Zoo News Archive

Winter 2009

Arrival: Cotswold Wildlife Park

January
2009

A breeding group of Turkish Spiny Mice has arrived from Chester Zoo, and several babies have already been born. This species is only found on one mountainside in Silifke, southern Turkey, and was classified as Critically Endangered in the 1995 IUCN Redlist. When surveyed in 2006, none were found, so the species may well now be extinct in the wild.

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Arrival: Cotswold Wildlife Park

January
2009

A male Tree Shrew has arrived, and taken up residence in the insect house. It is hoped that a female will join him later in the year.

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Birth: Cotswold Wildlife Park

January
2009

A baby Crested Gecko has hatched, with hopefully more to follow from the same batch of eggs. This species was thought to have been extinct since 1866 until rediscovered in 1994.

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Birth: Bristol Zoo Gardens

January
2009

A baby Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat has been born. Good news for this highly endangered species, which is predicted to be extinct in the wild within 24 years, if the current rate of decline continues. The species is threatened by habitat loss and predation.

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Arrival: Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm

January
2009

A number of exotic birds have arrived from the Rutland Water Butterfly Farm following its closure and now fly free along with the butterflies in the main area. These include: 2 Yellow and 2 Green Ringneck Parakeets, 5 Cockatiels, 2 Sunbirds, 3 Diamond Doves, 2 Rosella Birds, 1 Senegal Parrot and 1 Amazon Parrot (named Tom).

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Arrival: Marwell Wildlife (Marwell Zoological Park)

January
2009

A female Black Widow Spider has arrived, after being discovered by a member of the public in a car part imported from America. She promptly laid an egg sac with over 100 eggs, and these have now hatched into spiderlings.

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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.