Chester Zoo Chester 2011 #4

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As reported earlier, the raised viewing platform for the tigers is open, although people don't seem to realise it. A (stupid) teacher with a party of kids on the other side of the enclosure pointed to me and said "he must have a good view up there, it's a shame we're down here." Viewing is still partially obstructed by the wire, but it'll be altered and the tigers' platform will also be moved soon. Kirana, the female tiger, is due to give birth in two weeks time.

I like the platform, it's an new perspective on the zoo and as an added bonus, if you've got oodles of zoom, 800mm or so, you get a good view of the off-show parrot aviaries.

Elsewhere the anteaters are supposed to move into the old kangaroo paddock in the next few days and the two otter cubs are doing well.

In the Tropical Realm four Madagascar red fodys that were hatched in the Philippine crocodile enclosure have fledged and there's a new Victoria crowned pigeon. There's a Montserrat oriole fledgeling and the white-crested turaco chick continues to do well.

After the zoo closed, work began to remove the dinosaurs. I'll post a few photos of the T-rex being manhandled down the paths when they're done processing.
 
I should also mention that the area around the Chinese Aviaries was fenced off, actually whilst I was down there - had to climb my way out - so perhaps this is a precursor to the daft (sorry Andrew) decision to take them and the hornbills off-show too.

Oh, and the female great Indian hornbill from the Tropical Realm has moved into the elephant house, which is a shame for those of us who befriended her.
 
SMR said:
As promised earlier:

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Good job it is a dead stuffed one, or that bloke at the front would get a nasty bite.

Incidentally why are the Parrots at Chester off show these days - any specific reason the public cannot view them?
 
I assume that the 2 otter cubs are not giant ? Not seen any previous mention .
 
Pootle said:
Incidentally why are the Parrots at Chester off show these days - any specific reason the public cannot view them?
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Your guess is as good as anyone else's. The official line is that they're off-show for breeding purposes, but they bred like rabbits in the old Parrot House. Walking down the line of off-show aviaries behind Spirit of the Jaguar is eye-opening, and rather sad too.

Neither cockatoo species are on-show, nor the three conure species, or any of the lorys or lorikeets. Next up the tragopans will be off-show, and the Temminck's bred just fine this year.
 
SMR said:
Next up the tragopans will be off-show, and the Temminck's bred just fine this year.
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It will be a shame for my favourite birds in the zoo to go off-show :(. The Chinese Aviaries are one of the highlights on the bird section in my opinion, it houses some terrific birds and it is a nice quiet area to get away from the crowds on a busy day.
 
SMR said:
Neither cockatoo species are on-show, nor the three conure species, or any of the lorys or lorikeets. Next up the tragopans will be off-show, and the Temminck's bred just fine this year.
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Shame to hear about the Tragopans.

Javan Rhino said:
The Chinese Aviaries are one of the highlights on the bird section in my opinion, it houses some terrific birds and it is a nice quiet area to get away from the crowds on a busy day.
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Yeah, I like that area for that reason too.
 
Not sure if it has been mentioned, but a detailed application for the zoos entrance zone has now been submitted.
 
Very pleased to see that unlike some of the earlier draft designs that have appeared, this does not seem to involve taking a chunk out of the elephant paddock.
 
Wonder if they'll need to shut the raised viewing platform at the tigers when Kirana gives birth! ;)
 
OrangePerson said:
Wonder if they'll need to shut the raised viewing platform at the tigers when Kirana gives birth! ;)
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Think they will shut more than that this time,just to make sure that they cannot be viewed from all the way round,so she has some where she can get away from us!
 
I think its great news. However, i am surprised it has been announced. Is this just because of the ***** that posted it on facebook last time? The zoo want to announce it first? I spoke to a keeper on sunday and he denied thats why enclosure had been adapted. I havent been on the viewing platform yet and it looks like a good view but i suppose it depends where fabi and kirana decide to lay!? It would be great to have tiger cubs and fabi and kirana are definitely my top two favourite animals in the zoo. Hopefully going next weekend and hopefully will get to see before paths are shut?
 
Don't know if SMR is the ***** you mean ;) I think it was him who put it on here and he's usually very circumspect.
 
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