Chester Zoo Chester 2011 #4

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I'm interested to know who put it on Facebook last time - was it someone who should have known better or just some punter that doesn't know the finer points of zoo publicity machinations? If I went to a place and something was visible I would not wonder if it was a secret that I shouldn't mention on Facebook.
 
That's the thing about social networking sites - EVERYTHING seems to be fair game - if numpties are willing to post death threats to each other via fuzzbook I think the same numpties would relish the chance to indudge in a game of "ooo I'm the first to know something" and they'll post anything!
 
No i did not mean SMR he is not a *****. I meant the person that posted on facebook the first time. I know if SMR has posted it on here it is known already and he wouldnt leak secret info! Its nt always a good thing knowing before someone as it could get you in trouble. I know the chester regulars that visited the zoo recently may have guessed, i know i did but they also know how to be discreet. I just wonder if any of us will be lucky enough to see the birth this time or are paths shut off already?
 
Javan Rhino said:
5 mountain chickens have gone on-show in Islands in Danger [in with the iguanas, specifically the middle enclosure with the Antillean iguanas] :)
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I'm not normally that excited by non-primatey things, but I can't wait to see these.
 
karoocheetah said:
That's the thing about social networking sites - EVERYTHING seems to be fair game - if numpties are willing to post death threats to each other via fuzzbook I think the same numpties would relish the chance to indudge in a game of "ooo I'm the first to know something" and they'll post anything!
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Nevertheless I still think innocent punters could find out and have no idea it's supposed to be a secret. When learned about Kirana I kept quiet knowing all the secrecy (and the reasons for it) from going to Tim's talks but if I had not been on here I'd quite possibly have excitedly mentioned it on Facebook or something. There are people who should know better but I think it's unfair to disparage the casual zoo visitor who may see something and innocently talk about it.
 
karoocheetah said:
That's the thing about social networking sites - EVERYTHING seems to be fair game - if numpties are willing to post death threats to each other via fuzzbook I think the same numpties would relish the chance to indudge in a game of "ooo I'm the first to know something" and they'll post anything!
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I think for the vast majority of people who visit zoos posting what they see when they are there is the same as posting what they see when they go anywhere. I certainly wouldn't have thought twice about it before I got involved in zoochat.

It's the way of digital age. We post about everything from what we had for breakfast to what cute cuddly baby animal we saw at the zoo.

Whilst it's unfortunate (and bloody annoying) from the zoos publicity point of view, I don't think it's preventable. If it can't be published far and wide don't show it to Joe Public.

As a member zoo chat who appreciates the trust given to us, especially by Chester, I would post anything anywhere that wasn't for public knowledge, but 99% of visitors are just enjoying a day that they want to share with their friends.
 
That's WOULDN'T post anything by the way - not would.

Bloody digital age iPhone won't let me edit my mistake!!!!

D'oh!!! :eek:
 
If people are able to see the cub then they are bound to mention it. If the zoo didn't want people to know about it then they should have kept the animals inside or closed off access to the enclosure. As far as I'm aware Chester Zoo does not have a privacy policy which people agree to when they enter the park. Why do some people think it is unacceptable to say that they saw a tiger with her cub but it is acceptable to say that they saw an elephant splashing in the waterfall. As far as I am aware the 'Whistle Blower' was a member of the public just enjoying their day out.


karoocheetah said:
I think the same numpties would relish the chance to indudge in a game of "ooo I'm the first to know something" and they'll post anything!
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I think there a few of those on this site too not just facebook.
 
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from visit today

Anteaters still not in new enclosure

Tigers viewing platform still open and paths open all the way around enclosure, Kirana and Fabi having a tiff over dinner :p

New Sitatunga calf
 
I just think it is a shame in some cases that the 'regular' public dont always think about what is best for the animals... For example climbing over stand off barriers! Which someone did on sunday and the parent let them until staff said no. The enclosure has no off show bit and is far too small to lock an adult in for a long time and especially with a cub! I think if it was possible it would be done for the tigers sake...! Unfortunately atm it just isnt an option ( much to the disappointment of the team working with them!) but i saw a mountain chicken on sunday and it was out in the open and i nearly missed it.
 
I'm visiting Chester tomorrow, anything for me to keep and eye out for since my last visit on August Bank Holiday.
 
I've no idea whether the tiger situation has been "officially" announced, but everyone in the zoo is talking about it to anyone who'll listen, even the guest services people. I wasn't actually told by anyone in confidence (a keeper or curator), but first by a general member of staff then by a GS worker.

Outside of the privileged information we're asked to keep quite about on a walk-and-talk, if the zoo want something to be a secret then don't tell anyone!

As for the situation when the cub is born, I'd imagine they'll restrict viewing of the enclosure, at least to one side. It's easier to do at this time of year and is a long-term plan anyway.
 
I realise Im about 2weeks early for that, but I'm sure I'll revisit at the time, Im a member and live about 15miles away.

So far on the to see list are;
  • Tiger Viewing platform
  • New Female Zebras
  • Ant Eaters in the old kangeroo enclosure
  • hopefully Aardvark in the meerkats
  • Cheetah Cubs progress
  • Bush dog pups progress
  • Asian short claw otter pups
  • no dinosaurs lol

Has anything replaced the crocs yet or is it an empty enclosure?

Whats happening with the Jag house? I heard it was closed.
 
Waddi said:
Whats happening with the Jag house? I heard it was closed.
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The Jaguar house is closed at the moment, yes. Its currently being refurbished and will hopefully be open before Christmas if all goes to plan. According to the boards outside the Jaguar house anyway.
 
thanks, hopefully the leaf cutter ants will be brought back.

Any idea what the refurb entails?
 
Hevden said:
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?
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Considering the person who reported the Tiger birth on Facebook did not scale any walls to see the cub I feel the insult ''*****'' is both rude and uncalled for!
 
Waddi said:
I realise Im about 2weeks early for that, but I'm sure I'll revisit at the time, Im a member and live about 15miles away.

So far on the to see list are;
  • Tiger Viewing platform
  • New Female Zebras
  • Ant Eaters in the old kangeroo enclosure
  • hopefully Aardvark in the meerkats
  • Cheetah Cubs progress
  • Bush dog pups progress
  • Asian short claw otter pups
  • no dinosaurs lol

Has anything replaced the crocs yet or is it an empty enclosure?

Whats happening with the Jag house? I heard it was closed.
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I think you'll enjoy the tiger platform (and if you take binoculars you can try the parrot spotting game which SMR started).
No anteaters or aardvarks on show as of Saturday (and I wouldn't hold your breath ;)) but the cheetah cubs are doing fine and the bushdog enclosure is crowded, the pups are still rather smaller and a little darker than the adults - but you sometimes need to look twice to spot the difference. The female zebras were with the oryx, being watched by the male in the next enclosure.
The crocodile enclosures are being refurbished - which means that a good deal of pruning has been done, but I don't know if any other work is planned before new animals arrive. The work in the Jaguar House will be quite extensive and the notice says that it will be closed until December. Those of us who attended the behind-the-scenes tours at Chester have been told a little about the plans which involve a range of species, not just ants :)

Alan
 
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The new tiger platform takes an access ramp to the aviary out of use... Lots of people were struggling with prams around there. Also access to it via the steps has a nasty bottleneck now... Looks a bit ill thought out. I thought perhaps a ramp would extend down from it to ground level behind the aviary allowing a one way flow of guests instead of the dead end it currently has.

Fortunately once we were up there viewing of the tigers was a massive improvement with a great view of the climbing frame they rest on, the (empty on Sunday) pond and the entrance to the tiger house.

I noticed the new enclosure area between the entrance and exit doors at Spirit of the Jaguar already... Also heard lots of people complaining that they couldn't see any Jaguars, then went on to spot all 4 that are on show within 15 minutes.. Admittedly that's the first time I've seen them all for a few weeks, but Coro is often doing the rounds if people are prepared to wait for a few minutes.
 
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