Chester Zoo African wild dogs

Interesting that Chester are one of the last major Zoos in Uk to acquire African Hunting Dogs.

Have they had them previously?
 
Pertinax they had one in the 1930s

Karoocheetah it says 'Once our team are satisfied the pack have had enough time to settle into their environment the exhibit will be open to the public'.

This does not necessariy mean they will be on show today or tomorrow.
 
Pertinax they had one in the 1930s

Karoocheetah it says 'Once our team are satisfied the pack have had enough time to settle into their environment the exhibit will be open to the public'.

This does not necessariy mean they will be on show today or tomorrow.

I saw that it BUt it does say
"Painted Dogs Preview Friday, March 25, 2011 - Tuesday, April 05, 2011"

so how can you do the view part of the preview bit if they don't actually let us see them?

I will admit that I've had sugar today and hence am more excitable than normal but surely a PREview should involve some viewing?

:)
 
I saw that it BUt it does say
"Painted Dogs Preview Friday, March 25, 2011 - Tuesday, April 05, 2011"

so how can you do the view part of the preview bit if they don't actually let us see them?

I will admit that I've had sugar today and hence am more excitable than normal but surely a PREview should involve some viewing?

:)

It's a valid point, perhaps they can be seen in the house.
 
The dogs' main off-show den isn't accessible to the public. They are, however, out on the paddock and I saw them today. I'll post a photo later from the (ahem) public pathway between the roan antelope and gemsbok.

All are present and correct and doing well, in fact it looked like they were really enjoying their new surroundings. One spent a while staring me down through the glass of the new porcupine exhibit.

I'd be really surprised if the exhibit is open in any way for a preview this week, it's not impossible but the entrance and exit areas don't look quite ready so I wouldn't make a special trip without contacting the zoo first.
 
Shots from some distance away; one through wire and two layers of glass.
 

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that looks really nice. What are hunting dogs like in UK collections in terms of general visibility? The ones in my local NZ zoo (Orana Park) are invisible almost throughout the day. Almost the only time any visitors see them is when they are being fed.
 
The ones at the Yorkshire wildlife park are best viewed after about 330 when they are much more active
 
that looks really nice. What are hunting dogs like in UK collections in terms of general visibility? The ones in my local NZ zoo (Orana Park) are invisible almost throughout the day. Almost the only time any visitors see them is when they are being fed.

Chester's new enclosure looks good but then they usually do.

Port Lympne have a quite a lot of Hunting Dogs in several enclosures. Some of them are usually visible at any time of day, even if resting. I've never had much problem seeing them elsewhere either, unlike Maned Wolves, which if not moving around, really do seem invisible.
 
Visited today, managed to get very brief glimpses of the Dogs moving around the enclosure both pathways are still closed so at the moment the Dogs can only be seen from the pathway between the Roan Anterlope & the Gemsbok.

Have attached two pictures of the dogs sorry about the quality but they where quite a way away.
 

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I've found them easy to see at London and Port Lympne. I was always lucky and nearly always saw Maned Wolves everywhere,
apart from Chester.
 
The zoo has a video on You Tube now, showing the enclosure. It looks great.

 
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Have tried posting the link to the video here but for some reason when i post the link it just shows as a empty box with no text in the box.
 
Thanks for the Link guys - they and the enclosure look fab - planning a visit very very soon. Was a bit of a shock to the system to see Tim without his hat on though :O)
 
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