Chester Zoo Chester Zoo News 2024

Yassa said:
Why would they have to wait getting a new bull? Indali is almost 8 and at the perfect age to get pregnant with her first baby. Which is badly needed now after this horrible loss.
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Matriarchs are usually crucial for interactions with bulls, they allow mating ect. and communicate to the bull when space is required. Putting two young cows in with a mature bull at their ages would also be quite stressful without a matriarchal presence. So whilst it can be done, it might not be in the best interests of the two young cows.

Perhaps they allow Anjan to remain with the herd for a while longer before he moves elsewhere. He could give them the opportunity to learn how to interact with a bull which they'll have to learn themselves now without the guidance of Sundara.
 
Yassa said:
Why would they have to wait getting a new bull? Indali is almost 8 and at the perfect age to get pregnant with her first baby. Which is badly needed now after this horrible loss.
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maybe they are waiting until after the birth? Plus it takes time to locate potential bulls and SSP has to approve it.
 
I disagree that it would be stressful for 2 young females to be kept with an adult bull. Most bulls are very friendly with young elephants, he would most likely be relaxed and a total gentleman.
 
Yassa said:
I disagree that it would be stressful for 2 young females to be kept with an adult bull. Most bulls are very friendly with young elephants, he would most likely be relaxed and a total gentleman.
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I have seen cases of bulls being too forceful with cows when they're younger which consequently has lead to the cows refusing mating as they grew older. Obviously this isn't always the case, but there's a chance. Without a dominant presence on the cows side the bull could also likely mate with Riva as well; and she's far too young. Just some things to keep in mind re. acquiring a new bull. Giving them a few years to mature may be the best option before acquiring a bull soon (which may have been the original plan).
 
The elephant situation at Chester zoo has really quickly went down hill. What possibilities do they still have? I guess Maya may become the leader somewhat but there is still a chance that she won’t.
 
Zoo-Lover-1-2-3 said:
The elephant situation at Chester zoo has really quickly went down hill. What possibilities do they still have? I guess Maya may become the leader somewhat but there is still a chance that she won’t.
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I would expect Maya to assume the role of matriarch as the other female elephants are aged eight and four years respectively. She can hopefully provide guidance during what will be a highly unsettling time for them.

The death of Sundara is truly tragic and compounds the previous losses suffered by Chester’s herd. After a succession of blows, they finally had the formation of a nice matriarchal group of a mother and two daughters and will now yet again have to rebuild.

Going forward, it appears their best option is to continue the herd via future breeding of Indali and Riva due to the challenges of mixing matrilineal lines.
 
Jambo said:
I have seen cases of bulls being too forceful with cows when they're younger which consequently has lead to the cows refusing mating as they grew older. Obviously this isn't always the case, but there's a chance. Without a dominant presence on the cows side the bull could also likely mate with Riva as well; and she's far too young. Just some things to keep in mind re. acquiring a new bull. Giving them a few years to mature may be the best option before acquiring a bull soon (which may have been the original plan).
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A matriarch cannot and will not prevent an adult bull from mating with a young female in estrus, regardless her age.
I really wonder where this myth comes from. Adult bulls are 100% dominant and while a matriarch is of course important, it is beyond her power to determine who the bull is mating and who not. To prevent Riva from getting pregnant, the keepers need to keep the bull apart when she is in estrus
 
SMR said:
Elephant Sundara Hi Way and her unborn calf passed away on Friday 19th July. The rapid and unexpected decline was due to twisted intestines.
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Man, Chester Zoo sure has extremely bad luck with their elephants. They went from having a four-generation herd in 2018 (Thi Hi Way-Sithami-Sundara-Indali Hi Way) to only a single generation herd now. And not only were all 3 of those dead adult cows (Thi Hi Way, Sithami and Sundara) under the age of 40, they have also lost 7 baby elephants to EEHV since 2007.
 
Sand Cat said:
I have seen reports on Facebook that Boris the chimp has sadly passed away at the age of 58. :(Although not posted by the zoo, I am confident they are accurate. RIP to a true legend of Chester Zoo!
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Thoroughly sad news if it’s indeed the case, my thoughts are with the staff at Chester and indeed everyone who got to know and love Boris across his long life.
 
It is on the zoos website. Similar with other deaths. The zoo keeps them relatively quiet mainly limits the news to the website
 
Sand Cat said:
I have seen reports on Facebook that Boris the chimp has sadly passed away at the age of 58. :(Although not posted by the zoo, I am confident they are accurate. RIP to a true legend of Chester Zoo!
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How very sad! My thoughts are with all the keepers (retired and present). He was undoubtedly one of the most incredible apes I had ever seen :(.
 
The boyfriend visited today and told me that right before the entrance where you could see the Black Rhino's now next to the cafe was shut with wooden panels.

And at the Black Lemur enclosure (near the Camels) was a barrier so you couldn't view from the windows (babies maybe?).
 
Sand Cat said:
I have seen reports on Facebook that Boris the chimp has sadly passed away at the age of 58. :(Although not posted by the zoo, I am confident they are accurate. RIP to a true legend of Chester Zoo!
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Did he have any relatives at the zoo if so which ?
 
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