Waddi
Well-Known Member
They have the wrong subspecies of Sun Bear for that
Oh, that throws a spanner in the works. Thanks
Chester Zoo Chester Zoo 2015 #2
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Oh, that throws a spanner in the works. Thanks
taun
Well-Known Member
That's a shame I feel Chester are missing a trick not using this enclosure to house other primates as in my eyes their isn't much to change apart from a little bit of modernisation, ROTRA will look abit weird having just the one set of enclosures with the rest being knocked down, what used to be a state of the art exhibit is now being decreased but it is a sign of the times as it's nearing the 10 year old sell by date and the enclosure in monsoon forest is an improvement for the Sumartrans, atleast Chester always want to do better and not just stagnate but some things are worth keeping and I feel ROTRA is one of those things to keep
RotRA will not be knocked down, it will be the old ape house where the Borneans are now and have access to the netted enclosures which will remain.
I maybe wrong but I was under the impression that all of the old sandstone buildings at Chester were listed, the old orang house included?
Afraid not - the only listed structures in Chester Zoo's grounds are the Oakfield House, the stable block between the lions and sun bears, and an old parish boundary stone near the entrance road (all Grade II, and, of course, pre-dating the zoo!). Everything else stands or falls by the zoo's own hand!
Always a bit surprised by this discussion as 10 years is nothing in the life of a building of this nature- its still almost 'new' IMO. Its worth reflecting there are Ape Houses in the UK(and elsewhere) that are now forty years old or more and still housing apes e.g. Dudley, Twycross, some at Howletts etc. Agreed that this is not very satisfactoy but it is a more conventional duration for buildings of this type.
Someone mentioned Gorillas as a possible replacement in ROTRA- it could indeed house them. The outside areas would work well though the internal viewing shortcomings(insufficient windows and the big depth of the enclosures creating a pit-like view of ground dwellers like Gorillas- it was designed specifically for the Orangutans to give height) would work against it ever being a very good exhibit for them.
If it is just given over to the Bornean Orangs plus ancillary species, as I believe is the plan, I can however see it becoming a rather empty-feeling area and perhaps rather less visited than it is now.
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I think RotRA is just what the Bornean orangs need. Martha and Tuan can have peace and quiet in their old age, with access to the open air in the netted enclosures (after some modifications I hope). Willy and Iznee will benefit from the extra space as they continue to grow, although I suppose Iznee will have to be moved on within the next couple of years. Sarikei and Leia will benefit from the extra space and I know they will enjoy wreaking havoc on the vegetation outside. I hope it will not be too long before more babies arrive.
RotRA will not provide the same spectacle with the Borneans in place of the Sumatrans, but without the crowds it should become a better place to watch the orangs and the other species too.
I hope that the old Ape House can be remodelled in some way, rather than completely demolished, but I think that there is time to think that one through while other changes happen around the zoo.
Alan
RotRA will not provide the same spectacle with the Borneans in place of the Sumatrans, but without the crowds it should become a better place to watch the orangs and the other species too.
I hope that the old Ape House can be remodelled in some way, rather than completely demolished, but I think that there is time to think that one through while other changes happen around the zoo.
Alan
taun
Well-Known Member
It will and maybe Chester will branch into a second breeding group of Borneans to fill it a little.
I would like the end indoor enclosure and water fall (sort of) outdoor enclosure given over to a monkey species (Langur or Macaques). This would be the draw species with Bornean (other than young) being quite lazy in nature.
The old house demolished and a taiser, slow loris breeding centre with big outdoor exhbits like miniture monkeys. They could use it to highlight the plight of the slow loris as pets?
BlackRhino78
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That's a very good point I totally agree with all that you have said their, I said a few weeks ago that ROTRA is a very crowded exhibit at times so I believe it will be better with less people about and it will enable a more relaxed enviroment for Orangs and Humans alike. I would like to see another primate species housed in their just to improve the exhibit slightly. It would be abit sad to see a fantastic exhibit like this abit empty but I'm sure Chester will continue to improve the exhibit and keep making sure that the Borneo Orangs continue to like in a great exhibit like they are now, I'm sure they will because Chester are a brilliant zoo and always out the animals first and rightly so!
Good idea. One large outdoor enclosure, the indoor areas and netted outdoors must surely be enough for all the Bornean Orangs. One outdoor +indoor enclosure with some other, very active, Primate species might help as a contrast. Overall I agree that the house may be improved for being rather quieter/emptier of visitors.
I don't think so. Tuan and Martha should each have separate outdoor and indoor quarters (which I would prefer to be in the old house as at present, with the netted outdoor enclosures). I imagine Willy, Iznee, Leia and Sarikei will use the Sumatran range initially, presumably sharing with the lar gibbons. Willy will need to be separated from the females if/when they give birth, if Iznee needs to separated too, all three indoor enclosures will be required and the males can alternate in the back outdoor enclosure while the females use the one beside the Aquarium. If Iznee leaves and Willy proves himself as a breeder, I would like to see another female orang arrive, rather than a further primate species - to my mind it makes much more sense to use a facility designed for orangs to house orangs
Alan
taun
Well-Known Member
to my mind it makes much more sense to use a facility designed for orangs to house orangs
If they were keeping Sumtran orangs in there then yes I would agree. However the place will be dead if they do not bring something else in, you could still keep a couple of males and a core group of females and offspring.
Each to there own but I think they missed a trick not having an additional primate species.
There is some truth in that which is why I too think an additional species might be helpful here. However, if as GL indicates, they need all the available enclosures to comfortably house all the Bornean orangs they have( or the number they intend to keep), then that's probably the most important factor. As they will have the Sumatrans as a more major show elsewhere, it may be that the Zoo won't mind if ROTRA then becomes a quieter, more empty-feeling exhibit. But visitors might....
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taun
Well-Known Member
New Orang has been born
Very much expected, those half sisters are like clock work
taun
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If RoTRA did not exist then yes maybe dont draw attention but its a major exhibit within the zoo.
BlackRhino78
Well-Known Member
Has anyone been Monsoon Forest since it was reopened with the free flight birds on Monday? Does it feel distinctly different, does it improve the exhibit? How are the birds settling in?
Gigit
Well-Known Member
New Orang has been born
Presumably we're talking about Emma as I think it was Subis who gave birth in September? Do we know the sex and name of that baby?
This is Subis' infant.
New Orang has been born
Are you sure they aren't talking about the previous baby born in September??
It says on the website it was born to Sublis in September.
Zookeepers name rare baby orangutan | Zoo News | Chester Zoo
Zookeepers name rare baby orangutan | Zoo News | Chester Zoo
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