Not A Review
I've just visited Chester three times so allowed myself time to observe what I wanted to see rather than rush around trying to cover everything. So this isn't a review of the zoo but just some subjective comments:
Entrance - I must have only visited on fine days before. On Thursday morning it was tipping down and I realised that the poor staff at the ticket barriers have to stand around in the cold and wet. Whatever were the designers thinking
Himalayan Monal - I appreciate that they like 'forests' but oh, wouldn't it be nice to get more than a tiny, tantalising glimpse of them.
Sun Bears - one was outside and looked really good in the new enclosure. Very impressive.
Bornean Orangs - On one visit, I was able to greet Martha close-up as she was sitting in a hammock near one of the viewing windows. A rare treat according to the helpful volunteer. The oldest orang in Europe with one of the youngest not far away. Tombol has started to practice climbing on the netting with Sarikei keeping a close eye on him. Sarikei and Tombol were always on the upper area at the back of the right-hand den and a combination of Willie, Martha and Leia in the same place in the middle den. I realise that it's their lives and they've chosen to rest there, but the impression given is of a rather monochrome still life picture or a dusty old museum exhibit. There is no colour, variation or brightness indoors at all. Maybe the orangs don't care and aren't stimulated by colour. I'm sure that Chester are orang experts anyway.
Sumatran Orangs - I was slightly worried to see Subis and Tutti regurgitating and re-ingesting, with Siska looking on and learning. I've not noticed them doing this before. I'm still not 100% sure of IDs, but as this was one female accompanied by two infants I've gone for mother and daughters.
Food and drink - I expect to pay over the odds for food at zoos when I'm away from home, but a bit of quality in return would be good. I had one of the worst sandwiches I've ever experienced in June's Food Court, along with a vile cappuccino. Is there nowhere selling filtered coffee in the zoo? Town centres are full of real coffee shops so there is clearly a demand, not least from me and Mr Gigit!
- How nice to have staff making friendly eye contact rather than being glued to their phones while 'out in the wild'.
- I was very disappointed to have to miss Dr Ian Singleton's SOS talk on Wednesday evening. Having spent 2 hours in gridlock between the zoo and hotel earlier (normally a 15 minute drive at the most) and with an almost empty tank, we didn't dare venture out again. Did anybody go?
- Only a tenuous zoo link, but there's an excellent sculpture exhibition called 'Ark' on at the Cathedral and this, imho, is the best piece - Stubbs (Absorbed) by Michael Joo. (I'll put the photo in the Chester gallery)
Zebra sculpture, September 2017 | ZooChat