Good news but do agree that the enclosure had more potential that what has been decided upon such as big cat, bear or even primates...But maybe this will bring in more species of lemur?? Any news on what lemurs it will hold??
Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo news 2011
- Thread starter Goretex
- Start date
ZooSam
Member
I would expect that this was the most cost effective option for the space at the present time: a popular animal gets a new enclosure with few modifications necessary, visitors can get a closer view of the Lemurs than before and it frees up space elsewhere in the zoo.
The Black and White Ruffed Lemurs will presumably move from the old Colobus enclosure, listed as a temporary home on the zoo website, freeing up space for perhaps a second cheetah enclosure. If I remember correctly, the zoo recently stated that they were planning to build another exhibit to allow both cheetahs to be on show at once.
If the Blue-eyed Black Lemurs move in then that allows space in the 'Out of Africa' area for the Colobus extension - also put on the zoo website under 'Latest developments' a few months ago...
With the Sun Bear enclosure being the main focus at the moment in terms of funding, the Lemur Walkthrough plans allow a relatively large area in the centre of the zoo to be developed at a pretty low cost. Hopefully it won't be too permanent though...
The Black and White Ruffed Lemurs will presumably move from the old Colobus enclosure, listed as a temporary home on the zoo website, freeing up space for perhaps a second cheetah enclosure. If I remember correctly, the zoo recently stated that they were planning to build another exhibit to allow both cheetahs to be on show at once.
If the Blue-eyed Black Lemurs move in then that allows space in the 'Out of Africa' area for the Colobus extension - also put on the zoo website under 'Latest developments' a few months ago...
With the Sun Bear enclosure being the main focus at the moment in terms of funding, the Lemur Walkthrough plans allow a relatively large area in the centre of the zoo to be developed at a pretty low cost. Hopefully it won't be too permanent though...
karenZOO
Well-Known Member
OH THE DISAPPOINTMENT 
Why??? they could have made something exciting and new but oh no same old as every other zoo has
Maybe it will be stunning and fake rock less!!! but not all us adults what to ride on the road train
Why bother asking what we wanted Colchester Zoo if you just ignore us!!!
RANT OVER lol
Why??? they could have made something exciting and new but oh no same old as every other zoo has
Maybe it will be stunning and fake rock less!!! but not all us adults what to ride on the road train
Why bother asking what we wanted Colchester Zoo if you just ignore us!!!
RANT OVER lol
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Hardluck, KarenZoo!OH THE DISAPPOINTMENT
Why??? they could have made something exciting and new but oh no same old as every other zoo has
It is a pity they couldn't replace the Tiger with something which would have made an equally powerful exhibit in this enclosure. However, I'm sure a 'Lemur Walkthrough' is designed to have maximum appeal and bring in still more visitors which is probably their most pressing aim, above all others. Lemur Walkthroughs can also be set up at quite low cost too, particularly when an existing enclosure is used. Not that I'd wouldn't prefer to see something else in there- I would. A 2nd Tiger subspecies would have been good.
karenZOO
Well-Known Member
PertinaxI think they will also need more road trains! as on a busy day there is a queue just to go on that!! They also currently ask for a donation towards there latest project, I expect that will stop.
I for one will not be a regular I will have a nose at first but after that i will be sulking
I suppose it will also save having to have staff covering the walkthrough at all times as the train really only runs at full capacity during peak times.
As I do walk round, that first time I will smirk to myself as to what Sasha would think to these tasty snacks in his territory!!
From the zoos website:
"Lemur Walkthrough
Work is due to start on an exciting new development for 2012, with the addition of Colchester Zoo’s first Lemur Walkthrough exhibit!
Sited on the location of the white tiger enclosure, this walkthrough will provide a unique and immersive experience for our visitors, allowing you to get amongst a number of lemur species and the chance to be surrounded by these characteristic and popular creatures.
Initial plans see the visitor start their journey to the exhibit with a ride on the road train, which will make special stops at the entrance to the enclosure for visitors to disembark and enter the exhibit, with the train returning to collect visitors and continue the journey!
Please check back for more information when available"
I do hope that they get more species of lemur, maybe less common one!!
"Lemur Walkthrough
Work is due to start on an exciting new development for 2012, with the addition of Colchester Zoo’s first Lemur Walkthrough exhibit!
Sited on the location of the white tiger enclosure, this walkthrough will provide a unique and immersive experience for our visitors, allowing you to get amongst a number of lemur species and the chance to be surrounded by these characteristic and popular creatures.
Initial plans see the visitor start their journey to the exhibit with a ride on the road train, which will make special stops at the entrance to the enclosure for visitors to disembark and enter the exhibit, with the train returning to collect visitors and continue the journey!
Please check back for more information when available"
I do hope that they get more species of lemur, maybe less common one!!
Also speaking of the cheetahs...does anyone happen to know what the outcome of Uria's pregnancy was as the signs were all gone on my last visit and there seems to be no news anywhere!
karenZOO
Well-Known Member
Falling visitors numbers at Colchester in 2010, as with most paying attraction the recession is hitting, I suppose we are lucky to get any new developments!
Colchester: Zoo hit by falling visitor numbers - News - East Anglian Daily Times
I know I have spoke to several people who have struggled with days out this year and are being much more careful in assessing value for money.
With admission prices at £16.99 (peak for adults)
http://www.colchester-zoo.co.uk/index.cfm?fa=content.list&page=201§ion=7
It makes there bogof on keeper shadowing a very good deal for £50 which includes (with bogof) 2 admission tickets, 2 vouchers for a hot drink, and a souvenir pack. The tiger shadowing is particularly good from our experience!
http://www.colchester-zoo.co.uk/index.cfm?fa=content.list&page=342§ion=2
Colchester: Zoo hit by falling visitor numbers - News - East Anglian Daily Times
I know I have spoke to several people who have struggled with days out this year and are being much more careful in assessing value for money.
With admission prices at £16.99 (peak for adults)
http://www.colchester-zoo.co.uk/index.cfm?fa=content.list&page=201§ion=7
It makes there bogof on keeper shadowing a very good deal for £50 which includes (with bogof) 2 admission tickets, 2 vouchers for a hot drink, and a souvenir pack. The tiger shadowing is particularly good from our experience!
http://www.colchester-zoo.co.uk/index.cfm?fa=content.list&page=342§ion=2
Jordan-Jaguar97
Well-Known Member
Some new arrivals
An adult female Essex Pig and nine Piglets arrived from Jimmy's farm on 12/08/11
Also in the Worlds Apart are four Ocellate river Stingray
http://www.colchester-zoo.com/index.cfm?fa=news.list§ion=6
An adult female Essex Pig and nine Piglets arrived from Jimmy's farm on 12/08/11
Also in the Worlds Apart are four Ocellate river Stingray
http://www.colchester-zoo.com/index.cfm?fa=news.list§ion=6
sooty mangabey
Well-Known Member
Those are still pretty impressive figures: 755,000 in a bad year! Not everyone here agrees with the way that things are done at Colchester, but clearly they are doing something right.
Jordan-Jaguar97
Well-Known Member
Little bit of news... A male marabou stork arrived in the collection on the 18th August to join the Displays team!
The new stork arrived from Paignton Zoo and has been hand reared. He will remain in offshow accomodation, but we hope to train him to take part within the falconry displays on the Displays Arena within the not too distant future , where he will then be visible to the public.
The new stork arrived from Paignton Zoo and has been hand reared. He will remain in offshow accomodation, but we hope to train him to take part within the falconry displays on the Displays Arena within the not too distant future , where he will then be visible to the public.
Just some notes from my visit on 24/08/2011:
-Loving the new Otter enclosure. Great size, with not a huge amount of fake rock. My new favorite enclosure in the zoo.
-Saw two of the new baby stingrays. If you have never seen a baby ocellate river stingray, I would get down to Colchester now.
-In the Ussari Falls Marmoset enclosure, there was 2 Pygmy Marmosets, 2 Goeldi's Monkeys and 1 Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin.
-Both of the Spotted Hyenas were out, however they were under the watchful of a keeper.
-Tallulah the female Canadian Timber Wolf has sadly passed away.
-I only say one Asian Short Clawed Otter out. As they normally stick together, I was wondering if there was something wrong with the other, has it died? Or is the female pregnant? I don't know which one was out. Just wondering if anyone knows.
-Now, I have a very important question. Is it common for a Cheetah cub, that is just over a month old, to be outside? I ask this because I thought, I may be wrong, but I thought that I saw a cub outside at the back. I'm not an expert when it comes to big cats, so I will be very grateful if someone was to answer it for me.
Just to finish off. I thought I would share with you some of the brillant things I heard people say that day:
-A woman says to a child, "Go get *insert name*. She loves Baboons." Whilest staring at Rajang the Orangutan.
-Another woman answers a childs question, "That's a Silvered Leaf Monkey (has to read the sign). Although it doesn't look like the picture." It was a Binturong.
-And the final one. A woman (I'm not sexist, they were just all women) inside the Sea-Lion tunnel shouts out, "The Seal has died!" Two things. One, it was swimming upside down...with it's eyes open. Two, it was a Sea-Lion.
-Loving the new Otter enclosure. Great size, with not a huge amount of fake rock. My new favorite enclosure in the zoo.
-Saw two of the new baby stingrays. If you have never seen a baby ocellate river stingray, I would get down to Colchester now.
-In the Ussari Falls Marmoset enclosure, there was 2 Pygmy Marmosets, 2 Goeldi's Monkeys and 1 Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin.
-Both of the Spotted Hyenas were out, however they were under the watchful of a keeper.
-Tallulah the female Canadian Timber Wolf has sadly passed away.
-I only say one Asian Short Clawed Otter out. As they normally stick together, I was wondering if there was something wrong with the other, has it died? Or is the female pregnant? I don't know which one was out. Just wondering if anyone knows.
-Now, I have a very important question. Is it common for a Cheetah cub, that is just over a month old, to be outside? I ask this because I thought, I may be wrong, but I thought that I saw a cub outside at the back. I'm not an expert when it comes to big cats, so I will be very grateful if someone was to answer it for me.
Just to finish off. I thought I would share with you some of the brillant things I heard people say that day:
-A woman says to a child, "Go get *insert name*. She loves Baboons." Whilest staring at Rajang the Orangutan.
-Another woman answers a childs question, "That's a Silvered Leaf Monkey (has to read the sign). Although it doesn't look like the picture." It was a Binturong.
-And the final one. A woman (I'm not sexist, they were just all women) inside the Sea-Lion tunnel shouts out, "The Seal has died!" Two things. One, it was swimming upside down...with it's eyes open. Two, it was a Sea-Lion.
Was Tallulah the female Canadian Timber Wolf the Alpha-Female??
One thing I forgot to mention was what they have done to Sasha's old enclosure. When I went a few months ago, it was full of very dense vegetation. However now that the Lemur walkthrough idea has come about all of this has been cut down. And now the only thing left within the enclosure which is recognisable is Sasha's old platform, which he used to lie on for many hours of the day. I hope they keep this up as a memorial to Sasha. Lemurs can easily make good use of it.
As the Colchester Website slogan has been updated to "Experience our Autumn colours" I feel it is appropriate to start the autumn thread 
Snippets of news for the Colchester Website are;
-Two young female South American or ring-tailed coati joined the collection in off-show accommodation in late August 2011. The pair will remain in off-show accommodation for a long period of time whilst they adjust to their new surroundings and begin training sessions with their keepers, with the hope that they will become part of the animal display team in the Wild About Animals Theatre within the future where they will then be visible to the public.
-Gizmo, the female Geoffroy's marmoset has given birth to a healthy set of triplets on the 28th August 2011!
-Silvery marmoset female, Olive, has given birth to a single female offspring on the 29th August 2011!
Also the zoos Amur Leopards is to feature on the next episode of Miracle Babies on the BBC...Weird as there as been no successful matings to date as far as I’ m aware!
Snippets of news for the Colchester Website are;
-Two young female South American or ring-tailed coati joined the collection in off-show accommodation in late August 2011. The pair will remain in off-show accommodation for a long period of time whilst they adjust to their new surroundings and begin training sessions with their keepers, with the hope that they will become part of the animal display team in the Wild About Animals Theatre within the future where they will then be visible to the public.
-Gizmo, the female Geoffroy's marmoset has given birth to a healthy set of triplets on the 28th August 2011!
-Silvery marmoset female, Olive, has given birth to a single female offspring on the 29th August 2011!
Also the zoos Amur Leopards is to feature on the next episode of Miracle Babies on the BBC...Weird as there as been no successful matings to date as far as I’ m aware!
Jordan-Jaguar97
Well-Known Member
The 1:2 Cheetah cubs have been named Savannah and Tatu (female) the male is called Milawi.
Just saw on the zoos fb page that the have recieved 1.0 asian short clawed otter from Tropical Wings Zoo. Does anyone know what happened to the other male otter?
Jordan-Jaguar97
Well-Known Member
The BBC has shown the episode of Miracle babies which included Milena and Sayan the Amur leopards.