Tapirs moved out during the 90's to what is now the Lewche Paddock. They were then moved to their current location approx. 2002
The hornbills replaced them in the elephant house, I believe...
Chester Zoo Your First Memories Of Chester
- Thread starter ZooMania
- Start date
Tapirs moved out during the 90's to what is now the Lewche Paddock. They were then moved to their current location approx. 2002
The hornbills replaced them in the elephant house, I believe...
tahninial
Active Member
I'm almost certain the marmots were still in the lechwe paddock very late into the 90's, so "during the 90's" must have been like summer 98 at the earliest... they can't have been there too long in that case (though years is a long time either way, heh.)
Then again you probably know best lol. I will shut up
Yes, the tapirs must've been there in the late 90's. I've got most of the guide books from then, so i'll check the maps...
I think the marmots were given free reign on which paddocks they wanted to go into
I remember seeing a few pop up in the rhino paddocks then back into their own
I think the marmots were given free reign on which paddocks they wanted to go into
I remember seeing a few pop up in the rhino paddocks then back into their own
You lot make me feel ancient. I won't repeat everything I said in the other thread, but I can fill in a couple of points.
I first visited in the late fifties (when I was 7 or 8) - nearly 50 years ago now
I remember poring over the zoo map when I got home (no guide book in those days, just a map). I was most upset that we'd missed something: I remember complaining to my family 'we saw the buffalos, but we didn't see the buffet'
(I don't know why they called the restaurant that, perhaps it was a 50s thing).
There were originally two bear enclosures, where the children's playground, Mauritius kestrels and snowy owls are now. They were squarish concrete islands with a deep dry moat and a concrete back wall - quite small and very ugly. They held brown and Himalayan bears. The polar bears had quite a good enclosure, by the standards of the day, where the right hand half of the 'Europe on the Edge' aviary is now. The back wall of the polar bear enclosure and the raised walkway on the sea-lion's side are still in use.
The sun bears lived in the round enclosure where the yellow mongooses are now - right in front of the main entrance (which is now the staff entrance, of course). Bongorob posted a photo in the Gallery. The bear enclosure by Flag Lane, on the condor site, was built later for Kamchatka bears. It was basically a concrete wall around a concrete base with a pool. It was larger than the other bear enclosures, but no lovelier. If I remember rightly, you could walk all round the top of the wall.
At that time the Tropical Realm had not been built. There was just the chimp islands and their house was behind (there's an old photo of that in the Gallery too). The orangs, and eventually the gorillas, had the island nearest the camels, where the current chimp night quarters are.
I think the only animals which are still kept in the same places now are the lions, tigers, chimps and sea-lions - plus the owls and the aquarium; although of course the enclosures have all been modernised.
Alan
I first visited in the late fifties (when I was 7 or 8) - nearly 50 years ago now
I remember poring over the zoo map when I got home (no guide book in those days, just a map). I was most upset that we'd missed something: I remember complaining to my family 'we saw the buffalos, but we didn't see the buffet'
(I don't know why they called the restaurant that, perhaps it was a 50s thing).There were originally two bear enclosures, where the children's playground, Mauritius kestrels and snowy owls are now. They were squarish concrete islands with a deep dry moat and a concrete back wall - quite small and very ugly. They held brown and Himalayan bears. The polar bears had quite a good enclosure, by the standards of the day, where the right hand half of the 'Europe on the Edge' aviary is now. The back wall of the polar bear enclosure and the raised walkway on the sea-lion's side are still in use.
The sun bears lived in the round enclosure where the yellow mongooses are now - right in front of the main entrance (which is now the staff entrance, of course). Bongorob posted a photo in the Gallery. The bear enclosure by Flag Lane, on the condor site, was built later for Kamchatka bears. It was basically a concrete wall around a concrete base with a pool. It was larger than the other bear enclosures, but no lovelier. If I remember rightly, you could walk all round the top of the wall.
At that time the Tropical Realm had not been built. There was just the chimp islands and their house was behind (there's an old photo of that in the Gallery too). The orangs, and eventually the gorillas, had the island nearest the camels, where the current chimp night quarters are.
I think the only animals which are still kept in the same places now are the lions, tigers, chimps and sea-lions - plus the owls and the aquarium; although of course the enclosures have all been modernised.
Alan
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Writhedhornbill
Well-Known Member
Alan, do you have any pictures of the zoo when you were younger?
Any pictures of Chester zoo in the past will be appreciated...
Any pictures of Chester zoo in the past will be appreciated...
I have hundreds
But almost all of them are slides and so they will need scanning and photoshopping, so don't hold your breath
Alan
tahninial
Active Member
I have hundreds
But almost all of them are slides and so they will need scanning and photoshopping, so don't hold your breath
Alan
I would also love to see anything you have of the zoo, Alan. I am tempteds to scan them for you lol
Paulkarli08
Well-Known Member
How come Chester got rid of the brown bears? Did they just die of old age or where they just shipped out? I personally think that the condors are a waste of a good space, which would be good for a pair of snow leopards or something. Each time I've seen the condors, they've never moved off their perches. Do they actually breed anyway or are they just a surplus pair?
What sex ratio of cheetahs are Chester getting also, anyone know?
What sex ratio of cheetahs are Chester getting also, anyone know?
Snow leopards would be a very attractive species, but wouldn't fit the current zoning scheme.
I believe the condors have bred (DNS? Rob could possibly tell you more) but haven't done so for a while.
Finally, if I remember correctly Chester is getting 3.3, or at least they hoped to (it is definately 6 animals though)
I think the bears died from old age.
The condors have bred
1985 1.1 (0.1 DNS)
1986 0.2
1987 2.1
1989 0.1
1990 1.0
1992 1.0
1993 1.0
1994 1.0 DNS
1998 0.1
The male condor has been in captivity since 1957 and could be too old to breed. I agree the exhibit is a bit of a disappointment. All the breedings apart from 1998 were achieved in the old aviary which was far smaller, and allowed the public to get close up.
The cheetahs should be 3.3
The condors have bred
1985 1.1 (0.1 DNS)
1986 0.2
1987 2.1
1989 0.1
1990 1.0
1992 1.0
1993 1.0
1994 1.0 DNS
1998 0.1
The male condor has been in captivity since 1957 and could be too old to breed. I agree the exhibit is a bit of a disappointment. All the breedings apart from 1998 were achieved in the old aviary which was far smaller, and allowed the public to get close up.
The cheetahs should be 3.3
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Paulkarli08
Well-Known Member
Oh right, thanks for that. Shame about the zoning and all that. I remember the zoo having cheetahs in the Pudu paddock and the cassowary ones, and i vaguely remember a hand raised one being in the Pudu paddock.
Think it was a shame the zoo got rid of the Servals as well, they were an attractive display. Did they die of old age or just not required in breeding programmes anymore and sent elsewhere?
Any more news on Asha being pregnant? If she doesn't conceive, do you think she will be replaced with another lioness? They should have a pair of lionesses really, make it look more of a pride system instead of your standard 1:1 lions. I mean if Edinburgh can do it, why can't Chester!!
(Have to apologise if you all get fed up of me going on about the lions, i am slightly obcessed with them!, I've always loved the Asiatic lions at Chester, and always enjoy seeing the cubs, although i never got the chance to see Tejas.. too occupied trying to teach demonic 14-16 no hoper school kids about Animal Care! I know where i'd rather be though!)
Think it was a shame the zoo got rid of the Servals as well, they were an attractive display. Did they die of old age or just not required in breeding programmes anymore and sent elsewhere?
Any more news on Asha being pregnant? If she doesn't conceive, do you think she will be replaced with another lioness? They should have a pair of lionesses really, make it look more of a pride system instead of your standard 1:1 lions. I mean if Edinburgh can do it, why can't Chester!!
(Have to apologise if you all get fed up of me going on about the lions, i am slightly obcessed with them!, I've always loved the Asiatic lions at Chester, and always enjoy seeing the cubs, although i never got the chance to see Tejas.. too occupied trying to teach demonic 14-16 no hoper school kids about Animal Care! I know where i'd rather be though!)
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
They laid an egg but the male smashed it and eat it,i believe at the moment the stud book has said they can bred from the pair but only if they are parent reared,the female Condor at Flamingoland is one of the youngsters bred at Chester she origanaly went somewhere in europe but Flamingoland got her from Rotterdam.The Cheetahs should be 3.3.As for the Brown Bears i think they were an old pair and they just let them die out.
No breedings have been listed in the annual report since 1998.
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
No but they have laid eggs in the new enclosure just none have hatched thanks to the male.