Aye Ayes » London Zoo

Aye Ayes
24-06-2008

Could someone here give me the history of the aye ayes at london zoo

where did they comefrom, have they always lived in the round house and what sex are they?

thanks

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James Butcher

My Photos

24-06-2008

anyone know? or at least a site with the history!

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James Butcher

My Photos

24-06-2008

ive found out that they called mamy and tamy and they are on breeding loan from jersey, and they arrived in 1999

have they always lived in the round house?

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James Butcher

My Photos

24-06-2008

Personally, I do not remember seeing them in any other building.

By the way the Aye Aye at West Midlands Safari Park was looking in good condition when last I visited (last month). I was surprised when he was placed with them, however, fully credit to them for good care and an enclosure with easy viewing (I find London's a little too dark).

25-06-2008

he? the owner of the zoo you mean, are they hoping to breed off them? are they on breeding loan as well?

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James Butcher

My Photos

25-06-2008

as far as I know the answer is yes- the enclosure would have been specially prepared for them.

25-06-2008

'He' means the Aye Aye, its only a single animal......
I didn't see any mention of it when I visited recently- where's he kept?

25-06-2008

'He' is the male Aye-Aye which is at WMSP.

25-06-2008

the aye-aye at WMSP is in the complex which has the insect house, nocturnal house and aquarium. He shares an enclosure with Madagascan Jumping Rats and their enclosure is surrounded by a walk-through bat cave.

25-06-2008

Oh, right, I missed all that but I really went to see the Hippos(what a filthy lake- the water is black!) and I didn't have a lot of time...

I thought it was rather a 'tacky' place but accept it for what it is...

25-06-2008

I'm confused...
If the aye-aye's have lived in the roundhouse since 1999, then where did the gorillas live from then up until gorilla kingdom was opened?
I never go to London zoo, so I'm a bit behind lol :-S

26-06-2008

The gorillas have not lived in the Roundhouse (although originally built for them) since the sixties when Guy was still alive. They (he) was moved to the gorilla enclosure in the Sobell pavillions which was on the site now occupied by Gorilla Kingdom (small bits and pieces of the Sobells still exist around the edges of Gorilla Kingdom inc. colobus).

The Roundhouse has also, in the more distant past, been used for Kodiak bears, Chimps, Sulawesi Macaques, and even an elephant. It It was then shut for a time before housing Koalas then Sand Cats then the Aye-Ayes (I think).

26-06-2008

Ah ok. Thanks
Any one have any photos of the Gorilla's old exhibit?

26-06-2008

The Roundhouse was originally built for Gorillas but only one pair (Mok & Moina) were ever kept in it, during the 1930/40's.

'Guy' never lived in the Roundhouse. From the time of his arrival he lived in the old Monkey House- on the same site as both the Sobell Pavilions & now Gorilla Kingdom- until he was moved into the Sobell Pavilions when they were built.

During the 1960's the Roundhouse held a breeding chimpanzee colony for some years, later it was used as extra housing for Orangutans too.

26-06-2008

The aye-ayes arrived after the Roundhouse held binturong for a time. Before this it was the Koala exhibit until one of them died of cancer and they sent the other away. As late as the mid 80's it was still holding surplus orang-utans.


Is it true there was some kind of mechanical rotating wall that opened up in good weather?