hari Jones
Well-Known Member
Yes it is a shame they were so beautiful and also after visiting today I noticed the bongo were not signed in there enclosure does anyone know where they went
Chester Zoo Chester Zoo Discussion and Questions 2022
- Thread starter GiraffeJack10
- Start date
Chester should still have them. Your talking about the enclosure next to the Andean Bears correct?
hari Jones
Well-Known Member
Just round the corner from there by islands
They should still be at the zoo..maybe they moved elsewhere in the zoo?
I was told the Bongo's have been moved off-show.
taun
Well-Known Member
Make sense are they not starting Grasslands soon?
Is that the specialised offshow off site?
Google earth shows the new off show complex across from the Jags. 12 paddocks with stables. Plus many cages/aviaries.
Any idea what animals will or have moved in to the off show areas
We are all assuming all species affected by the grasslands project. So Zebra and all adjacent paddocks between Wetlands aviary/Painted dogs/Islands.
Grassland should have opened this spring. They are not starting work on it until 2023.
I assume the delay for Grasslands is to do with Covid and nothing else?
Yes, Grasslands has been delayed due to financial losses suffered during the lockdowns:
Chester Zoo has lost nearly £10m since the start of the pandemic
Jamie has said the pandemic has been one of the most challenging periods in the zoo's 90-year history.
The charity is unable to access the Government’s £100m Zoo Animals Fund due to its strict criteria, so additional loans have had to be borrowed which will need to be paid back in the coming years.
"This will unfortunately impact our long-term plans," said Jamie.
One of the long-term plans which has had to be postponed is the zoo's ambitious Grasslands project which was due to open in 2022.
The project, which involved the expansion of the African Savannah habitat, has had to be sidelined.
Just to add to this, the project is expected to gather momentum soon though. I wouldn't be surprised if minor construction commences as early as next year.
Grasslands will be a huge drawcard for the zoo and an example of everything that’s great about Chester Zoo - cutting edge, world class exhibits. I imagine they’re keen to get this off the ground as soon as finances will allow.
The starting point of construction will be simple landscaping tasks like digging the moat and levelling the ground; while the colossal giraffe house will surely be one of the last and most costly items on the agenda.
Hi I usually plan a yearly trip to Chester and its currently planned for next Monday, however seen a few comments on here about animals off show or areas closed.
Was wondering if anyone knows what currently is unavailable to see as can change my plans to later in the year when hopefully more is on show and areas not closed.
Thanks
Was wondering if anyone knows what currently is unavailable to see as can change my plans to later in the year when hopefully more is on show and areas not closed.
Thanks
Only the Bongo have been confirmed to have been moved off display. Other hoofstock in that nearby area, including Zebras will follow, but they haven't moved yet.
There was this note on the website regarding aviary closures:
Due to a local report of avian influenza, some of our walkthrough aviaries are temporarily closed to ensure the safety of our animals. This includes some areas of Monsoon Forest*, the Latin American Wetland Aviary and Tropical Realm. *Monsoon Forest has partially reopened, with access to Tripa Forest Research Station through the south end entrance door ONLY.
Assuming the aviaries aren’t the be all and end all of your trip, I’d say now is an excellent time for a visit. I’ve enjoyed visiting zoos since coming out of the last lockdown, with reduced visitor numbers making the experience even more enjoyable.