tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757405063506888257.post6205859499455620397..comments2024-03-29T10:10:24.398+00:00Comments on Emm in London: South Africa 2009: Lion and Rhino Park part 1Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11931248631361366673noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757405063506888257.post-39398900895898770022009-04-26T15:57:00.000+01:002009-04-26T15:57:00.000+01:00@ Xoán-Wahn: It does happen in zoos but it isn't m...@ Xoán-Wahn: It does happen in zoos but it isn't meant to happen in these conservatin parks which is what made it worse I guess. There were "big cat" enclosures where the lions and other animals could roam free but these enclosures seemed too small for animals that shouldn't have been in SA in the first place. (Long winded repy, sorry!)<br /><br />@ Martin: Glad you liked the blue cranes - they have always been my favourite.<br /><br />@ Valerie: You are always more than welcome to ramble! I was rambling above! Like I said to Xoán-Wahn, animals are just meant to fare better in this place than in a zoo.Mandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11931248631361366673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757405063506888257.post-2808134012829213982009-04-24T21:00:00.000+01:002009-04-24T21:00:00.000+01:00Thank you for sharing the photos! I like the littl...Thank you for sharing the photos! I like the little rhino myself. :)<br /><br />It is terrible about the big cats--but the ones in our zoos here aren't much better off. They have a small inside area and a small outside area. In the winter, obviously, they're mostly indoors, pacing back and forth.<br /><br />Over the years, when they get the money, our local zoos have been remodeling and making larger happier habitats for the animals. The poor gorillas and orangutans used to be in these little glassed in areas--now they have a large open area with rock walls and trees and a little creek that runs through it. It's still indoors, so it can be climate controlled, but there's a lot more room to run awround and socialize. There are also birds and other wildlife so it's more like the real thing.<br /><br />And I've rambled now! Thank you for sharing your photos...I look forward to seeing more!Valerie Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04267319902957832461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757405063506888257.post-77788676214792224232009-04-24T19:08:00.000+01:002009-04-24T19:08:00.000+01:00Hi Emm,
Fantastic experience for you and the pictu...Hi Emm,<br />Fantastic experience for you and the pictures are great. The cranes did stand out as very special. What a treat this end.Martin in Bulgariahttp://www.bulgarianslivatree.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757405063506888257.post-59353931616087577672009-04-24T08:55:00.000+01:002009-04-24T08:55:00.000+01:00It's a shame about the big cats. I can't imagine w...It's a shame about the big cats. I can't imagine why they would be there other than to attract more people. Oh well, things like this happen everywhere. If I recall correctly, the Metro Zoo in South Florida had polar bears.Juanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13767530214767493575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757405063506888257.post-78451522057389082009-04-23T18:16:00.000+01:002009-04-23T18:16:00.000+01:00@ DeeTeeCat: I don't think it is the same place yo...@ DeeTeeCat: I don't think it is the same place you're thinking of. <A HREF="http://www.southafrica.com/day-trips/lion-rhino-park/" REL="nofollow">This article</A> says that:<br /><br />"The actual Rhino and Lion Reserve was founded in 1985, with an aim to preserve this beautiful area for private relaxation. It all started off with 2 White Rhinos imported from a German Zoo, from there a few of the antelope species was added. Now 25 different species are accommodated, a total collection of 600 heads of game". <br /><br />They have been going for years and have had ample time to build bigger enclosures. They definitely brought the jaguars and tigers there to breed and we know that they had tiger cubs but I am don't know what the benefit of breeding tiger in Africa could be to the preservation of their species. Can they ever go back to their native lands?Mandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11931248631361366673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757405063506888257.post-8391720866107440422009-04-23T16:54:00.000+01:002009-04-23T16:54:00.000+01:00This game park used to be a private reserve with s...This game park used to be a private reserve with semi tame animals kept for the film industry.<br />The Tigers are probably waiting for a larger enclosure to be built, and the Jaguars will probably also move at some stage, but I must admit, I would rather see them on Animal Planet and only see African animals in a South <br />African Game Park.<br />The Birds can fly away, but they will come back as their food is there.DeeTeeCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16865891600941630309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757405063506888257.post-66946426821366907722009-04-23T15:13:00.000+01:002009-04-23T15:13:00.000+01:00@ Ivanhoe: Yes, that is strange, isn't it? Blue c...@ Ivanhoe: Yes, that is strange, isn't it? Blue cranes are one of my favourites too! I guess that they (and the other birds) were probably hand-reared at the centre and either live there permanently or return in warmer months.Mandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11931248631361366673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757405063506888257.post-12725560591531611012009-04-23T14:51:00.000+01:002009-04-23T14:51:00.000+01:00I cannot wait for your next one. My fave were the ...I cannot wait for your next one. My fave were the blue cranes. Don't any birds just fly away? There are no ceilings in the enclosures... :o)Ivanhoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14568486975589895670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757405063506888257.post-1450634664709130272009-04-23T12:50:00.000+01:002009-04-23T12:50:00.000+01:00I completely agree Mike! And the jaguar will suff...I completely agree Mike! And the jaguar will suffer just as much. I love what they are doing for lions and rhinos at the park as both breeds needs conservation efforts, but I just don't agree with this. It makes me wonder also about the legitimacy of the transactions - who sold these magnificent creatures in the first place? Even lions in zoos get more space to roam than them!Mandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11931248631361366673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757405063506888257.post-81239339957750827652009-04-23T12:46:00.000+01:002009-04-23T12:46:00.000+01:00Emm I find it quite strange and a little disconcer...Emm I find it quite strange and a little disconcerting that they have Siberian Tigers sweating it out in SA.<br /><br />I much prefer to see wild animals in the bush albeit in a protected area.Mikehttp://www.my-thai-friend.comnoreply@blogger.com