olhl.animal.photography
Well-Known Member
Oh cool. They'll be good to (hopefully) see.
Chester Zoo Chester Zoo News 2024
- Thread starter bongorob
- Start date
Oh cool. They'll be good to (hopefully) see.
Something to remember for next time!
They've been there for years, and as far as I am aware there are at least three including two Koi. Oddly the Koi don't appear in the animal inventory.
olhl.animal.photography
Well-Known Member
Just had a thought.
Obviously, the giraffes will be moving to Heart of Africa, and so leaving their current abode vacant. But what will happen to the other species like the grass mice and gaboon viper etc? They're all African species, so will they move too, or stay put?
Also, this may already have been covered, but will the okapi and red duiker be moving to HoA or staying where they are? Their area needs expanding (at least in my opinion) so I'd guess a move or at least a renovation would be due?
Obviously, the giraffes will be moving to Heart of Africa, and so leaving their current abode vacant. But what will happen to the other species like the grass mice and gaboon viper etc? They're all African species, so will they move too, or stay put?
Also, this may already have been covered, but will the okapi and red duiker be moving to HoA or staying where they are? Their area needs expanding (at least in my opinion) so I'd guess a move or at least a renovation would be due?
So this will include the entirety of the giraffe/okapi area? It's not surprising Chester are planning an additional chimp enclosure considering the growing size of their troop and would allow for the need to separate individuals, which is something they've encountered as time goes on.
I don't think they will keep the old enclosure, they will just have a new house, outside area.
The okapi and the buffalo will I assume get new homes aswell along with the Bongo. All will most like move offshow when work starts, except the chimps.
olhl.animal.photography
Well-Known Member
After talking to some of the keepers today I can confirm this is not true. I was told that the giraffe house would be repurposed at the same time as the Tropical Realm would be refurbished in a few years time, with the area rebranded to a 'tropical' theme.
They have already announced it will be a African forrest area in the last AGM, can't see the 2 building being refurbished, both well past there best and would be very expensive to refurbish to make fit for purpose and also fit the theming the zoo goes for
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olhl.animal.photography
Well-Known Member
In other news...
There are two juvenile Orange Headed Thrushes in the second aviary along in Dragons in Danger, unsigned so probably a temporary move.
The Yellow Faced Myna has been moved to the small aviary behind the first two Dragons in Danger aviaries, and didn't look to be in the best of health.
The Cottontop Tamarin family now have a baby - I don't know who the parents are, I just know it's cute as hell.
Thanks to the considerable heat today the Sand Lizards were out on full display. I saw 4 individuals, and having not seen them before I was pretty excited.
The Yellow-Spotted Tree Toads (I think that's their name) were active today, in the large paludarium in the Monsoon Forest Research Outpost section that once housed Cinnamon Frogs, Bornean Rock Frogs and Emerald Tree Skinks.
As ever, the Asian Giant Toad in Realm of the Red Ape was a disappointing no-show, as was - as per usual - the Javan Chevrotain in Dragons in Danger, and (also as usual) the Mao-Son Frogs in the Monsoon Forest --> if anyone has any tips for spotting them that would be great.
The tarantula in Spirit of the Jaguar is temporarily offshow whilst its enclosure is "improved".
The tuataras were incredibly showy today, yet the Collared Grosbeaks which were so very showy on my last visit were a no-show.
I got unparalleled views of the male Oriental Magpie-Robin, and both the male and female Grey Cheeked Liocichlas, who I've been informed are nesting (and I think I heard and glimpsed them feeding chicks).
The empty aviary next to the Wrinkled Hornbills in the Tropical Realm now houses a pair of Collared Trogons and a lone Superb Fruit Dove.
From what I can see, the tiered aviaries in the Tropical Realm now contain, from left to right:
- Blue Throated Piping Guan (free to come and go as they please)
- Blue Crowned Hanging Parrots (also in Realm of the Red Ape)
- Black Named Fruit Dove (also in Dragons in Danger)
- Snowy Crowned Robin Chat (returning for Heart of Africa)
- Javan Green Magpies (not sure what will happen with them)
I went on the early-access bird photography experience today, and whilst the staff John and Christos were excellent, the birds were not so obliging, so it was expensive for 90 minutes of fairly sub-par photography.
The Grey Winged Blackbirds' sign has been removed from their aviary with the Vietnam Pheasants. I believe (based on what I saw today) that they've been replaced with Sumatran Laughingthrushes, but the laughing thrush sign has not been put up yet.
There is also a nesting Puna Ibis to the left of the flamingos as you look at them from the inside, wooden walkway.
That's all I can think of off the top of my head. There may be more news, and if so I'll post it. Sorry if any of this has already been covered.
There are two juvenile Orange Headed Thrushes in the second aviary along in Dragons in Danger, unsigned so probably a temporary move.
The Yellow Faced Myna has been moved to the small aviary behind the first two Dragons in Danger aviaries, and didn't look to be in the best of health.
The Cottontop Tamarin family now have a baby - I don't know who the parents are, I just know it's cute as hell.
Thanks to the considerable heat today the Sand Lizards were out on full display. I saw 4 individuals, and having not seen them before I was pretty excited.
The Yellow-Spotted Tree Toads (I think that's their name) were active today, in the large paludarium in the Monsoon Forest Research Outpost section that once housed Cinnamon Frogs, Bornean Rock Frogs and Emerald Tree Skinks.
As ever, the Asian Giant Toad in Realm of the Red Ape was a disappointing no-show, as was - as per usual - the Javan Chevrotain in Dragons in Danger, and (also as usual) the Mao-Son Frogs in the Monsoon Forest --> if anyone has any tips for spotting them that would be great.
The tarantula in Spirit of the Jaguar is temporarily offshow whilst its enclosure is "improved".
The tuataras were incredibly showy today, yet the Collared Grosbeaks which were so very showy on my last visit were a no-show.
I got unparalleled views of the male Oriental Magpie-Robin, and both the male and female Grey Cheeked Liocichlas, who I've been informed are nesting (and I think I heard and glimpsed them feeding chicks).
The empty aviary next to the Wrinkled Hornbills in the Tropical Realm now houses a pair of Collared Trogons and a lone Superb Fruit Dove.
From what I can see, the tiered aviaries in the Tropical Realm now contain, from left to right:
- Blue Throated Piping Guan (free to come and go as they please)
- Blue Crowned Hanging Parrots (also in Realm of the Red Ape)
- Black Named Fruit Dove (also in Dragons in Danger)
- Snowy Crowned Robin Chat (returning for Heart of Africa)
- Javan Green Magpies (not sure what will happen with them)
I went on the early-access bird photography experience today, and whilst the staff John and Christos were excellent, the birds were not so obliging, so it was expensive for 90 minutes of fairly sub-par photography.
The Grey Winged Blackbirds' sign has been removed from their aviary with the Vietnam Pheasants. I believe (based on what I saw today) that they've been replaced with Sumatran Laughingthrushes, but the laughing thrush sign has not been put up yet.
There is also a nesting Puna Ibis to the left of the flamingos as you look at them from the inside, wooden walkway.
That's all I can think of off the top of my head. There may be more news, and if so I'll post it. Sorry if any of this has already been covered.
olhl.animal.photography
Well-Known Member
Hmmm. Maybe the staff I spoke to were ill-informed.
You could be correct, but just goes against what's been said before. But a few years off yet. Maybe the building the giraffes are in, will be used for something else until they decide the final plans.
olhl.animal.photography
Well-Known Member
Indeed. As you say, whatever happens to that area, will happen a good while after HoA is done I would say.
Given the age of almost all the buildings in that area, and the known structural issues with the Tropical Realm building, I think it's more just that 'refurbish' is being used rather euphemistically here..!
There is 2 new houses and paddocks for the giraffe in heart of Africa. The bachelor group will be viewable from the overnight lodges. The main area will have the breeding herd. If the zoo gets any males after the main group move or they decide to separate any current males they may stay in the current house until the lodges are complete.
olhl.animal.photography
Well-Known Member
Oh also I forgot to mention:
Some of Chester's Rio Marañon Poison Dart Frogs in the Tropical Realm have laid frogspawn in one of the bromeliads, so we should soon see some babies.
Some of Chester's Rio Marañon Poison Dart Frogs in the Tropical Realm have laid frogspawn in one of the bromeliads, so we should soon see some babies.
Bornean Rock Frogs have tadpoles in Monsoon Forest.