Zoo News Archive

Spring 2011

Death: Highland Wildlife Park

15
April
2011

Mercedes the Polar Bear has sadly had to be put to sleep due to age-related health problems (advanced arthritis and senility, the latter causing her significant confusion and distress) and a recent rapid deterioration in her condition. She was 29-30 years old.

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Death: Twycross Zoo

13
April
2011

Ganesh Vijay, the young Asian Elephant born just 18 months ago, has sadly died from a heart condition, despite the efforts of keepers and vets to save his life.

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Birth: Belfast Zoo

5
April
2011

Pequeno, a baby Southern Pudu (the smallest of the Deer family) has been born.

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Arrival: Longleat Safari Park

3
April
2011

Anne, an elderly Elephant, has arrived, to become the founding member of the Longleat Elephant Sanctuary. She is also suffering from severe arthritis, and will require considerable treatment in the coming months.

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Birth: Exmoor Zoological Park

2
April
2011

Ring-Tailed Lemur twins have been born.

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Arrival: Chester Zoo

1
April
2011

A group of 7 African Painted Dogs have arrived from Sweden, to take up residence in a new, African-themed exhibit.

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Birth: Bristol Zoo Gardens

April
2011

A baby Linne's (or Southern) Two-Toed Sloth called Sidone (Sid for short) has been born to mum Light Cap and dad Rio. The youngster is believed to be female, but Sloths are difficult to sex. Light Cap was taken ill shortly after giving birth but despite making a full recovery was then no longer able to produce enough milk. Sid is therefore being hand-reared (off-show) by keepers.

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Arrival: Welsh Mountain Zoo

April
2011

A large group of Amazon Parrots have arrived.

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Arrival: Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm

April
2011

A colony of Leafcutter Ants have arrived, to take up residence in the new "Amazing Ants" display.

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Birth: Chester Zoo

April
2011

Ten Humboldt Penguin chicks have hatched, bringing the Zoo's colony size to over 50..

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Birth: Belfast Zoo

April
2011

A Red Kangaroo joey called Boom (short for Boomerang) has been born, to mum Dancer and dad Randalph. It is estimated that the new arrival is about 7 months old, and its sex won't be known until it is weaned at about 1 year old and becomes more independent.

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Arrival: Colchester Zoo

April
2011

A female Pied Tamarin has arrived from Paradise Wildlife Park to join Will, the resident male, to form a new breeding pair following the sad death of Grace, Will's previous mate, in September last year. Will and Grace's last offspring, born in May last year, have now been named William and Kate after the Royal couple.

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Birth: Colchester Zoo

April
2011

Recent primate births include Silvery Marmoset twins, to parents Olive and Arthur; Geoffroy's Marmoset triplets; and Golden Lion Tamarin twins.

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Birth: Newquay Zoo

April
2011

Visayan Warty Pig triplets have been born

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Arrival: Dudley Zoological Gardens

April
2011

Recent, and previously unannounced, arrivals and births include: an Amur Tiger called Makari, a pair of young Bactrian Camels called Charles and Jamindi, a Lar Gibbon called Luna, four Sulawesi Crested Macaques, Barbary lambs Clover and Thyme, and Icelandic lamb Tigerlily.

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Notes:

Where possible, the dates given are for the event itself, but some zoos do not make this information available, when the date of announcement is used instead.

Seasons: Winter = Jan - Mar, Spring = Apr - Jun, Summer = Jul - Sept, Autumn = Oct - Dec.