Giant pandas coming to Edinburgh zoo? » Edinburgh Zoo

19-06-2008

Yes but any modification to an existing enclosure may well mean it is not adeguate as a purpose built enclosure.

Maybe this how they are going to try and gain the money of there Master Plan? Recieve Giant Panda to increase income and hope that an modified enclosure, loan fees and upkeep are less than the increased income?

Seems strange that they were struggling to raise the capital for the master plan but can afford to bring Giant Panda's into the collection

19-06-2008

I thought I read that the Pandas were going into the tiger enclosure. I can see them in there more than I can in the Lion enclosure. And I can't imagine the Lions in the current tiger exhibit either, I think it'd be too small for 4 Lions.

19-06-2008

Yes that would make much more sense but I read lion enclosure, there are probably a few different rumors around at the moment, I guess we will just have to wait and see!

20-06-2008

I think Edinburgh are being quite canny with these pandas and the way they have approached this might be a model for other zoos. With such a high-profile species, the temptation must have been to throw a pile of money at a brand-spanking new exhibit to show them off, but actually doing a minimum amount of modification to an existing enclosure makes total sense, because (a) they get the pandas, and hence the revenue they bring, sooner and (b) they don't have to offset the extra revenue against a multi-million pound capital project. A very good idea when the animals themselves are multi-million dollar bears! Hope it all works out for them.

20-06-2008

I read an article a while back about Oakland's pandas and it said that the Chinese officials were not too fond of all the ultra-technology (heated rocks etc) which is thrown into panda exhibits. So perhaps Edinburgh have learnt this in the discussions and have decided to go for a simple approach.

20-06-2008

Both enclosures the lion and the tiger, have great viewing positions for the public.
The lions can be viewd from three sides of their enclosure including a covered shelter at the bottom of the enclosure and a large overhead viewing shelter at the top.
The tigers are viewed from the front only through large viewing windows, inside a tunnel sculpted out of the rock.

20-06-2008

where's the 3rd viewing area for the lions? and do the tigers have an off show outdoor area?

20-06-2008

The lions can be viewed going up the hill to the top platform from the side of the enclosure, as far as i am aware the tigers do not have an outdoor off-show area

07-07-2008

It is unlikley they are getting pandas, romurs say that they are getting them for popuality over conservation

07-07-2008

They've had very advanced talks with Chinese officials already (deal may have been signed, not sure about that though).

Just because some animal liberation groups (which is where the rumours come from) don't like the idea, doesn't mean the whole plan will be abandoned. Anyway, a proportion of the money that Edinburgh make will have to go back into Chinese conservation (look at the projects that they have going for Chimpanzees based on the Budongo exhibit).

Also, any zoo obtaining a high-profile species, is doing it for the popularity. The popular species attract more guests, which attract more money, which keeps these zoos afloat and contributes to conservation schemes.

07-07-2008

I like pandas!

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07-07-2008

You're right. It won't make any difference whatsoever. If they're going to get Pandas, they're going to get Pandas, if they're not, they're not. I'm sure that the views of any Animal Liberation groups won't enter the equation at all....

07-07-2008

I wish they would listen to the activists in some cases though, like the whole situation with Mercedes.

07-07-2008

She's a rather different situation to the Pandas though-even in an existing enclosure they would get something which was specially modified or landscaped while rehousing Mercedes is a lot more difficult plus she's very old etc. Frankly I'm surprised she's still alive. Edinburgh is the very last Uk zoo to have had to face critisism over Polar Bears. I'm really not sure what they can do....what do the Animal Libbers suggest should be done?

07-07-2008

Has mercedes ever bred or been kept with another bear?

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