Storm Ciara & Zoos?

Brum

Brum

Well-Known Member
10+ year member
Owing to the fact we're in the middle of a "terrible" storm I've noticed several UK collections are closed, including Dudley, Chester, Paignton, and Twycross. My point is, I've been out this morning and yes, it's not exactly pleasant, but I've visited Dudley in a mini blizzard and the zoo stayed open; so why are these places closed today? I can see the point in Dudley and Paignton closing, because of the heavily wooded sections, and Twycross because of its over exposed site, but Chester seems an unusual case as it's flat but well built up and not exposed.
 
I guess because even if one branch from one tree breaks off in the strong gusts and hits a visitor or an enclosure fence then it's a big problem for all concerned.

I wonder if zoos may also be concerned about power cuts affecting electric fence enclosure boundaries?
 
Brum said:
Owing to the fact we're in the middle of a "terrible" storm I've noticed several UK collections are closed, including Dudley, Chester, Paignton, and Twycross. My point is, I've been out this morning and yes, it's not exactly pleasant, but I've visited Dudley in a mini blizzard and the zoo stayed open; so why are these places closed today? I can see the point in Dudley and Paignton closing, because of the heavily wooded sections, and Twycross because of its over exposed site, but Chester seems an unusual case as it's flat but well built up and not exposed.
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Well, if it is anything like how it is here in London, I don't know many people who would even step out of their front door, let alone go to the zoo, so having it open is likely simply a waste of money and time. Of course I would still go to the zoo in this weather but...
 
Let's see if Chester was open today you would see no tigers, spectacled bears, hunting dogs and anything else that is shut in because of the wind, on top of that I don't think you have visited Chester in a wind to say it's not exposed is a myth
 
zoogiraffe said:
I don't think you have visited Chester in a wind to say it's not exposed is a myth
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You're right, I've only ever managed to time my visits to coincide with nice weather. I just assumed that because of the built up site the wind would be more tolerable. I can't imagine it compares to Twycross though, which is pretty exposed even in mild weather.
 
I think all these places closing in very bad weather has become a bit contagious. I can't remember this happening so much in the past as it does nowadays. A combination of 'H&S' perhaps plus zoos can easily announce closure on the websites etc nowadays, thus avoiding complaints of 'nobody told us'.
 
I live about an hour away from Twycross and Dudley and I ain't setting foot outside, it is wild out there. There are numerous trees down around here.
 
BeakerUK said:
I live about an hour away from Twycross and Dudley and I ain't setting foot outside, it is wild out there. There are numerous trees down around here.
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It's brightening up round here, can even see blue skies. Still windy, but at least the sun is coming out slowly but surely.
 
- potential danger from flying debris
- potential damage to building - tiles beling blown from roof etc
- potential damage to fencing from falling trees
- potential for power cuts
- safety / comfort of the animals
- general lack of visitor numbers
- poor visitor experience if you did open and anyone turned up
 
Brum said:
You're right, I've only ever managed to time my visits to coincide with nice weather. I just assumed that because of the built up site the wind would be more tolerable. I can't imagine it compares to Twycross though, which is pretty exposed even in mild weather.
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Perhaps that’s what the fences at Twycross where sold as wind breaks for the exposed site ;)
 
Definately a day for talking about zoos rather than visiting them I think...London Parks are (or were initially) also closed due to danger from falling trees etc, health and safety ruling. I'm sure it will apply to many other places too, not just zoos and the like.
 
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J C said:
Perhaps that’s what the fences at Twycross where sold as wind breaks for the exposed site ;)
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Well I hope(for their sake anyway, not mine) they haven't all blown down.:eek: Thing is that none of them actually surround the zoo, they are all among the various exhibits. One thing I would have done many years ago at Twycross is to plant another Evergreen hedge(like the mature one running along the Giraffe/chimpanzee side of the zoo) all along the boundary that runs behind the Gibbon forest side of the zoo. That seems the most windy/exposed side of the zoo and it may also explain the gibbons' seeming reluctance to come outside very much in their new enclosures.
 
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Pertinax said:
Definately a day for talking about zoos rather than visiting them I think...London Parks are (or were initially) also closed due to danger from falling trees etc, health and safety ruling. I'm sure it will apply to many other places too, not just zoos and the like.
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A lot of National Trust properties have been closed, as have a large number of botanical gardens. I know Kew had a visitor fatality a few years back when a branch fell in high winds, so the gardens now close during high winds as a general policy.
 
Hamerton has announced on FB that it will close for the day and probably tomorrow as well.
 
The more open UK zoos have been mentioned. However, which UK zoos are less affected by adverse weather (Bristol? London?).
 
Dylan said:
Hamerton has announced on FB that it will close for the day and probably tomorrow as well.
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Could you let me a have a link for this please?
We have not closed at all and were very busy today (Monday) with pre-booked school groups.
Hamerton Zoo Park - Animal Park Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire

edit - I have just double checked and no Facebook posts were made about the storm at all. Our team was at KidsFest at Peterborough Showground on Saturday and Sunday, and these posts were the only ones made. The piece linked above and still on the web-site was the only one made.
 
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Andrew Swales said:
Could you let me a have a link for this please?
We have not closed at all and were very busy today (Monday) with pre-booked school groups.
Hamerton Zoo Park - Animal Park Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire

edit - I have just double checked and no Facebook posts were made about the storm at all. Our team was at KidsFest at Peterborough Showground on Saturday and Sunday, and these posts were the only ones made. The piece linked above and still on the web-site was the only one made.
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You are correct. It is Hemsley, I just saw the "H" and assumed it was Hamerton.
 
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