Chester Zoo Chester Zoo discussion and questions 2025
- Thread starter Typhlonectes
- Start date
Hi, does anyone know if there’s going to be a Phase 2 for Heart of Africa? Something similar to how they later filled in space in Islands with Sun Bears, Binturongs, Tapirs and the walkthrough aviary. Also, since the zoo mentioned they hope to care for more cheetahs in the future after Singa unfortunately passed away, could cheetahs be included in the HoA to align with the geographical zoning in the Strategic Development Plan?
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I don’t think there’d be space for cheetahs in HOA. Plus it would be a bit of a waste of money when they already have a very good cheetah complex in the zoo.
I dont think there is the space for a large phase 2, however there are small spaces that could be filled in with smaller enclosures, but islands initial plan included all the space currently used, then they only built part of it and then redesigned the other space and added the sun bears, tapirs, originally It was a second tiger enclosure.
In HoA there is space next to the vultures and a area between the love birds and owl.
They could also redevelop the monkey islands, bear/tapir, Indian rhino areas, make the whole section African themed.
Or to add new space they would have to go into the coach car park and rejink the rhino's,
“They could also redevelop the monkey islands, bear/tapir, Indian rhino areas, make the whole section African themed.”
It would be nice if they absorb the monkey islands into HoA so there is some primate representation in the zone. I’m unsure what species they keep there currently but swapping the species for some African savanna primate species like baboons, vervets and patas would be nice.
Pure Bluesky now but if they moved the cheetah complex (or acquire hyena) to where the bears are, convert the monkey islands into a common hippo complex with the UK’s first underwater viewing for them, and then add some African primate and bird enclosures in between. That would be pretty epic!
(Still holding out hopes someone will give us underwater hippo viewing in the UK)
It would be nice if they absorb the monkey islands into HoA so there is some primate representation in the zone. I’m unsure what species they keep there currently but swapping the species for some African savanna primate species like baboons, vervets and patas would be nice.
Pure Bluesky now but if they moved the cheetah complex (or acquire hyena) to where the bears are, convert the monkey islands into a common hippo complex with the UK’s first underwater viewing for them, and then add some African primate and bird enclosures in between. That would be pretty epic!
(Still holding out hopes someone will give us underwater hippo viewing in the UK)
Roloway monkey, Mandrill, lion-tailed macaque and Colombian black spider monkey.
Indeed - no species less threatened than Vulnerable in some of the UK's best monkey enclosures and all in good-sized successful breeding groups.
I'd hope it would be incredibly unlikely they'd mess with that unless their hand were somehow forced and I certainly think replacing these with common (in the wild) species like vervets or baboons is way outside Chester's ethos.
Also - I get the appeal of hippo underwater viewing, but it is massively expensive and difficult to maintain. I don't blame anywhere for skipping it.
Which is why the plan for underwater hippo viewing did not proceed.
In the original plans for an African expansion (to stand where Islands is now) Geladas were mentioned.
I know this might be a bit of a daft question, and it could be a bit impractical, but is there any chance new cheetahs could eventually share space with the black rhinos? I understand it’s an unusual mix, but it has been done successfully at Zoo Leipzig, so I just wondered if it’s something that might be considered here too.
Dr. Loxodonta
Well-Known Member
It would be quite an interesting idea, but i’m sure the cheetahs would become stressed. I think that Leipzig is an example of individuals being successfully mixed rather than the species (although that said, white rhinos are a seemingly growing mix). The group of cheetahs are all female, and in the exhibit there are places where the cheetahs can retreat if they desire. Apparently, except for some mild attacks from the rhinos towards the cheetahs, there have been no major conflicts or injuries perceived.
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Typhlonectes
Well-Known Member
Secretary Birds are still waiting on housing
That’s a fair point — stress would definitely be a concern. But I wonder if it could work if the cheetahs were already used to being around rhinos, either from previous mixed-species enclosures or through gradual introductions. It wouldn’t be suitable for every individual, of course, but maybe certain cheetahs could adapt well with the right setup and monitoring.
Dr. Loxodonta
Well-Known Member
At Leipzig, prior to the introduction of both species, each was placed alone in the enclosure for a few days and from then they have been successful. This is rather similar to your latter idea so it may be possible? If you are wanting to delve further into the topic, it may be worth moving threads (as to not go too far off-topic
).I’m not a fan of the mix to be honest, but even taking into account the successful white rhino x cheetah mix in Leipzig (and in a Swedish collection, I believe), there is a world of difference between the temperament of White and Black rhino. That being said, I believe Black Rhino have been successfully mixed with Baboons at Port Lympne, so there is some precedent for them being mixed with other species, even if it’s rare.
Apologies if I’m mistaken, but I believe the rhinos housed with the cheetahs at Zoo Leipzig are Eastern Black Rhinos, which I think are the same species as those at Chester.
Yes, you’re correct. It seems that this mix can work, in which case!
Charles
Well-Known Member
they could get Barbary macaques on one of the islands, although it’s a different part of Africa it’s still in a similar theme
And if I’m not mistaken I thought the plan was for the roloways and mandrills to go to the African Forest area eventually, which would free up some space
I do think cheetah would suit HoA better then there old enclosure, where I don’t know
I didn't realise how endangered Barbary Macaques are. I'm sure if and when space is freed up by any potential African rainforest development, Chester will consider some endangered African species to replace them if they were to incorporate monkey islands into HoA.