Chester Zoo Chester Zoo news 2025

Maguari said:
Only snaps really but added a few:

Belted Ruffed Lemur Island at Chester, 1st February 2025 - ZooChat
Belted Ruffed Lemur Island at Chester, 1st February 2025 - ZooChat
Alaotran Gentle Lemurs on Island at Chester, 1st February 2025 - ZooChat
Alaotran Gentle Lemurs on Island at Chester, 1st February 2025 - ZooChat

:)
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I was actually unaware the gentle lemurs had access to the island, I thought they only had access to the small mesh enclosure to the left. Probably explains why I've basically never seen them, as well as the amount of glare the glass has.
 
Fallax said:
I was actually unaware the gentle lemurs had access to the island, I thought they only had access to the small mesh enclosure to the left. Probably explains why I've basically never seen them, as well as the amount of glare the glass has.
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Yeah, to be honest, no part of their enclosure has very good viewing, to say it's all visible. I think their access to the island is very much weather-related so a lot of days they are just in the house and the mesh enclosure.
 
bongorob said:
Another new species, and another first time kept at Chester.

Short-toed Rock Agama Laudakia vulgaris brachydactyla, formerly a subspecies of L.stellio
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Potentially from Marwell as I didn’t see them on my last visit. The herp collection for Heart of Africa is growing quite nicely!
 
Packing their trunks
Zookeepers at Whipsnade Zoo are currently preparing for the mammoth task of moving two of our Asian elephants; Karishma and her daughter Elizabeth (Beth).

You may have noticed this mother-daughter duo has been living separately from the rest of the herd for some time. This was in response to a shift in the collective behaviour of the elephants. Our expert elephant keepers could tell that two separate herds were developing, something that can happen in socially-complex species as their social hierarchies shift around.

We have been working closely with breeding programme coordinators to find a new home for Karishma and Beth, and are very happy to announce that they will be moving to Chester Zoo this Spring.

We know you’ll all join us in wishing Karishma and Beth the best as they start their new chapter at Chester Zoo.
 
Wonderful news to hear this confirmed.

This is really good news for the future of Chester's herd as it provides them with two very socially competent cows who will hopefully form beneficial relationships with Indali, who is still very young. Karishma should step up and take on the role of matriarch and, Elizabeth is only six months older than Indali too, so fingers crossed they form a close friendship.

More importantly though, Chester get's another potential breeding female in Elizabeth who will turn nine this year and will soon be of breeding age.
 
JoB198 said:
Chester is getting some new elephants: Movers and shakers at our conservation Zoos | Whipsnade Zoo
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Finally some good news for Chester Zoo, who have suffered repeated setbacks in maintaining a multigenerational herd.

Though continuing the Hi-Way family line would have been the ideal solution, the situation (the future of the herd resting on a single adolescent cow) is far from ideal and so bringing in another matriline is undoubtably the way to go.

Karishma and Elizabeth are ideal candidates democratically and will hopefully prove captive with Indali. It’ll be fascinating to hear progress of their instructions; and long term, I look forward to Elizabeth and Indali welcoming their first calves.
 
I’m thrilled we are getting two new elephants, however Karishma is rumoured to be a very dominant cow. She was challenging the older cows in Whipsnade hence the group separation, I’m worried her and Maya will clash and what the outcome will be.
 
ChiChi said:
I’m thrilled we are getting two new elephants, however Karishma is rumoured to be a very dominant cow. She was challenging the older cows in Whipsnade hence the group separation, I’m worried her and Maya will clash and what the outcome will be.
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Maya isn't known to be a dominant cow herself so I don't forsee any immediate issues. She has slotted seamlessly into Chester's herd for decades, even as an outsider.

Then again, it's difficult to say as the introduction of cows (especially adults) can always present the possibility of problems. Due to Maya's nature however, there should be less concerns. At Whipsnade Karishma was only challenging the senior, more dominant cows.
 
Jambo said:
Maya isn't known to be a dominant cow herself so I don't forsee any immediate issues. She has slotted seamlessly into Chester's herd for decades, even as an outsider.

Then again, it's difficult to say as the introduction of cows (especially adults) can always present the possibility of problems. Due to Maya's nature however, there should be less concerns. At Whipsnade Karishma was only challenging the senior, more dominant cows.
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I seem to remember Maya left Bristol, where she had lived for a time as a companion for their single Asiatic Wendy, just because she was bullying her. I think it was that way around, not the other. But she has lived succcessfully(?) with the closely related group at Chester over a long period now. I guess every instance is different though and exactly how Karishma and Maya relate to each other we can only know when it happens.
 
I believe i’ve read, (correct me if i’m wrong) she didn’t get on with dominant elephants, (maybe i’m thinking bulls?) Unless I am thinking of another previous cow?
 
I know that Maya struggles to socialise with other adults due to her background. I believe she’s been quite good with the youngsters though.
 
ChiChi said:
I believe i’ve read, (correct me if i’m wrong) she didn’t get on with dominant elephants, (maybe i’m thinking bulls?) Unless I am thinking of another previous cow?
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Maya was kept apart from Aung Bo from at least 2023 until he left, I think she gets on fine with the rest of the herd, but on my visit in April 2023 she was probably the least social with the others. It does make sense as at the time it was Sundara/Indali/Riva who were often together as a unit, Anjan who was by himself or playing with the other two youngsters and Maya was more laid back. At the time I was there Aung Bo was out with the Hi Ways in the mornings and Maya in the afternoons.
 
ChiChi said:
I believe i’ve read, (correct me if i’m wrong) she didn’t get on with dominant elephants, (maybe i’m thinking bulls?) Unless I am thinking of another previous cow?
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Going back to 2018 a study was conducted on Chester's herd and their dynamics.

Maya directed most of her interactions towards the calves at the time (so Nandita, Indali and Aayu). She spent most of her time with Aayu (which made sense considering his mother was a bit of a wanderer herself), then Thi and then Nandita.

Following the death of two of the calves (Nandita and Aayu), she consequently directed more of her attention towards Indali especially, and also Thi and Anjan. However it was noted during the latter half of that study that she began to get frustrated with Indali often and proceeded to display aggressive behaviour towards her. Likely attributed to Indali constantly badgering her more for attention after losing her two playmates.

Evidently, Maya does seem to be fond of calves the most so it would be good to have calves in Chester's herd again! It was noted her emotional stability also decreased following the deaths of the calves, indicating their importance to her.

The study also noted the adult Aung Bo most interacted with was indeed Maya, so I'm not sure whether there was a falling out between the two in recent years (perhaps following Thi's passing?) or whether there was another reason why the two began to spend time apart.
 
Jambo said:
Going back to 2018 a study was conducted on Chester's herd and their dynamics.

Maya directed most of her interactions towards the calves at the time (so Nandita, Indali and Aayu). She spent most of her time with Aayu (which made sense considering his mother was a bit of a wanderer herself), then Thi and then Nandita.

Following the death of two of the calves (Nandita and Aayu), she consequently directed more of her attention towards Indali especially, and also Thi and Anjan. However it was noted during the latter half of that study that she began to get frustrated with Indali often and proceeded to display aggressive behaviour towards her. Likely attributed to Indali constantly badgering her more for attention after losing her two playmates.

Evidently, Maya does seem to be fond of calves the most so it would be good to have calves in Chester's herd again! It was noted her emotional stability also decreased following the deaths of the calves, indicating their importance to her.

The study also noted the adult Aung Bo most interacted with was indeed Maya, so I'm not sure whether there was a falling out between the two in recent years (perhaps following Thi's passing?) or whether there was another reason why the two began to spend time apart.
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very interesting, thank you!
 
Ahead of my trip this week, does anyone know if the walkthrough aviaries and/or large aves-oriented buildings are still open?
I’m aware that bird flu measures have been tightened in the northwest of the UK and so am hoping they’re still open, however understand that they may be temporary closed to prevent the spread of the virus like they were 18 months ago.
 
Cant say for currently. But I went 2 weeks ago and they were open but they had added the disinfectant mats at the entrances again.
 
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