Chessington Zoo Chessington World of Adventures 2025

Would there be any timeline on a new Gorilla exhibit?
There are no current plans for a new exhibit in the planning process. Not clear whether any other institution has yet come up with a timeline to take the collection.
 
The former (saki) monkey walkthru enclosure looks close to completion and ready to be occupied .Given that it is now fully covered enclosure would be suitable for housing the displaced Lorikeets and friends so looks like it will be their new home. This suggests that there might be a change of mind as to (now) approved plans to give them a new walkthru up near the Zufari lookout.

Senior leadership change is occuring at the resort with the current Vice President of the Park moving elesewhere. Looking at the job spec there is this statement for his successor.

With significant investment planned over the next 3 years this is an opportunity to lead the Resort through the next phase of its development,
 
I believe the long term future is to reduce the animal collection down into one area, so next to go is likely the gorillas to another UK collection.

Considering they aren’t willing to put the money into upgrading the gorillas as evidenced over the years, it is probably best for them to move to a collection that will provide a modern enclosure.

I assume the new zoo licensing regulations played a part in the down sizing decision as they would have to take up theme park space to upgrade all of the enclosures to more modern facilities.
 
I believe the long term future is to reduce the animal collection down into one area, so next to go is likely the gorillas to another UK collection.

Considering they aren’t willing to put the money into upgrading the gorillas as evidenced over the years, it is probably best for them to move to a collection that will provide a modern enclosure.

I assume the new zoo licensing regulations played a part in the down sizing decision as they would have to take up theme park space to upgrade all of the enclosures to more modern facilities.
I imagine that the gorillas will go in due course, due to both their location within the park and the fact that the enclosure is pretty substandard now and has been a long time. If they were to stay in the UK the most likely contenders might still be YWP, or perhaps one of the Safari parks that doesn't have them? Wingham might be an outside bet. Jimmy's Farm is picking up big exotics left right and centre but the expense of building for apes might be a stretch too far even for them, at least at this stage.
 
How many gorillas do Chessington have/what are there names (if possible do people know each gorillas lineage [where they came from if not born at chessington])
 
How many gorillas do Chessington have/what are there names (if possible do people know each gorillas lineage [where they came from if not born at chessington])
The troop is made up of silverback Damisi (Frankfurt born and ex Paignton). The rest are all Chessington born- including his three mates, who are mother and daughter Shani and Shanga; Asali (Shani's half sister); and their many offspring.

0.1 Shani (10/02/1990) Kumba x Lomie
0.1 Asili (26/07/1991) Kumba x Kaja
1.0 Damisi (14/04/1997) Matze x Rebecca
0.1 Shanga (29/03/2001) Kumba II x Shani
1.0 Mbula (10/03/2009) Damisi x Buu, N
1.0 Mwana (23/02/2012) Damisi x Asili, N
0.1 Kuanza (16/07/2012) Damisi x Shanga
0.1 Kipande (19/04/2018) Damisi x Shanga
1.0 Aarde (24/04/2022) Damisi x Shanga
 
The troop is made up of silverback Damisi (Frankfurt born and ex Paignton). The rest are all Chessington born- including his three mates, who are mother and daughter Shani and Shanga; Asali (Shani's half sister); and their many offspring.

0.1 Shani (10/02/1990) Kumba x Lomie
0.1 Asili (26/07/1991) Kumba x Kaja
1.0 Damisi (14/04/1997) Matze x Rebecca
0.1 Shanga (29/03/2001) Kumba II x Shani
1.0 Mbula (10/03/2009) Damisi x Buu, N
1.0 Mwana (23/02/2012) Damisi x Asili, N
0.1 Kuanza (16/07/2012) Damisi x Shanga
0.1 Kipande (19/04/2018) Damisi x Shanga
1.0 Aarde (24/04/2022) Damisi x Shanga

If the gorilla's are due to follow the big cats and leave the collection I wonder who could take such a large established group?
 
The troop is made up of silverback Damisi (Frankfurt born and ex Paignton). The rest are all Chessington born- including his three mates, who are mother and daughter Shani and Shanga; Asali (Shani's half sister); and their many offspring.

0.1 Shani (10/02/1990) Kumba x Lomie
0.1 Asili (26/07/1991) Kumba x Kaja
1.0 Damisi (14/04/1997) Matze x Rebecca
0.1 Shanga (29/03/2001) Kumba II x Shani
1.0 Mbula (10/03/2009) Damisi x Buu, N
1.0 Mwana (23/02/2012) Damisi x Asili, N
0.1 Kuanza (16/07/2012) Damisi x Shanga
0.1 Kipande (19/04/2018) Damisi x Shanga
1.0 Aarde (24/04/2022) Damisi x Shanga
This would make a nice fit for one of the Australian zoos perhaps Adelaide zoo since the region is really low in numbers held here
 
Thought you all might be pleased to hear that Kalinka the Tiger and Kamal and Rani the Lions have finally been let out into their reserves at Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park last week and have settled in really well
 
Male Grevy's Zebra Zinabi has arrived from Whipsnade Zoo while Gamba went off to Yorkshire Wildlife Park as part of the European Breeding Programme
 
Lorikeets have moved into the renovated former (saki) monkey walkthru in Amazu area.. not currently being operated as a walkthru though. . The various ducks, pigeons and ibis that were in temporary enclosure in Trail of the Kings have joined them. Trail of the King's access has been reduced (as the lions have departed), the path past the gorilla enclosure now ends at the sealion pool with a small path section past the binturong exhibit still open at the other end. On the other side of the park the tiger exhibit is now empty.
 
This would make a nice fit for one of the Australian zoos perhaps Adelaide zoo since the region is really low in numbers held here
Hobart Zoo and Aquarium are planing on gorillas in 2030.
 
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