AUNG BO'S BIG MOVE | Chester Zoo There's more about Aung Bo's move to Dublin Zoo
Chester Zoo Chester Zoo News 2024
- Thread starter bongorob
- Start date
The zoo also isn't even adding play parks really. The one by June's has always been there since I was little, the fountains lawn one replaced the old park that was next to the petting zoo. There has also always been a small one by the education buildings and the one in islands is tiny and they removed the one by the oak field, so the same number as its been for years. You may not like them, but they don't stop animal developments and you can walk around the whole zoo and the parks don't get in the way at all, infact they are in most cases out of the way.
Horn-headed Lizards were signed in ROTRA and Monsoon in early June.
The zoo does have Asian Giant Toads on show. I saw one in May in Realm of the Red Ape. The day before I had charged my camera battery. The toad was in a great place for a picture, alas I had forgotten to put my battery in my camera. There is also one in Dragons In Danger, I have not seen it there, but I was in the building when I heard someone say they could see it. By the time I went to look, it had moved out of sight. It seems that they do not make a good exhibit species.
Lazy Prosimian
Member
I spotted a visayan warty piglet whilst visiting Islands today. There may have been more than one but mum and baby were staying close to the house so it was difficult to see
Prochilodus246
Well-Known Member
Unfortunately, my trip for today was cancelled given not enough interest from fellow students 
(even though this trip was chosen due to popular demand and some of those who wanted to go didn't turn up)
This therefore means I can pencil a trip in for myself and some close friends who are not disruptive than some of of my other peers and I will gain more enjoyment.
(even though this trip was chosen due to popular demand and some of those who wanted to go didn't turn up) This therefore means I can pencil a trip in for myself and some close friends who are not disruptive than some of of my other peers and I will gain more enjoyment.
Always the possibility in the future. Could go crazy in the future and move the Borneo Orangutans to the land over the A41 from islands, then build a gorilla exhibit in its place. (Not suggesting its likely, but technically a possibility )
Aung Bo has officially arrived to Dublin!
Tonnes of Excitement! Asian elephant bull Aung Bo arrives at Dublin Zoo - Dublin Zoo
Tonnes of Excitement! Asian elephant bull Aung Bo arrives at Dublin Zoo - Dublin Zoo
felis silvestris
Well-Known Member
I am visiting tomorrow and I only have time from when it opens to 3. What are the most important things I need to see? (I especially want to see the the monsoon forest and snow leopards since the last time I went they either did not exist or were not open)
USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
Does the zoo still have zebras?
They're off show but will be moved back on display for the Heart of Africa precinct scheduled to open next year.
USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
Thanks!
That really depends on your priorities. What are your favourites? I suggest that the rarities you could add to your list include:- tuataras, aye-ayes, ploughshare tortoises, sifakas, Roloway monkeys, okapis, pied tamarins and onagers.
But there are many more and you certainly can't see everything, even in a full day.
felis silvestris
Well-Known Member
I am there at the moment, and hopefully plan to see most of these later on. Where are the ploughshare tortoises are?
Was unlucky with the Roloways though.
I don’t think anyone who really follows the Zoo closely and has read in full the conservation master plan and strategic objectives could say that the Zoo is not 100% fully committed to conservation.
Projects like The Square and The Oakfield bring in significant income to the Zoo and secure its long term financial future. The cost of these projects is small compared to the income they will generate in years to come.
I can’t think of many Zoos in the U.K. and further afield that have a greater ambition to create and develop exciting new habitats for current and new species in the coming years.
I would respectfully urge you to read the annual review for Chester Zoo and consider their long term strategic goals before claiming their leadership have no ideas and do not put conservation at their heart .
Alwaysevergreen
Well-Known Member
I don't think anyone would deny, Chester does a lot for conservation and has some of the best exhibits in the UK. They have made constant developments and it is easily the biggest and probably the best zoo in the UK.
However, for those wanting sole focus on animals, you have to remember, the bread and butter for a zoo is families visiting and spending money, both on catering, face painting, gift shops and so on.
Most families can only visit at weekends, and therefore they are always subjected to peak prices. This is something I really disagree with. I honestly don't see why it should be more to visit somewhere at a weekend to a weekday, it's like punishing people for having to work, or having kids at school.
For a family of four to visit Chester Zoo at a weekend, it costs £124. For most families, this is money that at present they simply do not have. That is before petrol to get there, and what you may spend on the day out. The more amenities the zoo offers within the price (play parks, small rides for kids), the more it will appeal to families, as there is no extra outlay.
Most families these days are pushed into taking picnics, because of the cost of eating out at a zoo. When you are paying £6 for a hotdog, it speaks volumes. Gift shops are crazy expensive, but often families will feel pressured into having to get something for the kids, and face painting areas, or gift pop ups are situated in places, you can't walk past without seeing.
This is not a dig at Chester Zoo, but I would say most families would struggle to have a day at the zoo within their budget. Smaller zoos are becoming more popular as they are more affordable. Yes Chester is bigger and better than most, but when it's costing close to £200 for a day out, you can't expect people to afford this.
My gf, has a 3yo son and we decided to go to Alton Towers on a weekday, the other week. There were 4 of us, and this was 3 adults and a child, and it cost us £103 for entry. To go to Chester Zoo on the same day would have cost us £125, therefore, it was £22 cheaper to go to Alton Towers.
I personally have an annual pass at Chester. £8 goes out my bank once a month and I don't really think about it or notice it, but I can see why the Zoo is having to focus on family attractions, over animal attractions, as that is where the money comes from.
People, may also put down the square and so on, but as someone who knows what the corporate days cost, for around 20 people you're looking at £2000+ for the day, before any private tours and extras, so given they book 4/5 of these a day to companies, weddings, parties etc, then these parts of the zoo, are definitely paying for themselves and if they are generating £10,000 a day from corporate bookings, then you are looking at over 2.5m a year from the investment of the square. Even if doing up that area and creating venues and rooms cost them £2m, these places are paying for themselves.
Same with the Heart Of Africa Lodges, these will end up long term funding the whole development.
Zoos have to cater for everyone these days, and every improvement can't just be animal ones, as they wont recover the funds to spend on future developments.
But you have to cater for your biggest spend and with families turning up and paying £150-200 for a day out each weekend, you have to add rides, amenities for kids and that, or families will spend that money elsewhere.
However, for those wanting sole focus on animals, you have to remember, the bread and butter for a zoo is families visiting and spending money, both on catering, face painting, gift shops and so on.
Most families can only visit at weekends, and therefore they are always subjected to peak prices. This is something I really disagree with. I honestly don't see why it should be more to visit somewhere at a weekend to a weekday, it's like punishing people for having to work, or having kids at school.
For a family of four to visit Chester Zoo at a weekend, it costs £124. For most families, this is money that at present they simply do not have. That is before petrol to get there, and what you may spend on the day out. The more amenities the zoo offers within the price (play parks, small rides for kids), the more it will appeal to families, as there is no extra outlay.
Most families these days are pushed into taking picnics, because of the cost of eating out at a zoo. When you are paying £6 for a hotdog, it speaks volumes. Gift shops are crazy expensive, but often families will feel pressured into having to get something for the kids, and face painting areas, or gift pop ups are situated in places, you can't walk past without seeing.
This is not a dig at Chester Zoo, but I would say most families would struggle to have a day at the zoo within their budget. Smaller zoos are becoming more popular as they are more affordable. Yes Chester is bigger and better than most, but when it's costing close to £200 for a day out, you can't expect people to afford this.
My gf, has a 3yo son and we decided to go to Alton Towers on a weekday, the other week. There were 4 of us, and this was 3 adults and a child, and it cost us £103 for entry. To go to Chester Zoo on the same day would have cost us £125, therefore, it was £22 cheaper to go to Alton Towers.
I personally have an annual pass at Chester. £8 goes out my bank once a month and I don't really think about it or notice it, but I can see why the Zoo is having to focus on family attractions, over animal attractions, as that is where the money comes from.
People, may also put down the square and so on, but as someone who knows what the corporate days cost, for around 20 people you're looking at £2000+ for the day, before any private tours and extras, so given they book 4/5 of these a day to companies, weddings, parties etc, then these parts of the zoo, are definitely paying for themselves and if they are generating £10,000 a day from corporate bookings, then you are looking at over 2.5m a year from the investment of the square. Even if doing up that area and creating venues and rooms cost them £2m, these places are paying for themselves.
Same with the Heart Of Africa Lodges, these will end up long term funding the whole development.
Zoos have to cater for everyone these days, and every improvement can't just be animal ones, as they wont recover the funds to spend on future developments.
But you have to cater for your biggest spend and with families turning up and paying £150-200 for a day out each weekend, you have to add rides, amenities for kids and that, or families will spend that money elsewhere.
felis silvestris
Well-Known Member
Sadly didn’t have time to see it as I nearly managed to see everything in one day.
Didn’t remember just how huge the lemur island is- they have so much space.
Also noticed the binturong was unsigned- when did they leave?
The two binturong have died over the last few months.
olhl.animal.photography
Well-Known Member
Oh damn I had no idea. I never got to see them either, so that's a shame.