Chester Zoo Chester Zoo Discussion, Speculation & Questions 2018

[taun]

Can I point out that the formal gardens while beautiful (and missed by many including myself) are not very sustainable and for a charity that should be promoting sustainability esp with the impacts on the environment. This is surely the main reason instead of cost cutting?

 

[SHAVINGTONZOO]

Is your comment about variety in the collection referring to the animals? I actually think the collection has improved hugely in the last 5-10 years, but appreciate that is more about my individual taste in species: Sun Bears, Aye-Ayes, Javan Green Magpies, Pallas Cats and Belted Ruffed Lemurs are all VERY nice additions. I know some here miss things like venomous snakes but I think what has come is generally better than what has been lost, but again, its a matter of opinion.

It was. And I don't disagree about the quality of the current offering (breeding okapi and great Indian rhino; aardvark, aye-aye etc etc) but the range has undoubtedly narrowed.

 

[Pertinax]

Edit: incidentally, it occurs somewhat ironic we're having this discussion after the recent one about "overgrown" enclosures and stand-offs, which are largely no longer the responsibility of the horticultural team at all.

I have old postcards of Bristol, Chester from the 1950-60's era that show a riot of colour from the flowerbeds bordering exhibits. I think their disappearance is largely a style thing, being replaced by Bamboo, grasses etc which are more sustainable and perhaps less work. Bedding plants and formal borders just aren't the thing anymore...

On the subject of who attends to foliage within animal enclosures, I guess its the animal management who decides how thick or dense it should be before they bring in somebody to cut it back. It wouldn't be anything to do with the horticulture side I'm sure.

 

[AdrianW1963]

Can anyone help with this please one sign from the Tropical Realm and one from the Dragons in Danger are these the same species or is one a subspecies and if they are the same species why the 2 different signs with different names on.
The non zoo nerd by think they are 2 different species by the way they have been named.

Before I get the usual back lash I am not having a go just wondering thats all.

 

[bongorob]

They are the same species Adrian, Chester holds the Visayan subspecies, Penelopides panini panini

 

[Maguari]

The Dragons in Danger sign is just older, using a name from before (or immediately after, I suppose!) the Tarictic Hornbill was split into multiple species. The form 'panini' used to be considered to be a Visayan subspecies of a species called the Tarictic Hornbill, hence 'Visayan Tarictic Hornbill'. Nowadays it's considered to be one of several Penelopides species, simply called the Visayan Hornbill.

 

[AdrianW1963]

Many thanks folks that clears up an argument I was having with another birder again many thanks folks.

 

[taun]

Can anyone help with this please one sign from the Tropical Realm and one from the Dragons in Danger are these the same species or is one a subspecies and if they are the same species why the 2 different signs with different names on.
The non zoo nerd by think they are 2 different species by the way they have been named.

Before I get the usual back lash I am not having a go just wondering thats all.

They wont have even noticed.....

 

[SMR]

Can I point out that the formal gardens while beautiful (and missed by many including myself) are not very sustainable and for a charity that should be promoting sustainability esp with the impacts on the environment.

That's not true and myth perpetuated by the zoo at the time of their removal. Borders can be totally sustainable if managed correctly. For a long time the zoo grew all their own plants from seed (cost, a few pence) and selected varieties that were drought resistant. One has to remember that the old gardeners at the zoo were highly skilled and in many ways more respected than the keepers. They didn't just go to a garden centre, randomly pick some expensive flowers and order thousands of them (as happened in recent times).

Bedding plants and formal borders just aren't the thing anymore...

Unless you attend any National Trust property, or go to any of the RHS gardens or events, most of the NGS events or places like Cheltenham or...

Anyway, sounds like a discussion from five years ago.

 

[kiang]

Will the Indian muntjac be moved over alongside the Asian lions in the new area?

 

[Charlie Simmomds]

Will the Indian muntjac be moved over alongside the Asian lions in the new area?

There’s nothing in the plans for the enclosure for the muntjac to move, however based on what Chester has done in the past with species moving closer to species in the same geographical area, it would make a lot of sense.

 

[Maguari]

Will the Indian muntjac be moved over alongside the Asian lions in the new area?

To be fair the distribution of M. muntjak is such that they would fit in Islands just as well.

 

[bongorob]

They are not moving to the new lion area.

 

[taun]

That's not true and myth perpetuated by the zoo at the time of their removal. Borders can be totally sustainable if managed correctly. For a long time the zoo grew all their own plants from seed (cost, a few pence) and selected varieties that were drought resistant. One has to remember that the old gardeners at the zoo were highly skilled and in many ways more respected than the keepers. They didn't just go to a garden centre, randomly pick some expensive flowers and order thousands of them (as happened in recent times).

So if it was not cost or due to sustainability reason (water usage), why did they stop doing formal displays?

 

[Sand Cat]

That's not true and myth perpetuated by the zoo at the time of their removal. Borders can be totally sustainable if managed correctly. For a long time the zoo grew all their own plants from seed (cost, a few pence) and selected varieties that were drought resistant. One has to remember that the old gardeners at the zoo were highly skilled and in many ways more respected than the keepers. They didn't just go to a garden centre, randomly pick some expensive flowers and order thousands of them (as happened in recent times).

Unless you attend any National Trust property, or go to any of the RHS gardens or events, most of the NGS events or places like Cheltenham or...

Anyway, sounds like a discussion from five years ago.

Its not the National Trust though is it, its a zoo. They must have determined that the traditional gardens were not an essential part of what they do. Anyway as has been said already, Islands isn't exactly the bare minimum in terms of planting etc.

Why do you have to effectively put down the keepers in order to defend the past gardening team, it seems very disrespectful although presumably not intended as such. I'd always respect people who look after animals more than those who look after plants personally (well unless they were doing a poor job of caring for the animals of course!).

 

[Crowthorne]

Why do you have to effectively put down the keepers in order to defend the past gardening team, it seems very disrespectful although presumably not intended as such. I'd always respect people who look after animals more than those who look after plants personally (well unless they were doing a poor job of caring for the animals of course!).

As someone who works in a botanic garden, I'd just like to stand up for the horticultural teams here. From my experience, gardeners are every bit as passionate and dedicated to their vocations as animal management teams. We here know little to nothing about the inner-working of what the zoo does and why. Chester is world famous not only as a zoo, but also for their work in plant conservation and for housing five of the National Plant Collections for the UK, putting them in the same leagues as major botanic gardens like Kew, Edinburgh and Cambridge.

Please remember to be respectful and think about who might be reading on a public forum such as this; you admonish SMR for coming across as disrespectful towards the keeping teams, then say that you always respect animal care staff over horticultural staff. If any of the horticultural or gardening teams I know were to read your post, they would themselves find it disrespectful I am sure.

 

[sooty mangabey]

So if it was not cost or due to sustainability reason (water usage), why did they stop doing formal displays?

I’d always just assumed that such floral displays were seen as being a bit old-fashioned, and that their replacement with less formal planting was thus a step along the road of modernity. On a personal level, I think there is room for both – and, certainly, part of the appeal of places like Bristol and the CWP is the formal planting, which can look absolutely stunning.

 

[SMR]

Its not the National Trust though is it, its a zoo.

It's a zoological garden, a representation of the world's flora and fauna. As for the rest of your post, I don't have anything to add beyond Crowthorn's contribution, for which I thank her.

 

[SMR]

So if it was not cost or due to sustainability reason (water usage), why did they stop doing formal displays?

From what I've learnt, it was largely down to the personal opinion - and crusade - of one short-lived senior member of staff, and it had some really unpleasant repercussions on other long-standing members of the team (that won't be repeated on a public forum).

 

[TeaLovingDave]

On a personal level, I think there is room for both – and, certainly, part of the appeal of places like Bristol and the CWP is the formal planting, which can look absolutely stunning.

Fantastic examples from the continent include Wilhelma, Walsrode and Plzen.