Chester Zoo Small news at Chester Zoo

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yes, I remember the quite big story the zoo made about them in the magazine. I think they should get their own 'wing' in Islands in Danger (similar to Dragons in Danger).

Perhaps you could walk through Dragons in Danger, then go into the tortoise wing rather than go straight outside. An outdoor area could adjoin the Komodo Dragon outdoor area...

They have become one of the most popular animals inside the tropical realm in my opinion.
 
Have they??

If you ask me i'd say that there getting as much attention as the other Tortoises, though people do tend to comment on how large they are.
 
Well, I think the other tortoises have become popular due to the galapagos. People notice the big tortoises then notice the smaller ones in the back. It may be wrong however...
 
I have just received a letter title "Special Edition Adopters Pack".

The last sentence intrigues me: -

"New for 2008. We have a number of new developments for 2008 including the return of the Cheetah to the collection, new African Aviaries and the introduction of Philippine Crocodiles."

1) 'the' Cheetah - so an individual rather than the species is returning - surely not - would be over 20 years old by now ?

2) 'African Aviaries' - new one on me - never even heard a rumour !

3) no mention of either i. the Butterfly House or ii. the further development of the entrance - I wonder of these ideas have been scrubbed ?

The only Orangutan mentioned by name is the Sumatra female Emma; as she has recently given birth. I still have this nervous feeling that Chester may stop keeping the Borneo; though they do keep denying this !
 
Zoospud, I doubt they'll stop keeping Borneans, they recently bought in a new male, Tuan from Antwerp and there is more facilities being constructed on the old island.

The African Aviaries are going to be in the Tsavo area, however there is no definate species list or location yet (that I know of) They have been vaguely mentioned on these forums.

It is definately 3.3 cheetahs arriving, the carnivore head of section told me directly at a member's day in October.

I have a feeling the butterfly house has been postponed. It was meant to open at easter but the crane has not left the old maned wolf paddock yet and there is no sign of construction.

I think the entrance is meant to be a gradual development i.e. little bits added each year.
 
The most exciting news from Chester is the birth of a babirusa which is now almost three weeks old and thriving.

The eastern section of the bridge is open and gives an excellent view of the anoa island. It seems that it will be possible to view the offshow Philippine Spotted Deer from the other half when it is completed.

The cheetah breeding pens are up and 3.3 North African Cheetahs are due to arrive early in May. The males will occupy the southern enclosure and the females the northern one while they complete their quarantine. They are being imported from Saudi Arabia.

Marwell have placed a male Okapi on short term breeding loan for 6 months, and a second Rothschild's Giraffe calf is expected in April. A new female is coming from Blair Drummond to join the Chester herd.

Other animals due to arrive this year include 0.1 Eastern Bongo, 0.1 Onager and 0.2 Bactrian Camels.

A baby bongo is expected soon and intriguingly the keeper I spoke to informed me that the bongos were to be moved to a completely new enclosure in the centre of the zoo.

The island for Orang Utan Sibu is surrounded by a tall wooden pole fence, so he will only be visible if he climbs a tree. Opposite this is a new picnic area adjacent to the Chilean Flamingo house.

Work is progressing on the crocodile pool, viewing will be from two windows by the pools. A tall wall prohibits viewing of the crocodiles when they are out of the water, unless visitors go upstairs. This policy of restricted viewing at Chester rather spoils things I think.

The pair of Snowy Owls have been seperated.

The European Black Vultures have an egg, which one of the Griffon Vultures was quite interested in, but the Blacks soon saw it off.

Other birds nesting were

Wrinkled Hornbills
Timor Sparrows
Scissor-billed Starlings
Spoonbills.

It is hoped that all three female onagers wil foal during 2008.

Loja did not have any cubs.
 
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Great news!!

I'll be hanging around the giraffe canal for ages in order to catch a glimpse of the babirusa!! (People will think i'm staring at an empty enclosure or the back of the giraffe house ;)) The privacy has done them the world of good...

I can't wait to see the anoa now either...

Regarding the Bongo, is it possible that they may take over the buffalo paddock? I can't imagine another space large enough for them...

Good to hear about the imports to the asian steppe exhibit, that'll be 1.3 Onagers and 0.4 Camels - should be an impressive sight once they're all outside.

Good to see Chester stocking up on hoofstock now. New giraffes, new indian rhino, new bongo, new onager, new camels, possibly gazelles and a mystery species as well. Not to mention pregnancies and births with the babirusa, black rhinos, bongo and more.

I'm disappointed about the new Orang exhibit though (I'll have to see the croc one in the flesh to decide on that one).

Can't wait to get down there next week (or Easter holiday)!
 
Do you know whether the giraffe is pure bred? ( I suppose it is with them wanting to keep just pure breds)
 
A baby babirusa that is mighty fine news! That is the third EEP zoo to breed them nowadays.

Regarding the cheetahs: once again the North African cheetahs are to be imported from UAE. I do not know of EEP northern cheetah inside Saudi.
 
bongorob said:
Marwell have placed a male Okapi on short term breeding loan for 6 months herd.

The island for Orang Utan Sibu is surrounded by a tall wooden pole fence, so he will only be visible if he climbs a tree.

Loja did not have any cubs.
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1. Presumably to get 'Stuma' pregnant more quickly as 'M'Buti is still a bit young to be a successful sire.

2. 'Sibu Island'- what's the point of the tall fence?:confused:

3. Do you mean Loja hasn't produced any cubs yet, or that she wasn't pregnant?
 
I got the impression that she wasn't pregnant. The keeper was a bit vague with the information. I could have gone back to the bear talk to find out, but I did the carnivore section instead. The red panda cubs went to Trotters if anyone is interested.
 
bongorob said:
He does know how to mate, it is just that he does not know which end he should be at.
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He's still only young... he was certainly very interested in her when I went though they weren't together. Its a good idea in this situation to bring in an older bull to get her pregnant the first time around.

Did you actually see Loja? - if so I'd say she either wasn't pregnant or that she 'lost' the cub(s).
 
Any one know if Asha the lioness is pregnant again yet? Starting to think might be getting too old to conceive. I presume she didn't take after being re-introduced to Asoka after she rejected Tejas back in September?
 
Paulkarli08 said:
Any one know if Asha the lioness is pregnant again yet? Starting to think might be getting too old to conceive. I presume she didn't take after being re-introduced to Asoka after she rejected Tejas back in September?
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Apparently they were mating quite frequently only months after Tejas was rejected, so a future pregnancy can't be completely ruled out just yet...
 
bongorob said:
It is supposed to be pure Rothschild's. Sorry, I should have made it clearer.
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Brilliant news this now only leaves Hybrids at Blair Drummond will be nice to see the Chester herd of Giraffes getting up to the niumbers held at Belfast.
 
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