Highly doubt the jaguars will be phased out considering they have what is easily the best facility for the species in the UK, and maybe even in Europe as a whole!
Chester Zoo Chester Zoo News 2023
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Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
I think the best solution would be to dedicate the entire complex of indoor and outdoor enclosures to Jaguars (if and when this is possible), and to get some more individuals, potentially to breed in the future (bearing in mind the current male is unable to breed), while still being able to house Napo on show in Spirit of the Jaguar. I think reserving the whole area for Jaguars is the best way to get the most out of the brilliant exhibit they have and to show it the most respect, if this is the direction Chester Zoo chooses to go in with Spirit of The Jaguar.
Thanks for this. I believe they are quite hard to keep happy in captivity, so I wonder if this will be the last?
The news about the birth of the Goodfellow's tree kangaroo has now been officially announced. The baby was born in July 2022, has been studied with an endoscopic camera to chart its development, and is now starting to emerge from the pouch.
The official release from the zoo's website can be seen here:
Rare tree kangaroo born at the zoo for the first time ever! | Chester Zoo
The BBC news release, mentioning the month of birth, can be found here:
Chester Zoo: Rare tree kangaroo emerges from mum's pouch
The official release from the zoo's website can be seen here:
Rare tree kangaroo born at the zoo for the first time ever! | Chester Zoo
The BBC news release, mentioning the month of birth, can be found here:
Chester Zoo: Rare tree kangaroo emerges from mum's pouch
There is a picture here: Chester Zoo: Rare tree kangaroo emerges from mum's pouch
Visited today, got good views of the new tamandua and the sifaka baby. Unfortunately the baby tree-kangaroo did not leave the pouch and couldn't spot the chimp infant.
The Victoria crowned pigeons in Monsoon Forest have an egg in their nest.
Quite a few empty exhibits around the zoo, a few in Realm of the Red Ape near the entrance and the small terrarium in Dragons in Danger are both empty. Signage for Belanger's treeshrew is gone from the enclosure in Islands so I assume they are not around anymore.
All walkthrough aviaries remain closed, Tropical Realm and Monsoon Forest remain open however. The Ecuador Amazon house is also closed.
The Tropical Realm is starting to feel pretty empty now, the tuatara are now completely offshow and it feels like there is less free flying birds. A few of the former enclosures haven't been replaced and the loss of the upper level of aviaries is still sad.
I get the feeling the building is really towards the very end of its life, I know it is long past its prime but even in the last 5 years it feels like so much has been lost from it which is a grand shame.
I'll be uploading some photos to the gallery over the weekend including the sifaka baby and the tamandua house!
The Victoria crowned pigeons in Monsoon Forest have an egg in their nest.
Quite a few empty exhibits around the zoo, a few in Realm of the Red Ape near the entrance and the small terrarium in Dragons in Danger are both empty. Signage for Belanger's treeshrew is gone from the enclosure in Islands so I assume they are not around anymore.
All walkthrough aviaries remain closed, Tropical Realm and Monsoon Forest remain open however. The Ecuador Amazon house is also closed.
The Tropical Realm is starting to feel pretty empty now, the tuatara are now completely offshow and it feels like there is less free flying birds. A few of the former enclosures haven't been replaced and the loss of the upper level of aviaries is still sad.
I get the feeling the building is really towards the very end of its life, I know it is long past its prime but even in the last 5 years it feels like so much has been lost from it which is a grand shame.I'll be uploading some photos to the gallery over the weekend including the sifaka baby and the tamandua house!
hari Jones
Well-Known Member
The closed off areas in tropical Realm is really frustrating me because I can't see why those areas are closed off for example the lower section of the hornbill aviaries were closed off last time i went I wish the upper aviaries were still open because it was very nice to see such beautiful birds such as collared trogons , green aracaris and Congo peafowl
The tree shrews recently left the collection I don't know why
The Ecuadorian amazon House was still open when I went in late December
Sad news about the tuatara going offshow because they are one of my favourite reptile species so the only reason I like going into tropical Realm now is for the caiman and the baby parson chameleons
Were the javan green magpies back onshow in dragons In danger or us the aviary still empty
The tree shrews recently left the collection I don't know why
The Ecuadorian amazon House was still open when I went in late December
Sad news about the tuatara going offshow because they are one of my favourite reptile species so the only reason I like going into tropical Realm now is for the caiman and the baby parson chameleons
Were the javan green magpies back onshow in dragons In danger or us the aviary still empty
I believe the reason areas are closed in the tropical realm is due to safety issues.
Magpies aren't on show still, there are birds in the aviary again now though. Didn't record which species were signed but did see a Salvadori's pheasant in there.
The Tropical Realm is starting to feel pretty empty now, the tuatara are now completely offshow and it feels like there is less free flying birds. A few of the former enclosures haven't been replaced and the loss of the upper level of aviaries is still sad.
100% agree with this. I started going to Chester in the mid 90’s when I was a young child. There are three vivid memories I have of Chester from then; the old rhino house that had a greater one horned rhino in on one visit, the hippo enclosure always being empty at the end of the elephant house and how vibrant and bustling with life the tropical realm was. From walking in and being immediately faced with the dwarf crocs, to making your way across the large vivariums to reach the American alligators at the back and then travelling back down the reptile corridor. Not to mention all of the bird life within. It was a brilliant place and my favourite part of the zoo as a child.
To be fair, I don't think it will be permanent. All the signage is still up despite the area being blocked off. Hoping they come back on show soon!
hari Jones
Well-Known Member
I'm hope that tropical Realm returns to how if used to be before covid happened because when ever it was busy I'd go up to the upper aviaries to get some peace and quiet one day in 2019 I was in tropical Realm and it was just me and the birds and all of the other reptiles and amphibians and it was beautiful
Tropical Realm is closed all next week for maintenance.
Plans may have changed along side 'Heart of Africa Plans' But when I was speaking with a well established Keeper in 2022. The Tropical Realm, Cattle House and Giraffe House were all earmarked for demolition. The Plan then was this area would potentially become the new Gorilla Exhibit. And possibly Chimps.
1. This was almost 12 months ago and we know many changes have taken place to plans since then to 'Heart of Africa' etc.
2. Even if this is still part of the plans it will be at least 2026 before this would start. As they will have to wait for the new Giraffe House, Relocate the current stock before they can even consider starting work.
This plan may have even been shelved by now. But strange how the tropical realm seems to be slowly destocked. The Congo Buffalo moved on and the paddocks remain empty minus a new picnic area. And we have already had it confirmed the Giraffes are moving to a new breeding Facility and a separate Bachelor Herd.
Time will tell.
1. This was almost 12 months ago and we know many changes have taken place to plans since then to 'Heart of Africa' etc.
2. Even if this is still part of the plans it will be at least 2026 before this would start. As they will have to wait for the new Giraffe House, Relocate the current stock before they can even consider starting work.
This plan may have even been shelved by now. But strange how the tropical realm seems to be slowly destocked. The Congo Buffalo moved on and the paddocks remain empty minus a new picnic area. And we have already had it confirmed the Giraffes are moving to a new breeding Facility and a separate Bachelor Herd.
Time will tell.
Don't think the Congo Buffalo have been moved on; they were there last weekend. The other side of the Cattle House is being used for storage and hay barn. Thats why the enclosure that had the Anoa in has been converted to seating/picnic area. However, I agree with the rest of your comments. The only other point to note is that prior to this work I believe they are adding another paddock for the elephants or may be just for the bulls.
Alwaysevergreen
Well-Known Member
Having been with the Giraffe team recently.
Giraffes will not move until the completion of heart of Africa.
Plans regrading that area were that the Chimps would be given an upgrade, as would the Okapi and also create new exhibits for the Bongo and Buffalo. When I asked about Gorilllas the impression was that was no longer the plan and was that of an old CEO.
The island the Giraffes were on now would be developed for Chimps, then neighbouring areas for Okapi, Bongo and Buffalo. Again unlikely anything would happen until the end of 2025, start of 2026.
Perhaps when Chimps are moved their old area may be revamped for Gorillas then, but the impression was more of a redevelopment for current held species than new ones.
Tropical Realm has structural issues. That’s why the area by the hornbills is closed off, and why
Upstairs is closed to the public.
They were planning to do work on this to maintain it, but I doubt upstairs access will return at any stage. When I done the bird keeper day in August, there was a lot of free flying birds and didn’t appreciate how many until we put food out for them, and we done that upstairs on the ramp.
It’s possible some of these birds were moved for AI, but catching them would also be very difficult as they are pretty much wild in there.
Giraffes will not move until the completion of heart of Africa.
Plans regrading that area were that the Chimps would be given an upgrade, as would the Okapi and also create new exhibits for the Bongo and Buffalo. When I asked about Gorilllas the impression was that was no longer the plan and was that of an old CEO.
The island the Giraffes were on now would be developed for Chimps, then neighbouring areas for Okapi, Bongo and Buffalo. Again unlikely anything would happen until the end of 2025, start of 2026.
Perhaps when Chimps are moved their old area may be revamped for Gorillas then, but the impression was more of a redevelopment for current held species than new ones.
Tropical Realm has structural issues. That’s why the area by the hornbills is closed off, and why
Upstairs is closed to the public.
They were planning to do work on this to maintain it, but I doubt upstairs access will return at any stage. When I done the bird keeper day in August, there was a lot of free flying birds and didn’t appreciate how many until we put food out for them, and we done that upstairs on the ramp.
It’s possible some of these birds were moved for AI, but catching them would also be very difficult as they are pretty much wild in there.
Chester Zoo boss fears new law could be 'extremely damaging'
The zoo has expressed 'deep concern' over the Bill currently going through Parliament.
Chester Zoo has joined forces with a wildlife body to express 'deep concern' about a proposed new Bill that they say could be 'devastating' to wildlife in the UK.
The zoo, alongside Cheshire Wildlife Trust, have penned an open letter urging the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Grant Shapps to reconsider the new Retained EU Law Bill. The Bill, which is set to come into force by December, would see the Government step away from several wildlife regulations which have been effective in protecting wildlife and habitats including otters, bats and newts in recent years.
https://www-cheshire--live-co-uk.cd...-news/chester-zoo-boss-fears-new-26080646.amp
The zoo has expressed 'deep concern' over the Bill currently going through Parliament.
Chester Zoo has joined forces with a wildlife body to express 'deep concern' about a proposed new Bill that they say could be 'devastating' to wildlife in the UK.
The zoo, alongside Cheshire Wildlife Trust, have penned an open letter urging the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Grant Shapps to reconsider the new Retained EU Law Bill. The Bill, which is set to come into force by December, would see the Government step away from several wildlife regulations which have been effective in protecting wildlife and habitats including otters, bats and newts in recent years.
https://www-cheshire--live-co-uk.cd...-news/chester-zoo-boss-fears-new-26080646.amp
My first visit to Chester Zoo was in 1980, when the zoo had a good collection of South American cats and I saw my first tuataras and eastern lowland gorillas. The zoo had a stall with a large collection of postcards, but no postcard of a tuatara, which I thought was strange as Chester Zoo had the only tuataras on the British mainland..
Charles
Well-Known Member
Do any uk or even European zoos have eastern lowland gorillas now?