Interestingly enough, some years ago there was a rumour Chessington was going to shut down, and Chester did then express interest in building new accommodation to take the gorilla group if they became available. But Chessington didn't close, so nothing happened. This time around I don't think Chester will be in the running.
Chester Zoo Chester Zoo news 2025
- Thread starter Strathmorezoo
- Start date
Moorhunhe
Well-Known Member
As mentioned above, the 2 cheetahs came from Yorkshire Wildlife and they are awaiting/wanting a female, they have 6 cheetah enclosures to keep the female separate.
We just came back from a visit today, and that's what a keeper was telling another visitor.
The lion enclosure is fenced of for their introduction.
I didn't see all the glass panels, but the ones on the left (when walking up to the enclosure) have paintings on them. This was done because the male doesn't know glass, so he can't run into it, as the enclosure in Cologne doesn't have glass (was told by a keeper that's the reason they did it).
Lots of movement in the tree kangaroo's pouch.
The parking lot seemed very busy, but inside it wasn't as busy as expected. Lots of kiddos dressed up.
Snow leopard cub was out and about for a little bit, and at the end of the day sleeping on the rocks with mom.
And the little spotted deer was also running around, having zoomies.
Both aye aye were also very active and actually quite visible with their faces.
We just came back from a visit today, and that's what a keeper was telling another visitor.
The lion enclosure is fenced of for their introduction.
I didn't see all the glass panels, but the ones on the left (when walking up to the enclosure) have paintings on them. This was done because the male doesn't know glass, so he can't run into it, as the enclosure in Cologne doesn't have glass (was told by a keeper that's the reason they did it).
Lots of movement in the tree kangaroo's pouch.
The parking lot seemed very busy, but inside it wasn't as busy as expected. Lots of kiddos dressed up.
Snow leopard cub was out and about for a little bit, and at the end of the day sleeping on the rocks with mom.
And the little spotted deer was also running around, having zoomies.
Both aye aye were also very active and actually quite visible with their faces.
Typhlonectes
Well-Known Member
Not sure if this has been mentioned, Chester now hold Mediterranean Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca graeca)
Not being mentioned, I was going to post it but never got round to it.
Whereabouts are they?
I think that was an much evaluated and sensible decision. I do think also that the funds are simply not there to create space for 2 African great ape species....
I assume this is a breeding group like (any further info)?
Did the predator tour this morning, Remi and Bonita (the jaguars from South Lakes/ Cumbria Zoo) are coming to Chester. They will be going in the left side enclosure where Inka currently is and she will be going back to the one on the right on rotation with Napo.
Typhlonectes
Well-Known Member
Unfortunately ZTL only states “2025”. They are BTS I assume, they could replace the Pancake Tortoises in the HoA cohab but that’s just speculation
They intend to acquire multiple females according to the following news article from the zoo themselves:
Cheetah brothers arrive at Chester Zoo | Chester Zoo
Piece of July / October 2025 News Not Mentioned:
On July 2nd, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (0.1f) Cape porcupine to Fife Zoo in Scotland.
Fife Zoo
On October 28th, the zoo announced they sexed the bush dogs as (1m.3f).
3.1M views · 124K reactions | Those little squeaks! FOUR baby bush dogs have had their very first health check and the results are in… ONE male and THREE female pups! They were all weighed, had their teeth, eyes and body condition checked, received a microchip and important vaccines They’re all now important new additions to the conservation breeding programme that’s safeguarding the species. | Chester Zoo
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On November 5th, the zoo announced that 2+ Rodrigues flying foxes were born, which are on exhibit.
76K views · 2K reactions | Counting EVERY bat… because EVERY bat counts! Rodrigues fruit bats were once the world's most endangered species of bat, as just 70 individuals remained in the wild. After decades of teamwork alongside the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation there are now more than 20,000 thriving today | Chester Zoo
On July 2nd, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (0.1f) Cape porcupine to Fife Zoo in Scotland.
Fife Zoo
On October 28th, the zoo announced they sexed the bush dogs as (1m.3f).
3.1M views · 124K reactions | Those little squeaks! FOUR baby bush dogs have had their very first health check and the results are in… ONE male and THREE female pups! They were all weighed, had their teeth, eyes and body condition checked, received a microchip and important vaccines They’re all now important new additions to the conservation breeding programme that’s safeguarding the species. | Chester Zoo
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On November 5th, the zoo announced that 2+ Rodrigues flying foxes were born, which are on exhibit.
76K views · 2K reactions | Counting EVERY bat… because EVERY bat counts! Rodrigues fruit bats were once the world's most endangered species of bat, as just 70 individuals remained in the wild. After decades of teamwork alongside the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation there are now more than 20,000 thriving today | Chester Zoo
JB Wild Design
Member
Few notes from a visit today (12/11/2025)
- Now two Verreaux’s Eagle Owls on habitat in Heart of Africa.
- Roan Antelope and Grevy’s Zebra very active in all areas of the Savannah.
- Rock Hyrax off show for habitat maintenance.
- Northern Luzon Giant Cloud Rat signage with Prevost’s Squirrels in Islands.
- Tsavo and Latin American Wetlands aviaries closed due to minimising risk of avian flu however Bali and Sumatra aviaries in Islands were open.
- Juvenile Natal’s Mountain Horned Dragon now in with Yellow-Spotted Tree Toad inside Monsoon Forest.
- Asiatic Lions remain closed off to continue the new additions’ acclimatisation to new habitat.
- Great views of the two Cheetah brothers who seemed very comfortable in their new home and new Bornean Orangutan mother with baby.
Where do they live, they should have their own area in Heart of Africa?
They live in the cheetah enclosure that was custom built for the species a few years back. In-between the public footpath that runs through the zoo and the old boat canal.
Haliaeetus
Well-Known Member
Not found in previous posts, but 0.4 Fossas are born.
Chester Zoo on Instagram: "The wait is OVER… Shala’s FOUR fossa pups have names! Introducing the girls, Soa and Mirana, and the boys Tavy and Haza Each pup has been given a Malagasy name in celebration of our conservation work in Madagascar - a place where our teams and partners have been working for decades to protect the forests these rare carnivores call home #chesterzoo #endangeredspecies #fossa #madagascar #naturelovers #wildlifeconservation"
Chester Zoo on Instagram: "The wait is OVER… Shala’s FOUR fossa pups have names! Introducing the girls, Soa and Mirana, and the boys Tavy and Haza Each pup has been given a Malagasy name in celebration of our conservation work in Madagascar - a place where our teams and partners have been working for decades to protect the forests these rare carnivores call home #chesterzoo #endangeredspecies #fossa #madagascar #naturelovers #wildlifeconservation"
Mentioned several pages ago. The sexes have been announced as 2.2, not 0.4.
Baringogiraffe12
Well-Known Member
Out of curiosity, does anybody know where the previous litter went? I know one out of the three, ended up at Port Lympne, however, it hasn't been posted to my knowledge where the other two moved to.