Solar Eclipse

So today i was lucky enough to have clear skies to see the Solar Eclipse. What a wonderful sight. Not 100% but around 85%. That'll do me. Had some great viewing options that worked really well. Even got some cool pictures which you can see below.

No dark skies but it went a little dusky. Nothing happened with the animals either. It didn't get dark enough. Hope you all had a great view if you had the opportunity. If you didn't, i hope you enjoy the pictures.

Thanks all.

Tapir swimming

Just for fun and interest. I filmed our Tapir having fun in their pool. Chana, (the dark faced one), and Mani, (paler face). Mother and son loving an evening swim. 

Our pool is shared by the Capybara and Tapir, (and a few Ducks and Geese). The pool is deep enough for them all to be able to dive and swim at full speed. Excellent exercise and important for natural behaviour. They do also poop in it but the pool is constantly refreshed with natural spring water flowing through it. A great feature of this large mixed exhibit enclosure.

We love to see them playing so i thought i'd share it with you.

Enjoy.

Click on the link below to see the video.

Tapir swimming fun.

Animal antics!

Wow. What a busy week!

Had important meetings and animal movements. Big news is i collected four Common Marmosets from Longleat Safari Park. They are being released in to their new enclosure today so come and see them. They are awesome. 

We have been re-vamping a few enclosures this week too. One of our animal staff has been teaching college students the art of enclosure management. The enclosure in question was the European Eagle Owl. To do this safely we had to remove the birds so they would not be stressed and workers would not get hurt. I filmed the capture which, although is stressful at the time, only took a few seconds and ultimately was better for the birds to be away from the commotion. An hour or so later they were safely returned to their re-vamped home. Good job by all involved. See video at the link below.

Some more enclosure sprucing is planned for the spring including a sand pit for our Ostrich which we hope will encourage breeding and sand bathing. 

Spring is definitely in the air as all the birds are busy nest building and mating. Exciting times.

Lots more to do but if i told you all of it you wouldn't need to come and see it. See for yourself and make a visit.

Catching a Europan Eagle Owl

Show time

Just went and got myself some tickets to see Reeve's and Mortimer 25 year anniversary show. Can't wait. When I started my career with animals 'The smell of Reeves and Mortimer' was new to our telly boxes. Very surreal comedy and definitely marmite telly. For me and my friends and colleagues we loved it. We would spend our days quoting and messing around in a Reeves and Mortimer fashion. Getting these tickets is rekindling memories of my early Safari Park days with some of the greatest people around. Some of whom I am still in contact with. Love you guys. The show is going to be amazing!

I also have tickets to see Bill Bailey. Different kind of comedy but still as funny. Saw him live last year and he was brilliant. We had the privilege of meeting him after the show and he was so nice and friendly. He has an open invite to visit us at the zoo and he is keen to do so when his schedule allows. Can't wait.

More exciting news very soon. This week in fact. Keep viewing the blogs. 

A quick thanks for viewing and to those who have shared. Please feel free to share my blogs. 

Cheers an that.

Till next blog. LLAP

Chortle.

International stuff.

Items noticed from around the world. 
In Canada, Star Trek fans have been defacing five dollar notes by drawing on the head and making it look like 'Spock' in tribute to the passing of Leonard Nimoy. The resemblance is brilliant, and a lovely tribute. LLAP.

My Zazu story has been seen all over the world. It was seen in USA and Malaysia. Very cool. Did another interview yesterday for another paper. That should be out on 11th or 18th March. Watch this space.

The incredible Woodpecker with a Weasel on it's back picture has also gone global. What a stunning picture.

So everything is very international this week,....... which is nice.

Just got dark and Venus, Mars and Jupiter are all up shining brightly, as is the Moon looking resplendent in the early evening sky. Orion is as stunning as ever. Making the most of it while we still have it in our winter sky. Don't forget the Solar eclipse coming to your sky very soon.  

Saw some Cock soup in the shop today. Not for me thanks!!

Tribbles.

Press story

Sorry for the absence recently.

Remember i told you about the press coming to do a story about Zazu the Rhea. Well, it finally came about and here it is. Hope you enjoy it. It was great fun doing it. Please feel free to comment and share it too. Click on the link below.

Enjoy.

Bringing up the Rhea.