warm and heaving with people- obviously still a popular destination in Summer 2014.
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Assuming the Tigers were all together in the Long Paddock (the one without the pool) - the cubs are normally snuggled up with Melati under the viewing platform , lying on the high platform or well hidden in the bamboo at the far end of the compound.
Casson building interior has been closed off for visitors for several months.
Casson building interior has been closed off for visitors for several months.
Thanks. I think they were in the Bamboo as some folk were gathered around that though I didn't realise why. The mother was on the high platform.
How long have they all been together?
I was there yesterday too.
I saw all three tiger cubs, up on a platform with an adult, presumably mum.
I didn't notice the okapi mouthing, but there was one really close to the fence. People could and were reaching over the fence to stroke it. It either wasn't bothered or enjoyed it.
I've never seen a wild animal that not only liked being touched but like being touched on the head and neck.
The tapirs were a no-show, we went back three times to try and see them.
I saw all three tiger cubs, up on a platform with an adult, presumably mum.
I didn't notice the okapi mouthing, but there was one really close to the fence. People could and were reaching over the fence to stroke it. It either wasn't bothered or enjoyed it.
I've never seen a wild animal that not only liked being touched but like being touched on the head and neck.
The tapirs were a no-show, we went back three times to try and see them.
They were notoriously hard to see in their Cotton terrace enclosure too. I think its not too surprising if a nocturnal forest dwelling species prefers a covered house to a bright sunny outdoor area a lot of the time.
The way they were waiting by the doors to get inside at 10.30 a.m. indicated to me they probably wouldn't come out again. And as the House is now closed, you can't then see them indoors instead.