Chester Zoo Chester Zoo 2016 #2

[zoogiraffe]

Looking forward to the next phase of islands! When are they looking to start construction on the new enclosures and have them completed?

They want it complete for summer next year but given how Island went I will believe that when I see it.

Also is there any way that they could expand monsoon forest to house new species in future?

Very simple answer NO given that originally it was suppose to be twice the size it is now and it was reduced in size to cut costs!!They could how ever build smaller houses built to a similar in design as Monsoon in other parts of Islands to add further indoor areas!

 

[wayne4swfc]

Also is there any way that they could expand monsoon forest to house new species in future?

Walking around Monsoon Forest I still feel it feels quite empty for the size anyway so I'm sure more species could easily be added into the existing area if they wanted to.

 

[SHAVINGTONZOO]

Walking around Monsoon Forest I still feel it feels quite empty for the size anyway so I'm sure more species could easily be added into the existing area if they wanted to.

There was more to see in the Tropical House (1960s) than Monsoon Forest (2010s).

Discuss.

 

[Swampy]

I quite agree- the free-flight bird area still feels much more empty than the tropical realm did. the fact the only large-ish flock the scissor-billed starlings, seem to spend all their time as far from the path as possible.
There were probably more species to see in the tropical realm, especially when it was at it's heyday, but is that the sole criterion for deciding the quality of an exhibit?

 

[TeaLovingDave]

I've a feeling that the Tropical House might *still* display more taxa than does the Monsoon Forest - however I imagine the number of species at the former will only reduce over time and the number of species at the latter will continue to increase over time

 

[bongorob]

on my last visit to Monsoon Forest they had still not introduced the roulrouls

 

[Ag999]

Are we any clearer on the future plans for the old orangtuan house, will it be demolished or is it staying for the longterm?

 

[Pertinax]

There was more to see in the Tropical House (1960s) than Monsoon Forest (2010s).

Discuss.

It occurred to me after visiting, that the Monsoon House is really just a modern version of the Tropical House, complete with adjacent indoor housing for Apes, just as the Boat Ride through Islands is an updated version of their old Waterbuses. Is nothing new?

To address your question- overall with the Reptiles, Gorillas and Orangutan indoor areas, as well as the Birds, the old Tropical House perhaps represented greater abundance/variety of animals- plus it was certainly quite unique in its day. That's not to say I didn't like its modern counterpart- I did, though I felt there was far more walking entailed to view everything.

 

[taun]

To address your question- overall with the Reptiles, Gorillas and Orangutan indoor areas, as well as the Birds, the old Tropical House perhaps represented greater abundance/variety of animals- plus it was certainly quite unique in its day. That's not to say I didn't like its modern counterpart- I did, though I felt there was far more walking entailed to view everything.

Give me the tropical realm over monsoon rainforest any day! I just feel it is too small, I know crazy as the building is huge.

And I agree with the walking, lots of walking and very little space for the birds. I think they should have done away with the macaques and there would have been more space to create an actually rainforest.

Maybe in time with plants maturing it will feel less of a concrete jungle....man I have concrete.

 

[gentle lemur]

Give me the tropical realm over monsoon rainforest any day!

You're welcome to it
(but enjoy it while you can; it may not be too long before it starts to fall down)

Pertinax is quite right: the Monsoon Forest is the contemporary version of the old Tropical House. Better in almost every way and more appropriate to the current time. Better accommodation for all the species, although not as many species of course. A better multi-species display (eventually, see below), a better educational resource, with better architecture and engineering (just look up at that roof ) and giving better accessibility for all visitors. And it will get better still as the plants grow and the bird population builds up - and when the herptile displays before the macaques are finally ready for permanent stocking.
It's not perfect of course, the crocodile chicane problem has been reduced but not solved and the macaque tunnel still feels odd: I also regret that there are no places to just sit down and watch - which would give old folks, like Pertinax and myself, a little rest from all the walking

Alan

 

[Pertinax]

I also regret that there are no places to just sit down and watch - which would give old folks, like Pertinax and myself, a little rest from all the walking

Alan

In full agreement there. Some ordinary benches would certainly not come amiss, there is nothing at present.

 

[SMR]

...just as the Boat Ride through Islands is an updated version of their old Waterbuses.

For a lot of years, the old waterbus was more useful as one could hop on and off at different places around the zoo.

The old Tropical House was/is quite unique and ground-breaking, even today I believe a lot of people would be quite amazed if they saw it as it was when it opened, with the ape, reptile and birds of paradise exhibits. It was unfortunate that the decision was (mistakenly) made to change the roof and there have been issues ever since, not least of which being the lack of investment.

Monsoon Forest is nothing new, but is built to modern husbandry standards. But it'll be interested to see how it fares in twenty, let alone fifty years' time, and what we think of it then.

 

[Yassa]

What I really disliked in the Monsoon Forest house is the mock rock. I have NO IDEA why zoo designers believe that mock rock looks "natural" in a supposed rainforest. I`ve seen a lot of tropical rainforests in the last years, and believe me, mock rock has nothing to do with rainforests! It just looks artificial and ugly, and it`s expensive as hell. Chester`s Monsoon Forest would look so much better and more natural without it.

 

[BlackRhino78]

The issue I believe Monsoon Forest has is that it is compared to the tropical house I understand why and it's easy to fall into that trap but I believe both houses should be judged differently as the tropical house wasn't as restricted with the certain species it could hold as monsoon forest is because of the south east Asia theming which takes place.

Personally I do like Monsoon Forest and it looks still to be a bit work in progress with more bird species to be added and with the planting to mature aswell I do tend to agree though that it does seem rather low on species for example if the Orangutans are outdoors (which I know can't be helped) it does seem very empty and a little bit underwhelming. I was thinking perhaps they should add slow loris in monsoon forest as they fit in with the theming and an important message could be given about their plight that they have suffered in the illegal pet trade.

I know it is perhaps rather unlikely but I would like to see the tropical house continue as it is now but just with a bit of "sprucing up" perhaps more newer planting and just a moderate refurbishment which doesent lose the charm of the tropical house as it is now but it just keeps it in touch with the 21st century. I'd hate to see it go because I love residing on a bench in there just listening and watching the birds

 

[Waddi]

Can anybody provide me details of this lovely lady, I believe the photo to be taken in 1998.

Thank you

 

[Maguari]

For 1998 it ought to be Chandani, who, with Jake, was responsible for the Golden Age of Asian Lion breeding at Chester.

 

[Waddi]

For 1998 it ought to be Chandani, who, with Jake, was responsible for the Golden Age of Asian Lion breeding at Chester.

Thank you, and she definitely is Asiatic?

 

[Maguari]

Thank you, and she definitely is Asiatic?

Yes - the African lions left in 1994*, so even a year or two either way on your estimate and it's definitely an Asian Lion.




*as recently much-discussed in a particularly bizarre thread on Chester's Facebook page, started by a man disappointed by the much smaller lion enclosure with a only a few Asian Lions compared to the 10 African Lions he saw in a huge enclosure in 1998, who I strongly suspect went to Knowsley then got mixed up!

 

[Waddi]

Yes - the African lions left in 1994*, so even a year or two either way on your estimate and it's definitely an Asian Lion.




*as recently much-discussed in a particularly bizarre thread on Chester's Facebook page, started by a man disappointed by the much smaller lion enclosure with a only a few Asian Lions compared to the 10 African Lions he saw in a huge enclosure in 1998, who I strongly suspect went to Knowsley then got mixed up!

I know the exact thread, this is said mans photo from 1998, just wanted to confirm she was Asiatic before I threw it at him.

 

[Maguari]

I know the exact thread, this is said mans photo from 1998, just wanted to confirm she was Asiatic before I threw it at him.

Ah! Circular conversation then. There must be some more thread I'm not up-to-date with!

Certainly looks Asian to me. You might also feel like mentioning the mesh that is clearly visible in the shot as he seems to think that's a new thing as well!

(incidentally, not to appear stalkerish but I clicked through onto his profile and he started high school in 1998 - I'm not sure I'd stick so closely to memories from when I was twelve with so many people contradicting me!)