Chester Zoo Zoo News 15th March 09

Maisie

Well-Known Member
Mostly bird news since we have adopted the azure-wings and RBoPs and therefore went to the bird keeper talks.

- Derbyan Parakeets moved from aviary by otters to ex-squirrel aviaries outside elephant house
- Spectacled Owls moved from aviary opposite wildlife garden to main owl section. Ex-owl aviary will be getting pheasants instead.
- Most owls in owl section have been shuffled between aviaries.
- Milky eagle owl due to be leaving soon.
- New Grey owl has arrived to join existing Grey owl.
- Hawk owls hopefully going to be coming to the zoo.
- Off-show Frogmouths have eggs and will be going on show with the rest of the owls.
- Aviaries adjoining Islands in Danger to be demolished in July. Our adopted friendly azure-wing due to stay at the zoo *cheer*
- Mate for current Red-Billed Blue Pie in quarantine *cheer*
- Female Red Bird of Paradise hopefully arriving in around a week *cheer*
- Chinese aviary to replace Mauritius Kestrel aviary.
- Current male Mauritius Kestrel is the last one left in captivity and will be going elsewhere.
- African aviary coming on nicely.

Some photos in the gallery. Not great quality I'm afraid :(
 
Just seen the photo in the gallery of the Babirusa enclosure information board and i didn't know they were the only breeding pair in Europe!
 
I didn't find out where the RBoP is coming from. We're back at the zoo next weekend for Mothers' Day, so I'll see if I can find a keeper to ask.
 
Just seen the photo in the gallery of the Babirusa enclosure information board and i didn't know they were the only breeding pair in Europe!

The female is very valuable! A few years back there was only two or three breeding females in europe including Chesters.

I gather the rest must of past on which is a shame :(
 
As a guess i would say the female would be coming from Al Wabra perhaps?

There's not many too chose from, that would be a good guess unless they sourced outside of europe?

There are a couple of spare females in america
 
0.2 Red Bird of Paradise are coming, one from Al Wabra and one from somewhere I have forgotten, and had not previously heard of.
 
Well according to ISIS

San Antonio
Houston Zoo
Chicago Zoological Park

and

Al-Wabra Wildlife Preservation

all have spare females (meaning they have more females than males)

Unless its a private collection?
 
It could well be a private collection, then again it could also be a public one not subscribing to ISIS.
 
Nice to hear the Derbyan Parakeets have moved to a better exhibit.

Aviaries near Islands In Danger - anyone which ones are staying and which are going then?

Shame about the Kestrels though, they were a fantastic species though it's nice to see the Chinese aviary is coming along.
 
South Lakes have a breeding pair of Babirusa so that is wrong,also i think they still have a Mauritius Kestrel at Weyhill.
 
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Nice to hear the Derbyan Parakeets have moved to a better exhibit.

Aviaries near Islands In Danger - anyone which ones are staying and which are going then?

Shame about the Kestrels though, they were a fantastic species though it's nice to see the Chinese aviary is coming along.

The round aviaries are going very soon.
 
Sorry i forgot the word Birds in that sentance.

Im suprised the Round Aviaries are still there really though i hope the Parrots stay on-show somewhere.
 
Zoo News 15th March 2009

Does anyone have any idea which pheasants will be moving to the old Owl Block? Are they species that they currently hold or are new species been brought in? Hopefully, they may bring in more species as this is a group which is greatly under represented at many zoos and not just at Chester.:D
 
Does anyone have any idea which pheasants will be moving to the old Owl Block? Are they species that they currently hold or are new species been brought in? Hopefully, they may bring in more species as this is a group which is greatly under represented at many zoos and not just at Chester.:D

and maybe theres a reason for that :D
 
no sorry was just teasing peafowl, he'll get what i mean. Although i do agree that it would be nice to see more collections with pheasants.
 
I'd like to see the poor birds overwhelmed with screaming kids on the Arara picnic lawn moved elsewhere. It can't be much fun for them being right next to the play area.
 
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