Chester Zoo Philippines exhibits and Zoo Days

Susan Humphreys

Susan Humphreys

Well-Known Member
Sorry if this is posted elsewhere but saw an advert for series 2 of Zoo Days starting on Channel 5 Monday.
Also, again apologies if already covered - but what is happening with the area at the side of Chester's Twilight Zone? When I was there last weekend there were two enclosures for Philippine horn bills and deer and a shelter with pictures from the islands in it and no beasties and a fair bit of unused ground. It's too far down for where the new walkway comes in.
Thanks
Susan
P.S Whereabouts are they talking of putting 'Origins' and has work been delayed on it?
 
that unused land is going to be used for the bridge (it stetches down a long way...)

Is there a hornbill aviary there?? I know there is pictures representing philippine species, but I thought it was just for the deer...

I had heard origins was going to be close to the current aquarium (pure speculation probably) but it has been postponed...
 
I keep saying this but can we all forget about Origins for the time been as it is very much ON HOLD at the moment and i have know idea when that will change as last i heardvthe zoo was only going to be building small projects for the next few years.
 
I know this is off topic for this particular thread, but following on from the previous comment I think it's a real shame that they've postponed the new aquarium. It is the thing which in my opinion most desperately needs changing/updating. I think it lets the zoo down in comparison to other exhibits.
Obviously it's been good for breeding, but it's old, pretty cramped for the visitors at busy times, not a huge amount on display, and just doesn't look very inspiring.
Along with the old orang utan house it was the thing which (to me) stood out as having had its day.
I think leaving it for a few more years is the wrong thing to do... it should be a priority.

Susan, thanks for the tip about the new series of Zoo Days.
 
Tempest said:
I know this is off topic for this particular thread, but following on from the previous comment I think it's a real shame that they've postponed the new aquarium. It is the thing which in my opinion most desperately needs changing/updating. I think it lets the zoo down in comparison to other exhibits.
Obviously it's been good for breeding, but it's old, pretty cramped for the visitors at busy times, not a huge amount on display, and just doesn't look very inspiring.
Along with the old orang utan house it was the thing which (to me) stood out as having had its day.
I think leaving it for a few more years is the wrong thing to do... it should be a priority.

Susan, thanks for the tip about the new series of Zoo Days.
Click to expand...

With the uncertainty in the economy, am not surprised they have suspend all major projects! If things do get bad the zoo will need all the money it has and can get to keep the place running for the animals.

The old orang-utan house is still about, and there is reminders all around the zoo of its past.
 
Are there really Hornbills next to the Philippine Deer, i never really look at the deer in that part of the zoo.
 
ZooMania said:
Are there really Hornbills next to the Philippine Deer, i never really look at the deer in that part of the zoo.
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As I said earlier, I doubt it.

There is a large sign 'advertising' chester's work in the philippines and this has pictures of the deer, pigs and hornbills on (It may even have had the crocs on...) I guess the original poster must've thought it was an animal information sign...:confused:

Unless of course, they've built an aviary very recently...
 
Both enclosures were empty (or seemed to be) - I think I took pics of them but will double check. I am pretty sure the signs said hornbills (the one on the left?) and deer (on the right?). :)
I've never been to that little bit of the zoo before - and I've been to Chester plenty of times - but someone else went that way and I was curious as to why - and I also wanted to take photos of the walkway.
Did you go the zoo Bongorob?
Oh I hope I'm right - I've a reputation to build on this forum you know - and I've already stuck my foot in it by mentioning that which must not be mentioned - :o
Susan!
drmidas.co.uk
 
The area by the Philippine Spotted Deer was closed today. Maintenance staff were removing shrubs with a tractor and loading them on to a lorry. There are no hornbill aviaries and the ground has been cleared apart from a small tree or two. The bridge from the lions is now complete as far as Flag Lane. They're probably going to start the other half and then put the Flag Lane crossing bit in last to connect it all up.

Still no activity on the site of the Butterfly House.

The long aviary for the Java Sparrows and Weavers only seemed to contain a single Diamond Dove.

No animals were visible at Asian Plains but a presenter told me that Patna has been put into the offshow area as he is damaging the paddock, whichj resembles a ploughed field in parts. Now didn't someone say an Indian rhino on grass was not a great idea in the winter?

The spider monkey indoor accommodation was closed. No reason was given.
 
bongorob said:
No animals were visible at Asian Plains but a presenter told me that Patna has been put into the offshow area as he is damaging the paddock, whichj resembles a ploughed field in parts. Now didn't someone say an Indian rhino on grass was not a great idea in the winter?
Click to expand...

Now they have a pair of Indian rhinos the paddock will take double the punishment and it will get far worse as they mature. Whipsnade's original Indian rhino paddock was similar sized (maybe even a bit bigger)- it was a morass of wet (winter) or baked dry(summer) churned up mud throughout the year- no grass could grow in it at all.... I imagine the ungulates will have to leave Chester's paddock eventually unless the rhinos are moved elsewhere..
 
Where will they go though??

The only place i can think of is the paddock which is sometimes used by the oryx and zebras. Basically the paddock opposite the pere david deer.
 
Ive always thought the Brow-antlered Deer and Blackbuck (Asian plains) exhibit was very attractive and was rather surprised when the rhino was introduced. But it seems the indoor accomodation for the rhinos is permanent so this is essentially a rhino enclosure now...
 
Pertinax said:
Ive always thought the Brow-antlered Deer and Blackbuck (Asian plains) exhibit was very attractive and was rather surprised when the rhino was introduced. But it seems the indoor accomodation for the rhinos is permanent so this is essentially a rhino enclosure now...
Click to expand...

I was going to say more or less the same thing. I doubt that Chester would have gone to so much trouble to build a temporary rhino house.
 
I think it's a drainage issue. The mound in the centre of paddock is in good condition because the water runs off. But the low part alongside the public path was a real mess when I visited three weeks ago: Patna was having to be very careful in the deep mud near his wallow.
It has been pretty wet in the past year, so I suppose they can't do much until it dries out in the summer (*touches wood* :)). Installing extra land drains might mean they have to deepen the pools a little too, but I think two adult rhinos (plus anything else they run with them) will need a firmer footing.

Alan
 
Its such a shame as depsite not being a particular big attraction and being gnored by a lot of visitors. The Original asian plains was a lovely sight but in thery was probably deemed as boring by the average visitor
 
Regarding deeming things as boring with hopes the animals by localistion wave thats slowly coming to effect will improve that happening

West Zoo has never fared too well in comparison to East, theyre pimping it good but theres still a hell of a lot of paddocks of things that dont excite the average chav mother and gang of school kids
 
tahninial said:
Regarding deeming things as boring with hopes the animals by localistion wave thats slowly coming to effect will improve that happening

West Zoo has never fared too well in comparison to East, theyre pimping it good but theres still a hell of a lot of paddocks of things that dont excite the average chav mother and gang of school kids
Click to expand...

...which makes West Zoo a great place to be at lunchtime ;)

Most of the typical visitors are usually at the playground, the restaurants or the primates at that time. Even Tsavo is quieter than most places...
 
The quiter parts of the zoo for me are the best parts. The far end of the zoo which has Bongo, Rare Parrot Breeding Area, Otters, Red Pandas and Owls aswell as the paddocks on the west zoo and the area which has Ruffed Lemurs are all little gems of the zoo which the average visitor forgets about.
 
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