Short news from European Zoos

20-04-2007

[quote=jwer;11618]First of all, Paris has two zoo's namely the Jardin des Plantes and the Bois des Vincennes. The one you visited (I can never keep them apart) was due to be closed and completely renovated at that time, but they decided not close it during it's renovation proces. They are now on their way with renovation and the big centerpiece, a large concrete rock with viewpoint is back open.

So by this description(and having had Pandas)this must be the Vincinnes Zoo, which is actually the more modern Zoo in Paris. It is/was a much better zoo than the very old -fashioned Jardin de Plantes, which is more like a historic museum piece, so its good that it is being renovated and upgraded.

20-04-2007

yes it was the vincennes zoo. and i got to climb the 'grande roche' to the top and got some great pictures of paris from up there.
there were no carnivore (big cats) or bears on exhibit, nor any rhino, great apes or reptiles. birds were limited to swans, (spectacular) flamingoes, pelicans, rhea and marabou stork, oh and penguins and vultures. there were few small mammals...a very odd collection of animals, but enough 'big animals' to beef the zoo up and make it worthwile.
really hope it is restored, it certainly has the potential to be an amazing place! and i honestly think its good for city citizens to have access to a great zoo to remind us of our place in the world (and of what were losing)!

20-04-2007

I went there(Vincennes) once very many years ago. The only thing I remember clearly was a big rockwork enclosure with a large number of Guinea Baboons- this subspecies is fairly unusual in zoos. Port Lympne have a group which came from there recently. Also the elephants. There is lots of 'rockwork.'

Interesting you say a lot of species were currently missing. I remember that the Jardin de Plantes- the very old style place- had the far superior animal collection at that time- particularly many rare ungulates including unusual wild sheep and goat species. But the enclosures there are mostly terrible.

21-04-2007

Which are more common Africans or Asians?

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Jonathan Beilby-www.zooscene.co.uk

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21-04-2007

That's a great topic for a new thread.... Want to start one up someone

21-04-2007

after you zoopro, you seem so interested, or maybe mr hornbill woudl like to, his question after all...

21-04-2007

Ok I'll do it now on the general forum.

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Jonathan Beilby-www.zooscene.co.uk

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21-04-2007

'Mr Hornbill' I love it...

21-04-2007

I'm not offended. Call me it from now on If you want

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Jonathan Beilby-www.zooscene.co.uk

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21-04-2007

It's easier to say than the other...

22-04-2007

Ok. Do any european zoos keep the greater adjutant stork? They are critically endangered

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Jonathan Beilby-www.zooscene.co.uk

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22-04-2007

Sorry, can't help you on that one....

22-04-2007

What is your favourite animal? You seem to know a lot about all of them!!

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Jonathan Beilby-www.zooscene.co.uk

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22-04-2007

Gorilla. Then Indian & Black Rhino...

22-04-2007

Mine is the Tapir. I may have mentioned it on Another Thread. Did you see the Gorrilas at Chester. They moved/died before I first went or maybe before I was born

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Jonathan Beilby-www.zooscene.co.uk

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