Charlie's Chester zoo review 14/8/17
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Chimps are nice to see the house less so but the chimps are!Nice. And chimps.
In the same sentence?
Noooooooo!
Komodo99
Well-Known Member
It was still something I wanted to see!The only animal you didn't see on our visit? I think not.
Part 8: Carnivores and good ol' Bert
Next came a rather quiet section the binturong where no where to be seen but to be seen was a large crate in the enclosure. In fairness the horrid lighting on the enclosure would make them hard to see anyway. Luckily I had saw binturong earlier this year at the BNC so I wasn't missing much.
Another first timer was the dwarf mongoose which I don't think I've seen. The tunnels where closed off due to filming on the animals but I did catch one adult outside and a few individuals in the house, though its borded off you can still see into it through as a part of the glass left uncovered.
Then came the lions, lying around as normal. Last time was much better for me as I saw them active and walking about but not this time. I would hope these lions breed successfully in the future it would help to bring some excitement to the enclosure.
Before seeing the bush dogs I finally saw the dreaded nissan hut and boy was it ugly. On the outside. Inside wasn't to bad mostly due to the nice water feature but there where no magpies inside, I would have to see some species of that particular bird later on.
Bush dogs as they are are ok, not my favourite but nice to see, though that's the case with any animal. I do like how large a pack Chester has and the group dynamic.
Other than seeing Bert and getting a good look at an active pudu, nothing much happened here. I found no agouti but saw the back of the anteater enclosure was fenced off and covered, what it is holding I'm not sure. Didn't look at the old cassowary enclosure because who knows when that's going to be done and I decided to miss the red panda, amazons and owls, I had seen the first and last of those all before so I wasn't fussed I was more wanting to see the bears and baby rhinos and I would not be disappointed.
Next came a rather quiet section the binturong where no where to be seen but to be seen was a large crate in the enclosure. In fairness the horrid lighting on the enclosure would make them hard to see anyway. Luckily I had saw binturong earlier this year at the BNC so I wasn't missing much.
Another first timer was the dwarf mongoose which I don't think I've seen. The tunnels where closed off due to filming on the animals but I did catch one adult outside and a few individuals in the house, though its borded off you can still see into it through as a part of the glass left uncovered.
Then came the lions, lying around as normal. Last time was much better for me as I saw them active and walking about but not this time. I would hope these lions breed successfully in the future it would help to bring some excitement to the enclosure.
Before seeing the bush dogs I finally saw the dreaded nissan hut and boy was it ugly. On the outside. Inside wasn't to bad mostly due to the nice water feature but there where no magpies inside, I would have to see some species of that particular bird later on.
Bush dogs as they are are ok, not my favourite but nice to see, though that's the case with any animal. I do like how large a pack Chester has and the group dynamic.
Other than seeing Bert and getting a good look at an active pudu, nothing much happened here. I found no agouti but saw the back of the anteater enclosure was fenced off and covered, what it is holding I'm not sure. Didn't look at the old cassowary enclosure because who knows when that's going to be done and I decided to miss the red panda, amazons and owls, I had seen the first and last of those all before so I wasn't fussed I was more wanting to see the bears and baby rhinos and I would not be disappointed.
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
That's the female AshaI don't which Rhino this is, but this Deer was quite friendly with it
You can tell them apart from horn size, Beni has a much smaller horn whereas Asha has quite a large horn.
I suppose so.Except for an entirely different species of binturong, of course
Water Dragon
Well-Known Member
Actually I am quite sure it is a different subspeciesExcept for an entirely different species of binturong, of course
Depends what scientific studies are in the worksActually I am quite sure it is a different subspecies
I wouldn't be that surprised if the binturong gets split into at least 2 species in the near future.
No it doesn't! Whatever is in the works and however correct it turns out to be (or not to be, as Hamlet would add), it is quite wrong to anticipate such an event.Depends what scientific studies are in the works
Part 9: Bridges and bats
So after a rather quiet area, we took a journey across bats bridge.
There was nothing on the old anoa island but the cheetahs showed very well. We stood for a while watching the three males together in the paddock.
I took a quick trip down to the howler monkeys and cotton tops. I saw the howlers in the bridge between the house and the island which was a first for me at Chester because in fairness I never realise they where there before.
Didn't really get a view of KT and safi due to large crowds watching them.
Got a very nice view of the two anoa sisters which was nice as I didn't see the adults later on in the day.
Also saw the male and I believe the young spotted deer. We almost walked past them but I did see them so stopped the group.
No luck seeing the boky boky. But the bat caves where great for seeing species. Saw my first tenrecs nestled in the back of the enclosures, the blind cave fish though I couldn't watch for long was an interesting sight and then finally the bats, which are ok I've never been much of a bat fan so I'm not fussed over them.
So after a rather quiet area, we took a journey across bats bridge.
There was nothing on the old anoa island but the cheetahs showed very well. We stood for a while watching the three males together in the paddock.
I took a quick trip down to the howler monkeys and cotton tops. I saw the howlers in the bridge between the house and the island which was a first for me at Chester because in fairness I never realise they where there before.
Didn't really get a view of KT and safi due to large crowds watching them.
Got a very nice view of the two anoa sisters which was nice as I didn't see the adults later on in the day.
Also saw the male and I believe the young spotted deer. We almost walked past them but I did see them so stopped the group.
No luck seeing the boky boky. But the bat caves where great for seeing species. Saw my first tenrecs nestled in the back of the enclosures, the blind cave fish though I couldn't watch for long was an interesting sight and then finally the bats, which are ok I've never been much of a bat fan so I'm not fussed over them.
Komodo99
Well-Known Member
Don't let @Water Dragon see that,it's his favourite exhibit in the zoo!
.Joking aside,I really love the cheetah exhibit at the zoo as it is my second favourite after Dragons in Danger.I remember last year that I got to see KT up close while Safi was busy trying to catch some magpies.Unfortunately,the cheetahs weren't as active as they were last year when I visited.
Part 10: From baby bears to Bongos
This really was the most exciting part of the day for me, bar islands.
After the bat cave I went to the tapir to see father son and daughter snoozing indoors. At this point I neglected to look at the anteater indoors, despite wanting to see one at Chester (note I've seen the species at Blackpool). This was due to the fact I was side tracked and transfixed by a cute little baby bear.
Him/ her and Mom where on the far side of the exhibit in a dead tree really close to the path. The baby was adventurous under the watchful eyes of Mom climbing along the tree.
The cameras where out but my phone was out of charge so I couldn't photograph it. But many others where taking photos including I believe the people from blast who had a large camera filming the baby.
Capybara where a little bit unloved due to the bear but I had a little look st them playing by the pool and I got an unsightly view of the male, which I hope to soon forget.
Next came the bongo, my best ever view of the species. Rob I counted five by the way all near the house.
Zebra also showed pretty well, it was nice seeing the herd together, with the young male Angus, I still find the death of his half sister last year a little saddening but these things happen I suppose.
But still some of the best moments where still to come.
This really was the most exciting part of the day for me, bar islands.
After the bat cave I went to the tapir to see father son and daughter snoozing indoors. At this point I neglected to look at the anteater indoors, despite wanting to see one at Chester (note I've seen the species at Blackpool). This was due to the fact I was side tracked and transfixed by a cute little baby bear.
Him/ her and Mom where on the far side of the exhibit in a dead tree really close to the path. The baby was adventurous under the watchful eyes of Mom climbing along the tree.
The cameras where out but my phone was out of charge so I couldn't photograph it. But many others where taking photos including I believe the people from blast who had a large camera filming the baby.
Capybara where a little bit unloved due to the bear but I had a little look st them playing by the pool and I got an unsightly view of the male, which I hope to soon forget.
Next came the bongo, my best ever view of the species. Rob I counted five by the way all near the house.
Zebra also showed pretty well, it was nice seeing the herd together, with the young male Angus, I still find the death of his half sister last year a little saddening but these things happen I suppose.
But still some of the best moments where still to come.
5 bongos is nice. You saw them all.
There are no babirusa in the enclosure by Realm of the Red Ape. One of my friends spent ages looking for them and when I caught up she said she had not seen one. A keeper came up so I asked her when was the best time to see them, only to be told they had been mved.
The fish in Jaguar House are down in numbers.
There are no babirusa in the enclosure by Realm of the Red Ape. One of my friends spent ages looking for them and when I caught up she said she had not seen one. A keeper came up so I asked her when was the best time to see them, only to be told they had been mved.
The fish in Jaguar House are down in numbers.
I believe the pair may be in islands now, the mother and child that is as I saw no male unless it is still the original mother and daughter in islands
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
Pity you didn't pay more attention to the Capybara field, as the Anteater has been taking regular strolls along the fence. It even ventured around the whole perimeter last Monday.
If you mean anoa it is the two daughters by bats bridge. At least it was when I last went.
Part 11: Islands
Now I visited islands in 2015 not long after the opening on monsoon forest, and in fairness I didn't see much at all. Members of my party where disappointed by the lack of species at the time but they would not be this time for sure! I was very much looking forward to this section of the zoo, a lot for the birds in fairness ( while I'm more of a mammals guy I payed attention to the birds as I'd not seen a number of bird species at Chester compared to the mammals, so my interest in them surprised my father who was a part of the group).
We entered the area and saw the warty pigs for the first time, right near the front of the enclosure making for nice viewing. These guys had eluded me last visit so I was pleased to get to see the group.
Next came a great view of the cassowary. In 2015 I had a nice view but this time it was nice and close and even better for viewing, they are up there with my favourite birds and I hope one day Chester gets to breed the species!
Another bird came next, the Bali starling again another lifer for me as they'd been put in last time I visited. I don't remember seeing the java sparrows in here this time, but after tropical realm I had had my fill. The birds where lovely to see and we got nice close views of them on the floor of the exhibit.
Banteng as always are ok. Not the most exciting but a nice view, especially gaston. I find that name funny seeing as I played the character of gaston in beauty and the beast two years ago in our school musical but you don't want to hear about that you want more animals.
I had my best ever view of the zoo's tigers in the first part of the enclosure. Both Kirana and Kisarna where walking around the enclosure and interacting with one another, I did see one vomit after eating some grass, but other than that they where lovely, though not a lifer.
I had mixed luck with the new enclosures with no sign of the tapir what so ever which was a shame as I did want to see solo.
The door to the new aviary is also a little confusing as it almost looks like a wall and you could easily walk past it. However inside was lovely. Got a very nice view of the emerald doves to start, saw a pair of Sumatran laughing thrush in the trees. My second of the day and my favourite birds for sure. Got a glimpse of one pheasant species, it was a male with a red face but I can't recall the name is it Vietnam or salvadori, or something else?
Of course the highlight was the pair of magpies, a lifer for most of us. Whole not the easiest spot they spent most of the time at the back of the aviary before going indoors. I can see the complaints with the aviary and I do agree with them and as others have said it reminds me a bit of the tree shrew enclosure.
The bears where not as showy as the other species as I only saw the back end of Toni I think, but the enclosure is glorious for sure.
Saw the rhinoceros hornbills outside.
Got a lovely view of the moloch gibbons outside the baby was very adventurous and off on his own. They are now my firm favourite gibbon species though I've not seen many.
Inside monsoon, well tripa at least was a bit chaotic and I see what people mean by crowds. I eventually saw four orangs the two youngest, puluh and one of the adult or sub adult females. They were much better showers than the Borneans at least which made them nicer to see.
Saw a number of inverts and lower vertibrates here to, the question mark cockroach, atlas beetle, a species that looked a lot like a leaf right by the orangs that I can't for the life of me remember the name of, the Bloody Mary shrimp and the golden orb weaver being highlights. I'm not sure if I daw the tentacled snake this time but I did in 2015 so I wasn't missing much if I didn't.
Unfortunately I saw non of the reptiles or frogs by the macaques as we rushed by the section, plus the windows where packed, but I got a great view of the tomistoma from above as the one was on land by the viewing window.
Got a nice view of grooming macaques at the lower window and the young baby just behind the fencing below the upper window in the more "off show" area.
Didn't see many birds bar the crowned pigeon and white napped pheasants and maybe some of the doves.
Got some nice views of both turtle species especially the bantagur a species I was delighted to see! The tortoise where a nice spot too.
Only saw a mother and calf babirusa right at the front of the paddock and sadly no anoa, and so my journey in islands was complete and very much worth it!
Now I visited islands in 2015 not long after the opening on monsoon forest, and in fairness I didn't see much at all. Members of my party where disappointed by the lack of species at the time but they would not be this time for sure! I was very much looking forward to this section of the zoo, a lot for the birds in fairness ( while I'm more of a mammals guy I payed attention to the birds as I'd not seen a number of bird species at Chester compared to the mammals, so my interest in them surprised my father who was a part of the group).
We entered the area and saw the warty pigs for the first time, right near the front of the enclosure making for nice viewing. These guys had eluded me last visit so I was pleased to get to see the group.
Next came a great view of the cassowary. In 2015 I had a nice view but this time it was nice and close and even better for viewing, they are up there with my favourite birds and I hope one day Chester gets to breed the species!
Another bird came next, the Bali starling again another lifer for me as they'd been put in last time I visited. I don't remember seeing the java sparrows in here this time, but after tropical realm I had had my fill. The birds where lovely to see and we got nice close views of them on the floor of the exhibit.
Banteng as always are ok. Not the most exciting but a nice view, especially gaston. I find that name funny seeing as I played the character of gaston in beauty and the beast two years ago in our school musical but you don't want to hear about that you want more animals.
I had my best ever view of the zoo's tigers in the first part of the enclosure. Both Kirana and Kisarna where walking around the enclosure and interacting with one another, I did see one vomit after eating some grass, but other than that they where lovely, though not a lifer.
I had mixed luck with the new enclosures with no sign of the tapir what so ever which was a shame as I did want to see solo.
The door to the new aviary is also a little confusing as it almost looks like a wall and you could easily walk past it. However inside was lovely. Got a very nice view of the emerald doves to start, saw a pair of Sumatran laughing thrush in the trees. My second of the day and my favourite birds for sure. Got a glimpse of one pheasant species, it was a male with a red face but I can't recall the name is it Vietnam or salvadori, or something else?
Of course the highlight was the pair of magpies, a lifer for most of us. Whole not the easiest spot they spent most of the time at the back of the aviary before going indoors. I can see the complaints with the aviary and I do agree with them and as others have said it reminds me a bit of the tree shrew enclosure.
The bears where not as showy as the other species as I only saw the back end of Toni I think, but the enclosure is glorious for sure.
Saw the rhinoceros hornbills outside.
Got a lovely view of the moloch gibbons outside the baby was very adventurous and off on his own. They are now my firm favourite gibbon species though I've not seen many.
Inside monsoon, well tripa at least was a bit chaotic and I see what people mean by crowds. I eventually saw four orangs the two youngest, puluh and one of the adult or sub adult females. They were much better showers than the Borneans at least which made them nicer to see.
Saw a number of inverts and lower vertibrates here to, the question mark cockroach, atlas beetle, a species that looked a lot like a leaf right by the orangs that I can't for the life of me remember the name of, the Bloody Mary shrimp and the golden orb weaver being highlights. I'm not sure if I daw the tentacled snake this time but I did in 2015 so I wasn't missing much if I didn't.
Unfortunately I saw non of the reptiles or frogs by the macaques as we rushed by the section, plus the windows where packed, but I got a great view of the tomistoma from above as the one was on land by the viewing window.
Got a nice view of grooming macaques at the lower window and the young baby just behind the fencing below the upper window in the more "off show" area.
Didn't see many birds bar the crowned pigeon and white napped pheasants and maybe some of the doves.
Got some nice views of both turtle species especially the bantagur a species I was delighted to see! The tortoise where a nice spot too.
Only saw a mother and calf babirusa right at the front of the paddock and sadly no anoa, and so my journey in islands was complete and very much worth it!