Chester Zoo Chester Zoo Discussion and Questions 2024

[Ed123]

Does anyone know the time scale left on the grasslands build? When is it likely to be completed/open?

The contractors hand over the site to the zoo in October. The giraffes will be moving over soon after, with all the other hoofstock following soon so they can get used to living together for a few months before it all opens. There’s a video on the latest members update with full details about this.

From November - February the Zoo will complete all the planting, theming and signage etc ready to open for the Easter holdiays (April). As with islands and snow leopards there will be an early opening / preview for members.

The lodge will open a couple of months later (but I don’t think a date has been confirmed yet).

 

[jde7582]

It will be strange seeing the development finished for so long before being aloud to walk around. Unlike Islands that was still being built when it opened. The members open day with the boat ride, when nothing had moved in really.

 

[Lafone]

The new area certainly looks impressive - visited Chester today and the sheer size and scale of the new Africa area construction is quite an eye opener. When I was last there it was a bit of a muddy field so to see the new path and fence lines and houses was great.

The new snow leopard exhibit which opened since I was there last is interesting. The education and signs are well done and it seems to have a good amount of space and the rock is good, though not much privacy for the cats once out of the house.

The red panda exhibit has a decent number of trees but it’s not the largest or most interesting one I’ve seen.

I enjoyed the Lord Derby’s parakeets and their area though a few visitors were bemoaning the dead end and lack of ‘stuff’. I appreciate the effort they make to make birds a real feature like that as they can be a harder ‘sell’ for some visitors.

Once the Africa area is open I wonder if they will do a bit more for the small primates in the glass fronted enclosure near the tapirs. Not much of a wow space for such fantastic small monkeys and not great viewing really.

Loads of great things to see and appreciate overall and had an enjoyable day. It’s very easy to find the time has flown by in the amazing aviaries and at the showy orangutans.

 

[Maguari]

Once the Africa area is open I wonder if they will do a bit more for the small primates in the glass fronted enclosure near the tapirs. Not much of a wow space for such fantastic small monkeys and not great viewing really.

These enclosures have large, open, wooded outside enclosures behind them - the glass-fronted enclosures aren't the whole space; the monkeys just don't use the outdoors much.

 

[jtrbmvcq]

The lodge will open a couple of months later (but I don’t think a date has been confirmed yet).

I think I can remember hearing/reading that Chester were having some difficulty with sorting a hotelier contract and/or general hospitality arrangements for the lodges and their opening could be delayed? Are they taking bookings already?

These enclosures have large, open, wooded outside enclosures behind them - the glass-fronted enclosures aren't the whole space; the monkeys just don't use the outdoors much.

Yes and the pied tamarins share an outside space with the tamandua but I have yet to see them mixed.

 

[Lafone]

These enclosures have large, open, wooded outside enclosures behind them - the glass-fronted enclosures aren't the whole space; the monkeys just don't use the outdoors much.

Thanks, good to hear though would be good if they had some indicator or viewing that was more obvious.

 

[jde7582]

I think I can remember hearing/reading that Chester were having some difficulty with sorting a hotelier contract and/or general hospitality arrangements for the lodges and their opening could be delayed? Are they taking bookings already?.

A company to run the lodges has recently been announced on LinkedIn. I believe the main reason for a delay in opening is that the lodges only had approval this year, due to a few different planning applications going in after the zoo kept changing the layout and number of lodges.

 

[Maguari]

Thanks, good to hear though would be good if they had some indicator or viewing that was more obvious.

If you follow the path around the side of either indoor exhibit there is a curving path that runs between the two enclosures.

The larger one also joins up to the tamandua house as above so in theory at least they can use it as well - not sure if they've had access out to it yet though.

 

[Lafone]

If you follow the path around the side of either indoor exhibit there is a curving path that runs between the two enclosures.

The larger one also joins up to the tamandua house as above so in theory at least they can use it as well - not sure if they've had access out to it yet though.

Excellent! Will do that on my next visit.

 

[JT]

If you follow the path around the side of either indoor exhibit there is a curving path that runs between the two enclosures.

The larger one also joins up to the tamandua house as above so in theory at least they can use it as well - not sure if they've had access out to it yet though.

I have seen the tamanduas outside in the enclosure before.

 

[Baringogiraffe12]

Worth asking the question - the old binturong pair had passed away within the last two years, however, was reliably informed by a friend that they spotted a binturong yesterday upon their visit to Chester. Zootierliste has been updated to show the zoo now hold 1,0 from July this year, does anybody have any further indication where the new individual has arrived from?

 

[derek]

Worth asking the question - the old binturong pair had passed away within the last two years, however, was reliably informed by a friend that they spotted a binturong yesterday upon their visit to Chester. Zootierliste has been updated to show the zoo now hold 1,0 from July this year, does anybody have any further indication where the new individual has arrived from?

I believe its a male that has come from Chessington.

 

[Jambi]

The contractors hand over the site to the zoo in October. The giraffes will be moving over soon after, with all the other hoofstock following soon so they can get used to living together for a few months before it all opens. There’s a video on the latest members update with full details about this.

From November - February the Zoo will complete all the planting, theming and signage etc ready to open for the Easter holdiays (April). As with islands and snow leopards there will be an early opening / preview for members.

The lodge will open a couple of months later (but I don’t think a date has been confirmed yet).

I've arranged a trip to Chester in July, my original intention was to stay in one of the Heart of Africa lodges, but after giving it some thought I'll more than likely just stay in one of the city centre's hotels. I'm looking forward to seeing both Heart of Africa and the snow leopard habitat!

 

[Embu]

I've arranged a trip to Chester in July, my original intention was to stay in one of the Heart of Africa lodges, but after giving it some thought I'll more than likely just stay in one of the city centre's hotels. I'm looking forward to seeing both Heart of Africa and the snow leopard habitat!

Premier Inn City Road if you're not driving(there is a car park underneath if you are) it's walking distance to the bus station in town. Maybe cheaper rooms in town but you'd have to shop around

 

[Dassie rat]

These seem quite reasonable: https://www.travelodge.co.uk/search...ap hotels chester&utm_content=Generic + Cheap

 

[AdrianW1963]

I haven’t visited for a couple of years now but have decided to visit early November booking a hotel from Friday to Monday to have 2 clear days at the collection.

Was wondering where the following birds are in the collection or are they still off show please?

Brahminy Starling.
Bruce's green pigeon
Common waxbill
Crested partridge
Grey breasted parakeet
Gray winged blackbird
Lemon dove
Malay crestless fireback
Mountain peacock pheasant
Orinoco goose
Passerini’s tanager
Red avadavat
Sumbawa forsten’s lorikeet
Tricolor parrotfinch

The above species were taken from ZTL so please forgive me if any species are not currently held in the collection

 

[bongorob]

Brahminy Starling. Peafowl aviary opposite the lions
Bruce's green pigeon off show
Common waxbill off show
Crested partridge Monsoon Forest
Grey breasted parakeet off show
Gray winged blackbird old owl aviaries
Lemon dove off show
Malay crestless fireback Dragons In Danger
Mountain peacock pheasant Rainbow Aviaries
Orinoco goose off show, can't be put back in flamingo avary as they are too agressive.
Passerini’s tanager off show
Red avadavat Realm of the Red Ape
Sumbawa forsten’s lorikeet off show
Tricolor parrotfinch Realm of the Red Ape

Mitchell's Lorikeets (which look similar to Sumbawa forsten’s lorikeet) are in the Bali Aviary.

Lord Derby's Parakeets are now by the snow leopards.

The White-crested Laughing Thrushes in the old owl aviaries are the diardi subspecies.

 

[zoocentral]

Hello from across the pond:

I have looked tirelessly on the internet and cannot find site plans for Heart of Africa. I remember someone posting a website that had multiple site plans (close up of the vulture aviary/savanna house/etc.)

Would anyone be able to share a link to these plans for me? Thank you in advance.

 

[bongorob]

https://pa.cheshirewestandchester.g...ils.do?keyVal=RG5GI4TEHG100&activeTab=summary

 

[Panda_Fan]

What happened to the plan to bring gorillas?
Thanks in advance.