Chessington Zoo Chessington Zoo News 2024
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I am now a bit resigned to the fact that the owners are aiming for an adventure attraction and are not really interested in the animal collection or zoological aspect of the Chessington Zoo!
Perhaps they should consider a name change if all of the plans go through (I am not being sarcastic ...., just pure realism!).
Ever since Chessington became primarily a major amusement park, the animal/zoo side has always been the minority attraction. More than once in the past, with a change of ownership, the intention of disbanding the zoo part has been rumoured but not happened. Perhaps the development of the hotel and African village area redressed that somewhat but not entirely I don't think.
Mbula was born in 2009. Buu was transeferred in 2018 so Mbula was already nine years old. I believe it was because Chessington had no room to allow more breeding(except accidentally) and Buu was an adult female who could be added to another group elsewhere.
I visited for the first time in a few years last year and it was very clear that this is the case. Chessington is a theme park with animals. The rides and attractions are clearly the main focus and where the money goes, the animals are just supporting theming. The tigers practically live in a large log flume attraction with tiger vocalisations being played out over speakers and the capybara and coatis have a similar living arrangement in a children’s water ride. It was quite sad to see.
Certainly, not my cup of tea ... then!
DefInately the feeling I used to get whenever I have visited occassionally over many years. Its always been a rather uneasy coexistence.
I always felt it strange that they moved most of the animals out of the theme park areas to then, suddenly, go big and reverse this with the building of the tiger enclosure around the log flume when they rethemed it. They then, as you mention, moved capybaras and tortoises ( I can’t remember the coatis ) alongside the children’s log flume too.
I also dislike the Zoofari attraction, mixing the giraffe, rhino, antelope, etc in with the safari trucks pumping out their toxic fumes and noise.
Such a step back in my opinion from the separation of the animals and rides that was happening.
I’d be sad to see the animals all leave and would prefer to see some separation happen again.
I don't think that will happen but there may be some selective reduction if these rumours turn out to be true.
Why are the lorikeets moving to Wanyama Village and Reserve from Wild Asia ?
Why are the lorikeets moving to Wanyama Village and Reserve from Wild Asia ?
Project Refresh and Renew will require us to move the Lorikeets from Wild Asia and there are other opportunities to relocate animals and provide new upgraded enclosures. Details are being developed but we believe some new animal enclosures at the Wanyama Village & Reserve will provide a great new home.
Project Refresh and Renew will require us to move the Lorikeets from Wild Asia and there are other opportunities to relocate animals and provide new upgraded enclosures. Details are being developed but we believe some new animal enclosures at the Wanyama Village & Reserve will provide a great new home.
Bear in mind that these are currently proposals put out in a public consultation with no firm dates and no planning applications yet submitted. That proposed project covers both Wild Asia and the adjoining Glamping Accomodation area. The Glamping site has short term planning permission that has already been extended once, seem to recall it has another year to go. With the proposed opening of the Safari Lodges in 2027 I would expect that the Glamping may no longer be required and hence the project proposals.
“Lodge Accommodation
Planning permission was granted at the end of 2018 for 34 visitor accommodation lodges and associated works at 22 Acre Field (north-west of the Safari Hotel).
Works to build the lodges began in 2021 but were paused. Merlin is keen to complete the development and is targeting a 2027 opening. “
There is also a current ongoing project going through the planning process for the Waterpark extension to the Safari hotel.
So quite a lot of changes being planned and proposed.
Project Refresh and Renew will require us to move the Lorikeets from Wild Asia and there are other opportunities to relocate animals and provide new upgraded enclosures. Details are being developed but we believe some new animal enclosures at the Wanyama Village & Reserve will provide a great new home.
Project Refresh and Renew will require us to move the Lorikeets from Wild Asia and there are other opportunities to relocate animals and provide new upgraded enclosures. Details are being developed but we believe some new animal enclosures at the Wanyama Village & Reserve will provide a great new home.
Bear in mind that these are currently proposals put out in a public consultation with no firm dates and no planning applications yet submitted. That proposed project covers both Wild Asia and the adjoining Glamping Accomodation area. The Glamping site has short term planning permission that has already been extended once, seem to recall it has another year to go. With the proposed opening of the Safari Lodges in 2027 I would expect that the Glamping may no longer be required and hence the project proposals.
“Lodge Accommodation
Planning permission was granted at the end of 2018 for 34 visitor accommodation lodges and associated works at 22 Acre Field (north-west of the Safari Hotel).
Works to build the lodges began in 2021 but were paused. Merlin is keen to complete the development and is targeting a 2027 opening. “
There is also a current ongoing project going through the planning process for the Waterpark extension to the Safari hotel.
So quite a lot of changes being planned and proposed.
Ah got ya. the animals like lions, tigers, zebras, rhinos, giraffes, sealions, penguins, ostriches and more will have a nice new upgraded enclosures
There is no news in this 2024 consultation about upgrades or new enclosures for specific animals other than the move of Lorikeets from Wild Asia to allow the proposed redevelopment there and the move of the Children's zoo if that proposed development proceeds.
Oberon, a Grevy’s zebra stallion, went off to Edinburgh Zoo as part of the breeding programme for the endangered species. Keepers at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) are hopeful he will mate with the zoo’s resident females Azizi and Grace before he returns to Chessington at the end of the year:
Endangered zebra arrives at Edinburgh Zoo from Chessington to boost population
Endangered zebra arrives at Edinburgh Zoo from Chessington to boost population
Piece of July 2024 News Worth Mentioning:
On July 12th, the theme park announced that a blesbok was born on June 11th which is on exhibit.
Chessington World of Adventures Resort
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On October 29th, the theme park announced they acquired a crested porcupine (species not specified) named Pip.
Chessington World of Adventures Resort
On November 25th, it was announced that the theme park transferred a (1.0) Palawan binturong named Jackson to the Chester Zoo in Cheshire*.
57K views · 2.1K reactions | Meet Jackson, the Palawan binturong! (Just LOOK at those whiskers!) | Chester Zoo
On December 3rd, it was announced that the theme park transferred a (0.1) caracal named Twana to the Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Kent**.
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve
On December 5th, it was announced that the theme park transferred 4 green tree skinks to the Colchester Zoo in Essex on July 6th.
https://www.colchesterzoologicalsociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Annual-Report-2024_-July.pdf
* Information partially given by @WhistlingKite24 & @tennisfan in the Chester Zoo News 2024 thread (Page 35 Post #'s 681 and 696 respectively).
** Information partially given by @tennisfan in the Port Lympne Wild Animal Park News 2024 thread (Page 8 Post # 151).
On July 12th, the theme park announced that a blesbok was born on June 11th which is on exhibit.
Chessington World of Adventures Resort
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On October 29th, the theme park announced they acquired a crested porcupine (species not specified) named Pip.
Chessington World of Adventures Resort
On November 25th, it was announced that the theme park transferred a (1.0) Palawan binturong named Jackson to the Chester Zoo in Cheshire*.
57K views · 2.1K reactions | Meet Jackson, the Palawan binturong! (Just LOOK at those whiskers!) | Chester Zoo
On December 3rd, it was announced that the theme park transferred a (0.1) caracal named Twana to the Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Kent**.
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve
On December 5th, it was announced that the theme park transferred 4 green tree skinks to the Colchester Zoo in Essex on July 6th.
https://www.colchesterzoologicalsociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Annual-Report-2024_-July.pdf
* Information partially given by @WhistlingKite24 & @tennisfan in the Chester Zoo News 2024 thread (Page 35 Post #'s 681 and 696 respectively).
** Information partially given by @tennisfan in the Port Lympne Wild Animal Park News 2024 thread (Page 8 Post # 151).
CWOA have now submitted planning applications to Kingston council for the two projects that were announced earlier this year.
One impacts the existing Lorrikeet Lagoon In the current Wild Asia.
The other impacts the existing children’s zoo, owl enclosures and some stables.
In the application there is this statement
“the longer term plan is to relocate the children’s zoo animals, along with animals from elsewhere at the Resort, to the Wanyama Village & Reserve area on the west part of the Resort. This will include creating new and enhanced animal enclosures within a dedicated animal area that represents their natural continental l0cations, to the benefit of the animals, animal education for guests and the general guest experience. Depending on timings, an interim solution for the temporary relocation of the children’s zoo animals may be needed prior to moving them to the Wanyama Reserve & Village area.”
One impacts the existing Lorrikeet Lagoon In the current Wild Asia.
The other impacts the existing children’s zoo, owl enclosures and some stables.
In the application there is this statement
“the longer term plan is to relocate the children’s zoo animals, along with animals from elsewhere at the Resort, to the Wanyama Village & Reserve area on the west part of the Resort. This will include creating new and enhanced animal enclosures within a dedicated animal area that represents their natural continental l0cations, to the benefit of the animals, animal education for guests and the general guest experience. Depending on timings, an interim solution for the temporary relocation of the children’s zoo animals may be needed prior to moving them to the Wanyama Reserve & Village area.”
I've been discussing this on a theme park forum too. There's a suggestion that the Trail of the Kings could go completely in time as the park have permission to build rides there. I can't see them relocating all of the animals here, I wonder if some of the bigger species such as Lion and Gorilla will leave? As the above mentions, the plan seems to move all animals to the Wanyama Reserve as they don't have permission to build rides in this area. I can't see the zoo building a brand new Gorilla enclosure here though?
Nor me. There was talk of them doing it some years ago but it never happened. It would be a very expensive undertaking and they probably regard it as not worth the expense. I imagine the move toward centering the zoo collection all in the one open area has practical reasons, and would remove (probable) critisism about animals being so close to the din of the funfare rides etc. So I will not be at all surprised if Trail of the Kings disappears as has been suggested.
Well I don't think there is any specific planning approval in the system for the Trail of the Kings but certainly it's location would mean it would be likely to be approved for change of use. Previous long term plans from past decades under previous park ownership have hinted ar other uses again with the zoo moving to the reserve. I look at the Trail as currently having two parts , part 1 is the Trail past the Gorilla exhibit , at the end of which there is the option of turning into the SeaLion Bay area or continuing on part 2 of the trail which takes you on a U route around the remaining exhibits ( currently housing Serval/Lion/Foxes/Binturong/Coati) before existing the other side of Sea Lion Bay.
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