 ZOO NEWZ
Find out about all the things that have been happening at the Welsh Mountain Zoo:
July 2010
Pygmy Goats are Named
After receiving numerous entries, names for the Pygmy Goat Siblings have now been found!
Congratulations to Jac and Wil Scott, aged 7 and 6, from Wrexham. The boys successfully entered the names of "Sooty and Sweep," and will now get the opportunity to both meet and bottle feed the goats at the Children's Farm.
The Welsh Mountain Zoo would also like to express their thanks to all other entrants that participated in the competition.
Pygmy Goat Siblings Arrive at the Zoo
A pair of playful Pygmy Goats are the latest arrivals at the Welsh Mountain Zoo - National Zoo of Wales.
Born on 21st February 2010, the youngsters arrived from a collection at the Tropical Butterfly House in Sheffield and have quickly settled into their enclosure on the Children's Farm.
Now at just over 4 months old, the brother and sister weigh 10kg approximately and measure 54cm in height. They are both expected to reach 41-58cm in height when fully grown and will weigh around 23kg.
Children's Farm Keeper, Denice Garnett said of the young siblings,
"They have both adapted really well into their new enclosure at the Zoo and are already making their presence known amongst the other residents on the Children's Farm. They are extremely playful and friendly and I can see them being a big hit with the children this summer."
Pygmy Goats originate in the Cameroon Valley of West Africa. Known as 'kids' - young Pygmy Goats have been domesticated as pets for a number of years. They have a life span of 8-10 years and live in large 'herds' in the Wild.
June 2010
EAZA European Carnivore Campaign
To show your support towards the 'Stop Poison in Europe' petition please add your signature on: http://www.carnivorecampaign.eu/index.php?PETITION
Welsh Mountain Zoo Wildlife Art Competiton
Here are some of the entries for this years Wildlife Art competition which were on display in the Zoo's Safari Restaurant. The prize giving evening took place on 22nd June 2010 in which a number of schools and groups were awarded for their efforts.
          
National Insect Week
National Insect Week took place during 21st June 2010 - 27th June 2010.
Primrose Hill School in Salford took part in a bug hunt here at the Welsh Mountain Zoo during National Insect Week.
The event was organised by Phd Student Cathleen Thomas and the Zoo in order to encourage both adults and children to learn more about the diversity of insects we have on this planet.
(Cathleen can be seen examining one of the bugs found - below)
Tiger Competition Winner is Announced
Congratulations to Emily Crabbe, aged 4, from Preston. Emily's bright and colourful Tiger Mask was chosen as the winner of the Tiger Mask Competition and will now be on display in the Zoo's Media Centre.
Biodiversity Week
Biodiversity Week took place over 5th June 2010 - 13th June 2010, with events taking place all over Conwy.
Here at the Welsh Mountain Zoo, the teenagers of the Junior Board section of the Zoo Club undertook a bee survey in and around the grounds of the Zoo. Along with this, they went on to successfully make a Bumblebee home from a variety of materials including plants pots, straw, chicken wire and hose pipe. The group also planted some wildflower seeds to provide pollen and nectar for the bees.
Volunteers' Week
Volunteers' Week was held from 1st June 2010 - 7th June 2010.
Volunteers' week was set in place to acknowledge outstanding volunteers in the county of Conwy and to give them the recognition they deserve.
Here at the Welsh Mountain Zoo we congratulated and paid particular thanks to Susan Elwell and Becky Dasan.
Susan has been a volunteer in the Animal Department here at the Welsh Mountain Zoo for over a year. As a result of this, Susan's hard work was acknowledged in the form of a certificate presented by Conwy Volunteer Centre on behalf of the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA).
Becky was also awarded with her 50 hour certificate on the Millennium Volunteer Scheme. The Millennium Volunteer Scheme is a national initiative offering young people opportunities to help themselves and their communities.
The Welsh Mountain Zoo would like to pay thanks to all our Volunteers' for not only donating their time, but for also helping us to meet and fulfill our objectives.
May 2010
BBC DAILY POLITICS SHOW
In the run up to the Election, some of our Keepers here at the Welsh Mountain Zoo took part in a live interview on the BBC Daily Politics Show. Watch them expressing their views ........
ITV WALES TONIGHT
To watch our Meerkat family on the ITV Wales Tonight programme click here
FIRST NORTH WALES MEERKAT PUPS ARE NAMED
Just five months after arriving at the Welsh Mountain Zoo Meerkats Morgan and Megan responded to seaside life by producing triplets.
Now at 3 months old the youngsters weigh 300 grams and measure 17 centimetres and will reach around 25 centimetres (10 inches) when fully grown.
Referred to as pups, the playful youngsters emerged over the Easter Period to delight Zoo visitors as they explored their new purpose built enclosure and met the neighbours - South African Porcupines with whom they share their home.
Keepers at the Welsh Mountain Zoo - the National Zoo of Wales invited suggestions for names for the three pups - with the proposer of the chosen names being able to "adopt" the three babies for the first year of their life.
The successful entry came from Year 3 and 4 Class of Ysgol Bod Alaw, Colwyn Bay (Teacher - Mrs. Ann Davies). Mrs. Davies said,
"The whole class, aged between 7 and 9, were thrilled to hear the news that they are now proud Zoo parents to Mini, Mymryn and Mwy."
Mr. Llion Williams, acting Head Teacher, said of the success,
"It was absolutely fabulous for the whole school to hear that we had won."
Assistant Head Keeper, Michelle Pywell said of the names,
"We are delighted with them, and it's so lovely for them all as a family to have Welsh Names."
Meerkats, which seem to be Britain's favourite creatures, are members of the Mongoose family, originating in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana and South Africa. They have a life-span of around 12-15 years and live in 'gangs', 'clans' or 'mobs' of about 20 although families can reach around 50 members.
Jan 2010
WMZ supports International Year of Biodiversity
The Welsh Mountain Zoo is a member of the IYB-UK partnership and is supporting the International Year of Biodiversity 2010.
BIODIVERSITY - simply means the cariety of life. We are all an integral part of nature and rely on this diversity of life to provide us with food, fuel, medicine and well being. The rich diversity of life on earth is being lost at a greatly accelerated rate due to human activities. 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity and people all over the world are working to safeguard this irreplaceable natural wealth and reduce biodiversity loss.
For more information go to www.iyb-uk.net
2009
Annual Animal Count
Easter 2009
Unique Raven Clutch
Scouts Raise Funds for Tropical House
Welsh Mountain Zoo Becomes the National Zoo of Wales
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