chester

Fire-tufted Barbet (Psilopogon pyrolophus) in one of the upper aviaries in the Tropical Realm. Chester bred these birds for the first time in the UK in 1984. Some of the young were exhibited at London Zoo

Variable Chacalaca (Ortalis motmot) chicks in one of the indoor aviaries in the bird house arcade.

Two male Tawny Frogmouths (Podargus strigoides) in one of the indoor aviaries in the bird house arcade. Two pairs were purchased from Taronga Park Zoo in 1981. The first UK breeding occurred at Chester in 1994 and they have proved to be consistent breeders ever since.

These aviaries were constructed in 1997 and replaced a row of less tall aviaries built the 1960s. The original aviaries were similar to the ones on the right of the picture which were built in 1975. These in turn, were replaced in 2007. The building in the background is the Jubilee Square...

A Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa laponnica) chick, 30 days old. These owls are huge.

Male Malayan Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron malacense malacense) in the upper aviaries, Tropical Realm Chester Zoo.

Gentoo Penguins (Pygoscelis papua) in the 1960s penguin pool. These birds came from Edinburgh Zoo.

Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax) in the old bird of prey aviaries alongside the canal.

Indian Rhino at Chester Zoo 14/02/2008 (It may be a bit blurry...)

Taken 14/02/08 inside Spirit of the Jaguar

Swainson's Lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus moluccanus) at Chester Zoo where many chicks were reared.

Hugo a male Canadian Musk Ox (Ovibos moschatus moschatus). He was one of the friendliest animals I have ever known and always came running up to the fence whenever I went to his enclosure.

A pair of Splendid (or Scarlet-chested) Parakeets (Neophema splendida) in the long aviary by the otters. This species is one of my favourite birds.

Roan Antelope (Hippotragus equinus) in the Cattle House at Chester Zoo. These were imported from Dvur Kralove but never bred at Chester and the surviving male was eventually sent to Whipsnade.

Baby male Asian Elephant Jubilee, the first successful elephant birth in the UK. He is aged 4 days.

Max and Phyllis, the Pygmy Hippos (Hexaprotodon liberiensis) at Chester Zoo in 1975. This enclosure was the outside accommodation for the hippos who also had an indoor area underneath the Nocturnal House. This site now houses the capuchin monkeys.

White-bearded Gnus (Connochaetes taurinus albojubatus) among the daisies. One of my favourite antelopes.

A female Congo Buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus) enjoying a mud bath at Chester Zoo.This species is also called the Dwarf or Forest Buffalo.

Male Lowland Anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) calf Asterix. The first of this species to be born at Chester Zoo. This enclosure stood where the Arara Picnic Lodge is now. It also housed Collared Peccaries and the Bagot Goats, and possibly pot-bellied pigs (not sure on that one).

Female Onager (Equus hemionus onager) and newborn foal.