Prochilodus246
Well-Known Member
Of course, I can rustle one up for later this evening. 
Dudley Zoological Gardens Dudley Zoo news 2025
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Prochilodus246
Well-Known Member
We found Dudley to be an enjoyable visit, though there was nothing to write home about in regards to any of the enclosures. The collection was very ABC focused, with a heavy emphasis on carnivores and primates spread throughout. We had hoped to meet up with a keeper my friend knows, but unfortunately she wasn’t working that week. The lynx enclosure, we felt, could have benefitted from more height, though it was very nicely planted. The signage was informative, but there was a lot of wordy information and not much in the way of take-away facts for the general public.
It was fascinating to see many of the listed Tecton buildings, and us standing atop the now 'Reindeer Ravine' really brought into perspective how many people would once have stood there viewing the bears below. The Discovery Centre building looked particularly tired, with flaking paint and the remnants of dead ivy. In general, parts of the zoo felt a bit shabby around the edges, with old shipping containers scattered hither and thither. The intermittent aviaries offered some nice moments to observe the inhabitants, and the reptile house was pleasant, with many well sized enclosures. We found the food to be pretty mediocre considering the price, but zoos aren’t exactly known for their catering options. My personal highlight was seeing Barbary Sheep for the first time, they were very impressive. It’s a shame the group don’t have one of the large hillside enclosures or the opportunity to share space with the Geladas.
Overall, Dudley is a pleasant medium sized zoo with a good flavour of history in regards to both the castle and the Tecton architecture both of which were interesting to read about. It won't be a collection we'd be rushing back to re-visit as we felt our visit was satisfactory and was well worth the visit.
It was fascinating to see many of the listed Tecton buildings, and us standing atop the now 'Reindeer Ravine' really brought into perspective how many people would once have stood there viewing the bears below. The Discovery Centre building looked particularly tired, with flaking paint and the remnants of dead ivy. In general, parts of the zoo felt a bit shabby around the edges, with old shipping containers scattered hither and thither. The intermittent aviaries offered some nice moments to observe the inhabitants, and the reptile house was pleasant, with many well sized enclosures. We found the food to be pretty mediocre considering the price, but zoos aren’t exactly known for their catering options. My personal highlight was seeing Barbary Sheep for the first time, they were very impressive. It’s a shame the group don’t have one of the large hillside enclosures or the opportunity to share space with the Geladas.
Overall, Dudley is a pleasant medium sized zoo with a good flavour of history in regards to both the castle and the Tecton architecture both of which were interesting to read about. It won't be a collection we'd be rushing back to re-visit as we felt our visit was satisfactory and was well worth the visit.
I think some of the outdoor enclosures are amongst the best in the UK for their species (geladas, bush dogs, red pandas, lemur walkthrough, penguins, chimps, cassowary, lions, otters).
It has its ABCs just like other zoos, and there's nothing wrong with that, but I don't think it's very ABC focused. The zoo has lots of nice species... geladas, wolverines, Arctic fox, Carpathian lynx, binturong, giant anteaters, cassowary, sloth, Sumatran laughingthrush, collared lemur, black lemur, Barbary sheep, painted dog, Patagonian sea lion (albeit now down to a solo female), Asian palm civet, yellow-breasted capuchin, Coahuilan box turtle plus a wide variety of other interesting birds and small primates.
As is the case for most zoos, but I think the bird collection is very strong. The reptile house is a good size and there's a decent number of invertebrates displayed in the farm barn.
I agree, it would be nice if they could utilise some of the wooded hillside at the rear. Hard to believe that enclosure is 17 years old now. I don't think it's in desperate need of alteration, unless the zoo decides to demolish it to make way for an extension to the tiger house/enclosure.
I agree, it looks a mess and has done for a long time. Unfortunately the zoo aren't able to touch it due to its listed status. Complex development plans, that have been years in the making, to restore four of the site’s listed Tecton structures; the former Tropical Birdhouse, the Queen Mary Restaurant, the Discovery Centre/Moat Café, and the former Elephant House; are ongoing.
Once repaired and restored, the zoo plans for the former Discovery Centre Tecton to undergo a massive transformation to turn it back into the original Moat Café. Plans for it include new visitor toilets (including a Changing Places facility) as well as a small exhibit of some kind at either end of the seating area.
I know what you mean, but I think the zoo has improved massively in this aspect and it's very minor these days. I do think a bit more refinement is still needed though; things like the scruffy lampposts, unused orange/metal barriers being left at the side of the path, tatty drinks machines and that ruddy fairground really annoy me.
I agree it would be nice to see them have more space. I'd like for them to continue the current terracing up into the Cameroon sheep paddock (which I think is only used by them for part of the year) at the rear, with views out over the enclosure from the Queen Mary restaurant. However, with the Queen Mary restaurant being another listed Tecton this is easier said than done.
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Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
I completely agree with your comments ,the zoo has made very good improvements ,especially under Derek Grove leadership. The one animal area that I would like to see improved, is the two primate houses and attached enclosures. Having that area improved would make the zoo pretty much updated.
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
The two female painted dogs Alice and Isabel have been successfully introduced to the two males ,who have been named Bruce and Walter.
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
Four more Bush Dog pups have been born on June 22nd. Dora,the mother has been seen carrying them from one den to another den.
Out of curiosity, are there still any Goeldi's monkeys in Dudley Zoo? I noticed they're not listed on their website no more and assumed they must have passed away/left the collection.
If what I'm thinking is true, then it's a shame because I do like Goeldi's monkeys.
If what I'm thinking is true, then it's a shame because I do like Goeldi's monkeys.
Sad news just announced
We’re very sad to announce the sudden passing of Barbie, one of our much-loved chimpanzees.
Keepers discovered she had passed away unexpectedly overnight.
Barbie was 47 years-old and the third oldest in our all-female group.
Due to the nature of her death, a full post mortem will be carried out in due course.
Born at London Zoo, she arrived at DZC in 1998. She leaves behind daughters, Binti, aged 34 and 30-year-old Banika, as well as her older sister, Mandy.
Our dedicated primate team will miss her greatly and will continue to closely monitor our remaining six chimpanzees as they take time to grieve her death.
We’re very sad to announce the sudden passing of Barbie, one of our much-loved chimpanzees.
Keepers discovered she had passed away unexpectedly overnight.
Barbie was 47 years-old and the third oldest in our all-female group.
Due to the nature of her death, a full post mortem will be carried out in due course.
Born at London Zoo, she arrived at DZC in 1998. She leaves behind daughters, Binti, aged 34 and 30-year-old Banika, as well as her older sister, Mandy.
Our dedicated primate team will miss her greatly and will continue to closely monitor our remaining six chimpanzees as they take time to grieve her death.
Very sad news. Dudley's group of 7 female chimps had been together for 20 years.
Had a lovely visit today - thankfully it wasn't as oppressively hot as it has been recently. The only downside was a couple of school parties where the children were allowed to run around at will with no sign of any teachers or, indeed, any adult supervision.
The highlight of the visit was the African Hunting Dogs. The new enclosure looks great in my opinion - much more aesthetically pleasing than the old reindeer and peccary enclosures. On my first visit, all 4 dogs were in the old reindeer section and were having great fun chewing a large meaty bone that was hanging from a zipwire. Later on, they were all lying in amongst the long grass in the old peccary exhibit.
Good to see the wolverine kits which are about half grown now. One was very active and irritating one of the adults - the other adult and youngster were very chilled out. I saw both adult arctic foxes but only one cub - a volunteer told me there has been some infighting between the cubs so the adults have been keeping them apart. No sign of the latest litter of bush dogs. I got a good view of the baby sloth and also the cassowary who came very close to the glass. The Asiatic lion introduction appears to have gone well - they were lying next to each other.
There were notices saying that an animal was under veterinary care on the tiger, lynx and Barbary sheep enclosures but no details as to which animal(s) or what care they were receiving.
There was construction work going on around the chimps outdoor enclosure - looked as though the perimeter fencing was being replaced.
I'm not sure if the enclosures in the reptile house have been refurbished since my last visit, but they are looking very well-presented.
The penguin flock (not sure if that's the correct collective noun) is growing again - I counted over 20 birds.
The highlight of the visit was the African Hunting Dogs. The new enclosure looks great in my opinion - much more aesthetically pleasing than the old reindeer and peccary enclosures. On my first visit, all 4 dogs were in the old reindeer section and were having great fun chewing a large meaty bone that was hanging from a zipwire. Later on, they were all lying in amongst the long grass in the old peccary exhibit.
Good to see the wolverine kits which are about half grown now. One was very active and irritating one of the adults - the other adult and youngster were very chilled out. I saw both adult arctic foxes but only one cub - a volunteer told me there has been some infighting between the cubs so the adults have been keeping them apart. No sign of the latest litter of bush dogs. I got a good view of the baby sloth and also the cassowary who came very close to the glass. The Asiatic lion introduction appears to have gone well - they were lying next to each other.
There were notices saying that an animal was under veterinary care on the tiger, lynx and Barbary sheep enclosures but no details as to which animal(s) or what care they were receiving.
There was construction work going on around the chimps outdoor enclosure - looked as though the perimeter fencing was being replaced.
I'm not sure if the enclosures in the reptile house have been refurbished since my last visit, but they are looking very well-presented.
The penguin flock (not sure if that's the correct collective noun) is growing again - I counted over 20 birds.
I didn't see any Goeldi's monkeys nor any signage for them.
Well I never thought I'd see the day.
It has long been rumoured that the zoo would not be able to hold male chimps due to the fencing not being secure enough...
Chimpanzee fencing - ZooChat
@Angel does the new fencing look much different than the original or is it too early to say? I hope they do something similar to the new orang enclosure fence.
I remember finding out that the zoo couldn't keep anymore male chimps because of the old fencing. If this new fencing style is a success, do you reckon we might get a new breeding troop of chimps at Dudley?Well I never thought I'd see the day.
It has long been rumoured that the zoo would not be able to hold male chimps due to the fencing not being secure enough...
Chimpanzee fencing - ZooChat
@Angel does the new fencing look much different than the original or is it too early to say? I hope they do something similar to the new orang enclosure fence.
I reckon not with this current group. Reason being is that I don't think the zoo's current female chimps are pure-bred. If they were then surely a new fence would have been built and males brought in many years ago. That's why they are slowly being phased out.
@Pertinax what do you think?
This raises the question of 'why now though?'. It could just be that the old fence is in need of replacing as it's getting old and they are taking the opportunity to upgrade it (if that is indeed what they're doing) in preparation for the future.
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
Are you thinking a new species perhaps?
Phasing out the species, or just this specific troop?
They could do either. I really don't know what they plan to do after the current group are phased out.