Chester Zoo Chester 2012 #4

A picture of the baby rhino has also been posted - another girl but not on show yet.
 
I saw her today (baby giraffe), she was sat nice and quietly on some straw as her mother was eating some hay. A keeper told me her and mother have bonded as well as can be expected. So well done to everyone involved.
 
A few observations from today:

The giraffe calf looked very well indeed - she seemed very alert and was quite inquisitive about the rest of the herd, from whom she and her mother remain separated.

Stuma looks fit to burst, though that said she has done for a few weeks.

Aung Bo was out in the main paddock with the rest of the herd, there seemed to be a little tension with Maya but otherwise he was getting on fine - he is a very impressive animal and looks magnificent when amongst the other Elephants.

This is pretty old news, but to those of you who haven't picked it up, the Small-Clawed Otters are now located in the netted exhibit which is the last you see before exiting Realm of the Red Ape. They are pretty settled in there with some makeshift pools (plastic boxes) now part of the exhibit. Jealous of the changes in their old exhibit, the Bornean Orangs have responded by pulling several plants out of the floor in the netted exhibit you see as you enter RORA.
 
Some news today; Chinese Aviaries are now officially off-show, so Andrew Owen has had his way despite the protestations of just about everyone. If he wants a private collection, he should start his own.

All the gemsbok left the collection yesterday. It was reported that the zebra would move to the gemsbok paddock (the house was originally built for zebra) making way for some musical chairs involving the spoil paddock and the banteng.

The okapi were off-show, with suggestions that "something" might be happening.

Two giant otter pups have been seen on CCTV, both apparently doing well. Underwater viewing is still fenced-off however.

The giraffe calf was on the paddock yesterday, but harassed somewhat by previous calf Tula, so they're being introduced as a group more gently inside the house.

No sign of the rhino calf, and the orang still hasn't given birth.
 
Some news today; Chinese Aviaries are now officially off-show, so Andrew Owen has had his way despite the protestations of just about everyone. If he wants a private collection, he should start his own.

All the gemsbok left the collection yesterday. It was reported that the zebra would move to the gemsbok paddock (the house was originally built for zebra) making way for some musical chairs involving the spoil paddock and the banteng.

The okapi were off-show, with suggestions that "something" might be happening.

Two giant otter pups have been seen on CCTV, both apparently doing well. Underwater viewing is still fenced-off however.

The giraffe calf was on the paddock yesterday, but harassed somewhat by previous calf Tula, so they're being introduced as a group more gently inside the house.

No sign of the rhino calf, and the orang still hasn't given birth.

Thank you for the update SMR.

Do you know where the Gemsbok went to? The group they had wasn't as big as I previously thought.

Are both Sumatran Orangutan females pregnant? I was under the impression only one was.
 
Some news today; Chinese Aviaries are now officially off-show, so Andrew Owen has had his way despite the protestations of just about everyone. If he wants a private collection, he should start his own.

All the gemsbok left the collection yesterday. It was reported that the zebra would move to the gemsbok paddock (the house was originally built for zebra) making way for some musical chairs involving the spoil paddock and the banteng.

The okapi were off-show, with suggestions that "something" might be happening.

Two giant otter pups have been seen on CCTV, both apparently doing well. Underwater viewing is still fenced-off however.

The giraffe calf was on the paddock yesterday, but harassed somewhat by previous calf Tula, so they're being introduced as a group more gently inside the house.

No sign of the rhino calf, and the orang still hasn't given birth.

Really sad!:(:( Marwell and now Chester, two 7+ herds. Lets hope the Chester gemsbok have remained in the UK.

Does that just leave Whipsnade (about 6), Woburn (a pair) and WMSP (about 5).
 
CCTV photo has been uploaded onto the facebook page. Fingers crossed....
 
Fantastic news so far on the Okapi, fingers crossed that it continues to do well :D

In other news: CERZA, France have announced that they have recieved at least some of Chester's Gemsbok yesterday (don't know how many)
 
Fantastic news so far on the Okapi, fingers crossed that it continues to do well :D

In other news: CERZA, France have announced that they have recieved at least some of Chester's Gemsbok yesterday (don't know how many)

All five of Chester's Gemsbok went there.
 
Anyone have any idea what the plan for the gemsbok paddock is? It's quite a big field.
 
Some impressions from a visit on 16 October

Giraffes: I'm sure by now no Chester Zoochatter would feel the amazement I felt as I walked into the giraffe house with my feet on the same level as theirs. At Paignton, you look down on them inside and they're not that close outside. Their size and proximity and the sound of one of them stamping was quite something :)

Now you see what I mean...;)

IMO all Giraffe Houses where you view them from ground level are far superior to the high level viewing which Paignton and one or two others do. It completely defeats appreciating their height which after all is their most spectacular aspect.

Most Giraffe houses in UK Zoos and wildlife parks provide good ground-level viewing- London, Whipsnade, Marwell, AA(?) Cotswold(?) Chester, Dudley,Twycross(until they left).

The notable exceptions I know are Paignton, Colchester and (I think) Noah's Ark all who have the higher level viewing. Colchester's is even worse than Paignton as indoors the animals are viewed in metal 'pens' below you.:(
 
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Some impressions of a visit on 16 October

I'll try to remember just what I wrote before Pertinax sent it all into oblivion ;) Fortunately, I drafted it first .........

We were in the queue at 9.45am for our first visit for 10 years and headed straight for RORA. We had it to ourselves for a while but on our later visit there were a few people in and I can imagine that it could get beyond frustrating at busy times. It is clearly an excellent house for the Sumatrans, but maybe not so good for the Borneans and for visitors wanting a good look at them. The hanging straps are brilliant. The infants are the definition of the word 'joy' - and are a joy to watch.

I was surprised that there are no signs about individual animals and I had to rely on a friendly visitor to tell me what was what, and who was who of the orangs that were visible. It seems strange when you are able to identify chimps and elephants, for instance. We saw a Bornean female holding her arm while walking, and later one trying to dismantle the top of the wall. She had her hand under the wire and was lifting whatever is covering it. I'm not sure if she was the same orang.

Giraffes: I'm sure by now no Chester Zoochatter would feel the amazement I felt as I walked into the giraffe house with my feet on the same level as theirs. At Paignton, you look down on them inside and they're not that close outside. Their size and proximity and the sound of one of them stamping was quite something :) I was also staggered by the size of the Indian Rhinos, not having seen one for some time and then not close up.

Comparing with Paignton again, it was good to see a large group of Mandrills. And I liked the sign explaining the difference between female and male Spider monkeys - one like that would be useful at Paignton to prevent the nerves of regulars being frayed by the inevitable comments.

At 3.45pm we realised we only had 45 minutes to visit the Black Rhino/Zebra/Spectacled Bears etc area so had to do this and the Bat Forest very quickly. The Elephants hadn't been out all day (sand digging going on) and we'd resigned ourselves to not seeing them. Then we realised that people were going into their house after leaving the zoo, so we followed and joined the crush. Having their house outside the zoo entrance is a bit odd :confused:

All in all, a great zoo as everyone already knows!

(Hands off, Pertinax :D;))
 
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