It does worry me. They do seem to big to have been moved that quickly.
Chester Zoo Fire in the Chester Zoo Monsoon Forest habitat
- Thread starter ian999
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It does worry me. They do seem to big to have been moved that quickly.
True, only positive thing would be that end of the buildings looks the least effected and the water will be heated, will still need to be moved though.
The bird section was separated internally by mesh, and was only the central third, but it all depends how much internal damage there is, and how much smoke built up inside.
Beautiful Pitviper are the only (on-show) venomous species affected.
The hornbills have a separate aviary and an outdoor one as well - in theory they should have been able just to be let outside if there was time but we don't know what the circumstances were.
We've no word on the False Gharials (not Muggers) - they're in the far end of the building from where the fire seems to have been but would indeed not be the easiest to move.
I saw the "animals all accounted for" and did wonder if it meant "all mammals". Good news that the Orangs and Gibbons appear to be ok. The free-flying birds seemed to be most 'at risk' - we can only wait for further news.
Unlike the enclosures at either end, the central free-flight section is open all the way to the roof and the birds sit on the white support beams that can be seen in the photographs, so this is terrible news.
However, heating the water presumably requires an electricity supply, which will have been switched off one assumes. All we can really do is await further news. And be grateful that the impact appears to have been far less than it could have been.
Could they not have just isolated them in the outdoor enclosures until they could move them?
New Chester Zoo images show INSIDE Monsoon Forest following devastating blaze
Apparently most of the building was saved, organutan end looks completely gutted.
Apparently most of the building was saved, organutan end looks completely gutted.
Would be a serious risk with temperatures how they are and wind and rain forecast. And remember only four of the species in the house even have outside enclosures.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
I heard on a news report that they'd been led to safety, making them sound as easy to move as horses
I don't recall the orangs or macaques having shelters outside and it's not a good day to be outdoors.This afternoon has been about 2 degrees C with heavy rain in this part of Cheshire (c.20 miles from Upton) so not a day for tropical animals to be outside.
With bad weather warnings in effect overnight, they can't wait outside for long. I expect that the orangs will be one of the biggest problems. They may be able to move them back into RotRA, or even into the old Ape House - depending what is housed in the off-show areas there: otherwise I am not sure if there is anywhere strong enough to hold them. I think the gibbons should be easier to accommodate. I wonder if the hornbills have survived, as the fire seems to have started near their area, if so, I'm sure the bird section can find somewhere for them. The Tomistoma are likely to be the other big problem: they may have to build crates for them and then drain the pools to catch them - not easy at all.
Obviously the welfare of the animals is the primary concern at the moment, but I can't help wondering why such a building was so incredibly flammable.
I suspect there will be a huge investigation into this afterwards.
I suspect there will be a huge investigation into this afterwards.
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I'm glad that the primates seem to have managed to emerge (hopefully) unscathed, but as @Maguari said, birds aren't looking hopeful! 
I guess it's fortunate, relatively speaking, that it happened during the day with a full keeping staff on hand to help. I imagine that if it was to occur on an evening there wouldn't be anywhere as near as many people on hand to help.
I guess it's fortunate, relatively speaking, that it happened during the day with a full keeping staff on hand to help. I imagine that if it was to occur on an evening there wouldn't be anywhere as near as many people on hand to help.
Smoke inhalation, shock and dehydration are all major concerns for the surviving animals at the moment. They may need to bring in additional zoo vets from elsewhere to cope with the sudden large number of animals that may require urgent treatment.
Fair enough I knew my point had flaws and I’d forgot how poor the weather is further north. I do worry for most species in the house in fairness, especially the birds. However news reports say all animals are safe when it’s clear only mammals are accounted for.
Just had another thought what about the plant life this fire must of devistated the flora in the house.
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
The fire itself may not be the problem as the entire building was not destroyed. But the lack of heat will kill or seriously damage most of the plants. And the repair work will probably damage a great deal of plantings if they had survived