ZSL London Zoo London Zoo News 2023
- Thread starter Kalaw
- Start date
Jambi
Well-Known Member
Same here, thinking the new reptile house would be open by Summer, earlier in the year I booked a hotel in London for next month, but seeing as there's been no recent announcement I've cancelled those plans. I don't mind waiting another year to visit London Zoo though.
Autumn is the best timing given for the new reptile house to open. The current reptile house closes in the next couple of weeks. Bad timing really considering the peak summer period coming up and no reptiles on display.
Slight delay on the arrival of the water deer and warthogs due to health export checks.
However 5 ostriches arrived this week, currently in quarantine by the giraffes
Slight delay on the arrival of the water deer and warthogs due to health export checks.
However 5 ostriches arrived this week, currently in quarantine by the giraffes
Great news on the ostriches - will really enhance the exhibit.
What year was this? I have no recollection of this at all! Do remember the Chinese alligators in the reptile house though
equidae
Well-Known Member
I would have thought they’d wait with the ostriches until Nuru’s gone, so there’d be more space.
Do you we know where the ostriches are from and whether they’ve been turned out with giraffes before? I’m glad that they’re introducing the species, but less glad that the giraffes’ space will be limited further over the introduction period. 5 ostriches also seems like a lot for the space they’ve got.
They came from Johnsons of Old Hurst.
I don't think giraffes and ostriches have previously been mixed at London Zoo.
However it's interesting to note that ostriches have been kept in the giraffe paddock before.
There was a short period (1892 – 1895) when London Zoo had no giraffes so their paddock was used for ostriches. There are postcards from the late Victorian era depicting ostriches outside the Giraffe House.
2004
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
Wherever possible, I have refrained from looking at plans for the new Reptile House, so as to have my first impressions of the finished building unphased by expectations or prior knowledge. But looking at the species inventory, I seriously don't get how anybody can be disappointed by that.
Assuming that all barring the Giant Tortoise, Komodos and Congo Caecilians go on-display in the new house we can expect to get upwards of 30 species in the House, including 8 species that can be found at no other (public) British collection, and several more that can only be found at a select few. Also, please note that this stocklist is from the 1st January 2023, and across the seven months since it was recorded, and the further couple of months between now and the House's opening, it is very likely that the House will feature more species than what the stocklist suggests.
The house won't be the best on the planet, but surely it will still be the greatest in the nation and a fabulous addition to the zoo. It will provide most of the species already housed at the collection with greater homes, and offer a more thrilling viewing experience for visitors, while also incorporating new species and enhancing ZSL's focus on conservation. I'll take that over a pet shop any day...
Assuming that all barring the Giant Tortoise, Komodos and Congo Caecilians go on-display in the new house we can expect to get upwards of 30 species in the House, including 8 species that can be found at no other (public) British collection, and several more that can only be found at a select few. Also, please note that this stocklist is from the 1st January 2023, and across the seven months since it was recorded, and the further couple of months between now and the House's opening, it is very likely that the House will feature more species than what the stocklist suggests.
The house won't be the best on the planet, but surely it will still be the greatest in the nation and a fabulous addition to the zoo. It will provide most of the species already housed at the collection with greater homes, and offer a more thrilling viewing experience for visitors, while also incorporating new species and enhancing ZSL's focus on conservation. I'll take that over a pet shop any day...
Does anyone have photos of it or their former? exhibit? Never knew ZSL had them.
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
I can't find any photos, sadly, but they are held in several terraria in a semi-offshow breeding room outside the Aquarium. It is blocked by public toilets and located on a rarely used pathway, and for whatever reason, the caecilians in the foremost terrarium, which is the easiest to see, rarely ever show themselves.
On my visit today staff were placing "we are rebuilding" barriers around the Lion windows near the Dwarf Mongoose exhibit.
Also sadly Budi, the male Babirusa, passed away due to health problems a couple of weeks ago. They still have Beth the female.
Also sadly Budi, the male Babirusa, passed away due to health problems a couple of weeks ago. They still have Beth the female.
The zoo hasn't given a date for opening yet, but I would be surprised if it weren't open by then.