olhl.animal.photography
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Awesome thanks.
ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2024
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Awesome thanks.
equidae
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Passed through the zoo this morning and was very lucky to see the gorillas being active for a change. Gernot was playfighting with Kiburi, initiating each bout either through beating his chest or picking up a burlap sack in his chest and shaking it, before jumping at Kiburi. Kiburi soon also started to initiate by beating his chest and shaking another sack; at one point they were both shaking sacks at each other, punching the sacks and then each other. Kiburi’s play style seemed to be letting Gernot scrap for a bit, then pinning him down - he definitely wasn’t letting him win anything!
They also engaged in some chase, mostly Gernot chasing Kiburi. Then, when Kiburi had had enough, Gernot started engaging in more mischief, like climbing the big bushes they have in the outdoor enclosure, then beating his chest and jumping down. He even beat his chest at one of the new mothers (I can’t differentiate between Effie and Mjukuu now they’re both carrying babies with them), but she ignored him completely. I know Gernot’s described as very playful but this was my first time seeing it in person, which felt very special, particularly it's rare I see Kiburi do anything other than lounge around.
Alika was also out, mostly foraging. Only one of the new mothers was inside.
In other news, I managed to see the mountain chicken frog and Mangshan pit viper this time, so thank you @JVM and @Kalaw. Also, access to the warthogs and African wild dogs appears to be restricted today due to works.
They also engaged in some chase, mostly Gernot chasing Kiburi. Then, when Kiburi had had enough, Gernot started engaging in more mischief, like climbing the big bushes they have in the outdoor enclosure, then beating his chest and jumping down. He even beat his chest at one of the new mothers (I can’t differentiate between Effie and Mjukuu now they’re both carrying babies with them), but she ignored him completely. I know Gernot’s described as very playful but this was my first time seeing it in person, which felt very special, particularly it's rare I see Kiburi do anything other than lounge around.
Alika was also out, mostly foraging. Only one of the new mothers was inside.
In other news, I managed to see the mountain chicken frog and Mangshan pit viper this time, so thank you @JVM and @Kalaw. Also, access to the warthogs and African wild dogs appears to be restricted today due to works.
It sounds like the zoo has finally started work on the new fencing/ viewing for the Warthogs and Hunting Dogs.
Kalaw
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Not sure if there is space, but I have always hoped for a viewing of the hunting dogs and warthogs below the enclosure, nearer to the Regent's Canal. From the bridge beside Snowdon Aviary, it is possible to look down and see an old pathway with a wildlife pond of some description on it, equipped with some surprisingly detailed signage considering it is unused by visitors. I wonder if this has ever been used, and if there are ever plans to use it again...
olhl.animal.photography
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Again, sorry to disturb the chat, but the Snowdon Aviary? Does that actually have birds in (and if so what species) or is it the one over the road with the Colobus Monkeys?
Back in the days when the warthog and hunting dog enclosures housed deer and antelope, there was a footpath between the enclosures and the canal; this pathway provided a good view of the enclosures and their inhabitants.
cornu aspersum
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The Snowdon only has colobus at the moment.
The Snowdon Aviary no longer houses birds; it is the structure that now houses colobus monkeys.
Kalaw
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Thanks for confirming this - hopefully it will be reopened as part of the improved viewing areas mentioned by @cerperal (and part of the zoo's plans for early 2024).
As mentioned by others, this is what the colobus enclosure was known as until the birds left (2019?) and the colobus arrived (2022) as its name was changed to Monkey Valley.
There were plans to bring back birds (namely turacos), but the staff are debating whether or not to proceed with these plans, as the colobus have been more destructive (particularly towards the leaves on the branches, of which very few remain) than anticipated, and it may not be the best idea to introduce any more animals. On my visit in March, a keeper claimed that they are "going back and forth" on the reintroduction of smaller birds.
At one time, there were also plans to add both African grey parrots and red duiker to this exhibit too......
Kalaw
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Hadn't heard about the duiker plans before, that would have been interesting indeed, although given how elusive this species is, having the only viewing option from within the zoo be ten or so metres above them may not have been the most entertaining for visitors. Presumably, with the aforementioned aggression of the monkeys, anything other than smaller birds such as turacos and parrots is out of the question for the foreseeable future, but you never know.
cornu aspersum
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Would, with some modifications if possible mongooses be able to live with colobus? I say this since Fota Wildlife Park has colobus mixed with meerkat (although the mongoose species may be aggressive too and hard to see).
Any update on the gender of the gorilla infants?
Kalaw
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Nice to have genders confirmed, and hopefully not long until vote on names is decided. I look forward to seeing the cubs in the coming weeks!
As a side-note, it is odd that the zoo has announced the gender of the lions before that of the gorillas despite their birth being the more recent of the two - although if @Dr. Loxodonta was correctly informed by the keepers, the names of the gorillas have been decided upon before that of the lions. Interesting, but by no means an issue.
I am pretty certain the gorilla babies are both female. I think they must know too but wonder why there have been no announcements yet. Two other zoos in Europe with recent gorilla births announced the sex within a few days (in one case the next day!) and names soon after that. But everywhere does things differently.
Concerning the Colobus Monkeys I seem to remember they were/had retired the current breeding male?, did they replace him with an unrelated male?.
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