Chester Zoo Agm
- Thread starter Pygathrix
- Start date
I know of three ZooChat members who attended and it was a great opportunity to talk to the zoo's upper management. We saw the new website, which will have a section specifically dedicated to disseminating news to members, what the hotel will look like (along the lines of the Tsavo Café, with a wooden roof) and a physical model of the possible zoo redesign under Natural Vision.
There were a number of interesting questions, including one about the elephant husbandry and another about membership concessions for carers. We were told about the delay to the African hunting dogs and in a private conversation with Mark Pilgrim, what is likely to be built in the area formerly occupied by the butterfly garden, corridor and circular aviaries together with their "wish list" of species.
The zoo had a very successful year - as is detailed in the annual report - but so far 2010's numbers have not been so good, partly due to the weather and partly due to the economic downturn (historically the zoo suffers the year after a recession officially ends) therefore the extensive cost-cutting measures that were initiated in late 2008 have come into play. The zoo's management is proud of the fact that there have been no staff redundancies and there have been no cuts whatsoever to any of the overseas conservation programmes.
Particular success stories include the Jaguar Coffee House, which is turning in a significant profit, and (ack) the miniature golf, which the zoo will own outright well ahead of schedule.
ZooChat and Bartlett Society member Paul Murphy presented the C. H. Keeling Award to Stephen McKeown, Head of Discovery and Learning, for the excellent history banner outside Cedar House that was unveiled as part of the zoo's 75th Anniversary celebrations.
All the council members proposed were elected, although one did not attend.
There were a number of interesting questions, including one about the elephant husbandry and another about membership concessions for carers. We were told about the delay to the African hunting dogs and in a private conversation with Mark Pilgrim, what is likely to be built in the area formerly occupied by the butterfly garden, corridor and circular aviaries together with their "wish list" of species.
The zoo had a very successful year - as is detailed in the annual report - but so far 2010's numbers have not been so good, partly due to the weather and partly due to the economic downturn (historically the zoo suffers the year after a recession officially ends) therefore the extensive cost-cutting measures that were initiated in late 2008 have come into play. The zoo's management is proud of the fact that there have been no staff redundancies and there have been no cuts whatsoever to any of the overseas conservation programmes.
Particular success stories include the Jaguar Coffee House, which is turning in a significant profit, and (ack) the miniature golf, which the zoo will own outright well ahead of schedule.
ZooChat and Bartlett Society member Paul Murphy presented the C. H. Keeling Award to Stephen McKeown, Head of Discovery and Learning, for the excellent history banner outside Cedar House that was unveiled as part of the zoo's 75th Anniversary celebrations.
All the council members proposed were elected, although one did not attend.
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zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
As SMR said it was a private off the record Chat until Mark says other wise it will stay that way from those of us that heard what was said.I take it you're not allowed to spill
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
The delay had been the moving on of the Przewalski`s Horse and the final design of other parts of the re-building of the area including things like toilets/cafe and shop.
chesterfan
Active Member
Any news on when works to the hunting dogs will commence? I remember that this exhibit has just been postponed rather than scrapped. Hopefully this great weather and 2 baby elephants arriving soon will significantly increase visitor numbers through summer thus making funds available for the dogs?
RE: circular avairy replacement...I am guessing this will encompass 'Isalnds in Danger' theme. Can't wait to hear what will come to fruition. I like the suspense!
Although mini golf has been constructed in the most horrendous location i have to say that this along with costa coffee is a great example of what we talked about with Tim at the zoo chat day...the fact that chester will need to diversify and offer additional non animal attractions. I think it is clear that the money genrated from these enterprises will allow the zoo to expand and realise its expansion and outreach work.
Was there any mention on how the new government will impact natural vision, and specifically the HOA? Clearly a lot if funding was to be made available form the previous government....i am concerned that HOA is not considered a viable use of funds??What is the impact?
I believe we're looking at next year (at the earliest) for the hunting dogs. The original plans ballooned and as Tim explained it became a funding issue, but now there are thoughts about how the developments at that end of the zoo will impact the paddocks there. The question is whether it is prudent to develop the African village, border post etc. in the short term, or encompass them into possible hotel and more permanent fixtures in the area where the current access route off the A41 is located (remember that under phase 1 of Natural Vision the access route will move in a northerly direction, closer to the junction of the A41 and A5116). That of course, means that the hunting dogs will be on hold until more is known about planning consent, the accommodation and new entrance proposals.
They'll have to tread a fine line with the non-animal attractions as these seem to be causing most of the planning approval issues surrounding Heart of Africa and phase 1 of Natural Vision. One of the letters of objection is from a long-standing member who says that while she supports the zoo's conservation and educational roles, garden centres, hotels et al are outside of its remit. In many ways it's a valid point, and I myself would hesitate over more attractions of the miniature golf ilk; things such as climbing walls and rope swings that dilute the core message, both of which have been put forward as possibilities.
I don't know what changes were made in today's emergency budget, but we were told that the funds available to regional development agencies had been cut and this of course will have a negative impact on HoA. I suppose it'll depend on what other applications the North West DA have on the table.