Really are you sure?
Chessington Zoo Chessington World of Adventures 2025
- Thread starter tennisfan
- Start date
I think when the gorilla's do move it will be a bit closer to home.
That is the plan, Taronga recvied their troop from Apenheul in 1999, so the transfer is certainly doable.
The 2 challenges,
construction of a Hollets inspired enclosure
& importation process.
Will definatley let you know when we break ground on the exhibit.
The 2 challenges,
construction of a Hollets inspired enclosure
& importation process.
Will definatley let you know when we break ground on the exhibit.
Yes, this is what I’ve heard too! But I didn’t mention it until now as I wasn’t fully sure if it was true.
If this rumour is true it will be interesting to see if Longleat move the bachelor group on, or if a second gorilla enclosure is to be built?
I presume having two silverbacks in enclosures next door to each other wouldn’t work? An enclosure accessible via the foot-safari would be nice. I highly doubt this but could a water moated enclosure be built in the drive through safari?
Why would the whole troop of gorillas be moving to Longleat for ?
Have heard this also, will mean the longleat gorilla's moving on also.
Usually nowadays EEP recommends holders of gorillas should build any new accomodation to allow a male group to be held as well as a male/female group. (I refrain from saying 'breeding' as this is often curtailed nowadays) If this was to happen at Longleat they could build adjacent accomodation for the second group so that they couldn't see each other. Silverbacks from different groups having sight lines with each other does usually cause elements of stress. Or alternatively do a new build in a different site altogether.
I haven't seen the existing accomodation at Longleat but assume it was built just for the existing group of 4 (was 5) males and further housing would be needed.
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Yes, Bristol Zoo Project are building a double gorilla house, as stipulated by the EEP.
As Chessington are most probably, as with the recent departure of lions and tiger, moving the gorillas on and no longer keeping any.
Are they, where has this been published?
I equally wonder over this rumour, ... for now I will treat it as just a rumour unless management at Chessington or other facility communicate anything to back it up!
For what it is worth, I see Chessington emptying out of animals ... which is a sorry loss for the zoo world and becoming a profit driven fairly bland attraction park.
It was originally mentioned along with the rumour the Tiger and Lions would be leaving also. They have done, so I'm inclined to think the Gorillas will as well. Their Howletts-style cage is virtually substandard nowadays and they seem unwilling to undertake expensive new housing for them.
It has certainly been designed to house two groups-at least if need be. The outside area has a large dividing wall.
The plan isn't to do away with the animals at Chessington, what they are doing makes sense in putting them all in one area away from the rides. The zoo wont be going anywhere in the short to mid term future that's for sure.
Pantherinae
Active Member
Yorkshire Wildlife Park are also planning similar, one house in two sections, a main reserve and a second reserve for a bachelor group. I wonder if there will be any moves here?
You can see the dividing wall in the plan and on the drone shot:
Although not specifically stated in the written info available, it follows the EEP Guidance to do so for any future use.
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Lafone
Well-Known Member
Planning applications from 2021 etc had a suggesiton of gorillas at YWP but it went quiet since and the area currently has animatronic dinosaurs. Is there an update that the plans are now going ahead? I didn't think they had that sort of money to spend at the moment with the other expansions they've done though obviously nice if they did.
Pantherinae
Active Member
The area of land between Experience Ethiopia and Pangea is planned for gorillas. I think the most recent planning application was submitted in 2023. It’d be the second largest exhibit at the park after Project Polar. From memory, there would be space to house 11 individuals. The plans seem to have been on hold due to finances, but I believe the long term plan is still for gorillas at YWP.