FOBZ News
Province of the Snow Cat Launch Evening 2009
Himalayas now in Norfolk!
Well in excess of 200 tons of granite and York stone, together with several tons of stone, sand and gravel, have helped create a striking new habitat for Rocky and Enif the two young Snow Leopards at Banham Zoo.
Banham Zoo has participated in the international breeding programme for this very rare and beautiful cat since the original snow leopard enclosure was built in 1985. At that time we received a male Snow Leopard “Yamdi” from Milwaukee Zoo, USA, and a female “Bulgan” from Helsinki Zoo, Finland They produced several cubs that in turn were transferred to other zoos participating in the breeding programme:
Omega – Transferred to Marwell Zoo, Hampshire
Nazar – Transferred to Dudley Zoo, Midlands
Nanga - Transferred to Dudley Zoo, Midlands
Tarim – Transferred to Edinburgh Zoo
Rohar – Transferred to Lille Zoo, France
Shilli – Transferred to Tobu Zoo, Japan
One of their female cubs, “Wicked” remained at Banham Zoo and was paired up with “Alba” a young male snow Leopard from Edinburgh Zoo, and these lived out their full lives at Banham Zoo until succumbing to old age.
In 2006 we received “Enif” the young female Snow Leopard from Tokyo Zoo, Japan and “Rocky” from the Santago Rare Leopard Breeding Project in Hertfordshire. Although unrelated to each other we are pleased that Rocky is a grandson of “Yamdi” our original male.
This is a good example of how Zoos are cooperating internationally for the conservation of rare species, with such exchanges coordinated by specialist stud book keepers to ensure that healthy and unrelated blood lines are maintained for the long-term survival of endangered species, especially whilst they remain at severe risk in the wild.
The original Snow Leopard enclosure c.1985 was showing its age, and although having proved a worthy enclosure was targeted for replacement. Evolution is not just limited to species but also to Zoos and their enclosures! The quest was one to create a new habitat for these high profile and most stunningly beautiful of all leopards. A year of planning was followed by a year of activity, which became intense this spring and culminated in the completion of the enclosure on Thursday 9th April.
Enif, having arrived from outside the U.K., had been required to undergo six months compulsory isolation for rabies quarantine. She was then transferred to a temporary enclosure in the Zoo where Enif was introduced to Rocky, a necessity as the enclosure he occupied was in need of demolition. Despite a very non committal and a somewhat distained original relationship the mutual contempt was gradually and eventually overcome so that both now welcome each other’s company.
From our experience the Snow Leopards are the least enamored with change. Not then dissimilar to some domestic cats that have experienced a change of location. Whilst Tigers and Cheetahs seem to take everything in their stride, the Snow Leopards have an in-built element of extreme caution, essential no doubt for the survival in the wild, and their move to their new house and home proved the point. Their new house has three large dens, including a quiet area destined hopefully to be a future cubbing den. Enif and Rocky were restricted to their house for several days so that they could get used to their surroundings and gain confidence before the great day when access to the wild new world of their outdoor enclosure was presented to them. The reaction to date has been an extreme cautious one with very brief sorties to scout out the land and return to the safety of the house.
The new habitat includes elements of rock faces, and a meandering alpine-like stream. Various ground surfaces, nooks, crannies, and ledges and a wide and varied vista to watch and study the activities of other animals and visitors too!
Whilst great time and effort is made to create a habitat for a particular species, as and when each new enclosure in constructed, it is only when the animals themselves take up residence that the breadth and wide of experience in understanding the animal and its requirements are put to the test and the results of all the efforts and expenditure are revealed.
So far we have been rewarded by an initial, but cautious, vote of approval! All the Zoo staff waited in anticipation for this major addition to Banham Zoo, and we look forward to the occasion when the cubbing den will put to its intended use to further assist with the long term survival of the rare and beautiful snow leopard.
Interesting Facts about the 'Province of the Snow Cat' Enclosure
The enclosure is constructed with a mesh of fine stainless steel supported on straining wires held aloft on seventeen tensioned and sculpted curved support vertical arms on the perimeter and two central masts (respectively 8.6m and 11.5m tall) in order to encompass a large volume of space.
Each of the 17 support arms is held in place with a base comprising 8cu.metres of concrete
The three large glass viewing panels, each 11ft x 8ft, (3.3m x 2.45m) comprise two panes of glass laminated together to a thickness of 28mm. One of the two panes being of especially toughened glass. Each of the three glass panels weighs half a ton. The required effect is to provide visitors with a panoramic view of the enclosure and a vista into the province of the Snow Cats.
The project has cost in excess of £300,000 and Banham Zoo is grateful for the continued support from visitors and from the Friends of Banham Zoo who have to date raised and donated £20,000 towards this landmark enclosure.
