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

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SHAVINGTONZOO said:
Anybody asking me to fill in a worksheet and return it at the end will get pretty short shrift.
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They would from me too.:) If and when I visit it will be to see everything at my leisure, and that's all, not as some sort of work project. Probably not designed for oldies so much, but fine for families and children but I am sure this won't be compulsory for all. If it was they will soon drop it, I'd bet.
 
SMR said:
I wouldn't be surprised if the whole zoo ends up being one huge collection of pigs (with some birds, but all off-show). Mentioning no names [cough] Tim [cough] ;) :D

East Zoo is already far simpler than it once was. I'm still convinced one-way systems don't work, the animals don't play ball and neither do the visitors, especially the regular variety.
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I'm not too enthused about pigs; but if the Congo buffalo went into the wapiti/bongo/banteng paddock, their exhibit would do for giant forest hogs, and I think the Philippine spotted deer paddock could be made ideal for a sounder of pygmy hogs :D

The only place in the zoo which really is one-way is RotRA, and no-one has a choice there (except at the start and end of the day). I hope the Monsoon Forest will not be like that.

Alan
 
gentle lemur said:
I'm not too enthused about pigs; but if the Congo buffalo went into the wapiti/bongo/banteng paddock, their exhibit would do for giant forest hogs, and I think the Philippine spotted deer paddock could be made ideal for a sounder of pygmy hogs :D
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Don't think anyone would complain if that happened :p though finding room for a peccary taxon would not go amiss either!
 
Hello everyone, first time poster, long-time zoo fan (most recent trip: yesterday)

Way back when I signed up for an attempt to win an early trip to Islands, today I got an email from Chester Zoo about the forthcoming opening.

It seems that Islands 'Phase Two' actually includes the Monsoon Forest and Sumatra - was this always the plan or is this news to people here? I was under the impression from previous discussion that phase one was the whole shebang of things they have been advertising all along and phase two was an indeterminate period in which other animals (tapirs etc) might be added to the Islands area.

See here for a link from the Zoo explaining this: Our plans for the opening | Islands news
 
dcfc21 said:
It seems that Islands 'Phase Two' actually includes the Monsoon Forest and Sumatra - was this always the plan or is this news to people here?
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Well it was news to me when I saw it ten mins ago! :)

No wonder they've not moved those animals yet.
 
Is the going to be a new gallery created? As I won't be able to visit any time soon, so really want to see some pictures, but I know not all members do.
 
Oh dear.

This is not covering the Zoo with glory is it?

All those leaflets still out there saying "opens June 2015" and now the July opening is only part of the scheme. Which I don't think has been made clear before.

Bit rough on people who have booked travel, hotels, time off work etc on the assumption that they could see the lot.

Oh dear.
 
I think that this means that the Islands opening is happening in two phases, rather than Monsoon Forest and Sumatra being shifted to the indefinite "Phase II" intended for some years down the line...... I'm assuming because deadlines have slipped further, but the zoo deems it would be bad PR for them to move the opening date yet again, so close to the announced date and when people have already booked slots for the members previews etc.

SHAVINGTONZOO said:
Which I don't think has been made clear before.
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As I said, I suspect they have only decided this recently - presumably they aren't on target to finish these areas in time for July after all!
 
TeaLovingDave said:
I think that this means that the Islands opening is happening in two phases, rather than Monsoon Forest and Sumatra being shifted to the indefinite "Phase II" intended for some years down the line......
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It does say "Sumatra and Monsoon Forest will open later in the summer" in an email I just got. I'm not too heartbroken even though I have booked a day off and hotels, I think the whole shebang will be pretty interesting and presumably I can see my favourite Sumatran animals in the zoo anyway. Just got to wait a bit longer for my favourite Bornean animals to get their days in the sun!
 
As mentioned I won't be able to visit for a while, but think about it being a good thing, you get to have longer looking at the other 'islands'.
 
Also mentioned in the latest E-news update that individual (named) tickets are being sent out for those who booked for the members previews this week. These will have to be produced on the day to gain entry along with a valid membership card of the same name as the ticket
 
Right here we go wait for all the members of zoo chat to start having a go about the zoo and not opening the islands project fully in July like promised for sometime now oh wait I forgot this isn't Twycross or South Lakes for instance.

On the Dyslexia point a ranger/warden who was willing to listen and write down what the people think would be a start.
 
As a member and do have tickets for the 10th ... yea ok a little bit sad that all of it won't be finished but i simply just can't wait anyway to go on that day ... I would rather the enclosures to be fully ready and the animals settled before it was open so im perfectly happy that it won't be 100% done and im sure there will be plenty of other things to see and do .... Still excited to be going and after getting my email this morning that tickets will be arriving soon i am definitely on countdown :D

Im sure people will moan about it not being ready but at the end of the day, the Animals come first and not the public
 
However frustrating the phased opening is, it's nothing compared to the problems they'd have trying to move the opening date and previews now!

Better they do it right than rush and have to close again later for whatever reason.

On a happier note - the species that are expected to be on show when each island opens have been confirmed - some very interesting fish and herps among them, but hopefully more birds to follow (or to be announced): Islands species animal gallery | Islands news
 
adrian1963 said:
Right here we go wait for all the members of zoo chat to start having a go about the zoo and not opening the islands project fully in July like promised for sometime now oh wait I forgot this isn't Twycross or South Lakes for instance.
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I'm sorry if I've given you the wrong impression. I am not having a go at anyone or anything, I was just wondering if the opening schedule had changed again.

As others have said, it's better they get it right than rush it.
 
Maguari said:
However frustrating the phased opening is, it's nothing compared to the problems they'd have trying to move the opening date and previews now!

Better they do it right than rush and have to close again later for whatever reason.

On a happier note - the species that are expected to be on show when each island opens have been confirmed - some very interesting fish and herps among them, but hopefully more birds to follow (or to be announced): Islands species animal gallery | Islands news
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No mention of lorikeets at Bali Bird Temple? Strange.
 
Just had a look at the map and video and it certainly looks very impressive. It could even operate as a stand alone attraction (when fully finished) and can see myself making the trip just for here. Even before this build, I found Chester a bit too big for a single day visit, so now it will need at least two days to see the lot.
 
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