Chester Zoo Chester Zoo news 2025
- Thread starter Strathmorezoo
- Start date
I get the impression there’s not really any plan in place as of yet, however a lot of the current African forest species are probably going to be kept (the zoo still keep eastern bongo, for instance, even though they’ve been off-show for a couple of years now). As for construction, it probably won’t be for a while given Heart of Africa isn’t quite done yet.
Thank you! Do you know what they will add to the heart of Africa as you mentioned it isn’t quite done yet?
Typhlonectes
Well-Known Member
Secretary Bird, Bat-eared Fox, Blesbok have been mentioned so far
I find them quite weirdly aggressive, albeit from a distance. The gemsbok just kind of chill, whilst the blesbok are always on the lookout.
I think the in the main, it will be a new home for the Chimpanzee, congo Buffalo, okapi and Bongo. Plus some smaller species.
Personally if they add just 1 new species then I'd like it to be pigmy Hippo.
In regards to HofA unlike Islands there doesn't appear to be much free space for extra enclosures, 2 empty units in the mixed indoor house and an area next to the vultures, maybe big enough for Secretary Birds
I think they could make a new enclosure where the old meerkat exhibit was. They could also take up a small bit of the rhino paddock if they needed extra space. I’m not sure what they would house there but at the moment I think it’s just a bit of unused space.
But, in my experience, they are easy to view in the rhino paddock at Whipsnade.
Work on the Forest development is expected to start in 2027. Pygmy Hippos were on the original plan.
This space will encompass the former Giraffe enclosure and the surrounding area correct?
Yes presumably the giraffe paddock and house, old cattle house, tropical house and chimpanzee house.
Logistically you would say they would build the new chimp home first then move them over, and then redevelop the rest of the site.
Does anyone have a history of Common hippo at Chester? Individuals, breeding etc. I’m aware they disappeared from the collection in the 1990s, and have trawled the media pages, but there’s very little to go on. I’m surprised there seems to be no plan for them to return.
Initially, a single pair arrived in 1961 - named 'Jimmy' and 'Myra'.
Jimmy passed away in 1963 and was replaced by 'Generino' from Naples. They bred eleven times;
1.0 'Harold' (1965) Sent to Chessington 1968
1.0 'Bimbo' (1969) Sent to Knowsley 1971
0.1 Unnamed (1971) Died 1971
1.0 Roger (1972) Sent to Woburn 1973
1.0 Hector (1974) Sent to Longleat 1975
1.0 Paul (1976) Sent to Longleat 1977
1.0 Samantha (1978) Sent to Dudley 1979
1.0 Caspar (1980) Sent to Morocco 1982
0.0.1 Unnamed (1985) Died 1985
0.1 Unnamed (1987) Died 1987
0.1 Unnamed (1988) Died 1988
Both Generino and Myra passed in 1991.
Wasn't this pre-COVID?
And, from my understanding, the Forest redevelopment is being done in "phases" to give them time to rehouse the residents of the Tropical Realm.
Last edited:
I suggest you try to find a copy of John Frost's excellent book "A Survey of the Hippopotamus in Captivity in the British Isles" (1996) although, unfortunately, it's hard to find a copy on sale these days.
It's strange that none of the female babies survived.
Jambi
Well-Known Member
This is the main thing I'd be interested in knowing about the African Forest development, which non-African species in the Tropical Realm are staying at or leaving the collection. There are so many great species in there that it would be a shame to lose.
Worth noting that, according to John Frost's book:-
- The original pair "Jimmy" & "Myra" were both wild born
- "Harold", the first hippo to be born at Chester Zoo, was subsequently housed in both Chessington Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo where he was known as "Ben"
There should be a copy in the Whipsnade Zoo Staff Library