Chester Zoo Chester Zoo Discussion and questions 2023

[Charles]

I presume you mean when it opened in 1964 as the Tropical House, rather than when it ‘re-opened’ a shadow of its former self as Tropical Realm? My favourites when new were the Eastern and Western Lowland Gorillas, Pygmy Hippos and Echidna

Well either or I didn’t realise it reopened as the tropical realm

 

[StoppableSan]

Does Chester still have Livingstone's fruit bats? Or is it just the Rodrigues/Seba's short-tailed bats in Fruit Bat Forest?

 

[Fallax]

Does Chester still have Livingstone's fruit bats? Or is it just the Rodrigues/Seba's short-tailed bats in Fruit Bat Forest?

Just Rodrigues and Seba's, the Livingstone's have been gone for a few years now.

 

[Pandaboi]

Where did Chesters Sifakas come from?

 

[Fallax]

Where did Chesters Sifakas come from?

Duke Lemur Center in the US.

 

[PossumRoach]

Where did Chesters Sifakas come from?

The Sifakas came from Duke Lemur Center, North Carolina.

 

[SealionLDN]

Does Chester already have Snow Leopard and they are just upgrading the enclosure or are they getting in a new breeding pair?

 

[Alwaysevergreen]

Does Chester already have Snow Leopard and they are just upgrading the enclosure or are they getting in a new breeding pair?

New breeding pair, they don't currently hold the species.

 

[SealionLDN]

New breeding pair, they don't currently hold the species.

Have they both arrived yet (or just one?) and what zoo/s are they from?

 

[Alwaysevergreen]

Have they both arrived yet (or just one?) and what zoo/s are they from?

Given the exhibit is not finished yet. I doubt either have arrived yet ?

 

[Jambo]

Have they both arrived yet (or just one?) and what zoo/s are they from?

Given the exhibit is not finished yet. I doubt either have arrived yet ?

The plan is to open the exhibit in spring of 2024, so the Snow Leopards won't be arriving until then.

 

[Fallax]

Have they both arrived yet (or just one?) and what zoo/s are they from?

I believe they are from Highland Wildlife Park and Krefeld Zoo?

 

[Moorhunhe]

The female Sown Leopard is from Krefeld.
We seen her there past June.

Where is the old Bongo enclosure to see the Philippine Spotted Deer?

 

[bongorob]

What species were held in the tropical realm when it opened?

I do not think anyone has a definitive list, but Chester Zoo News July 1964 lists these species.

California Quail (Callipepla californiica)
Tacazze Sunbird (Nectarinina tacazze)
Scarlet-chested Sunbird (Chalcomitra senegalensis)
Yellow-winged Sugarbird (Drepanorhynchus reichenowi)
Purple-banded Sunbird (Cinnyris bifasciatus)
Yellow-winged Sugarbird (Red-legged Honeycreeper) (Cyanerpes cyaneus)
Black-headed Sugarbird (Cuban Grassquit) (Phonipara canora)
Indian Pitta (Pitta brachyura)
Silver-throated Tanager (Tangara icterocephala)
Resplendant Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)
White-cheeked Turaco (Tauraco leucotis leucotis)
Go-Away Bird unspecified

Black and White Cobra (Naja melanoleuca)
Black-necked Spitting Cobra (Naja nigricollis)
African Beauty Snake (Psammophis sibilans)
Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus)
Agama unspecified

There was also Eastern Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla berengei graueri), Liberian Pygmy Hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis liberiensis), American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea)

 

[bongorob]

Where is the old Bongo enclosure to see the Philippine Spotted Deer?

It is on the path to the new entrance to Islands. Walk down from the Tamanduas and it is the first turning on the right.

 

[SealionLDN]

I believe they are from Highland Wildlife Park and Krefeld Zoo?

Thank you!

The female Sown Leopard is from Krefeld.
We seen her there past June.

Oh nice I believe she’s the one I’ve seen in a photo. I assume the male hasn’t arrived yet from Highlands to anyone’s knowledge?

Will the new enclosure have an outdoor off-show enclosure? Or just the two visible ones?

 

[bongorob]

Snow Leopard enclosure plans
https://pa.cheshirewestandchester.g...ils.do?keyVal=RJ8F0MTEIVB00&activeTab=summary
look at the documents menu

 

[bongorob]

Does Chester still have Livingstone's fruit bats? Or is it just the Rodrigues/Seba's short-tailed bats in Fruit Bat Forest?

Between 2006 and 2015 Chester held 3 male Livingstone's Fruit Bats.

 

[pendraig_milnerae]

Does anyone know roughly what times of day I’m most likely to see the giant otters? I’m going up to Chester next week but, despite this being my fifth visit, I’ve still not seen them.

 

[bongorob]

You are very unlucky. I often see them. The last few times they have been in the house, swimming in the pool with underwater viewing. I can't give you a time though.

I wish you good luck on your next visit.