I can definately still picture it with the Lions.
When It opened it was the largest Lion enclosure in the UK and was completely glass fronted. Having been in it since 1989 when it was built (im quite sure they arrived when it had just been finished) And then Subu and Ashanti moved out in 2004 to Lion Rock.
Having seen it since 1989 when it was built (im quite sure they arrived when it had just been finished) And then Subu and Ashanti moved out in 2004 to Lion Rock.
Are you sure about this? I made several visits to Colchester in the late 1990's- I seem to remember the Lions always being where they are now and not anywhere else.
I can definately still picture it with the Lions.
When It opened it was the largest Lion enclosure in the UK and was completely glass fronted. Having been in it since 1989 when it was built (im quite sure they arrived when it had just been finished) And then Subu and Ashanti moved out in 2004 to Lion Rock.
If this was built in 1989 then it can't have been the largest lion enclosure in the UK - Chester, Longleat, Woburn, in fact probably any of the safari parks had larger exhibits at that time.
I think because Serengeti Plains (African lions, Spur thighed Tortoise, Madagascan Tree Boa, Leopard Tortoise) being on the same side and very close to lion rock that isprobably why you thought it was the same (also the same fake rock backdrop!!) The dens were on the right where the mangabeys indoor area is now.
Lion Rock is where the paddocks (according to the map) were I assume these were for the 'barn' that houses the farm animals now.
inbetween the old and new lion enclosures was 'out of Africa' L'hoest monkey, Dik Dik,, Hammerkop, Yellow billed stork
I think because Serengeti Plains being on the same side and very close to lion rock that isprobably why you thought it was the same (also the same fake rock backdrop!!) The dens were on the right where the mangabeys indoor area is now.
Yes, the two enclosures are quite similar in their situation,(and fake rockery of course) though 'Lion Rock' is a lot more spacious. Hence my confusion. My recent visit would have been the first time I saw a Lion in this newer enclosure
I never thought about what 'Mangabey Forest' contained before it had the Monkeys and became a 'forest'. Now I can see how it would have been the Lion enclosure first. I remember one time seeing the male lion jumping up a pole for its meat- that must have been in this enclosure? There were a male and two females at that time (late nineties).
I still think the site of 'Lion Rock' is where the Zebra paddock used to be? The mandrill enclosure was somewhere opposite
I only said it was because It was written on the Colchester Zoo Website on a history slideshow when it first opened.
It might well be wrong.
The only lions that were held in Lions of the Serengeti where the siblings Subu,Ashanti and Massing who were all born at Woburn 22/4/89 and left to go to Colchester's new Enclosure on the 8/12/89.
Massing was never moved to Lion Rock so she must of died between 2001-4 as she was alive and healthy in 2001 when I visited.
Ashanti died 2006 I think and then Leoni came from Blair Drummond? (May be wrong I always mix her up) to acompany Subu.
With Leoni having passed on a few weeks ago this leaves the surviving Subu who has now been left on his own.
No, it was me who was wrong. Sorry I queried you. I hadn't realised when I looked at the Mangabey's Forest that they were in fact in the Lions' old enclosure and that the 'Lion Rock' was only five years old. (seems like it may be outdated for Lions already.)
