Bristol Zoo (Closed) Bristol Zoo news 2014

the current walk-through (a curved acrylic tunnel) is a 2014 refit, replacing the original straight-walled tunnel which has been there for 30-odd years. The current tunnel was put in by a company called Aquarium Technology Limited. On the following link you can see a photo of how the original tunnel looked, as well as the new version.

Bristol Zoological gardens Aquarium New walkthrough acrylic tunnel
 
Ned said:
There was a temporary sign which, unless I read it wrong, claimed Bristol's to be a world first. The current permanent sign claims it to be a European first.
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Like most places, they get things wrong sometimes. When the Drills arrived they said it was the first time they had had them. Not so, I remember them there in the 1950/60's and they are listed in the studbooks too. I did tell them but don't know if they removed that reference, but I was surprised no one had checked such a simple to access fact beforehand though.
 
Bristol now has Visayan Warty Pigs in the former Okapi enclosure opposite the gibbons. The other former Okapi enclosure (the one originally built for giraffes) is temporarily housing the female Adabra tortoises in the hope that a period of separation will entice breeding when they are reunited.
The female hippo and her calf were out in the enclosure today. The herbaceous boarder is looking great this time of year.
 
They still house at leat one in the enclosure opposite the education centre, I didn't see it today but the sign is still there.
 
Changes to Gorilla House.

Ned- or anyone...

Can you explain to me what has been done to the original half of the Gorilla house, particularly what was the public viewing area? How has it been changed/enlarged to link in with the new overhead glass viewing tunnel? Any photos of this part would be appreciated.
 
Pertinax said:
Ned- or anyone...

Can you explain to me what has been done to the original half of the Gorilla house, particularly what was the public viewing area? How has it been changed/enlarged to link in with the new overhead glass viewing tunnel? Any photos of this part would be appreciated.
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I think the original half is much as it was , from memory . The glass-floored connection to the other side opens up above the viewing area , level with the higher section of the original .

Seems like the cassowary did not stay long in the former okapi paddocks . Wonder if they have returned to The Wild Place .
 
Bele said:
I think the original half is much as it was , from memory . The glass-floored connection to the other side opens up above the viewing area , level with the higher section of the original .
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Thanks, but still unclear what they have done;

1. Does the woodchip-floored viewing area and signage remain the same?

2. Are the original glass viewing windows etc all still in place?

I can see from photos how they have converted the ex Okapi half, but not entirely clear what the original side looks like now.:confused:
 
Pertinax said:
Thanks, but still unclear what they have done;

1. Does the woodchip-floored viewing area and signage remain the same?

2. Are the original glass viewing windows etc all still in place?

I can see from photos how they have converted the ex Okapi half, but not entirely clear what the original side looks like now.:confused:
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The original side looks the same as before from memory!
 
The original side is pretty much the same though I think it has been extended a little into the public hall. The glass has been changed as it now slopes back as can be seen in pictures of the ex Okapi stalls. The wood chip has gone and the signage has changed. There was a wooden bridge that passed over visitors' heads from the left side to the right side of the original gorilla area, that has gone. I may go on Sunday so if you want specific pictures e.g. of signage let me know.
 
Ned said:
I may go on Sunday so if you want specific pictures e.g. of signage let me know.
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Thanks. I still can't quite envisage how it is now:confused:- e.g. is the original viewing area still public space but now part of the glassed in tunnel?

If you do go again and can take some photos, that would be great. Its not the signage I'm interested in, more the changes to how it is now. (I've seen good photos of the new half obviously.)
 
I've now uploaded some photos of the gorilla house interior. Hope these help.
 
Quick update from a visit today - Two female Drills have recently arrived and are now on show in the main enclosure along with one of the resident males (the 2nd male has been moved elsewhere)

Upon asking I was told they came from Barcelona at the end of July.. They appear to have settled well and the male was busy trying to add to his new family with one of them ;)

Their is also a travel crate in the breeding female Okapi exhibit. Her 2013 calf (a female) is still present and living in the enclosure next door

Photos will be up later (including some of the new Drills)
 
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