20.10.2023 by Pat Waldron
The Five Sisters Zoo, West Calder takes its name from the 5 shale bings situated nearby and is a 45-minute drive West of Edinburgh. This small zoo started life as a garden centre with a collection of rehomed rabbits, guinea pigs, goats and pigs for petting.
Boer goats
Pigmy goat
It officially became a zoo in 2005 and now boasts over 160 species of mammals, birds & reptiles including Brown Bears, Clouded Leopards, Lions, Cheetahs and Arctic Wolves to name a few.
Clouded leopard
Artic wolf
Corsac fox
These brown bears, siblings Henk(male) & Eso (female), were originally rescued from Albania by Natuurhulpcentrum Rescue Centre in Belgium. They were found close to death, living in a cramped cage beside a struggling roadside restaurant, being fed on only a few scraps. Weighing only 70kg the bears were so thin and malnourished that it was difficult to take blood samples. Eventually they were moved to Belgium before being transferred in 2018 to their permanent home at Five Sisters Zoo. The original three brown bears, rescued by the zoo from a circus in Belgium in 2011, are no longer alive.
Cheetah
Asian short clawed otters
In October 2014 the zoo owners were contacted by Natuurhulpcentrum Rescue Centre in Belgium asking if they could rehome 4 male lions. They had been confiscated by Belgium authorities from a French travelling circus performing in Luik as Belgium Law forbids the use of wild animals in circuses. Their answer was Yes! The zoo immediately set up a fundraiser with a target of £150,000 needed to build the lion enclosure within the existing site. One year later, in October 2015 the lions arrived at the Five Sisters Zoo.
Fossa
Scottish wild cat
Prairie dogs
Did you eat too much? 🙂
Dear Pat
Your report from Five Sisters Zoo is very interesting.
I like the cats, especially the little wildcat, which
looks different from our wildcats here. The Fossa also
is a special animal, endemic from Madagascar. Lemurs
have to be aware of them. The Bears look very busy,
preparing for the hibernation… 😉
Greetings
Chris
Dear Pat!
This looks like a zoo I like. An amazing variety of animals live there and they all look happy and well cared for.
It’s interesting that it started out as a garden centre and petting zoo. However, cuddling many of the animals it now houses – including lions, bears, leopards, cheetahs and wolves – is not recommended, at least if you don’t know them… I liked them all. I find the prairie dogs playing doctor particularly cute.
Thanks for showing them!
Hugs
Anke
Dear Pat
I’ve never seen a clouded leopard before. He is gorgeous.
I haven’t seen a fossa in a while.
The Scottish Wildcat is just so beautiful.
Fortunately, the story of the bears and the lions has a happy ending. They are doing well and can now enjoy their life here in a beautiful home.
The prairie dogs are enchanting.
A zoo that starts out as a garden center is really an interesting story for a zoo.
Thank you for the fine pictures from this green zoo with its nice and interesting residents.
Hugs,
Anita
Thank you very much dear Pat.
Best wishes to all the animals in Five Sisters Zoo.