Chessington Zoo Chessington Zoo Developments.

Tigerlemurguy said:
no, on the display boards in the gorillas it showed there were 10 dens, if you dont believe me go and have a look in the second gorilla viewing area and theres a map of the facility and cages.

does anyone know when the male is arriving or has he arrived?
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In that case they may have added a number of new dens, perhaps recently. Originally there were only about three- situated directly behind the rockwork area.There are probably some more behind the ex chimpanzee area too but a total of 10 sounds like they have added more- does the map show where they are? (No plan was there last time I visited, maybe its been put up as a result of last year's critisism). That would certainly be sufficient to integrate a new male.

The new male 'Damisi' is still at Paignton. He has been due to leave for some months already, and may go shortly.
 
Pertinax said:
In that case they may have added a number of new dens, perhaps recently. Originally there were only about three- situated directly behind the rockwork area.There are probably some more behind the ex chimpanzee area too but a total of 10 sounds like they have added more- does the map show where they are? (No plan was there last time I visited, maybe its been put up as a result of last year's critisism). That would certainly be sufficient to integrate a new male.

The new male 'Damisi' is still at Paignton. He has been due to leave for some months already, and may go shortly.
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ok, the dens are behind the stone work according to the plan, they are labbled 1a 1b 2a 2b etc..

if you want to see the map its in the second viewing gallery on a board and its shows the whole exhibit

anyone know the leaving date of the male?
 
Gigit said:
Damisi has left Paignton and is now at Chessington.
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At long ... last (gasp)!

Let us say it must have been the p.-word! If Chessington not move F X (Mjukuu), no new badly needed M Y (Damisi) out of the bachelor troupe at Paignton.

Thankfully, management has seen the light of day and we can expect that Damisi will become quite active with so many females to himself! :rolleyes:
 
Damisi's arrival could produce several pregnancies quickly. Three females; Shani, Asili (mother of Mjuku- now at ZSL), and Buu (Kumba x Shani) are all of breeding age. Another younger gorilla Sangha (also Kumba x Shani) is now 7 years old, however I'm unclear of this one's sex- originally it was listed as male(still is on ISIS) but I did hear that 'he' may in fact be 'she'- in which case that's another future mate for 'Damisi'...

It a pity that 'Damisi' (Frankfurt; Matz x Rebecca)is from an over- represented line- he is a full brother to the breeding males at Artis- Akili, and Prague- Richard. However I would rather see him in the Chessington group than it continuing indefinately with no breeding male...
 
Gorilla_lady said:
anyone who has questions about chessingtons gorillas, feel free to ask. dont just rely on gossip!
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Ah, cool, you must be a keeper there....at last some reliable information.;)

1. What sex is 'Shangha'?

2. Have any changes been made to the enclosure after the critisisms last year?(not from me I might add!!) and if so, what do they entail.

3. Is Kaja still part of the main group? Will she join 'Damisi's new group or go in with Kumba/Baffia?

4.What is the timeframe regarding an entirely new enclosure?
 
Pertinax said:
Ah, cool, you must be a keeper there....at last some reliable information.;)

1. What sex is 'Shangha'?

2. Have any changes been made to the enclosure after the critisisms last year?(not from me I might add!!) and if so, what do they entail.

3. Is Kaja still part of the main group? Will she join 'Damisi's new group or go in with Kumba/Baffia?

4.What is the timeframe regarding an entirely new enclosure?
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Shanga is female

we have an extension on the side of the enclosure that has two large dens. that is where Damisi is now in quarrentine.

Kaja is still in the main group and will be when we introduce Damisi but WHEN our new enclosure is built we are thinking of leaving her in with Kumba and Bafia

our new inclosure is due to be finished 2010. we have the funding :o
 
Gorilla_lady said:
we have an extension on the side of the enclosure that has two large dens. that is where Damisi is now in quarrentine.
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Many thanks for the information. Regarding the extension, is this on the side nearer the park entrance or the side near the Big cats? Is it another seperate outside section or is it two large dens that also access into the existing enclosure?

Was 'Damisi' sedated for his trip or not? And how did he react to the change of scenery?
 
the extension is nearest the park entrance and it is two large dens with access to the existing enclosure.
Damisi was crate trained and not sedated, he has settled in well. He is a lovely Gorilla
 
Gorilla_lady said:
the extension is nearest the park entrance and it is two large dens with access to the existing enclosure.
Damisi was crate trained and not sedated, he has settled in well. He is a lovely Gorilla
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Its taken me a very long time to find out what building work was done. Are these new dens along the side of the cage where there was a path down to the back area? Can any gorillas in them be viewed publicly- I guess not?

Lastly(for now)- would you say 'Damisi' is already a full Silverback?
 
yes they are along side where the path was, we now have access the other side. the gorillas can not be seen in there by the public. we believe that their dens should be somewhere they can go if they dont want to be seen.
And yes i would say Damisi is, yet he has a bit of filling out to do but he will be a big boy.
 
Pertinax said:
Damisi's arrival could produce several pregnancies quickly. Three females; Shani, Asili (mother of Mjuku- now at ZSL), and Buu (Kumba x Shani) are all of breeding age. Another younger gorilla Sangha (also Kumba x Shani) is now 7 years old, however I'm unclear of this one's sex- originally it was listed as male(still is on ISIS) but I did hear that 'he' may in fact be 'she'- in which case that's another future mate for 'Damisi'...

It a pity that 'Damisi' (Frankfurt; Matz x Rebecca)is from an over- represented line- he is a full brother to the breeding males at Artis- Akili, and Prague- Richard. However I would rather see him in the Chessington group than it continuing indefinately with no breeding male...
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further to this we are only going to breed from Buu, untill out new enclosure is built. all the rest are on the pill.
 
How are you feeling about the new enclosure plans? Have the keepers had much input? Will it be very open or will there be trees in the area?
 
johnstoni said:
How are you feeling about the new enclosure plans? Have the keepers had much input? Will it be very open or will there be trees in the area?
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We will have loads of input, we will make sure of that. I think they want us to opt for the island inclosure, if so then there will be loads of climbing structures available. there will be an indoor play den and then private sleeping dens. Thats the plan.:o
 
Gorilla_lady said:
We will have loads of input, we will make sure of that. I think they want us to opt for the island inclosure, if so then there will be loads of climbing structures available. there will be an indoor play den and then private sleeping dens. Thats the plan.:o
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I hope you keepers push for quite a covered Island (Tall hardy plants) out door area with lots of dense foliage. Popped in at tywcross zoo the other dat and it just reminded me how good the out door area's would be with alot of dense foliage for them to use as cover

Thank you for the information you have provided on the gorilla's at Chessington.
 
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