Chester Zoo Chester Zoo discussion and questions 2025

North Entrance said:
Re: comments above concerned about walkthrough aviary closures during bird flu and obstruction of the current road by creation of a walkthrough... An easy (dare I say logical :p) solution would be to absorb, for the public, the current shrubbery and 1/3rd of the current road into the walkthrough aviary. But to leave the decking area and underwater viewing windows as they are outside the netting, problem solved.
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Definitely an option, though that walkthrough would be narrow.
 
North Entrance said:
Yes @Strathmorezoo those three conditions were met for the Rainbow Trout. The aquarium tank was enormous, in a dark entry building prior to the main penguin exhibit (number 47 on attached 1980 zoo map). The glass was always super cold and dripping with condensation, fast flowing as it served as the header tank for the waterfalls in the main penguin & otter exhibits. I hope a zoochatter does have a photo, but I guess visitors back then with only 24 or 36 frames in their Kodak or Fuji film are unlikely to have photographed this exhibit. View attachment 794281
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A complete aside, but it has always amused me on this era of maps how the detail is so high in most areas - the sea lion rockwork, the stable block - and the outside aviaries on the Bird House are drawn in full detail but right next them the artist took one look at the Round Aviaries and decided not to bother. :D
 
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North Entrance said:
In terms of visibility (& mobile phone camera photo opportunity) Chester's new 'Penguin Fortress' is a far cry from this earlier pool in Chester which as a child I really loved (Simpler times). Rockhopper Penguins, Otters and Rainbow Trout featured as part of this close up penguin experience....
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North Entrance said:
:) I wonder if any zoochatters have any more photos of this exhibit, I have a recollection of the Rainbow Trout bit / otters bit but would to see more images.
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North Entrance said:
Yes @Strathmorezoo those three conditions were met for the Rainbow Trout. The aquarium tank was enormous, in a dark entry building prior to the main penguin exhibit (number 47 on attached 1980 zoo map). The glass was always super cold and dripping with condensation, fast flowing as it served as the header tank for the waterfalls in the main penguin & otter exhibits. I hope a zoochatter does have a photo, but I guess visitors back then with only 24 or 36 frames in their Kodak or Fuji film are unlikely to have photographed this exhibit. View attachment 794281
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I have no photos, partly because of the cost of film (and processing) but mainly because I hated that exhibit. It was built on the site of the old Reptile House, which was demolished after the reptiles etc were moved into the new Tropical House. The site was so narrow that fitting in the penguins and otters (ASCOs), with a footpath beween them, meant that the animals could never get away from the visitors. There was a lot of ugly concrete and the streams of water were shallow.
I see that we did discuss this back in 2018 (Chester Zoo Reports 2018 [Chester Zoo]) so I will only add that Mr Mottershead's account of this exhibit was published in the International Zoo Yearbook, Volume 7 (1967) and there might be a photo with this article. Does anyone have access to this volume?
 
I have the International Zoo Yearbook volume 7. There is no photo of the exhibit. I thought there was.

The first time this exhibit appeared on the map was in chester Zoo News March 1969, number 47a Penguins and Otters,
The redrawn map was published in Chester Zoo News and Guide May 1971 and the enclosure was listed as no.47 Penguins.

Several mentions were made in Chester Zoo News and Guide.

I am amazed that they reared Blackfooted (1970) and Humboldt's Penguins (1974) in the enclosure.

Chester Zoo News and Guide April 1969 page 14 mentions 6 small-clawed otters in the exhibit.
Chester Zoo News and Guide July 1969 mentions the arrival of a mate for the lone Humboldt's Penguin. Humboldt's, Jackass (demersus) and Rockhopper Penguins were housed together.
Chester Zoo News and Guide July 1970 page 10 The arrival of 3 Humboldt's Penguins and a Gannet was reported. The Gannet was housed with the penguins.
Chester Zoo News and Guide August 1970 page 3 Hatchint of a Black-footed Penguin reported.
Chester Zoo News and Guide Octoer 1970 page 12 follow up report on penguin chick, photograph on page 13
Chester Zoo News and Guide January 1972 page 4 The arrival of 3 Rockhopper Penguins bringing the total up to 7, picture included.
Chester Zoo News and Guide July 1972 page 15. Because the Rockhopper penguins seldon used their swimming tank, it was decided to exhibit American Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout in it.
Chester Zoo News and Guide March 1974 page 10. Arrival of 5 Pike reported for one of the tanks in the penguin enclosure, the other being occupied by Rainbow Trout.
Chester Zoo News and Guide January 1975 page 4 Recording of a Humboldt's Penguin chick hatched in December 1974.
Chester Zoo News and Guide Decmeber 1977 page 5 Arrival of 10 Gentoo Penguins.
Chester Zoo News and Guide July 1980 page 3 Proposed new penguin pool.

Gentoo Penguins Gentoo Penguins Chester Zoo 19 April 1979 - ZooChat
 
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bongorob said:
I have the International Zoo Yearbook volume 7. There is no photo of the exhibit. I thought there was.

The first time this exhibit appeared on the map was in chester Zoo News March 1969, number 47a Penguins and Otters,
The redrawn map was published in Chester Zoo News and Guide May 1971 and the enclosure was listed as no.47 Penguins.

Several mentions were made in Chester Zoo News and Guide.

I am amazed that they reared Blackfooted (1970) and Humboldt's Penguins (1974) in the enclosure.

Chester Zoo News and Guide April 1969 page 14 mentions 6 small-clawed otters in the exhibit.
Chester Zoo News and Guide July 1969 mentions the arrival of a mate for the lone Humboldt's Penguin. Humboldt's, Jackass (demersus) and Rockhopper Penguins were housed together.
Chester Zoo News and Guide July 1970 page 10 The arrival of 3 Humboldt's Penguins and a Gannet was reported. The Gannet was housed with the penguins.
Chester Zoo News and Guide August 1970 page 3 Hatchint of a Black-footed Penguin reported.
Chester Zoo News and Guide Octoer 1970 page 12 follow up report on penguin chick, photograph on page 13
Chester Zoo News and Guide January 1972 page 4 The arrival of 3 Rockhopper Penguins bringing the total up to 7, picture included.
Chester Zoo News and Guide July 1972 page 15. Because the Rockhopper penguins seldon used their swimming tank, it was decided to exhibit American Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout in it.
Chester Zoo News and Guide March 1974 page 10. Arrival of 5 Pike reported for one of the tanks in the penguin enclosure, the other being occupied by Rainbow Trout.
Chester Zoo News and Guide January 1975 page 4 Recording of a Humboldt's Penguin chick hatched in December 1974.
Chester Zoo News and Guide Decmeber 1977 page 5 Arrival of 10 Gentoo Penguins.
Chester Zoo News and Guide July 1980 page 3 Proposed new penguin pool.

Gentoo Penguins Gentoo Penguins Chester Zoo 19 April 1979 - ZooChat
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I don't suppose you know what filtration was used for the rainbow Trout setup, only I setup and worked with rainbow and brown Trout at the University of Birmingham and the filtration units were extensive to keep these species successfully.
 
gentle lemur said:
Thank you for checking - it was worth a try :)
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I just read the artice and it refers to the original penguin enclosure (now South American aviary). This housed Emperor, King, Humboldt's, Magellan and Rockhopper penguins. King and Humboldt's bred successfully. Rockhopper and Magellan penguins made unsucessful breeding attempts.
 
Strathmorezoo said:
I don't suppose you know what filtration was used for the rainbow Trout setup, only I setup and worked with rainbow and brown Trout at the University of Birmingham and the filtration units were extensive to keep these species successfully.
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Sorry Strathmorezoo, I do not know.
 
There is a report by George Mottershead about the penguin and otter house in International Zoo Yearbook volume 9 (1969) page 69.

It is called 'New buildings at Chester Zoo' and refers to the otter and penguin house and orang utan house (now RotRA). Again, no pictures.

The first part concerns the otters and penguins.

"Otters are among the most popular exhibits in zoos and so we decided to construct a place for these entertaining animals on the site of our old Reptile House.Accommodation has been provided at the same time for a limited number of penguins. The overall area of the exhibit is 24.4 x 6.6 m, and there is a walk down the centre of the building so that the otters and penguins can be seen on either side.
Two large glass-fronted tanks , each measuring 4.9 x 2.5 x 1.2 m, have been built so that the otters can be seen underwater; they are also provided with a large enclosure provoding slides and a pool. The otters will receive the full benefit of the sunshine but the penguins are to be housed on the north side of the building where they will be sheltered from the sun."

It was not a great enclosure. During its lifetime no otters were bred and only 2 penguins.
 
bongorob said:
I just read the artice and it refers to the original penguin enclosure (now South American aviary). This housed Emperor, King, Humboldt's, Magellan and Rockhopper penguins. King and Humboldt's bred successfully. Rockhopper and Magellan penguins made unsucessful breeding attempts.
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When did they have Emperors, and for how long?
 
bongorob said:
1966 They did not live very long. A few weeks I think.
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Thank you……I don’t think they ever lived longer that that at London or Edinburgh (rushes off to ZTL to check if anywhere else in UK ever had them:))
 
bongorob said:
I have the International Zoo Yearbook volume 7. There is no photo of the exhibit. I thought there was.

The first time this exhibit appeared on the map was in chester Zoo News March 1969, number 47a Penguins and Otters,
The redrawn map was published in Chester Zoo News and Guide May 1971 and the enclosure was listed as no.47 Penguins.

Several mentions were made in Chester Zoo News and Guide.

I am amazed that they reared Blackfooted (1970) and Humboldt's Penguins (1974) in the enclosure.

Chester Zoo News and Guide April 1969 page 14 mentions 6 small-clawed otters in the exhibit.
Chester Zoo News and Guide July 1969 mentions the arrival of a mate for the lone Humboldt's Penguin. Humboldt's, Jackass (demersus) and Rockhopper Penguins were housed together.
Chester Zoo News and Guide July 1970 page 10 The arrival of 3 Humboldt's Penguins and a Gannet was reported. The Gannet was housed with the penguins.
Chester Zoo News and Guide August 1970 page 3 Hatchint of a Black-footed Penguin reported.
Chester Zoo News and Guide Octoer 1970 page 12 follow up report on penguin chick, photograph on page 13
Chester Zoo News and Guide January 1972 page 4 The arrival of 3 Rockhopper Penguins bringing the total up to 7, picture included.
Chester Zoo News and Guide July 1972 page 15. Because the Rockhopper penguins seldon used their swimming tank, it was decided to exhibit American Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout in it.
Chester Zoo News and Guide March 1974 page 10. Arrival of 5 Pike reported for one of the tanks in the penguin enclosure, the other being occupied by Rainbow Trout.
Chester Zoo News and Guide January 1975 page 4 Recording of a Humboldt's Penguin chick hatched in December 1974.
Chester Zoo News and Guide Decmeber 1977 page 5 Arrival of 10 Gentoo Penguins.
Chester Zoo News and Guide July 1980 page 3 Proposed new penguin pool.

Gentoo Penguins Gentoo Penguins Chester Zoo 19 April 1979 - ZooChat
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@bongorob what a fantastic summary and history of this long lost enclosure. Thank you so much for taking the time to bring to life.
 
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Excellent day out at Chester today. It was busy as expected but the weather was mixed so the crowds ebbed and flowed. It was far more Spring like weather than it has been recently.

The new Africa area is quite something in person with sweeping paths heading around the new enclosures which feel well designed with some excellent and thoughtful viewing. It's early days for planting but it feels like all the angles have been thought through on the different levels.

I liked the fact you can also see into the large mixed exhibit once you have left and gone onto the Islands walkways - there were better views of the Ostriches and Zebras from there than on the main walkway in the area itself as they were on that side so it all creates a bit of a 360 and viewing opportunities across what is a sizeable space.

My particular highlights were the Flamingoes, Ducks and Cranes, the free flight Tsavo aviary and the mix of vultures. The latter were having a squabble over a Muntjac, really something else to watch. The Roan antelope also looked great.

Early on the area was crowded, but I was able to have it nearly to myself after around 430pm to closing and that was a bit of a treat, though the rain poured down off and on. The exhibits are generally expansive and the whole thing obviously designed for the huge footfall they expect.

The only two spaces that gave me some pause were firstly the Yellow Mongoose, which seemed a bit underwhelming considering the potential space available. Not unpleasant or inadequate, just a bit average tbh and outdone by exhibits for the species elsewhere. I felt they got a bit of a raw deal compared to the Meerkats but then I rather love Yellows so am perhaps biased. I also though the Bat Eared Foxes hadn't had the luckiest break. They find themselves in the position of picnic accessory, with their house and glass under a covered area full of benches nera to the toilets - that space was rowdy to say the least and the roof made it noisier. I've always thought them a shy species, but I guess they will get used to it and their outside area is a good size. I popped back to have a look for them when it was quieter but at it's busiest there was glass thumping, shrieking and running about galore. Not to take away from the general design and overall impression of the area as a while which is all quite a wow.

In terms of huge new investment it ticks the boxes. You can see the lodges going in from fences behind the Islands area, which will no doubt help pay for it all. The indoor exhibit in the space was heaving early on so I went around to avoid the crush, but later enjoyed it a lot and on the way in got nice views of the Rhino.

It did strike me, as I wandered around the rest of the zoo, that I struggled to make the most of a single day at Chester due to the abundance of lovely things to see in the past and now that problem has only increased. However in zoo and collection terms it's a good problem to have! True to form I spent far too long in the walkthroughs, aviaries and in the Islands area generally, but it was great to look for all the birds and watch the Orangs playing. There were even chicks for the Stilts in the Flamingo walkthrough! Fluffy little treats. The Rolloway family was super active and lots of fun to watch and generally there was loads to see. I ran out of time to see everything as usual, but I made peace with that before the day began!

Thanks @bongorob for the note on the Goeldis and Coppery Titis - it was fun to see all the small primates (and that area was deserted, bonus).

The usually reliable EV chargers proved an issue today, with the one I was on not working (but didn't find out for 15 mins by which time the others were occupied, I called in and it was 'known,. sorry'. I arrived well before opening so they are obviously popular. It seems some EV drivers have also found they can park in the spaces and save 24 seconds walk across the car park whether they plug in or not, so there were a few chargers blocked and just not available. It's not the usual position so expect they will be fine next time but something to watch out for if you're charging and worth having a back up plan.
 
Good review.

I agree about the bat eared foxes indoor viewing. I really don’t like how close the picnic tables are to the viewing windows and I’m really surprised to be honest that there isn’t at least a few metres distance.
This undercover area was originally supposed to be a) an event space and then b) a “conservation training area” both closed off to the general public but I assume money ran out so it morphed into what it is now (very basic with strip lighting and gravel floor). There was also supposed to be a lift linking the 2 levels but again this was never completed despite the infrastructure being in place, again I assume it was too costly for the current budget.

I hope they do something a bit nicer with that space and add the lift in the “phase 2” development which will see the dead spaces behind love birds and adjacent to vultures developed. I was told secretary birds may go on show behind love birds but no idea what is planned to go next to vultures. I would like a cat species to go on show as it seems the only main taxa that isn’t represented. No idea about timescales but imagine it will be in the next year or so?
 
Lafone said:
I liked the fact you can also see into the large mixed exhibit once you have left and gone onto the Islands walkways - there were better views of the Ostriches and Zebras from there than on the main walkway in the area itself as they were on that side so it all creates a bit of a 360 and viewing opportunities across what is a sizeable space.
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I agree. I think the zoo has missed a trick here, because there is planting and a rather ugly fence between the animals and the public. If the path was slightly raised and widened by replacing the plants, and then replacing that stretch of fence with a parapet overlooking a haha or a water moat, there would be a very good view across the open enclosure towards the giraffe house and the main viewpoint. I don't think that would cause any particular problems.
 
Anybody have an inclining of what the arid/desert side of the jaguar house will be used for?

Is it likely the bear will have an indoor area again or do we think we could get another jaguar hopefully to breed
 
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