ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2024

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JVM said:
Oh, are we able to still go inside of there?
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The Casson was open last summer, and can be a nice quiet space compared with the rest of the zoo. The door to use is the one opposite the farm paddocks (the door opposite the tigers has been closed for years). It's a bit hit-and-miss whether it is open or not, and it was closed completely for a good number of years in the 20-teens. It also doesn't really look accessible, as the doors don't open until you're right up to them.
 
The Casson was open on my visit last Friday as well, but that has only been the case as of recent visits.
 
Crowthorne said:
The Casson was open last summer, and can be a nice quiet space compared with the rest of the zoo. The door to use is the one opposite the farm paddocks (the door opposite the tigers has been closed for years). It's a bit hit-and-miss whether it is open or not, and it was closed completely for a good number of years in the 20-teens. It also doesn't really look accessible, as the doors don't open until you're right up to them.
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A peek inside the Casson last summer when some of the red river hogs were inside:
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I used to go into the Cassons a lot last year to eat my lunch and also just to sit and admire the Babirusa and RR Hogs but on recent visits, the entrance has had a barrier in front of it. I'm visiting in 2 weeks so I will have to see if the barrier has gone
 
Finally I can announce the news that a trio of newborn lion cubs has been born at the Zoo!
Born to seven-year-old mum, Arya, and 14-year-old dad Bhanu, the litter of three cubs arrived on 13 March 2024, with our zookeepers able to monitor mum’s six-hour labour via hidden cameras. I say finally for two reasons, firstly the wait for such sweet news has been wanted for so many years and secondly as I had previously learnt about this but couldn’t share the news until it was released publicly. I may not be the first to announce it but here is another source. :D

For more information: Three Endangered Asiatic lion cubs born at London Zoo | London Zoo
 
I suspect the Casson inside access will continue to be variable. The inside space has been used for a variety of events particularly during (school holiday) periods eg Christmas Santa , the vet trail , other holiday trail stops. At one stage in termtime it seemed to be used for school groups.
It is also likely to be used as temporary storage area at times particularly before themed events.
At other times animal welfare may require its closure.
The second access door by the tigers I have only noticed being used for a couple of events (it provides an accessible ramp)
 
Visited today on a lovely spring day. First visit since last August, and realised just how much I miss being a regular there.

Got to see both of the new baby gorillas. Effie, with the younger of the two, was right by the main indoor window, so got an excellent view (if you ignore all the pushing children!). Mjukuu was at the back of the indoor area, so not such a good view of that baby but it did look a bit stronger and older than the other one. Hopefully Effie will be able to raise this one herself without Mjukuu adopting it. Visited Gorilla Kingdom again at the end of the day for the scatter feed, there was a bit if a ruckus, but not entirely sure who was chasing who! Think silverback Kiburi started it with Gernot, but then everyone ganged up on Kiburi

The Okapi house was open, though Oni was outside looking cute for leaves passed over the hedge by visitors; both visitors and Oni got a ticking off from a keeper. Managed to see the Red Duiker briefly before it went back inside.

Really impressed with the new Reptile and Amphibian House. The enclosures are done to a great standard, and I spent a bit of time looking for each inhabitant. It was a bit crowded though, with some queuing required to reach some windows. Not sure this will improve with time or not, as even the old Reptile House was usually always busy.

Blackburn Pavilion was wonderful as always. The zoo seem to be doing very well with Blue-Crowned Laughing Thrushes, they seemed to be everywhere! Glad to see the Sunbittern with the missing toe on its left foot is still around (does anyone know if they have a name?)

Casson was open, not sure if the sign over the door is new or not, but it did seem to entice more people in than usual

The Clore is always one of my favourite parts of the zoo, so went back for a second pass at the end of the day as some of the animals had been no-shows earlier. Managed to briefly see a BokiBoki pair upstairs, two Aye-Aye, and active Grey Slender Loris and Pygmy Slow Loris. Was very sad to see the old Rakali enclosure stripped back to the brickwork, hope something new will go in there eventually. Was nice to see the Harvest Mice highlighting UK native wildlife conservation, though having recently seen the Harvest Mouse display-shed at Hamerton, the ZSL display paled a little in comparison (it's still a very good display, but that Hamerton one is just something else!). One of the Aye-Aye was unfortunately pacing a bit at the end of the day, hopefully it was only because feeding time was due

No sign of the three-legged Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin in Rainforest Life

Not sure when the Squirrel-Monkey walkthrough became a loop, but it's quite irritating that that top end of the zoo now has no through-route at all

Does anyone know what Aye-Aye the zoo currently hold please? Last I remember there was the youngster Peanut, but think he moved to another zoo a while ago?

Also, are there plans for a new male to join the White-Naped Mangabeys? Can't remember how long it's been since the last male Lucky died

Notable no-shows: Java Green Magpies, Indian Mongoose, Grey Mouse Lemur, Senegal Galago, Hunting Dogs, Babirusa
 
Crowthorne said:
Visited today on a lovely spring day. First visit since last August, and realised just how much I miss being a regular there.

Got to see both of the new baby gorillas. Effie, with the younger of the two, was right by the main indoor window, so got an excellent view (if you ignore all the pushing children!). Mjukuu was at the back of the indoor area, so not such a good view of that baby but it did look a bit stronger and older than the other one. Hopefully Effie will be able to raise this one herself without Mjukuu adopting it. Visited Gorilla Kingdom again at the end of the day for the scatter feed, there was a bit if a ruckus, but not entirely sure who was chasing who! Think silverback Kiburi started it with Gernot, but then everyone ganged up on Kiburi

The Okapi house was open, though Oni was outside looking cute for leaves passed over the hedge by visitors; both visitors and Oni got a ticking off from a keeper. Managed to see the Red Duiker briefly before it went back inside.

Really impressed with the new Reptile and Amphibian House. The enclosures are done to a great standard, and I spent a bit of time looking for each inhabitant. It was a bit crowded though, with some queuing required to reach some windows. Not sure this will improve with time or not, as even the old Reptile House was usually always busy.

Blackburn Pavilion was wonderful as always. The zoo seem to be doing very well with Blue-Crowned Laughing Thrushes, they seemed to be everywhere! Glad to see the Sunbittern with the missing toe on its left foot is still around (does anyone know if they have a name?)

Casson was open, not sure if the sign over the door is new or not, but it did seem to entice more people in than usual

The Clore is always one of my favourite parts of the zoo, so went back for a second pass at the end of the day as some of the animals had been no-shows earlier. Managed to briefly see a BokiBoki pair upstairs, two Aye-Aye, and active Grey Slender Loris and Pygmy Slow Loris. Was very sad to see the old Rakali enclosure stripped back to the brickwork, hope something new will go in there eventually. Was nice to see the Harvest Mice highlighting UK native wildlife conservation, though having recently seen the Harvest Mouse display-shed at Hamerton, the ZSL display paled a little in comparison (it's still a very good display, but that Hamerton one is just something else!). One of the Aye-Aye was unfortunately pacing a bit at the end of the day, hopefully it was only because feeding time was due

No sign of the three-legged Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin in Rainforest Life

Not sure when the Squirrel-Monkey walkthrough became a loop, but it's quite irritating that that top end of the zoo now has no through-route at all

Does anyone know what Aye-Aye the zoo currently hold please? Last I remember there was the youngster Peanut, but think he moved to another zoo a while ago?

Also, are there plans for a new male to join the White-Naped Mangabeys? Can't remember how long it's been since the last male Lucky died

Notable no-shows: Java Green Magpies, Indian Mongoose, Grey Mouse Lemur, Senegal Galago, Hunting Dogs, Babirusa
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The sign above the Casson was added in May/June last year when they initially re-opened to the public after many years of closure, and indeed does very well to announce that it is open which they have failed to do upon previous re-openings.

In with the Monkeys (formerly known as Meet the Monkeys) has been a dead end for a few years now, I believe shortly after lockdown being fenced off at the Blackburn Pavilion end. It is indeed very irritating especially as it forces a lot of traffic onto the already congested boardwalk above the lions if any visitors want to get to the other end of the zoo.

Did you have any luck with the Kirk’s Dik-dik and lion cubs (are the latter even onshow yet)?
 
Kalaw said:
The sign above the Casson was added in May/June last year when they initially re-opened to the public after many years of closure, and indeed does very well to announce that it is open which they have failed to do upon previous re-openings.

In with the Monkeys (formerly known as Meet the Monkeys) has been a dead end for a few years now, I believe shortly after lockdown being fenced off at the Blackburn Pavilion end. It is indeed very irritating especially as it forces a lot of traffic onto the already congested boardwalk above the lions if any visitors want to get to the other end of the zoo.

Did you have any luck with the Kirk’s Dik-dik and lion cubs (are the latter even onshow yet)?
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Shows how often I go into the Squirrel Monkeys! Only went in to try and cut through back to the Blackburn, but with the LotL board walk currently closed it was an even longer walk around than usual.

Didn't see the Dik-Dik no, and no sign of the Arya or the cubs. Bhanu was on the climbing-platform in the 'old' half of the enclosure all day. Did hear him roaring once, which seemed out of character (have always found him to be quite a quiet lion, especially after Lucifer who was quite vocal)
 
Crowthorne said:
Shows how often I go into the Squirrel Monkeys! Only went in to try and cut through back to the Blackburn, but with the LotL board walk currently closed it was an even longer walk around than usual.

Didn't see the Dik-Dik no, and no sign of the Arya or the cubs. Bhanu was on the climbing-platform in the 'old' half of the enclosure all day. Did hear him roaring once, which seemed out of character (have always found him to be quite a quiet lion, especially after Lucifer who was quite vocal)
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Indeed Bhanu has conventionally been rather quiet, but on my last two visits this has changed and on my most recent visit last month he could be heard roaring on five or so instances throughout the day. Presumably Arya’s pregnancy and then the birth of the cubs is a factor in this, causing him to be more territorial. Either way, I am grateful, as the sound and sight of a roaring lion is one of the most impressive things you can see as a zoo visitor!

If the boardwalk is still closed (indeed a great inconvenience when coupled with Meet the Monkeys’ closure) then it probably implies that Arya and the cubs are still offshow, as I believe the reason for its closure was to give them (with their offshow indoors being right below the boardwalk) some peace.
 
Crowthorne said:
The Clore is always one of my favourite parts of the zoo, so went back for a second pass at the end of the day as some of the animals had been no-shows earlier. Managed to briefly see a BokiBoki pair upstairs, two Aye-Aye, and active Grey Slender Loris and Pygmy Slow Loris. Was very sad to see the old Rakali enclosure stripped back to the brickwork, hope something new will go in there eventually.
Click to expand...
This is the first I feel like I've ever heard of Rakali! Looks like such an interesting species. The bokiboki and rakali are such a lovely reminder that sometimes just putting an obscure animal on display can be an act of education all by itself. Glad the lorises were active, too! The Clore was one of my favorites.

Notable no-shows: Java Green Magpies, Indian Mongoose, Grey Mouse Lemur, Senegal Galago, Hunting Dogs, Babirusa
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I had no luck with the mongoose or hunting dogs either. Has anyone seen the latter in a while, maybe something is going on there? The bush baby and mouse lemur were both visible on one day each of my visits.

Kalaw said:
The sign above the Casson was added in May/June last year when they initially re-opened to the public after many years of closure, and indeed does very well to announce that it is open which they have failed to do upon previous re-openings.
Click to expand...
I don't remember seeing any sign on the Cassons during my visit, that's very interesting.

The Cassons' interior, Chinese Water Deer, and Red Duiker all beg my return...

Crowthorne said:
Shows how often I go into the Squirrel Monkeys! Only went in to try and cut through back to the Blackburn, but with the LotL board walk currently closed it was an even longer walk around than usual.
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Yeah, this was a major inconvenience during both of my visits as well -- with both of those routes closed you kind of have to do that half of the zoo again, and it really breaks up the Land of the Lions experience especially since the route by the langurs and mongoose doesn't otherwise get you a good look at the lions.
 
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