The Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire BNA Branch Organiser spent a number of years working in British Zoos and Wildlife Parks; initially as a Keeper and later in management, and is keen to see how the industry has changed and developed over the years. We would like to build up a National map of Zoological Collections, from small pets corners to zoos and large safari parks. We are keen to find out the conditions in which animals and birds are kept in, and if conservation projects are being undertaken. We would welcome emails about places you have visited and what you found there, and if possible photos of the main entrances to such establishments and some of the animals. This page is intended to gather information and inform BNA members and visitors about Projects we support. If you have a zoological project which you would like to promote on this page please contact branch organiser.
Bear Conservation Worldwide
Bear Conservation is charity set up to monitor bears that are being kept in captivity in the UK and elsewhere, and act as advocate on behalf of bears worldwide. David Meanwell is the Organiser for the Surrey and London Branch of the BNA, a Trustee of the BNA, and is the founder and director of Bear Conservation. We wish to support David in his work by encouraging anyone visiting zoos or wildlife parks where bears are being kept, to let him know, what kind of bears are being kept, their ages and information about their living conditions. Photos would be very much welcomed. Also if you come across bears whilst visiting other parts of the world why not let David or ourselves know what you have seen. China is of particular interest.
Bear Conservation is a non-profit organisation advocating and campaigning for the welfare conservation and protection of bears and the environments in which they live.
Mission Outline
Our vision is a world where all bears are given the necessary protection and space to live out their natural lives in the wild.
By providing accessible, accurate and comprehensive sources of information on all things 'bear' we work for an end to bear farming and the illegal trade in bear-parts and live bears, for an end to the keeping of bears in circuses and unsuitable zoos and collections, for international laws and enforcement to protect bears from poaching, and for an end to spring bear hunts, hunting bears with snares and traps, baited bear hunting with guns.
Contact Bear Conservation directly or via the Lincs/Notts BNA Organiser.
News November 2016 Again the Siberian reindeer are under the severe threat of starvation due to the changing climate. They have to graze on grass and lichen, when weather conditions prevent this they can't survive, unlike some other mammals such as bears they can't create a den and hibernate through the difficult periods, they have to migrate to other areas where conditions are not so harsh, during the winter season. Normally this is fine, since they can penetrate the soft snow to get at their food source, but as in 2003 and 2013, this year heavy rainfall has frozen into un-penetrateable ice sheets. Dr Marc Macias-Fauria of Oxford University says: 'We are losing ice at an accelerating rate in the Barents and Kara Seas and our analysis suggests this is why there is more rain over the land in this region.'
The big Cats
There have been many reports of lions, pumas and other big cats being on the loose in the south west and elsewhere over a number of years. Many doubt the truth of these reports, including the police, who blamed a recent vicious attack on a horse on a pack of dogs, the physical evidence indicated that it was a big cat. Zoos will always be reluctant to report escapes, and as such some wild animals can be on the loose for years without being seen.
Zoology
It was recently reported that a mummified animal found in a diamond mine in Siberia was an unknown dinosaur. Sadly they were mistaken it is without doubt the mummified body of a Wolverine Gulo luscus the editor of this website was responsible for looking after several of this species at Edinburgh Zoo many years ago. (see top image below)
The Greenland Shark Somniosus microcephalus, are known to have grown to a length of 24 feet (6.4 m) and weigh up to 3,000 1bs (1,400kg). Recent studies have revealed that they can live up to nearly 300 years. (See second image below).
The Loch Ness Monster reported on the 16th of September 2016 in the Huffington Post, as being seen by Ian Bremner. (See images 3, 4, and 5 below) Clearly another chance photograph, not of the monster, but of three seals. The head image enlarged below, is a bit obscure to be definite of which of the two species it is, Common or Grey. Both have been seen on a numbers of occasions in the loch in the past few years.
Animals in the Wild and in Zoological Collections
Photographs Taken or Supplied by, Dr David Cubbon., Mr David Meanwell., Dr Robert Tansey., Miss Lucy Manifold (Geology Student)
See more Wildlife Images under Members and Supporters Photos