Twycross Zoo Twycross Zoo News 2011 #1

[Malayan Tapir]

Other twycross news is that there are 2.2 newly arrived Variegated Spider Monkey (Ateles hybridus) onshow in the quarantine house near the gibbons.

And in the Aviaries around the back of the tropical house, there are now 2 Tawny Frogmouths onshow

 

[robmv]

Firstly, apologies to zoogiraffe for not being able to go yesterday when we could have met up!

I was there on Thursday: poor planning zoochatters! I was horrified to find a queue stretching out of the main building and around the side of the aviary to where the temporary entrance was situated. Thankfully I managed to bypass the queue and the zoo itself wasn't too bad once people had dispersed over a larger area.

I completely failed to notice the De Brazza's Guenons. Last time I was there the Spectacled Langurs had access to the old Phayre's enclosure and on Thursday the house was closed (in hindsight, probably due to the new arrivals) so I didn't pay too much attention.

Considering the number of unusual guenon species that Twycross keep, it's surprising that they have been without De Brazza's for so long (they had some in the 1980s).

 

[Maguari]

Other twycross news is that there are 2.2 newly arrived Variegated Spider Monkey (Ateles hybridus) onshow in the quarantine house near the gibbons

Did see those (in near-silhouette) through the little windows at the side of the house but wasn't sure which species they were! Cheers!

 

[Shorts]

Other twycross news is that there are 2.2 newly arrived Variegated Spider Monkey (Ateles hybridus) onshow in the quarantine house near the gibbons.

And in the Aviaries around the back of the tropical house, there are now 2 Tawny Frogmouths onshow

The Spider Monkeys have been there since New Year (I saw them then, but wasn't sure which species they were).

Tawny Frogmouth, yay! another personal favorite of mine.

 

[mazfc]

The Spider Monkeys have been there since New Year (I saw them then, but wasn't sure which species they were).

Tawny Frogmouth, yay! another personal favorite of mine.

Yes the spider monkeys have been there for a month or so. I had to go and have a nosey as I had no idea what they were as they appear to be a brown colour.

The meerkat on her own has been separated before she moves to another collection (I don't know where though).

I asked a keeper about Biddy and she's on a diet! bless her!

I was there Friday and it was very busy, but the lady in the cafe said that Thursday had been unbelievably busy.

I also saw quite a bit of the snow leopards. They are really comfortable with each other now and were playing and 'flirting' for a while, including splashing water at each other

 

[robmv]

The Spider Monkeys have been there since New Year

A little longer even; I saw them on 5th December last year. At the time I was more concerned about the apparent lack of Lesser Spot-nosed Guenons which have thankfully now reappeared elsewhere.

 

[Rothschildi]

Appears a large percentage of the indoor enclosures for the primates have now had bark put down and signifcant amount of branch work placed inside. A number of the enclosures were a bit steamed up from the wet bark but its nice to see the zoo adapting the enclosures for the better.

 

[Bele]

Appears a large percentage of the indoor enclosures for the primates have now had bark put down and signifcant amount of branch work placed inside. A number of the enclosures were a bit steamed up from the wet bark but its nice to see the zoo adapting the enclosures for the better.

That is quite a significant move for the better . Up until this it seems to me that the indoor enclosures have been scrubbed and then a handful of sawdust scattered about on the floor .

 

[Shorts]

More Twycross Exasperation!

Sorry the record's stuck again......

Anyone else on their (Twycross') e-mail list got the new e-mail survey asking opinions on how best to integrate art into the zoo?

Why I'm not against "art in zoos", which can inform and improve visitor experiences, I consider it fairly low down on the list of things Twycross need to focus on. Somewhere (way) below improving enclosures, getting decent labelling throughout and sorting out the roads and car park once and for all.

The cynic in me wonders if they've got sniff of a grant from the Arts Council and are desperately chasing funds? If so, I fear it resulting in another compromised hybrid, to please funding parties, like the entrance building.

 

[Goretex]

The cynic in me wonders if they've got sniff of a grant from the Arts Council and are desperately chasing funds? If so, I fear it resulting in another compromised hybrid, to please funding parties, like the entrance building.

i really hope not!! Oh that stupid zoo doing trivia when they should be overhauling bad enclosures!!!

 

[AgileGibbon]

Ah jeez, they've already got too much 'art' with that ridiculous dirt track with the irrlevant sri lankan stuff dotted along it.
I can't understand why they don't do more work on the exhibits, I personally like the himalaya building, and the enclosure for the snow leopards seems rather good.
They have proved that they can make good enclosures/exhibits, I can't help but wonder if they get bored halfway through sorting the place out.

 

[Nisha]

According to the article in the link below (translation at the bottom), 0:5 Meerkat have left Twycross for Zoo Brno, Czech Republic
Do Brna se st?hují surikaty z Anglie - Denik.cz

Moving to Brno in meerkats AnglieBrno - Five new female meerkats arrives March 2 to the Brno Zoo.

February 24, 2011 21:28.

African beast surikaty.Autor: Archives VLPMalé beasts born in England in Twycross Zoo to revive the local breed. Meerkats enclosure is one of the most popular visitor stops the city zoo.

Brno zoo is trying to extend the small pack of beasts three years. "The meerkats are hard to bring individuals, it usually ends the fight and the death of one animal. So the number is more reduced. Therefore, we take the whole group, "said zoo director Marek Hovorka, Brno. The current population is getting older meerkats in Brno, and cats in zoos are losing.

They will go into quarantine
Half a year old from England meerkats spend the first weeks of stay in Brno in the sandbox. Visitors to the zoo but is seen in March. "I wonder how females react to our new male. We'll keep our fingers crossed, "said Hovorka

 

[TARZAN]

Sorry the record's stuck again......

Anyone else on their (Twycross') e-mail list got the new e-mail survey asking opinions on how best to integrate art into the zoo?

Why I'm not against "art in zoos", which can inform and improve visitor experiences, I consider it fairly low down on the list of things Twycross need to focus on. Somewhere (way) below improving enclosures, getting decent labelling throughout and sorting out the roads and car park once and for all.

The cynic in me wonders if they've got sniff of a grant from the Arts Council and are desperately chasing funds? If so, I fear it resulting in another compromised hybrid, to please funding parties, like the entrance building.

How about a state of the art chimp house? that would be a good idea.

 

[Maguari]

According to the Twycross Twitter feed, 20 Seba's Bats are moving to West Midland Safari Park tomorrow. I've not been through the Tropical House for ages, but I don't remember a very large group - does anyone know what proportion of the bats this would be? It's not inconceivable it could be the whole group.

 

[Malayan Tapir]

According to the Twycross Twitter feed, 20 Seba's Bats are moving to West Midland Safari Park tomorrow. I've not been through the Tropical House for ages, but I don't remember a very large group - does anyone know what proportion of the bats this would be? It's not inconceivable it could be the whole group.

There are upwards of 100 bats in the bat cave at the moment

 

[Maguari]

There are upwards of 100 bats in the bat cave at the moment

Really? Yikes, wouldn't think there was room! (well, I suppose there may not be as they're looking to ship some out)

They've actually just posted a new update saying that the bats are now not moving just yet due to logistical reasons.

 

[AgileGibbon]

Wondering where they left the nets?

 

[Shorts]

How about a state of the art chimp house? that would be a good idea.

Absolutely (though I'm not opening the book on that debate again). I'd settle for an expanded and/or improved enclosure for the solo Siamang next to Jane & Smiler over carrying out a survey on "art in the zoo" or acting on it.

Anything animal welfare related should come before high-minded "art" concepts. I really don't think a resident zoo artist, commissioned art or art exhibitions will enhance the experience of 99% of visitors who'll be wondering why a zoo currently costing (due to seasonal discounts) more to visit than Chester Zoo has so little to offer in comparison and has so many underwhelming enclosures.

To clarify, Twycross (per the website) is £14.50, the current comparable Chester price is £14 (though £16 and £17 in mid & high season).

 

[Maguari]

To clarify, Twycross (per the website) is £14.50, the current comparable Chester price is £14 (though £16 and £17 in mid & high season).

Off-topic rather but Chester's £17 peak price sounds expensive until you see Whipsnade and London Zoos' peak prices of £19.50 and £20.50 respectively...

 

[Shorts]

Off-topic rather but Chester's £17 peak price sounds expensive until you see Whipsnade and London Zoos' peak prices of £19.50 and £20.50 respectively...

Even more off topic, don't forget the parking or "take your car in costs" at those two either (that's a further £4 to £17, per car, depending on the option taken). And if you choose the £4 car parking option at Whipsnade it costs extra to take the train around the Asian reserves.