Chester Zoo Big news at Chester zoo 2007 #1
- Thread starter Writhedhornbill
- Start date
- Status
oh big miss understanding sorry do you have pictures off the offf show outdoor paddock and chester really has space for twoo bulls - could they start a new heard - is this why birma was introduced or was that for breeding and any other females coming to chester zoo or indeed pregnat !
I was not sure what you meant orang09. The offshow area is not visible from the zoo grounds unless it can be seen from the northern end of the old maned wolf enclosure, currently housing a crane. It may be visible from the car park, I've never looked. It can be seen from the bridle path which bisects the zoo. I've searched my records and I don't appear to have a photo of this enclosure, but my cataloguing has not been given much attention over the last six months. I'll take a look in the winter when the trees have died down, and perhaps I'll get a decent shot.
I went to Chester Zoo today, it was very busy.
One of my informants who usually stops for a chat just nodded on his way past. He must have been in a hurry, a shame really, he would be the person to ask about the addax.
Birma the elephant is believed to be pregnant but there has been no confirmation yet.
The offshow female black rhino has still not been placed with a male.
Asha, the Asian lioness born in Paignton, but obtained from Rome last June has mated with Chester's resident male Asoka.
Despite no longer being listed on ISIS, Arvicanthis rats and Mesic Four-striped Grass Mice can be seen in the Secret World of the Okapi. The Mouse has 2 babies.
Another recent birth is a Vicuna.
A CCTV monitor has been placed by the Red Pandas so that people can see the babies.
One of the vivariums in the Tropical Realm houses a Crocodile Monitor. This brings the total to at least 3 specimens.
Other changes on that section are a swopping of enclosures between the White's Tree Frogs and the Mission Golden-eyed Tree Frogs.
Standing's Day Geckos can be seen in the Madagascan Tree Boa enclosure.
Violet Turacos are now in free flight in the Tropical Realm.
An aviary opposite the Fountain Shop contains 1.1 Salvadori's Pheasants. There is also a pair in the Tropical Realm, but although the other aviary in the old bird house still has a label for this species, I did not see any pheasants. A gardener was tidying up the shrubs though, so maybe they were keeping out of his way. The zoo could now have 3.3 of these birds.
A Red Jungle Fowl chick was seen in the elephant house aviary.
The Mighty Zulu Nation Theatre Company did a display on the ark lawn, it was very spectacular.
Planning permission was recently obtained for a new exhibit on the lemur islands, this is for public access via a new bridge by the lion enclosure and alterations to the existing accomodation to enable the zoo to bring in 4 new species of lemur. Maintenance was being carried out on the Black and White Ruffed Lemur enclosure, so perhaps this project has already started.
The offshow bull elephant area can be partially seen from the northern end of the crane enclosure (the one by the canal). A slightly better view is possible from the bridge leading to the Tropical Realm. The best vantage point is from Flag Lane, the bridle path dividing the zoo. Although the zoo's security fence is covered in green nylon mesh the pen can be seen. You need to leave the zoo grounds to get there though.
One of my informants who usually stops for a chat just nodded on his way past. He must have been in a hurry, a shame really, he would be the person to ask about the addax.
Birma the elephant is believed to be pregnant but there has been no confirmation yet.
The offshow female black rhino has still not been placed with a male.
Asha, the Asian lioness born in Paignton, but obtained from Rome last June has mated with Chester's resident male Asoka.
Despite no longer being listed on ISIS, Arvicanthis rats and Mesic Four-striped Grass Mice can be seen in the Secret World of the Okapi. The Mouse has 2 babies.
Another recent birth is a Vicuna.
A CCTV monitor has been placed by the Red Pandas so that people can see the babies.
One of the vivariums in the Tropical Realm houses a Crocodile Monitor. This brings the total to at least 3 specimens.
Other changes on that section are a swopping of enclosures between the White's Tree Frogs and the Mission Golden-eyed Tree Frogs.
Standing's Day Geckos can be seen in the Madagascan Tree Boa enclosure.
Violet Turacos are now in free flight in the Tropical Realm.
An aviary opposite the Fountain Shop contains 1.1 Salvadori's Pheasants. There is also a pair in the Tropical Realm, but although the other aviary in the old bird house still has a label for this species, I did not see any pheasants. A gardener was tidying up the shrubs though, so maybe they were keeping out of his way. The zoo could now have 3.3 of these birds.
A Red Jungle Fowl chick was seen in the elephant house aviary.
The Mighty Zulu Nation Theatre Company did a display on the ark lawn, it was very spectacular.
Planning permission was recently obtained for a new exhibit on the lemur islands, this is for public access via a new bridge by the lion enclosure and alterations to the existing accomodation to enable the zoo to bring in 4 new species of lemur. Maintenance was being carried out on the Black and White Ruffed Lemur enclosure, so perhaps this project has already started.
The offshow bull elephant area can be partially seen from the northern end of the crane enclosure (the one by the canal). A slightly better view is possible from the bridge leading to the Tropical Realm. The best vantage point is from Flag Lane, the bridle path dividing the zoo. Although the zoo's security fence is covered in green nylon mesh the pen can be seen. You need to leave the zoo grounds to get there though.
Last edited:
What do you know about this new development? Would it be a walkthrough enclosure sort of thing?
Also, what crocodiles does the zoo currently hold? There were none when I last visited which seemed very unusual.
Writhedhornbill
Well-Known Member
The zoo houses west african dwarf crocs I think. I find it very confusing, as some signs say west African Dwarf, and some say broad fronted. The zoo still keeps crocs though,I'm Sure of it, as I saw one move last time I went.
The dwarf crocodiles are still there. They are in the old alligator pool at the far end of the house, if you're loking at the aviaires it is easy to miss them. The alligators were sent away when maintenance was due in their enclosure. They never came back.
All I know about the new lemur exhibit is what I posted. It does seem as if it will be a walk through though.
All I know about the new lemur exhibit is what I posted. It does seem as if it will be a walk through though.
Writhedhornbill
Well-Known Member
A male alligator was euthenaised, when he swallowed a coin.
Thanks, Rob. That's what I thought, but what is a Yunnan red-bellied squirrel? There seems to be a few squirrels sharing similar common names. Is it Callosciurus erythraeus?
Writhedhornbill
Well-Known Member
The red bellied squirrels can also be called belly banded squirrels. That is the name used on ISIS.
Yes it is. They are listed on ISIS as C.erythraeuas, the zoo has labelled them as the subspecies gongshaniensis, this is the form found in Yunnan and the surrounding area and was described as recently as 1981. The Prevost's Squirrel is the subspecies bangkanus, from the Indonesian island of Bangka. C.erythraeus is also known as Pallas' Squirrel.
Thanks that's cleared that up. I was wondering if it was the same as Pallas' Squirrel. There is also a Red-bellied tree squirrel, and apparently according to the net Rubrisciurus rubriventer is also commonly called red bellied squirrel hence the confusion. Thanks again.
Writhedhornbill
Well-Known Member
I was just re-reading this thread, and Chester would like to get sun bears again according to one keeper, but I don't know when that would be or when they'd arrive.
- Status