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06/01/2010
Cold Eye Turned On Zoo Animals
Belfast Zoo re-opened today as freezing conditions eased - only to close again shortly before noon as a blizzard enveloped eastern parts of NI.
The news came as Zoo keepers began undertaking a complete head count of every animal as part of the facility's licensing regulations.
More than 140 different species including Western lowland gorillas, Sumatran tigers and numerous prairie dogs will be added to the count.
Curator Andrew Hope (pictured) made a start before the faciltiy closed again by braving the freezing conditions to count the Gentoo penguins.
Included in the count will be the latest arrivals including two baby kangaroos and three meerkats.
The hefty task is done every January giving the zoo an accurate record of every animal birth, death, arrival and departure. The data is stored in a central zoo database called ISIS and links Belfast Zoo's animals with over 825 other zoos in 76 countries around the world.
Belfast currently cares for 140 species of animals including 60 types of mammals, 62 species of birds and 18 species of reptile or amphibian. In 2009 there were over 90 births on Cavehill.
The new arrivals included a Grant's zebra, Malayan tapir, Californian sea-lions, a miniature donkey, meerkats and penguins.
There were 66 arrivals from other zoos in the world including elephants, a giant anteater, hornbills, tree kangaroo and Kabus the Sumatran tiger, all which the public can see currently. Some 59 animals from Belfast Zoo were sent to other zoos and wildlife centres, such as Lily the lion who moved to Hodonin Zoo in the Czech Republic. Other animals have been transported as far as South Africa and China.
Mark Challis, Zoo Manager, said: "January is a busy time of year for many zoos across the UK because the annual stock take is such a big job.
"The information we get from this exercise is a great way to ensure the accuracy of our records. It's important that zoos ensure their figures are correct so they can best manage their animal population. When zoos submit data to organisations such as the British and Irish Association for Zoos and Aquaria it means that we can run detailed and scientifically based breeding programmes to safeguard valuable species."
In 2009, the zoo received over 302,000 visitors, the highest recorded level since the zoo opened in 1934.
(BMcC/GK)
The news came as Zoo keepers began undertaking a complete head count of every animal as part of the facility's licensing regulations.
More than 140 different species including Western lowland gorillas, Sumatran tigers and numerous prairie dogs will be added to the count.
Curator Andrew Hope (pictured) made a start before the faciltiy closed again by braving the freezing conditions to count the Gentoo penguins.
Included in the count will be the latest arrivals including two baby kangaroos and three meerkats.
The hefty task is done every January giving the zoo an accurate record of every animal birth, death, arrival and departure. The data is stored in a central zoo database called ISIS and links Belfast Zoo's animals with over 825 other zoos in 76 countries around the world.
Belfast currently cares for 140 species of animals including 60 types of mammals, 62 species of birds and 18 species of reptile or amphibian. In 2009 there were over 90 births on Cavehill.
The new arrivals included a Grant's zebra, Malayan tapir, Californian sea-lions, a miniature donkey, meerkats and penguins.
There were 66 arrivals from other zoos in the world including elephants, a giant anteater, hornbills, tree kangaroo and Kabus the Sumatran tiger, all which the public can see currently. Some 59 animals from Belfast Zoo were sent to other zoos and wildlife centres, such as Lily the lion who moved to Hodonin Zoo in the Czech Republic. Other animals have been transported as far as South Africa and China.
Mark Challis, Zoo Manager, said: "January is a busy time of year for many zoos across the UK because the annual stock take is such a big job.
"The information we get from this exercise is a great way to ensure the accuracy of our records. It's important that zoos ensure their figures are correct so they can best manage their animal population. When zoos submit data to organisations such as the British and Irish Association for Zoos and Aquaria it means that we can run detailed and scientifically based breeding programmes to safeguard valuable species."
In 2009, the zoo received over 302,000 visitors, the highest recorded level since the zoo opened in 1934.
(BMcC/GK)
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03 October 2014
Red Squirrels Released Into Wild
Four red squirrels born at Belfast Zoo have been released into the wild at Glenarm estate in County Antrim. Zoo curator and chairperson of the Belfast Zoo native species group, Alyn Cairns, explained: "Here at the zoo, we care for and conserve a variety of endangered species from across the world.
Red Squirrels Released Into Wild
Four red squirrels born at Belfast Zoo have been released into the wild at Glenarm estate in County Antrim. Zoo curator and chairperson of the Belfast Zoo native species group, Alyn Cairns, explained: "Here at the zoo, we care for and conserve a variety of endangered species from across the world.
15 February 2006
Belfast Zoo to receive award
Belfast Zoo, in partnership with Queen's University's Scholl of Psychology, has today received a prestigious ward from the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ for ‘Best Research Project’. This is the highest award given by the BIAZA, and was given for the innovative research on ‘Auditory Enrichment for Zoo-housed Gorillas’.
Belfast Zoo to receive award
Belfast Zoo, in partnership with Queen's University's Scholl of Psychology, has today received a prestigious ward from the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ for ‘Best Research Project’. This is the highest award given by the BIAZA, and was given for the innovative research on ‘Auditory Enrichment for Zoo-housed Gorillas’.
11 January 2008
New Visitor Centre For Belfast Zoo
Construction has begun on a new, £600,000 state of the art visitor centre at Belfast Zoo. The new entrance pavilion will include a new souvenir shop, pay-booths and payment systems, a covered walkway for wet weather shelter and a tourist exhibition space focussing on native and non-native wildlife.
New Visitor Centre For Belfast Zoo
Construction has begun on a new, £600,000 state of the art visitor centre at Belfast Zoo. The new entrance pavilion will include a new souvenir shop, pay-booths and payment systems, a covered walkway for wet weather shelter and a tourist exhibition space focussing on native and non-native wildlife.
07 July 2016
Police Rescue Neglected Animals
Officers from the PSNI have rescued a number of neglected animals after uncovering a cannabis factory in east Belfast. Cannabis plants worth an approximate street value of £15,000 were seized during a planned raid by the District Support Team at a property on the Old Holywood Road, on the outskirts of Belfast.
Police Rescue Neglected Animals
Officers from the PSNI have rescued a number of neglected animals after uncovering a cannabis factory in east Belfast. Cannabis plants worth an approximate street value of £15,000 were seized during a planned raid by the District Support Team at a property on the Old Holywood Road, on the outskirts of Belfast.
28 July 2017
Belfast Zoo 'Celebrating Conservation Success'
Belfast Zoo is "celebrating another conservation success" with the birth of five red squirrel kittens. The red squirrel, believed to have been native across Ireland for more than 10,000 years, is now said to be in "serious trouble" in Northern Ireland.
Belfast Zoo 'Celebrating Conservation Success'
Belfast Zoo is "celebrating another conservation success" with the birth of five red squirrel kittens. The red squirrel, believed to have been native across Ireland for more than 10,000 years, is now said to be in "serious trouble" in Northern Ireland.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
