Thank you very much!
ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2021
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Just looking at the inventory, it doesn't seem to list Babirusa at London. I was under the impression that they had a pair.
They do. The inventory was compiled in January 2020 - the babirusa pair didn't arrive until last July.
Ah thanks for clearing that up.
Anyone who likes their zoo history should check out “Natural History Museum: World of Wonder” on Channel 5. Thursdays episode featured a brief but still quite interesting piece on Guy the gorilla.
This is only the second episode of the series and, so far, it’s really rather good, albeit easygoing viewing!
This is only the second episode of the series and, so far, it’s really rather good, albeit easygoing viewing!
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The zoo has posted a video of a pair of African grey parrots on their Facebook, which apparently arrived last year. Does anyone know if they still intended for the Snowden, mixed with the colobus, as was initially planned? I can't imagine that a pair of small parrots will make an especially good exhibit.
To be fair I doubt ZSL even know what is going into the Snowden at the moment! It may not even be a walk through now, just a "innovative colobus exhibit". Cost is still an issue, was before COVID and of course still are now, so the project from the original plans have downscaled a bit to reduce cost. But certainly these parrots are going to be used in the animal demonstrations and on show near lions.
But a new giant tortoise exhibit is planned for this year, in the main court yard by butterflies, you walk through the heated building to view the tortoises, so closer than you do now. And a new reptile house planned for next year, also in the main court yard replacing the show tent. Existing reptile house is no longer serviceable and will become a history of/museum of ZSL.
Blimey. That's a big change.
I wonder why they want to create a new giant tortoise exhibit. Is there anything wrong with the current one? I always thought that was pretty good for them and it's not even that old.
Also the news about the reptile house is pretty sad (if it goes ahead and is completed), I've always loved that building and it's inhabitants. I imagine the new building wouldn't house nearly as many species but I could be wrong. What makes the building unserviceable? I get that it's old but I didn't realise it was in such a state that it couldn't be used for animals any longer.
Also the news about the reptile house is pretty sad (if it goes ahead and is completed), I've always loved that building and it's inhabitants. I imagine the new building wouldn't house nearly as many species but I could be wrong. What makes the building unserviceable? I get that it's old but I didn't realise it was in such a state that it couldn't be used for animals any longer.
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Where has all this information come from? If true it is more terrible news for London Zoo!!
I don't think its terrible news, shows positive investment in upgrading exhibits and the future of the site. Although of course I am sure we all would like to see investment in new exhibits to increase the animal head count, but rather have an upgrade than nothing.
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Thanks for the info. Where did you hear/read this?
There seems to be a lot of planned changes mentioned in your comments, where has all this information come from. No mention on website
Where has this information come from?
Sorry, but I can see nothing positive about the closure of the Reptile House and replacing it with something much smaller, they did that with the Aquarium 2 years ago!
The idea of spending money on creating a museum at the present time when money needs spending on the living collection ( North Bank could be massively improved for a few £100k for a start), is ridiculous.
Also if it really is necessary to close the reptile House and it can never be used for animals again then sadly it is probably better knocked down(while it can be) as it isn't a listed building. If the animal collection is improved, perhaps at some point in the distant future, a museum could be created in one of the listed buildings that can't be demolished.
London’s Reptile house is probably one of the best I’ve visited, with an exceptional list of species. I could spend a good few hours in there even on a sunny day. We can criticise London for many things, but it does (did?) do the small things very well!
If this news is true, then it’s gutting, and for me it’s another nail in the coffin for the Regents Park site. So are we to expect a new facility at Whipsnade and a significant downgrade in species held? Their new aquarium is pleasant enough but it pales in comparison to London’s.
If this news is true, then it’s gutting, and for me it’s another nail in the coffin for the Regents Park site. So are we to expect a new facility at Whipsnade and a significant downgrade in species held? Their new aquarium is pleasant enough but it pales in comparison to London’s.
A very valid point. There are far greater priorities for spending money. This is one of the last animals that needs re-housing. Another strange ZSL decision!!
Surely the Casson would make a better museum/history exhibit than the Reptile House? At least it's practically empty inside and has ample space to display what they want.
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Do you have a link to this please?