ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2022

I intend on visiting London next Summer, it'll be my first visit since 2008 when I was a teenager, I was thinking later this year so I could see the tiger cubs before they're grown up or moved to other zoos, but I think I'll instead wait until the new reptile house is open.
 
I intend on visiting London next Summer, it'll be my first visit since 2008 when I was a teenager, I was thinking later this year so I could see the tiger cubs before they're grown up or moved to other zoos, but I think I'll instead wait until the new reptile house is open.
No definite date for opening of reptile house but I would think early 2023 is likely
 
In an article on the zoo’s website and in ZSL’s most recent members’ magazine, they have given an update on the new reptile/amphibian house. The article says that it should be open by next spring and that 26 species will be held (I assume that means 26 on display). In the article they mention a few species that I assume we can interpret to be definitely on display. This include a few species that were previously held off-show. The species mentioned include:
- Mountain Chicken Frog
- Mangshan Viper
- Chinese Giant Salamander
- Lake Oku Frog
- Big-Headed Turtle
- Ethiopian Mountain Viper
- Philippine Crocodile
- Lake Titicaca Frog (not explicitly mentioned)
- Sardinian Brook Salamanders

Here is the link to the Article:
Behind the scenes: Making The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians | Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
 
In an article on the zoo’s website and in ZSL’s most recent members’ magazine, they have given an update on the new reptile/amphibian house. The article says that it should be open by next spring and that 26 species will be held (I assume that means 26 on display). In the article they mention a few species that I assume we can interpret to be definitely on display. This include a few species that were previously held off-show. The species mentioned include:
- Mountain Chicken Frog
- Mangshan Viper
- Chinese Giant Salamander
- Lake Oku Frog
- Big-Headed Turtle
- Ethiopian Mountain Viper
- Philippine Crocodile
- Lake Titicaca Frog (not explicitly mentioned)
- Sardinian Brook Salamanders

Here is the link to the Article:
Behind the scenes: Making The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians | Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
Thank you for sharing this! Although 26 is a slight decline in collection, the prospect of the Mangshan Pitvipers and Ethiopian Mountain Vipers going on display is very exciting. Assuming that the King Cobra and Central American Bushmasters remain viewable to the public, then London has four onshow venomous snake species! It is also great to hear that the Sardinian Brook Salamanders (one of my favourite animals at London Zoo) will be in the new house; I was somewhat worried, given that their enclosure is partially off-show already. Hopefully, this means that the midwife toad tadpoles will also be in the new house!
 
Yes, I agree, the new species list has some nice species (particularly those that were once held behind the scenes). I believe that the new house will have a similar breeding set up area to the one in the current reptile house, with a large viewing window into the breeding area (at least that's how I interpreted the article). The Sardinian Brook Salamanders were mentioned in the section about the breeding area (along with Big-headed turtles) so it remains to be seen whether they will have a specific 'fully on-show' enclosure.
 
Assuming that the King Cobra and Central American Bushmasters remain viewable to the public, then London has four onshow venomous snake species!

The latter have now left the collection entirely, I believe!
 
That's interesting. They must have left quite recently, as on my visit at the start of September there were two enclosures for them. I can't say I saw any on that day though, so the signs could have just been for empty enclosures. It's a shame if they have left, as London were one of two European collections with them according to ZTL.
 
The latter have now left the collection entirely, I believe!

That's interesting. They must have left quite recently, as on my visit at the start of September there were two enclosures for them. I can't say I saw any on that day though, so the signs could have just been for empty enclosures. It's a shame if they have left, as London were one of two European collections with them according to ZTL.

I saw two individuals on my visit two or so weeks ago, so they must have left between then and now. Not inconceivable, but a pretty quick turnaround. It's a shame if they are gone, as they were a lovely species, if a bit reclusive.

Incidentally, as for the discussions on viewing into breeding areas, these are the original drawings, so apparently there should be several breeding areas, into which I'd assume visitors can see at least partially?

https://idoxpa.westminster.gov.uk/o...FULL-REPTILE_HOUSE_PROP_SITE_PLAN-6726349.pdf

Edit: The bushmasters, according to photos from Batto in the gallery, might have gone to Akva Terra (Plzen)? Very quick turnaround but who knows? The collection theoretically doesn't hold them before now so...
 
Edit: The bushmasters, according to photos from Batto in the gallery, might have gone to Akva Terra (Plzen)? Very quick turnaround but who knows? The collection theoretically doesn't hold them before now so...

The collection in question is Haus des Meeres in Vienna, which for some reason is listed as Aqua Terra Zoo in the gallery. The collection certainly held L. muta recently so it's not out of the question they have now got Central.

This isn't the collection I heard London's went to, though.

It's a shame if they are gone, as they were a lovely species, if a bit reclusive.

This being the reason they went out of the species I believe
 
In an article on the zoo’s website and in ZSL’s most recent members’ magazine, they have given an update on the new reptile/amphibian house. The article says that it should be open by next spring and that 26 species will be held (I assume that means 26 on display). In the article they mention a few species that I assume we can interpret to be definitely on display. This include a few species that were previously held off-show. The species mentioned include:
- Mountain Chicken Frog
- Mangshan Viper
- Chinese Giant Salamander
- Lake Oku Frog
- Big-Headed Turtle
- Ethiopian Mountain Viper
- Philippine Crocodile
- Lake Titicaca Frog (not explicitly mentioned)
- Sardinian Brook Salamanders

Here is the link to the Article:
Behind the scenes: Making The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians | Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
Excellent news! With this in mind, I'll start looking up hotels near Regents Park for a July/August visit.
 
The Sumatran tiger cubs have been named:

London Zoo names its terrific tiger trio! - CBBC Newsround

Siblings Inca, Zac and Crispin were born to parents Gaysha and Asim at the conservation zoo in June.

"Inca loves her food and is always ready to defend a bit of chicken from her brothers if necessary. Crispin is a little quieter than his two boisterous siblings, and is definitely a mummy's boy - preferring to snuggle up to Gaysha in the sun - while Zac is the largest cub and loves playfighting with his sister, getting an early start on developing their hunting skills.
 
In the Rainforest Kingdom last week one of the volunteers informed me that an armadillo had been added to the exhibit, though I didn't see it at the time. Unfortunately I didn't ask for more details of what species it was, does anyone know?

Other than that, it was great to see the tiger cubs play-fighting in the end near to the camel enclosure, and their mother climbing up to the platform to get some peace and quiet.
 
In the Rainforest Kingdom last week one of the volunteers informed me that an armadillo had been added to the exhibit, though I didn't see it at the time. Unfortunately I didn't ask for more details of what species it was, does anyone know?

Other than that, it was great to see the tiger cubs play-fighting in the end near to the camel enclosure, and their mother climbing up to the platform to get some peace and quiet.
The Tiger cubs made it into the Australian tv news today. :)
 
The zoo's members magazine has stated that Majorcan Midwife Toads will be on-display in the new reptile house; fantastic news, as they are the only members of their species in the UK and only the tadpoles were publicly viewable in the previous house. Hopefully, the Iberian Midwife Toad adults will also go on-display!
 
Visited today for the first time in 2022, a spur of the moment decision, due to todays terrible weather!
I really don't know whether to post an honest assessment of my 3 hours there or ignore the negatives?!
I previously said I wouldn't slate London Zoo anymore as at least it was still open and I never want to see it close - unlike Bristol, but I almost had a sense of deja vu with my last Bristol visit in the summer - if it wasn't for a couple of new exhibits and the new reptile house being built,!
There are a few positives today, but the lasting impression comes from my final visit to the reptile House I have been entering for over 50 years
Do you want an honest opinion or ZSL spin?
 
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Visited today for the first time in 2022, a spur of the moment decision, due to todays terrible weather!
I really don't know whether to post an honest assessment of my 3 hours there or ignore the negatives?!
I previously said I wouldn't slate London Zoo anymore as at least it was still open and I never want to see it close - unlike Bristol, but I almost had a sense of deja vu with my last Bristol visit in the summer - if it wasn't for a couple of new exhibits and the new reptile house being built,!
There are a few positives today, but the lasting impression comes from my final visit to the reptile House I have been entering for over 50 years
Do you want an honest opinion or ZSL spin?
Would be interested to hear your thoughts on what you think of the situation there
 
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