Progress on the new monkey forest enclosures in early Feb 2024 showing new viewing platform and outside areas, with the outside lights on the housing / inside areas turned on. Taken from the Passage through Asia area.
Though now I wonder what the viewing opportunities will be... unless of course they are to stare into the trees and glimpse a monkey. But still good!
Though I do wonder whether native trees will be more/less difficult for them to navigate than trees of their natural situation...
There is a further enclosure to the right of the viewing platform and they appear to have access to both. The right hand side one has less trees and more climbing logs. Monkeys are often seen in enclosures with native trees in UK zoos so I expect they will find their way around.
This is much better than I expected! a proper grove of trees for them. Which species goes in here- is it the Sulawesi macaques? I can see them having problems with the non-native trees...
The state-of-the-art exhibit includes two mixed habitats, which will see the macaques and anoa, and the langurs and babirusa, living side-by-side. Mixing primates and ungulates (animals with hooves) together recreates the jungle environment, where primates and ungulates often interact – for example, ungulates might eat food that primates have dropped from the canopy. It provides natural enrichment for the animals, as well as an incredible experience for visitors!
@Pertinax Yes this is the Macque / Anoa area (one of two, the other goes around to the right of this picture, with a dry ditch moat leading up to a fence with a circular path going around it). There are some pictures of that under construction earlier too.
@Lafone I'm definately impressed. Much more upmarket than I expected and the mixed exhibits mean visitors will be more likely to at least see some activity. Is that a brand new house or the original/bear one with cladding on it?
@Lafone Wow, this is really getting me excited! Easter isn't too long to wait, but by the looks of it, the "Monkey Forest" exhibit title also encompasses the already open and functioning langur and babirusa enclosure. I've forgotten, do Whipsnade already have Anoa, and if so how many?
@Pertinax Yes it looks really nice and the pathway goes all the way behind the Babirusa and Langur enclosure with new viewing windows too so good things to hopefully see on the way particularly in good weather. The Anoa living at the top of passage through Asia at the moment is very showy so hopefully he will offer good views.
@Rajang-GOAT They do have signed Anoa currently living in the enclosure at the top of Passage through Asia (near the emu) which you can walk to before the cattle grid. I've only seen one who is often out and about and comes up to the fence to see if you walk down there, but someone may know if there is more than one.
