Chester Zoo Chester Zoo News 2023

One of only two zoos in Europe holding tuatara has now removed them from display. Well done Chester. :(

Part two of the drone footage of the construction of grasslands.

The only thing I saw in the tuatara enclosure last time I went was an unlabeled Malagasy giant day gecko
 
The only thing I saw in the tuatara enclosure last time I went was an unlabeled Malagasy giant day gecko
They used to be virtually impossible to see (in my experience) but in recent years they were much more visible - sometimes saw several at a time.

Why have they gone off-show?
 
They used to be virtually impossible to see (in my experience) but in recent years they were much more visible - sometimes saw several at a time.

Why have they gone off-show?
Given they’ve been doing work on-and-off in Tropical Realm recently I’d expect they’ll be back on exhibit at some point
 
The only thing I saw in the tuatara enclosure last time I went was an unlabeled Malagasy giant day gecko
If you mean the small exhibit that previously housed a juvenile tuatara, it now houses panther chameleons, giant day gecko, and Cuvier's oplurus.
 
They only had one Tuatara in that exhibit which was a female. The three that were off-show were not very showy at all, but that female was. She has however, left the collection to my knowledge. I am not sure if the 3 off-show in the keeper area of the Tropical Realm are still there or not.
 
Had a really interesting day at the zoo. The male komodo dragon was being fed with a muntjac deer carcass; only my second time seeing a komodo feed. The keeper said that they feed him a carcass every 5 weeks with small titbits during training and experiences. Also, there is suppose to be an announcement this coming week about baby dragons.
Also, there was a large crate/container in the car park and another keeper said it was in readiness to move Aung Bo. Whether this is soon or whether it is to start crate training.
 
Had a really interesting day at the zoo. The male komodo dragon was being fed with a muntjac deer carcass; only my second time seeing a komodo feed. The keeper said that they feed him a carcass every 5 weeks with small titbits during training and experiences. Also, there is suppose to be an announcement this coming week about baby dragons.
Also, there was a large crate/container in the car park and another keeper said it was in readiness to move Aung Bo. Whether this is soon or whether it is to start crate training.
Maybe just crate training for now (he might leave soon though)- when I visited in early April I was told he and Sundara had been mating recently and they planned to get ready to move him as soon as Sundara is confirmed pregnant in a few months time (if those matings were successful) as they want to get one more calf out of the pair.
I belive I was also told they had no facility (for Aung Bo to go to next) in mind as of then.
 
I was also told a similar account from an experienced Keeper. That once Sundara was confirmed pregnant he would be moved on. The plan at the time was Chester would be without a breeding Bull for a couple of years. And once the discussed extension/Development of the Elephants enclosure was complete, Sundara had a new calf. Then a new breeding Bull would be sourced.
 
@derek, glad you were able to watch the Komodo dragon feeding, I'd love to be able to see that. Wonder if & how far gone Sundara is, shame to see Aung Bo leave eventually but it is needed due to his eldest daughter approaching maturity. Fingers crossed for another healthy calf & hopefully another female.
 
I think thats the main reason for Aung Bo departure, If I remember correctly Indali was born 2015. So if Aung Bo moves on, they redevelop the Elephant House and source a new Bull 2025. This potentially is 2 Breeding Cows to start the new breeding program.
 
I think thats the main reason for Aung Bo departure, If I remember correctly Indali was born 2015. So if Aung Bo moves on, they redevelop the Elephant House and source a new Bull 2025. This potentially is 2 Breeding Cows to start the new breeding program.

Indali was born December 2016 but yes you're correct she approaching breeding age
Indali's family history does have a tendancy of early unplanned pregnancies.
*Grandmother Sithami delivered her first calf Sundara(B 2004) at 6.5 years
*Mother Sundara delivered her first calf Hari
(B 2012) at 8.5 years
So there is a chance that Indali could be pregnant although Chester will have done their best to prevent this.
 
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I have visited the zoo several times since Bliss the giant anteater has had her pup. Each time the door out of her house is closed. I have never seen her out with the pup. Does anyone know why her door to the outside is closed?
 
Asian river toads Phrynoidis asper are now on show in RORA, mixed with the forest dragons.

Warty frogfish Antennarius maculatus recently went on display in the aquarium, first tank by the entrance.
Very exciting, is that the tank that has recently been used for coral displays?
 
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