Chessington Zoo What is Trail of the Kings?

[Goretex]

I've never been to Chessington being put off because of the very reason of it being in a theme park which I've got no interest in. I do find it a cultureally and historically interesting zoo though. What is Trail of the Kings? I know there's been the debate of the gorilla enclosure. Hoiw much is that similar to the Howletts inspired Chimp and Gorilla enclosures of 1984? Finally when did Chessington stop keeping Chimps?

 

[Pertinax]

I've never been to Chessington being put off because of the very reason of it being in a theme park which I've got no interest in. I do find it a cultureally and historically interesting zoo though. What is Trail of the Kings? I know there's been the debate of the gorilla enclosure. Hoiw much is that similar to the Howletts inspired Chimp and Gorilla enclosures of 1984? Finally when did Chessington stop keeping Chimps?

The gorilla enclosure is indeed modelled on the Howletts enclosures and has straw bedding as a floor too. The only viewing is through two large glass panels set into the front, in a dark covered public area but its quite adequate. The back of the enclosure is hidden by mock rock. The original indoor area was glass-fronted dens that were onshow when you could walk all around the exhibit but that ended decades ago. Since then more brick-built dens have been added at the back and side but all offshow. Its all rather tatty nowadays and showing its age rather. I can't remember exactly when they stopped keeping Chimps but a long time ago now when the secondary enclosure was turned over for use by the gorillas.

'Trail of the Kings ' takes you through the gorilla viewing area, then down past the large carnivore enclosures, up through several smaller carnivore enclosures and then there are the Sealions.

 

[Goretex]

Thank you for that response, I think I get it now.

 

[J C]

I've never been to Chessington being put off because of the very reason of it being in a theme park which I've got no interest in. I do find it a cultureally and historically interesting zoo though. What is Trail of the Kings? I know there's been the debate of the gorilla enclosure. Hoiw much is that similar to the Howletts inspired Chimp and Gorilla enclosures of 1984? Finally when did Chessington stop keeping Chimps?

Perhaps you should visit now then, if your put of by the theme park side as the are running zoo only days for the next 8 weekends.