All the more sad as langurs are thin on the ground anyways in Europe and the UK and this species is endangered as much as Francois langur are (with I think the latter probably more secure than dusky langur of S.E. Asia).
Twycross Zoo Twycross Zoo News 2025
- Thread starter Pandaboi
- Start date
My favourite, rarely seen, old-world primate, once kept at Twycross, was Kloss's gibbon. I've never seen the species anywhere else.
Another rarely seen marsupial, once kept at Twycross, was spotted cuscus.
JonWild
Well-Known Member
Damn what a shame. Was hoping to see him next week before he would supposedly move to another collection. Hopefully the zoo can source out a new pair of the species in time.
Pandaboi
Well-Known Member
I believe there are no more plans to get this species again for the foreseeable future. The zoo are focusing on keeping species with EEP’s and if I’m remembering correctly the Dusky Langur EEP was discontinued. The captive population in captivity isn’t sustainable to manage. A lot of individuals are closely related I believe? I may be wrong with the last part though.
I would imagine so. As the captive population shrinks so the likelehood of inter-relatedness increases I think. Presumably trying to integrate that last Twycross male in another group that already had an adult male would have resulted in fighting and general group upheaval, so not much mileage in that. Its a sad scenario. I imagine the ones at Howletts will likely go the same way eventually.
Howletts & Port Lympne have a slightly different relation with EEPs/EAZA in general, so they could just continue with the current set-up or just "rewild" them in Thailand
. There is no law that mandates EAZA zoos should phase-out species whose EEP has been discontinued, but a growing numbers acts as if EEP status is the only thing that counts in collection planning. This has resulted that the remaining breeding groups of spectacled langur on mainland Europe have now moved to non-EAZA zoos with an interest in breeding rarer species. But Zoo Dresden recently acquired spectacled langurs, because the EEP species they wanted ((Francois's langur) wasn't available.... This is part of a larger trend where there is a clear subset of non-EAZA zoos that is increasingly taking up species not wanted (anymore) within most EAZA zoos, with the goal of maintaining a population within Europe.
Howletts & Port Lympne have a slightly different relation with EEPs/EAZA in general, so they could just continue with the current set-up or just "rewild" them in Thailand
Yes, with Howletts/PL you never know what's on the horizon...I don't know how many Dusky/Spectacled langurs they still have but some other species of primate have been allowed to die out there e.g. Diana monkey, while species like the Hecks macaque(?) and G.B. Mangabey are in very small numbers indeed( the G.B. Mangabeys have not bred there).
JonWild
Well-Known Member
A very nice species to add to the collection and always tend to be a hit with visitors. Hopefully will see them next week when I visit.
Pandaboi
Well-Known Member
Thought I’d write up an update regarding the bonobo troop as they’ve gone through a lot of changes recently.
Recently the zoo merged the two bonobo troops together. The whole idea behind the merging of the two troops was to allow for a more natural fission fusion system. The bonobos now have access to both indoor and outdoor areas allowing them to freely choose who they want to spend time with.
Maringa has shown to be very caring towards the younger individuals in the troop during the introductions. It’s been a pleasant surprise for the keepers as she has shown very little maternal instincts in the past. She normally tends to keep to herself.
Yuli’s baby boy is doing well. Sometimes she forgets she’s holding him and just lets him dangle of her chest. Young female Batia also has a breeding recommendation.
The introductions are still continuing and going well. There is a lot of excitement at feeding times as they are all still figuring out where they fit in the troops hierarchy. Cheka can be very dominant and was taking on that role of dominant female when the two troops were separated.
Recently the zoo merged the two bonobo troops together. The whole idea behind the merging of the two troops was to allow for a more natural fission fusion system. The bonobos now have access to both indoor and outdoor areas allowing them to freely choose who they want to spend time with.
Maringa has shown to be very caring towards the younger individuals in the troop during the introductions. It’s been a pleasant surprise for the keepers as she has shown very little maternal instincts in the past. She normally tends to keep to herself.
Yuli’s baby boy is doing well. Sometimes she forgets she’s holding him and just lets him dangle of her chest. Young female Batia also has a breeding recommendation.
The introductions are still continuing and going well. There is a lot of excitement at feeding times as they are all still figuring out where they fit in the troops hierarchy. Cheka can be very dominant and was taking on that role of dominant female when the two troops were separated.
Mckenzie2000
Well-Known Member
Red ruffed lemur are back on show according to the zoo on their insider channel on Instagram, a positive turn of events given how the zoo have gone out of two primate species very recently, a major reversal of the trend seen in 2024 with the Greater Bamboo, tamarins and others joining/returning
Yes, I’d like to know if/when the Bonobos will get a new enclosure? Thanks
Pandaboi
Well-Known Member
Due to the change in management a couple of years ago the old 2030 masterplan you can find online is outdated. There are still plans to build new enclosures for the Bonobos and Gorillas. Currently, they are building the National Science & Conservation Centre as well as a new Bornean Orangutan enclosure (I’ve uploaded images onto the gallery).
The zoo has also been working on redeveloping other areas of the zoo that looked worn down. They always have smaller projects going on.
I’ve heard whispers of a Central African section next with new enclosures for the Bonobos and Gorillas. I can imagine this will be where the current ape enclosures are now so they are in the same space as the Chimpanzees. Obviously everything depends on the financial situation.
The zoo are also going to be phasing out some species that are not facing extinction to follow their current conservation strategy (75% of species to have a EEP with 60% of those listed as vulnerable or higher)
Twycross still claim to be the National Primate Centre due to their focus on primate care and conservation. The zoo hopes to start breeding all 4 great ape species consistently but before they can do that they need to construct new enclosures for the Orangutans and Gorillas as well as sort out the current issues within the Chimpanzee troop.
Where in the zoo are they
Pandaboi
Well-Known Member
A Cotton Top-Tamarin has joined the collection with more to arrive soon. They can be found in the enclosure next to the Bonobo house.
The capybara have moved into the vicuña enclosure as the vicuña have moved down the zoo into the former tapir enclosure.
Other May 2025 News + Piece of June / August 2025 News Not Mentioned:
On May 12th, the zoo announced they renovated the outdoor silvery gibbon exhibit, adding in new platforms and landscaping.
21K views · 182 reactions | EXCITING UPDATES... Last year, we welcomed our first new primate species to the zoo in OVER 10 years - our gorgeous pair of silvery gibbons We've recently given their outdoor habitat a makeover as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance spaces across the zoo Don't miss them in their new space on your next visit!! | Twycross Zoo
On May 13th, it was mentioned that the zoo transferred (0.2) Michie's tufted deer to Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire*.
On May 27th, the zoo officially announced they acquired the tarantula, as well as a giant Asian mantis and 2+ assassin bugs (species not specified), which are all on display in Gibbon Forest.
Twycross Zoo
On June 12th, it was announced that the zoo transferred (0.2) African spurred tortoises to Dortmund Zoo in Germany.
Zoo Dortmund
On August 7th, it was announced that the zoo acquired a female (0.1) Jamaican boa from Lakeland Wildlife Oasis in Cumbria on August 6th.
Lakeland Wildlife Oasis
*Information sourced from @Max Blundell in the ZSl Whipsnade Zoo News 2025 thread (Page 31 Post #607).
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On November 1st, the zoo announced that a Chilean flamingo hatched.
Twycross Zoo
On May 12th, the zoo announced they renovated the outdoor silvery gibbon exhibit, adding in new platforms and landscaping.
21K views · 182 reactions | EXCITING UPDATES... Last year, we welcomed our first new primate species to the zoo in OVER 10 years - our gorgeous pair of silvery gibbons We've recently given their outdoor habitat a makeover as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance spaces across the zoo Don't miss them in their new space on your next visit!! | Twycross Zoo
On May 13th, it was mentioned that the zoo transferred (0.2) Michie's tufted deer to Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire*.
On May 27th, the zoo officially announced they acquired the tarantula, as well as a giant Asian mantis and 2+ assassin bugs (species not specified), which are all on display in Gibbon Forest.
Twycross Zoo
On June 12th, it was announced that the zoo transferred (0.2) African spurred tortoises to Dortmund Zoo in Germany.
Zoo Dortmund
On August 7th, it was announced that the zoo acquired a female (0.1) Jamaican boa from Lakeland Wildlife Oasis in Cumbria on August 6th.
Lakeland Wildlife Oasis
*Information sourced from @Max Blundell in the ZSl Whipsnade Zoo News 2025 thread (Page 31 Post #607).
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On November 1st, the zoo announced that a Chilean flamingo hatched.
Twycross Zoo
I’m glad they’ve started on the new orangutan exhibit. Twycross certainly can claim they are the only zoo in the country with all 4 great apes but they can’t claim any of their enclosures are the best. They are all very small and sub-par by modern standards. Hopefully they can follow it with new gorilla and bonobo enclosures like you say, especially with the new spotlight on the future of great apes in zoos.
I dont "get" the whole capybara thing.
They've been in zoos forever, they aren't exotic or endangered, they do nothing except stand around looking gormless, and they don't even have a TV advert accidentally promoting them like the meerkats (washes mouth out with soap).
So many much more charismatic species to see.
They've been in zoos forever, they aren't exotic or endangered, they do nothing except stand around looking gormless, and they don't even have a TV advert accidentally promoting them like the meerkats (washes mouth out with soap).
So many much more charismatic species to see.