ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2022

amur leopard said:
As just a general thought, I think the negativity has far out of proportion. While I agree with the disappointment with regards to the thinning of the collection and the loss of the aviaries on the other side of the canal, I don't think equating London to Bristol is in any way a logical step from this, not least since the two societies are nothing alike and the sites on which they operate are completely different. London Zoo is within a Royal Park - ZSL do not own the land in any way, and housing (at least not in the way people are envisaging) cannot be constructed there.

London isn't flagging financially. ZSL actually had a net profit across 2020-21 of 1.3 million, despite that year being the toughest for zoos around the globe ever in terms of the obstacles they had to overcome. The situation is not in any way similar to that in which Bristol found itself having to close earlier this year, other than that there is a 'back-up' collection in the outskirts.

For the management, there is no problem. They were profitable in 20-21 coming off a net deficit in 19-20, especially impressive given they lost out on over 700,000 visitors due to the virus. In fact had the zoo been open throughout, attendance would likely have been around 1.3 million, a record. From a business point of view, the zoo has been nothing but successful over the past year or so given the situation at hand. From a research point of view, the zoo has been nothing but successful. From a conservation point of view, the zoo has been nothing but successful. There is absolutely nothing indicating the zoo is flagging financially or in terms of conservation output, so the comparisons to Bristol are entirely unfounded.

With regards to the post quoted above, what you say is objectively wrong. Whipsnade receives very, very few visits from tourists. Almost nil. And I'd be very inclined to say that, despite having no figures to back me up, the majority of visitors to London Zoo do not live in London. The zoos are polar opposites in terms of where the visitors come from (NB: this is not the case in Bristol, where neither the zoo nor WP get many foreign visitors). So claiming that visitors would not bat an eyelid is just not true. Whipsnade is hellish to get to by public transport - even were the zoo to close (not an eventuality there is any reason in considering anyway) Whipsnade's visitation would hardly increase, and the input of money from tourism into ZSL would all but vanish.

As for your question on whether people see London Zoo still existing in 50 years' time: absolutely. If you think London is struggling financially, read their statements - they tell the opposite story. A decrease in collection size possibly correlates vaguely with financial troubles generally speaking, but that isn't the case here.

Just to be clear, I don't like the direction London is going in. I think there is masses of wasted space and that management have made poor decisions in the past. But that doesn't mean they're struggling. And people saying they're going to close because the owl aviaries are no longer there are getting vastly carried away.
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I completely agree.
 
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Zoofan15 said:
It’s interesting how a few of the UK zoos including London and Paignton allow their Sumatran tigresses to do this with their cubs.

Most of the Australasian zoos keep their tigresses locked away in the dens with their cubs for 12-13 weeks before they make their debut. Being restricted in this way never seems to bother the tigress and the cubs are protected from dangers the main exhibit would pose to neonates - falling off ledges, drowning in pools etc.

I suppose to it allows the school holiday crowds to share in their joy (who would otherwise miss out if they went on display late September) and at least they’ve drained the pool this time to eliminate that risk.
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I think you have misunderstood. These cubs were born early last month, the father is allowed access and the outside slides have only recently been opened. There was one drowning incident some years ago but that could happen in an inch of water. Being forced on show, I agree, would be a problem but taking the cubs out when she chooses, not so.
 
The Hedgehog said:
I hope the Tiger Cubs live a long and happy life. It was tragic when poor Loki died of his health problems. I hope his health woes weren’t genetic and will be passed onto his younger Siblings.
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They were and other cubs from this pair have had issues or died. Some have done well. Let's hope these three are good and have long healthy lives. They will probably be the last litter from this pair.
 
GaryA said:
Christ on a bike-do you have to be so negative?

Great news and a good size litter to increase the numbers of this beautiful animal. All births are precious, but some even more so....
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It was a valid point. No need for you to be so critical. Based on this pairing's history there is a high chance of problems and the poster was right to say they hoped all would be okay.
 
@Pacu unfortunately many of Asim’s and Gaysha’s offspring are no longer with us. I can think of at least 3 that have passed. Thease are Whitey who was perfectly healthy but euthanised due to a white tail,Chewy who was euthanised because he was surplus to the Breeding Program and poor Loki who had seizures and was euthanised. I seem to recall that the pairs first litter all perished. Can someone please point out if I have made some inaccuracies?
 
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Panthera1981 said:
Yes, the long term plan is to significantly increase the size of the group.
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That would be awesome perhaps 20 or so would really be something to see. Going only by pics and video of what they have done with it I would say they have done a mighty good job of it I am happy they have got this right, I do agree it could be an idea to add something else that fits and works, perhaps African crowned cranes? or?
 
Zorro said:
That would be awesome perhaps 20 or so would really be something to see. Going only by pics and video of what they have done with it I would say they have done a mighty good job of it I am happy they have got this right, I do agree it could be an idea to add something else that fits and works, perhaps African crowned cranes? or?
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I’m very excited to see this development progressing well. A group of 20 or so colobus would be quite a sight.

African Crowned Cranes would be a nice fit. Or even Whooping Cranes. They could possibly even add some Helmeted Guineafowl as well.
 
Jambo said:
I’m very excited to see this development progressing well. A group of 20 or so colobus would be quite a sight.

African Crowned Cranes would be a nice fit. Or even Whooping Cranes. They could possibly even add some Helmeted Guineafowl as well.
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Whooping Cranes aren’t available outside North America
 
Zorro said:
Would you know what replaced the colobus in their former exhibit now they have moved?
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At the moment, the male Sulawesi crested macaque is in one section of the former colobus home. In due course, the 2 females currently at London Zoo will move across to the other section, the part nearer Gorilla Kingdom. I think the zoo want to bring in 3 more female macaques to form a breeding group
 
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Regent said:
At the moment, the male Sulawesi crested macaque is one section of the formal colobus home. In due course, the 2 females currently at London Zoo will move across to the other section, the part nearer Gorilla Kingdom. I think the zoo want to bring in 3 more female macaques to form a breeding group
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Does Marwell still have a large troop of them?
 
Currently the male sulawesi is in the newly refurbished enclosure directly opposite the gorillas. The second enclosure that he was in opposite the new reptile site is at present empty , I suspect will be upgraded for the others in due course.
 
tennisfan said:
Currently the male sulawesi is in the newly refurbished enclosure directly opposite the gorillas. The second enclosure that he was in opposite the new reptile site is at present empty , I suspect will be upgraded for the others in due course.
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Sorry but you are mistaken. Having been at the zoo last night, I can assure you that the male is in the area facing the new reptile house. The other part of the enclosure is still being prepared for the 2 females who are still in their old home as you enter Gorilla Kingdom
 
Well Yesterday afternoon he was on the other refurbished side as he was absorbed with watching gorillas especially Gernot and Alika.
 
tennisfan said:
Well Yesterday afternoon he was on the other refurbished side as he was absorbed with watching gorillas especially Gernot and Alika.
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I don’t know what else to say. The male last night was definitely in the enclosure facing the new reptile house. In the other enclosure, up against the wall there were various gardening tools.
 
As both areas are for the species it is not surprising if they choose to alternate . I did notice the gardeners equpment but it seemed to be outside of the cages in the middle area
between the enclosures . Separately i did notice yesterday afternoon that crates were in the existing females enclosure presumably I n readiness for the move.
 
tennisfan said:
Well Yesterday afternoon he was on the other refurbished side as he was absorbed with watching gorillas especially Gernot and Alika.
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Regent said:
I don’t know what else to say. The male last night was definitely in the enclosure facing the new reptile house. In the other enclosure, up against the wall there were various gardening tools.
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Is it possible he has access to both? Or maybe they rotate him between the enclosures.
 
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