Chester Zoo Chester Zoo discussion and questions 2025
- Thread starter Typhlonectes
- Start date
No, those enclosures were for apes. Originally for the Eastern lowland gorillas and orangs, which also had access to islands where the red river hogs are now. After the orangs were moved to the Ape House, the gorillas had both enclosures.
I can't place this either. I suspect it may have been a temporary arrangement for Prince Phillip's benefit, as I don't think that fence would have lasted very long. I think it may have been where the caiman & ducks are now, and the hippo(s) were let in from their own area through the keeper's passage.
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Mystery solved. In International Zoo Yearbook volume 6 George Mottershead wrote about the Tropical House. There was indeed a pygmy hippo enclosure in the house. Although I don't remember it myself it is marked on the plan in the approximate location mentioned by Gentle Lemur, it was to the north of the current caiman enclosure, where the amphibian pod now stands. Obviously it was in existance until at least 1972.
I am unable to upload the plan of the house, the file is 10.6mb and is too large.
I am unable to upload the plan of the house, the file is 10.6mb and is too large.
Thank you for this @bongorob. I have no memory of it at all, and I suspect that it was not in use for very long. Mind you when I was a boy, a trip to the zoo was a real treat and we certainly didn't go every year. I do remember the pool with the waterfall in the corner, much smaller and dingier than the one near the main entrance (which is still there). I also remember the pools that were viewed from the gallery above, they were part of the free standing building which was built before the main Tropical House. I think the first one was originally used by the pygmy hippos, while the other one held crocodiles, which I presume were being grown on ready to move into the new house. The passage ended in a nocturnal room with a few cages - the only animal I remember clearly was a bird-eating spider. The exit was at the top of the ramp down from the chimp gallery.
I remember seeing Rock Hyrax, Cairo Spiny Mice and Blotched Genet in the original nocturnal section. I remeber some of the labels were similar to those used in the main zoo, etched metal signs (think they were 8 x 6 inches). The nocturnal ones were made of a clear material, illuminated from behind. Remains of the ramp are still visibe behind the signs for the ayes-ayes and jumping rats.
As you say crocodiles were hosued there as well.
Looking at the map Gentle Lemur it seems that the pygny hippo enclosure occupied the site of the current caiman enclosure. That does fit, Prince Philip visited the zoo in April 1972. A later issue of Chester Zoo News and Guide mentioned a new alligator pool in the Tropical House. I guess it was on the same site.
As you say crocodiles were hosued there as well.
Looking at the map Gentle Lemur it seems that the pygny hippo enclosure occupied the site of the current caiman enclosure. That does fit, Prince Philip visited the zoo in April 1972. A later issue of Chester Zoo News and Guide mentioned a new alligator pool in the Tropical House. I guess it was on the same site.
I looked at John Frost's book, A Survey of the Hippopotamus in Captivity in the British Isles, and the enclosure in the Tropical Hose s on the plan of Chester's accommodation. It was 9.1 x 8.7 m (29.9 x 28.5 feet). The pool was an irregular shaped pool with a maximum depth of 90 cm (3 feet). Furnishings were a palm tree and rocks.
Access to the enclosure was a short corridor between the hippos and the crocodiles which was under the upper level path to the nocturnal section.
Access to the enclosure was a short corridor between the hippos and the crocodiles which was under the upper level path to the nocturnal section.
Kieras36
Member
Thanks
ZooNews2024
Well-Known Member
There is no such thing as a breeding pair of Cheetahs.
Kieras36
Member
Yes I forgot. By that I meant a male and female as Chester hasn’t had both for a few years now since Adaze died.
Hi
Not posted for a while so not sure my question will land in the right place.
I have just read that there are 2 lilac crested roller parents with 3 fledglings in the Tsavo aviary.
We saw 1 plump one in in the distance up a tree at the back of the aviary a week past Monday.
Is the old roller still alive that lived in Tsavo in summer & with the pink pigeon in the Tropical Realm in winter stilI alive. If it is still alive, where is located now in the zoo ?
Thank you.
Not posted for a while so not sure my question will land in the right place.
I have just read that there are 2 lilac crested roller parents with 3 fledglings in the Tsavo aviary.
We saw 1 plump one in in the distance up a tree at the back of the aviary a week past Monday.
Is the old roller still alive that lived in Tsavo in summer & with the pink pigeon in the Tropical Realm in winter stilI alive. If it is still alive, where is located now in the zoo ?
Thank you.
Great photo LC Pete !
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Thanks I got the ID wrong though its a Lesser Antillean Iguana
hari Jones
Well-Known Member
Does anyone know what one earth is gonna happen to the old mallorcan midwife toad hut because it's been borded up now for god knows how long
Probably nothing. Incidentally, I think it was originally built for the first pair of tuataras.
Prochilodus246
Well-Known Member
They do still keep the species, however they are kept behind the scenes.