Chester Zoo Chester Zoo discussion and questions 2025

AdrianW1963 said:
Furthermore to my earlier question about current avian species held within the collection.

I am now looking for the location of the following species as all the others I have seen either at this collection or other collections.

Black naped oriole
Greater Brazilian teal
Lemon dove
Malay crestless fireback
Mindanao lorikeet
Orange-breasted waxbill
Passerini’s tanager
Siamese white crested laughing thrush
Sumbawa forsten’s lorikeet
Tricolor parrotfinch
White-headed munia.
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The Mindanao Lorikeets were in Dragons in Danger last time I saw them.

Lemon Doves aren't kept at Chester to my knowledge though I recall the Welsh Mountain Zoo hold or held the species.

Orange-breasted Waxbill according to ZTL doesn't seem to have been seen since May 2018, so I'm unaware that the species is still held.

The Forsten's Lorikeets are held in Islands though admittedly I'm not awfully sure where.
 
Scottish Wildcat said:
Thank you all for the advice! I visited two days ago, and just about managed to do everything, plus some time to revisit no-shows at the end of the day (successfully!). Sure, I didn't eat and barely sat down all day but, worth it!

I hit Islands first thing in the morning and got the boat ride all to myself. Being so early it doesn't seem like much was out and about yet, but pretty much everything there I can see at my home zoo in Edinburgh whenever anyways, so it was more about seeing the exhibits and the cool theming than the animals themselves.Those were the only major no-shows (other than the jaguars, but I saw the black one at the end of the day)!

My 'must-see' list was: Both orangutans, tuatara, sifaka (got right up close!), great hornbills, aye-aye, jaguar, Komodo dragon, reticulated python, okapi, giant otter, forest buffalo, gharial, tree kangaroo, electric blue day gecko, and bush dog. And with the exception of the last two, managed to see them all! Thank you all again for the tips!
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I’ve been on the boat ride about 5 times over the years since it opened and never seen anything, so you weren’t missing out!
 
Prochilodus246 said:
The Mindanao Lorikeets were in Dragons in Danger last time I saw them.

Lemon Doves aren't kept at Chester to my knowledge though I recall the Welsh Mountain Zoo hold or held the species.

Orange-breasted Waxbill according to ZTL doesn't seem to have been seen since May 2018, so I'm unaware that the species is still held.

The Forsten's Lorikeets are held in Islands though admittedly I'm not awfully sure where.
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If I remember correctly, the Forsten Lorikeets are in the walkthrough aviary with the pheasants and the glossy starlings etc. The Lorikeets are in an enclosure on the left you can get up to as you go around the pathway and not free flying I believe (I think that would be number 52 on the map? Not the one with the Java Sparrows but the other larger Islands aviary).
 
Lafone said:
If I remember correctly, the Forsten Lorikeets are in the walkthrough aviary with the pheasants and the glossy starlings etc. The Lorikeets are in an enclosure on the left you can get up to as you go around the pathway and not free flying I believe (I think that would be number 52 on the map? Not the one with the Java Sparrows but the other larger Islands aviary).
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Correct, the old Javan green magpie aviary, within the walkthrough itself:)
 
I've been on the boat three times I think. First time when it opened and there was nothing, second time last year and actually saw a few animals (tiger and orangs a highlight) and a third time to show it to my partner where we saw a few animals too. 2/3 is not bad, definitely would never go on it on a busy day though! I think every time I had the boat basically to myself.
 
Fallax said:
I've been on the boat three times I think. First time when it opened and there was nothing, second time last year and actually saw a few animals (tiger and orangs a highlight) and a third time to show it to my partner where we saw a few animals too. 2/3 is not bad, definitely would never go on it on a busy day though! I think every time I had the boat basically to myself.
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Even if you don’t see many animals, I think it’s a nice boat trip
 
Fallax said:
I've been on the boat three times I think. First time when it opened and there was nothing, second time last year and actually saw a few animals (tiger and orangs a highlight) and a third time to show it to my partner where we saw a few animals too. 2/3 is not bad, definitely would never go on it on a busy day though! I think every time I had the boat basically to myself.
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We have seen the tiger from the boat once, it was stalking along the fence line, felt really close and being away from the rest of the zoo, felt more of a close encounter
 
Prochilodus246 said:
The Mindanao Lorikeets were in Dragons in Danger last time I saw them.

Lemon Doves aren't kept at Chester to my knowledge though I recall the Welsh Mountain Zoo hold or held the species.

Orange-breasted Waxbill according to ZTL doesn't seem to have been seen since May 2018, so I'm unaware that the species is still held.

The Forsten's Lorikeets are held in Islands though admittedly I'm not awfully sure where.
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Lemon Doves ARE at Chester but not currently on show(they came from Bede`s school zoo) And with regard to an earlier post Galidictis grandidieri are on loan from the Euplerid Foundation as part of an effort to get a captive breeding programme going.
 
AdrianW1963 said:
Furthermore to my earlier question about current avian species held within the collection.

I am now looking for the location of the following species as all the others I have seen either at this collection or other collections.

Black naped oriole
Greater Brazilian teal
Lemon dove
Malay crestless fireback
Mindanao lorikeet
Orange-breasted waxbill
Passerini’s tanager
Siamese white crested laughing thrush
Sumbawa forsten’s lorikeet
Tricolor parrotfinch
White-headed munia.
Click to expand...

Hiya just to help with locations of a couple of the birds.
: Brazilian Teal are in LAWA
Lemon Dove are in Tsavo walkthrough
Firebacks are in Dragons in Danger
Tanager is off display (as far as I know)
White Crested Laughing Thrush are in the aviaries near June's food court
The parrot finches and the Munias are in Realm of The Red Ape
 
Many thanks everyone for the information can't wait to return to the collection and will update with images of both species and exhibits.
 
Loved seeing the earlier information on the otter/penguin complex from the late 60s...as i remember it well. I first went to Chester in 1963 when Tropical Realm was being built, but cant remember a reptile house prior to that build(I was only 5 when all is said and done). After a fairly dodgy 80s/early 90s its been good to see the zoo reaching out for its potential with attendances now double what they were even 20 years ago,.
 
Tim Brown said:
Loved seeing the earlier information on the otter/penguin complex from the late 60s...as i remember it well. I first went to Chester in 1963 when Tropical Realm was being built, but cant remember a reptile house prior to that build(I was only 5 when all is said and done). After a fairly dodgy 80s/early 90s its been good to see the zoo reaching out for its potential with attendances now double what they were even 20 years ago,.
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I can't remember the reptile house either Tim. My first memories are a Caracal carrying a kitten and Malayan Tapirs, about 1962 when I was 5. I also remember crying when I saw The Oakfield. I thought we'd left the zoo because a house was there.

One thing which really frustrates me is not remembering seeing the Birds of Paradise.I can only remember Wilson's in 1973 and the Reds in the 2000s.
 
Another location I am not sure of, taking a guess I'd say it is one of two large enclosures, on the site now occupied by the Babirusa and Otter Enclosure and Real of the red Ape.
1950s, historical, an ostrich in its enclosure, Chester Zoo, England, UK. A large flightless bird, ostriches have an ability to run at 70km/h and are the fastest birds on land Stock Photo - Alamy

Yes @bongorob you’re right… this is the enclosure often referred to as ‘Animal Enclosure’ on the exact site of the 1968 Ape House. Check maps pre 1968 and on the map you’ll see the breeze block shelter that features in the photo to get your bearings.
 
North Entrance said:
Another location I am not sure of, taking a guess I'd say it is one of two large enclosures, on the site now occupied by the Babirusa and Otter Enclosure and Real of the red Ape.
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There were a couple of these enclosures with breezeblock walls (although I don't recall that shelter or the ostrich), but there were plenty of Bennett's wallabies and Soay sheep. I think that the site of one became the Tropical House.
 
I'll be visiting Chester this week, I've booked a ticket for Thursday, and I intend on splitting it into two visits and buying another ticket for Friday. Are there any areas such as aviaries that are still closed at the moment?
 
Jambi said:
I'll be visiting Chester this week, I've booked a ticket for Thursday, and I intend on splitting it into two visits and buying another ticket for Friday. Are there any areas such as aviaries that are still closed at the moment?
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From a very recent vlog I have watched on Chester Zoo, all aviaries are back open including the Tsavo aviary in the new African area.

It's good to do a 2 day visit due to the size of the zoo now, and that way you are not rushing about as much.
 
Visited today, can confirm both Tsavo and Latin American aviaries are open. Not sure about the ones in Islands but presume they will be open too.

Elephants were inside all day today, not sure if prep for Whipsnade elephants moving or just general maintenance.
 
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