Colchester Zoo Orang Utan Evening

karenZOO

karenZOO

Well-Known Member
Had a brilliant time last night at the Orang Utan Evening At Colchester! I would highly recommend anyone going to one of their do's :D Managed to sneak some time alone with Rajang on the pretense of using the toilet lol till I got thrown out :p

Was lovely to meet Andiii !!

Only disappointment was Lone not being there she had to fly back early with visa problems although we did get Dr Dave :D who gave a talk and slide show of pictures to start the evening.

Then had a tour of keeper area and then the outside enclosure!
It was huge from inside you really get no idea of the size and height of it from the viewing area. It didn't feel at all like you were in a pit and was very warm and sheltered.

Then a very funny training session with Rajang who decided he would not join in !

We then went to the sealion tunnel to watch a scatter feed, then it was a chance to hold some insects ( I am sure Andiii could tell you which ones I was frozen with fear) Like the boa tho :D

Then had a fantastic meal the food was top class (also the bottle of wine I had to myself was good) Had Dominque Tropeano behind me so was trying to ease drop lol Had Gemma one of the keepers come and sit with us and had aright laugh!

I was surprised to learn that Rajang and Tiga have access to the outside area all night, Tiga was very active all night and even the keepers were surprised by this. Rajang got very over excited :D

Then there was a talk from BOS with slides and videos and a cheque from the zoo!

Followed by an auction which Andiii did very well in and luckily my partner got outbid after going up to £300 for one lot lol

All in all a fantastic evening and I am sure I will remember some more animal related stuff shortly :rolleyes:

I will post some photos
 
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The sheer height of the 'climbing frames' were very impressive although I think the space could have been better used by moving the 'cave' to the side (the cave is heated) and building a more joined up structure.

The pond also looks a lot better at ground level.

The bark gave a surprisingly firm surface and not at all mucky or smelly :p

I asked Gemma about planting in the outside area and she said that Tiga had been trying to destroy the pond planting so they are waiting to see what he does! Also spoke of Rajangs gardening and replanting habits :D
 
Thanks Gigit it was soooo good

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Dinner with the Orang Utans
The area actually made a brilliant venue (except a little warm or maybe that was the asian food and the wine!)
Would make a brilliant wedding venue, what with the church (ruins) outside, me and Gemma did discuss this with my partner who DID NOT AGREE :eek: :D :p
 
Sounds like a really great evening ....... I hope they do another one and maybe I'll get to go then. This time, whenever I hinted about it to my partner, he kept saying "but my mum can't babysit then" :rolleyes: ...... but I wasn't necessarily talking about taking him as well, I'd have been quite happy to go on my own !

I was a bit put off by the cost .... but from what you've described it does sound like a proper 'experience' and with a decent meal as well.

Shame about Lone - but I'm happy I wasn't mistaken about seeing her on Friday, and can now name drop with 100% confidence ! How frustrating to have come all that way - presumably to give a talk - and then have to return early.

Interesting to learn they can go outside all night ...... and that Tiga was very active. What do you mean about Rajang getting 'over excited' though ?? ...... would love to hear more, he usually appears so calm and considered.
 
Must admit was a little disappointed it wasn't Lone and you were soooo lucky to have seen and spoken to her.

Rajang was climbing about watching everything that was going on - they are usually on there own from 5 pm so must have been very strange watching the room being set up and people.

When doing (or not doing) the training session there was approximately 30 people in the small corridor behinsd the sleeping quarters! He was going from one inside area to the next looking at everyone and poor jez was trying to coax his interest. At one time he was calling to an elderly lady he had taken a fancy to! Fantastic to hear you don't usually get that through the glass :D

I think it was excellent value at £50 a head, given the amount and quality of food (3 courses with wine) without all the other
 
Actually, that's a very good reason for going to something like this ...... with all the unusual activity going on outside that they don't usually see, it's very likely that the orangs would be more active.
 
It is all coming back to me SLOWLY lol

Asian Pond Turtles - lots of mating they did think the female had eggs but xrayed her and none as yet.

Chimps - area to be revamped and extended into the monkey enclosure at front, not sure if whole area including walkthrough, I should imagine so otherwise hardly worth it. The lovely plastic rock has underfloor heating! This will happen during winter season, when the chimps are using the inside area.
 
Here here Karen - I'm back!!!! Spend most of Saturday and Sunday with my fav guy (and Tiga) too! He seems to have been in a much better mood, far more interactive than my last visit!! What a great evening, I really enjoyed it, I knew it would be good though after the Primate Evening. The food was excellent and I'm NOT a fan of anything spicy - the rice pudding was to die for!!! :o) I wish I'd taken a doggie bag!! :o) The enclosure was transformed and as Karen says makes an excellent venue - all very well presented and planned out - mind you, the preparations started at 3pm as I went to say bye to Rajy and it was closed! All the staff involved did an excellent job - full credit to them!

It was fantastic to hear how excited Rajy was with his vocal greetings that he gave when we went into the back for his 'training' which he didn't want to do with all his fav fans lined up - he was so excited!!!! I was just asking his Keeper Paula that day if he ever made any vocal noises and there it was!!

The outside enclosure is deceptively large as is the inside one when you go in. The wood shavings uses a new bio-friendly method of rotting down and producing protective bacteria etc rather than having a cold stone floor which needs disinfected. Lots of research has gone into it in other zoos etc. Sorry I'm not more specific with the details - bit complex for my requoting!! As Karen mentioned, Rajy DOES like to do his onw 'landscape' rearranging which we saw one visit first hand!

Such a shame not to have met Lone, that would have really iced the cake. What is even more annoying is we headed down there the day before and called in at Duxford Museum on Friday (my partner's request) - the day Lone was at Colchester Zoo ...... grrrrrrrrrr!!! Lovely to talk to Grainne though as I've spoke to her on Facebook several times.

I was determined to bid at the auctions this time after beating myself up after the Primate Evening for not doing so! So, I came away with Keeper for Day with Paula, Rajy's Head Keeper and my 'Orangutan Art' drawing by Choklat! It's growing on me .... to think an orang drew it all the way from Borneo!! ha ha! It was the adoption pack that clinched it as I wanted to adopt a 2nd one after adopting Kesi. Great to see Dr Dave after watching him on Orang Diaries. Shame about you missing the last one Karen but the last ones went sky high at the Primate Eve - panic i think! I do think they should have done Rajy and Tiga Adoptions though as they did last time. It was so good to see the cheque (and subsequent auction proceeds) going to BOS as they are desparate for donations to keep up their excellent work, currently they are battling fires - some very close to the sanctuaries - now that would be disasterous if got out of hand.

Rajy was so excited all evening and loved the company and fuss. He looked sort of sad stood there as everyone had gone at the end because his party was over!! It was all too much for Tiga, who was asleep (one eye open so not to miss much though!!) at the back of the enclosure.

Yes, a very thouroughly enjoyable evening all round. I didn't taken many photos but will check to see if I've anything not covered by Karen (which I don't think I have).
 
KarenZoo said:
Chimps - area to be revamped and extended into the monkey enclosure at front, not sure if whole area including walkthrough, I should imagine so otherwise hardly worth it. The lovely plastic rock has underfloor heating! This will happen during winter season, when the chimps are using the inside area.
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Now that is really good news ...... I've long thought the chimp area looks shabby and that the outside area should be larger, and with higher climbing/swinging opportunities. I hope - :rolleyes: - that this time the enclosure is made more naturalistic, with more planting (instead of a tiny patch of grass in the corner) and that not too much emphasis is given to the faux rock Colchester is so fond of. It would be great if the height of the enclosure (for climbing) could be raised but somehow I feel it won't be ....... given the proximity of the area to other exhibits and the difficulty in securing it if, for example, the chimps were given structures, say, as tall as those the main troop of colobus monkeys enjoy. We shall see ............. guess this means the L'hoest monkeys will be moving too.
 
'Such a shame not to have met Lone, that would have really iced the cake. What is even more annoying is we headed down there the day before and called in at Duxford Museum on Friday (my partner's request)'
You have to let them have there own way sometimes after spending endless hours in Orang Utan Forest :p :rolleyes:

That last lot my partner was bidding on for himself lol glad he stopped at £300 :eek: I can think of better ways I can spend his money lol :D
 
karenZOO said:
'Such a shame not to have met Lone, that would have really iced the cake. What is even more annoying is we headed down there the day before and called in at Duxford Museum on Friday (my partner's request)'
You have to let them have there own way sometimes after spending endless hours in Orang Utan Forest :p :rolleyes:

That last lot my partner was bidding on for himself lol glad he stopped at £300 :eek: I can think of better ways I can spend his money lol :D
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Yes I know you are right but boy, does he pick his days!! :( At least he likes Rajy and Tiga, I hate planes!! LOL. :D

As for your partner's bidding for himself - I'm sure you would have won your way round winging it off him!!! Ha ha. It just flew that one though - it would be a great experience as Jess is an absolute scream! maybe next year ......
 
Oh Karen oh Andii I'm also so jealous! lol I must say what a great evening you had. I have indeed felt its time the Chimp enclousre got changed and I'm pleased to hear it is.

I tryed to meet Andii on the primate evening but failed to. When I do see you I'll have to say my name in my personal way.:D:eek::p

I'm doing elepahnt enrichment on wild animal day. I've been before I've done:small mamals, carnivores and the great apes. My sister has done it too and she did the aquaatic animals the day I couldn't come as I was on a North Wales hikeing weekend with my School.

I'll come next time.:cool:
 
:D
Goretex said:
Oh Karen oh Andii I'm also so jealous! lol I must say what a great evening you had. I have indeed felt its time the Chimp enclousre got changed and I'm pleased to hear it is.

I tryed to meet Andii on the primate evening but failed to. When I do see you I'll have to say my name in my personal way.:D:eek::p

I'm doing elepahnt enrichment on wild animal day. I've been before I've done:small mamals, carnivores and the great apes. My sister has done it too and she did the aquaatic animals the day I couldn't come as I was on a North Wales hikeing weekend with my School.

I'll come next time.:cool:
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Yep you missed a good evening but hey, I won't rub it in anymore!! LOL. :D I didn't realise you were at the Primate Eve but I don't think you had joined the forum then had you?? As for you saying your name in your 'personal way' - you defo got me intrigued there! ha ha! It's a small world when you think - the Internet makes it smaller!
 
Don't worry Andii!:)

I had seen Zoo Chat then and did regulaly visit it. It was about then when I decided I'd join but it was somewhat later when I visited I thought it'd be a lot harder.:o
 
Andiii can you remember how many dead bodies they said they dug up to build orang utan forest :D :eek: was telling someone about it but couldn't remember exact number ??

Did they say there was 600 not disturbed yet lol ?
 
karenZOO said:
Andiii can you remember how many dead bodies they said they dug up to build orang utan forest :D :eek: was telling someone about it but couldn't remember exact number ??

Did they say there was 600 not disturbed yet lol ?
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Dead bodies...? I was aware that there was a church in the zoo grounds but didn't know there was a whole graveyard with it!
 
karenZOO said:
Andiii can you remember how many dead bodies they said they dug up to build orang utan forest :D :eek: was telling someone about it but couldn't remember exact number ??

Did they say there was 600 not disturbed yet lol ?
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Sorry - can't remember off-hand - will ask Allan when he gets in - I remember something about it was for poor folk as it didn't get much sun so they were buried close together! The ones disturbed were re-buried at the local church I think??? I was too engrossed in getting my photo near the heated cave at that point I think!! LOL. :)
 
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