Thanks for posting a comprehensive overview of this new development. How many exhibits are there and what species are displayed? Are any of the islands connected via ropes? The name Gibbon Forest is a little ridiculous considering that at this point the enclosures are barren, with little greenery and containing a few poles that don't at all invoke images of a "forest".
Thanks for posting a comprehensive overview of this new development. How many exhibits are there and what species are displayed? Are any of the islands connected via ropes? The name Gibbon Forest is a little ridiculous considering that at this point the enclosures are barren, with little greenery and containing a few poles that don't at all invoke images of a "forest".
I don't know if the outdoor equipment shown here is finished yet, but while I think the number of poles on each island looks sufficient, I would like to see more connecting ropes/links for brachiation and some small 'gibbon-sized' circular platforms dotted around and at the top of the poles, to allow the gibbons to sit on.
I hope that the planting on each island includes a couple of really fast growing trees (such as willows) as well as the evergreens that are obvious in these photos. Otherwise it will take a while before the name is justified.
How many exhibits are there and what species are displayed? Are any of the islands connected via ropes? The name Gibbon Forest is a little ridiculous considering that at this point the enclosures are barren,
I believe there are 4 Gibbon islands- unconnected to each other- to hold 4 different species. Two will be Pileated and Siamang- I can't remember the other two. This exhibit is not quite complete yet but Twycross have about 17 Gibbons of various species around the Zoo. Interesting to see how many of them will make the cut to this new exhibit
Giving new exhibits descriptive names like 'Forest' or 'Plains' seems obligatory in many zoos these days- however unlike the wild habitats they are. In this case there may be tree planting too.
The gibbon species are siamang, pileated, agile and northern white cheeked I believe. Last time I was in I asked if there would be other species joining them inside the house and in the fifth island and was told that there probably wouldn't be as it opens, but there could be space for that in the future.
A little disappointing I suppose, but it does look very impressive as is and is a huge upgrade for the gibbons. Is this the zoo's biggest ever development?
As they are, yes. They need small platforms on the tops and more interconnecting straps/ropes to make the whole area properly usable by them.
As they can presumably only keep a pair or family group in each of the four displays, it means the total kept in here is likely to be well under the 17 or so the Zoo currently have. It means a number of others are unlikely to see these new enclosures.
