Chester Zoo 2013 #2 from June 2013

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Is Oakfield Manor restaurant ever open these days? On the last few weekend days I have been there has been a function on, fair enough weddings, company days etc, however when I have managed to snaffle a weekday visit it has been closed too? I do enjoy that corner of the zoo very much and would like to do afternoon tea on a warm summers day outside soon. Have I been unlucky, or has it closed to the general zoo attending public now?
 
May I ask what's the point of closing the other thread and starting a new one? Can we not just have one that runs for the whole year?
 
JamesB said:
May I ask what's the point of closing the other thread and starting a new one? Can we not just have one that runs for the whole year?
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The thread was cut off because they tend to get too long, it just makes it a wee bit easier to refer back to a certain post.

A point to all members, please be encouraged to open new threads on any subject, pertaining to that zoo, please try not lump it all into a specific news thread.
 
Visited today for the first time in nearly a year. Was one of those lovely visits where the weather was perfect, the number of visitors was large but not overwhelmingly so, and everything seemed to be very active. Banteng were definitely a highlight, as were the newly arrived Malayan Tapir and Great Argus.
I also hadn't realised Chester now housed White-Faced Saki. I make that 11 species of South American monkey at the zoo. The mammal collection has come on leaps and bounds over the past few years, but even by itself that's a pretty nice number.
I also caught a brief glimpse of some of the off-show parrots whilst viewing the Banteng. A pair of Blue-Throated Macaw, and one of the cockatoos. None of the on-show macaws were out, so this was a nice little surprise.
I quite like the changes to the West Zoo paddocks as well, even at the loss of the Gemsbok. I got the best view of the Bongo I've gotten in years, and it's nice to see the current Sitatunga paddock no longer empty. Swapping the Porcupines and Aardvarks was probably a wise move too.
 
Great visit today, must have been one of the busiest days of the year so far. Everything was very well set up and the zoo looked at its best. Highlights for me were seeing both species of rhino using the mud pools and ponds to splash around and cool down in, the giant otter family making full use of that stunning enclosure, spectacled bear foraging for ages and giant anteaters out and about (never seen them out before!) all of the above a joy to watch. Most of the animals were extremely active but disappointing not to see any of the jags, the orangs were hard to spot hiding outside in the shade and the elusive tiger cubs were being kept very well hidden.

I like the addition of the trees inside the orang enclosures in RORA, gives some much needed interest and stops it feeling like an 'empty pit' as has been said by some.

Question, why don't the zoo produce a guide book anymore? I over heard several people wanting to buy one, but there isn't anything available. The only thing I spotted was the photo booklet as you leave the zoo now contains some very brief info about some of the animals, but this is not a substitute.
 
ChesterZooFan said:
Question, why don't the zoo produce a guide book anymore? I over heard several people wanting to buy one, but there isn't anything available. The only thing I spotted was the photo booklet as you leave the zoo now contains some very brief info about some of the animals, but this is not a substitute.
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This question has puzzled me ever since the withdrawal of the last guide. The zoo must be losing several thousands of pounds a year in sales by not having a guide book.

The public seem to want one, guide book collectors want one. I think it is an own-goal by the marketing department.
 
bongorob said:
This question has puzzled me ever since the withdrawal of the last guide. The zoo must be losing several thousands of pounds a year in sales by not having a guide book.

The public seem to want one, guide book collectors want one. I think it is an own-goal by the marketing department.
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I am afraid it is a common lament these days. My homegrown zoo has the same marketing issues and thus no guide book. And yes the public want one if only to reminisce after they have gone home what they experienced, enjoyed, did ... whatever at the zoo. It seems a shame in the digital age ... that it is often the overlooked joys. And yes think of all the additional income.
 
bongorob said:
This question has puzzled me ever since the withdrawal of the last guide. The zoo must be losing several thousands of pounds a year in sales by not having a guide book.
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I asked Stephanie Sanderson, who has the grandiose title of "Director of the Living Collection" about this. The idea is for the iOS/Android app to replace a printed guide because it can be kept far more up-to-date.

Myself and a couple of others then pointed out to her that the app was hopelessly out-of-date and inaccurate, even when it was launched.
 
SMR said:
I asked Stephanie Sanderson, who has the grandiose title of "Director of the Living Collection" about this. The idea is for the iOS/Android app to replace a printed guide because it can be kept far more up-to-date.

Myself and a couple of others then pointed out to her that the app was hopelessly out-of-date and inaccurate, even when it was launched.
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An a significant number of visitors - myself included - wouldn't know what an IOS/Android app is! Do you read it? Wear it? Eat it?
 
SHAVINGTONZOO said:
An a significant number of visitors - myself included - wouldn't know what an IOS/Android app is! Do you read it? Wear it? Eat it?
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Agreed, apps are only accessible to those with smart phones, which not everybody has - a printed guidebook is available to all no matter what their age, technical background or making sure they HAVE to have the 'latest gadgets.' It is a minor irritation, but nonetheless I think there is still place for the good old annual guidebook :)
 
Also, you download the app to your smart phone for say £5 or so and then your phone breaks... Then you're a fiver out of pocket with no guide for return visits!
 
Brum said:
Also, you download the app to your smart phone for say £5 or so and then your phone breaks... Then you're a fiver out of pocket with no guide for return visits!
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The Chester Zoo app is free (as are most zoo apps) but that's beside the point, a good guide book can add greatly to the experience and is a keepsake for many people, not just collectors.

Edit: also worth noting is that even paid apps are usually available to all devices across a user's account, so in the case of Android for example, if you lose/break/replace your phone, you can simply re-download.
 
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SMR said:
The Chester Zoo app is free (as are most zoo apps) but that's beside the point, a good guide book can add greatly to the experience and is a keepsake for many people, not just collectors.

Edit: also worth noting is that even paid apps are usually available to all devices across a user's account, so in the case of Android for example, if you lose/break/replace your phone, you can simply re-download.
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Fair enough, didn't realise it was free. As for user accounts, I never really set mine up when I had my last 2 smart phones, just installed the occasional app or game. Now I'm back on a s****y phone I wish I'd made more use of it at the time.
 
SMR said:
The Chester Zoo app is free (as are most zoo apps) but that's beside the point, a good guide book can add greatly to the experience and is a keepsake for many people, not just collectors.
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Have to agree on this, i always look to get a guide book when visiting somewhere for the first time. Though i avoid collecting them at zoos i visit regularly as very often it is only the cover that changes, which can be a bit of a rip off!
 
Do the zoo realise that producing a guidebook with 20 different covers would increase sales amongst zoo geeks with very little extra work!
 
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