Chester Zoo The Islands development - planning, development and build (2012-2015)

[bongorob]

They were built for cheetahs, although the site was occupied by guanaco before that.

At one time cheeyahs were kept there, where the servls are and where the bush dogs are.

One year two females were sent (unsuccessfully) to Fota for mating, the label informed visitors that the cheetahs normally kept in the enclosure had gone to Ireland for a holiday.

I wish I'd photographed it.

 

[Dendro70s]

My understanding is that, after some refurbishment, aye-ayes will occupy the current capuchin enclosure.

 

[Falconhoof]

My understanding is that, after some refurbishment, aye-ayes will occupy the current capuchin enclosure.

This would be awesome. Do you know when they will be getting them?

 

[kiang]

This would be awesome. Do you know when they will be getting them?

Aye-ayes are currently on site, but as someone once said BOH.

Has it been confirmed that they are going on show?

 

[zoogiraffe]

Aye-ayes are currently on site, but as someone once said BOH.

Has it been confirmed that they are going on show?

It has not been confirmed on any public media,by anyone that works at Chester Zoo,that the Aye-aye will be going on show!

 

[bongorob]

Can I suggest CLOUDED LEOPARD

That will never happen, the cassowary enclosures are not roofed.

 

[Chlidonias]

But surely that's irrelevant anyway as Clouded Leopards can never ever, ever, ever, ever be seen by visitors?

in my experience, Bornean clouded leopards have been quite easy to see....

 

[karoocheetah]

in my experience, Bornean clouded leopards have been quite easy to see....

Dont tease me...!!!

 

[Falconhoof]

Sorry if this has been covered before, but I was wondering what the situation is with Hear of Africa? Has it been completely cancelled in favour of Islands, or has it just been put on hold?

 

[gentle lemur]

Sorry if this has been covered before, but I was wondering what the situation is with Hear of Africa? Has it been completely cancelled in favour of Islands, or has it just been put on hold?

The Heart of Africa development relied on substantial government funding such as grants for regional development and job creation. The financial crisis and the formation of the coalition government stopped this type of funding. Islands is essentially the biggest development that NEZS could afford to finance from its own resources.
The plans for HoA still exist and a modified version might be possible if/when the financial and political climate changes. But the creation and expansion of Islands must be finished first and other developments may be more urgent than reconsideration of the scheme.

Alan

 

[MagpieGoose]

Cassowary Enclosure

Hi i am new about the cassowary enclosure i have seen about the comments about clouded leopards. Maybe it could home a smaller species like fishing cats or i read somewhere that Chester have Scottish wild cats off show maybe this could be an on show home???

 

[zoogiraffe]

Hi i am new about the cassowary enclosure i have seen about the comments about clouded leopards. Maybe it could home a smaller species like fishing cats or i read somewhere that Chester have Scottish wild cats off show maybe this could be an on show home???

The only way that Chester will ever display the Wild Cats,is if they have an animal that cannot be used for breeding program or released back into the Wild!So unless that day comes keep dreaming of seeing them,I for one I am glad that zoo is taking the breeding and keeping,of the Wild Cats as Wild as possible so that they can be used for the release program,to the point that I am just glad that Chester has stepped up to the mark to work with the UKs most endangered mammal,in fact I think they should work with many more species in a totally off show way!

 

[TeaLovingDave]

I for one I am glad that zoo is taking the breeding and keeping,of the Wild Cats as Wild as possible so that they can be used for the release program,to the point that I am just glad that Chester has stepped up to the mark to work with the UKs most endangered mammal,in fact I think they should work with many more species in a totally off show way!

Much as I am notorious for my love of odd small carnivores, I wholeheartedly second zoogiraffe's statement above

 

[Pertinax]

the breeding and keeping,of the Wild Cats as Wild as possible so that they can be used for the release program,to the point that I am just glad that Chester has stepped up to the mark to work with the UKs most endangered mammal,

I wonder how pure Chester's Scottish wildcats are though, on the 'purity' scale, given no captive cats so far are said to be fully pure.

 

[zoogiraffe]

I wonder how pure Chester's Scottish wildcats are though, on the 'purity' scale, given no captive cats so far are said to be fully pure.

Well given that they have been given to them by the release program,I would say that they are pure as anybody well get them.

 

[Pertinax]

Well given that they have been given to them by the release program,I would say that they are pure as anybody well get them.

Do you know where they were sourced from originally. i.e. a private owner or similar. Presumably not taken from the wild?

 

[zoogiraffe]

Do you know where they were sourced from originally. i.e. a private owner or similar. Presumably not taken from the wild?

Sorry do not know the answer to that,but if I find out will send you a pm about it!

 

[Pertinax]

Thankyou. Very interested in the Scottish wildcat situation(generally)at present. Any news most welcome...

 

[gentle lemur]

The only way that Chester will ever display the Wild Cats,is if they have an animal that cannot be used for breeding program or released back into the Wild!So unless that day comes keep dreaming of seeing them,I for one I am glad that zoo is taking the breeding and keeping,of the Wild Cats as Wild as possible so that they can be used for the release program,to the point that I am just glad that Chester has stepped up to the mark to work with the UKs most endangered mammal,in fact I think they should work with many more species in a totally off show way!

I don't disagree with you about the wildcats, but there are problems with keeping too much off show. It is not very long since we were deploring the number of aviaries and bird species going off show. Obviously there are many good and valid reasons for keeping animals out of the public eye, but the zoo should not hide its light under a bushel.
In particular I think the zoo should have an exhibit to show off its work with native species, perhaps near the sand lizards. It would not take much to have a CCTV link to the wildcats, a small display of harvest nice and another of an invertebrate species for example.

Alan

 

[karoocheetah]

I don't disagree with you about the wildcats, but there are problems with keeping too much off show. It is not very long since we were deploring the number of aviaries and bird species going off show. Obviously there are many good and valid reasons for keeping animals out of the public eye, but the zoo should not hide its light under a bushel.
In particular I think the zoo should have an exhibit to show off its work with native species, perhaps near the sand lizards. It would not take much to have a CCTV link to the wildcats, a small display of harvest nice and another of an invertebrate species for example.

Alan

There is a cctv link to the wildcats. It's in the native species hut right at the entrance on the left as you pass through the staff ticket swipe, just at the foot of the elephant boardwalk