Visited today (first time since March); a few comments:-
BAD
Bemused, baffled and bewildered by the new entrance arrangements! Feel sorry for the ticket checking staff left standing in the open, whatever the conditions! Is allowing free public access to the Elephant House sensible in view of the behaviour of some members of the public?
Very disappointed by the shop. Where have the books gone? From 80% tat : 20% decent stuff we seem to have moved to 95% : 5%.
GOOD
Nice to see the cheetah and tiger youngsters progressing; meerkats not my favourite species but the tinies are indubitably cute; saw both bears; saw 8 rhinos!; our unicornis seem not so much compatible as inseparable!!; delightred to see a young Oryx - when did that arrive? Dinosaurs are fun, and educative.
QUESTION
Do we still have two okapi?
Visited Tuesday, interesting to read recent comments, here's my twopenneth for what it's worth!!
Re: entrance - I like what has been done, the sculptures are a nice touch ( how much of the £2m did they use though?!) and the themeing works for me. The shop is great - like the concept and clearly designed to fleece parents of as much ££ as possible as can't imagine a single child not begging for a cuddly toy or plastic dinosaur - if it increases the Zoo's coffers then it's surely a good thing. However, I too noticed no books!! I can only assume they never sold any otherwise they would have kept them - you dont get rid of popular stock.
I really like the new Zoo font - now that more signs are being done in the new branding it is all coming together to create a consistent and coherent message. The Zoo over all is really beginning to feel very polished, tidy and slick - whilst not losing any of it's charm - I think the new Marketing Director ( is that her title?) is making a real difference. On another note most the planting is amazing right now - big congrats to the horticultre team.
I can see why the Rhino signs have been removed now - Tsavo Aviary/Rhino/Dogs etc all now have the 'research station' theme with all the same branding i.e. sketches of the animals. This works really well and I 'm happy they have made this area really cohesive with the planting etc - now one of my favourite parts of the zoo. Highlights in Tsavo were the live bird feed in Tsavo Aviary - didn't know the Zoo did this (only 2 or 3 days a week I think) it was amazing to see the Roller/Hornbill/Weavers swooping in to catch the live crickets being thrown for them to catch!! Also loved seeing a very contented Rhino clearly in his element rolling and splashing in the mud bath - a joy to watch! This are of the Zoo still does not get many visitors at all though!! I was talking to a presenter who told me a considerable amount of guests never even see the dogs! I think the Zoo could make more of the Tsavo zone - it should have a much bigger and better entrance with better signposting.
Other highlights included seeing so many of the animals being so active , enjoying their surroundings and being so engaging! Both bears really using the full expanse of what is the most amazing enclosure - Franka even climbing up trees - never seen her do that before. Otters are insperable lolling and relaxing in the sun. Both Okapis out and browsing their fully planted enclosure - she's looking bigger and bigger so fingers crossed for an Autumn birth?! Jaguars also more active than I have ever seen them. Couldn't see any ants - are there any there? And looks like the Agouti will be unlikely to move in with the Sloths as there a fears they are too timid and will not cope with the crowds. Heard a Sloth went for a swim the other day too!! Baby Babirusa hilarious following it's mother and copying everything she did - from wallowing in the mud pool to scratching it's rump on the same tree trunk very amusing!
Heard the zoo wants to keep the tiger cubs for Islands - how long would they be able to stay in with mum and dad??? Is this a feasable option I wonder as could be another 3 years?
Loved Dinosaurs - a great exhibit. Made me wonder how that whole space could be used once the Dinos go. If they are coming back next year then no worries but that area would make an amazing animal walkthrough exhibit with such great planting etc - with a bit of modification could be a fab lemur walkthrough?? I know this has been done to death by so many other zoos but it would be really popular none the less as I reckon only 1% of visitiors see the lemurs now. Thoughts???
All in all another great day - the Zoo seems to be going from strength to strength.
including the beautiful Kirana 