If that's so, it will put me right off too- nothing I hate more than being told where to go and when etc.
ZSL London Zoo Clore developments
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If that's so, it will put me right off too- nothing I hate more than being told where to go and when etc.
procyonlotor
Well-Known Member
Right, so I spoke to my friend the edu volunteer today, and for the first time since I've know him, he spoke about it in a hushed voice. He's not too sure on the details, but did confirm that the proposal involved the Clore being open for tours only. I'm assuming that this means just the rainforest section and not the Nightzone since it's only the upper section in which the animals get to roam free.
It's an... interesting idea to say the least. I'm hoping further probing on Saturday will shatter the whole thing to pieces, otherwise I do think that Shirokuma's vision of angry crowds marching on the outer circle will be a reality. I can't imagine that keepers would be happy about this proposal either, although it may be implemented purely to benefit the animals. I guess nothing will be confirmed until it's been open again for a while to see how everything has settled.
In regards to the Aye Ayes, I haven't the foggiest. The breeding sign is still up on the Roundhouse though. I can ask, but I don't know if I'll get an answer. There are no Aye Aye images on the current advertising so I'm assuming they're staying put for now.
It's an... interesting idea to say the least. I'm hoping further probing on Saturday will shatter the whole thing to pieces, otherwise I do think that Shirokuma's vision of angry crowds marching on the outer circle will be a reality. I can't imagine that keepers would be happy about this proposal either, although it may be implemented purely to benefit the animals. I guess nothing will be confirmed until it's been open again for a while to see how everything has settled.
In regards to the Aye Ayes, I haven't the foggiest. The breeding sign is still up on the Roundhouse though. I can ask, but I don't know if I'll get an answer. There are no Aye Aye images on the current advertising so I'm assuming they're staying put for now.
It's hard to say at this stage, I can see that it might be a good idea from an animal welfare point of view but it really bothers me that tours so often assume that everyone has the same level of knowledge, interest and attention span and I fear it will be reduced to the lowest common denominator.
I only ever saw the tamandua after waiting patiently for ages.
One of my criticisms about the viewing areas in Gorilla Kingdom is that they seem to be designed to keep people moving rather than for the patient observation of the gorillas.
I only ever saw the tamandua after waiting patiently for ages.
One of my criticisms about the viewing areas in Gorilla Kingdom is that they seem to be designed to keep people moving rather than for the patient observation of the gorillas.
Very sound observation, I think.
Absolutely - this is exactly the problem. What becomes of those of us who'd like to spend time trying to spot the tamandua (for example), or to return a few times through to the day to try to spot something? (or don't need to be told how Pygmy Marmosets are the smallest monkeys in the world (whcih they aren't) every time we go through the house!)
sooty mangabey
Well-Known Member
In the latest edition of the extraordinarily poor ZSL magazine Wild About, there is an article about the Clore development. It does not mention tours. Nor does the advert fir the development in the same magazine. It would seem really odd if they were to limit the access to a major new project in such a way. And given the high proportion of visitors from overseas, who do not have English as a first language, it would be an especially odd decision, if it were true. Mind you, it wouldn't be the first time that ZSL had done something very odd, seemingly designed to annoy rather than delight visitors. I think this will be one to watch...
The Clore will be open as before to the public on the 27th. There are no tours.
There are private tours or views on the 26th for VIP's, sponsors, Friends and Fellows.
The Zoo doesn't have the resources, staff or volunteers to conduct tours all day long, so worry not about demonstrating inside or out!
There are private tours or views on the 26th for VIP's, sponsors, Friends and Fellows.
The Zoo doesn't have the resources, staff or volunteers to conduct tours all day long, so worry not about demonstrating inside or out!
The telegraph has shown some publicity shots of the animals in the new enclosure (and even misidentifies a golden-headed lion tamarin as a Golden Lion Tamarin even as it is positioned next to a sign (and image) of the latter).
Animal pictures of the week: 26 March 2010 - Telegraph
And the ZSL website now includes a video of the new rainforest
Rainforest Life - London?s only living rainforest
Now the question remains, who will be the first zoochatter to upload a comprehensive photo tour of the new exhibit?
Animal pictures of the week: 26 March 2010 - Telegraph
And the ZSL website now includes a video of the new rainforest
Rainforest Life - London?s only living rainforest
Now the question remains, who will be the first zoochatter to upload a comprehensive photo tour of the new exhibit?
devilfish
Well-Known Member
Also a couple of photos from the Times:
Monkeys taking over as London Zoo allows visitors and primates to interact - Times Online
And a video from the Guardian:
London zoo exhibit recreates living South American rainforest | Environment | The Guardian
I'm hoping to visit on Wednesday, but can't make it before then.
Monkeys taking over as London Zoo allows visitors and primates to interact - Times Online
And a video from the Guardian:
London zoo exhibit recreates living South American rainforest | Environment | The Guardian
I'm hoping to visit on Wednesday, but can't make it before then.
It seems the refurbished exhibit is getting a lot of media attention, which is always good for the zoo! The first picture from The Times looks fantastic, they seem to have done a great job.
Can anyone provide me with a species list of what is in the main exhibit and numbers? The webpage mentions tree anteaters but I assume these are held in a smaller enclosure around the side?
Can anyone provide me with a species list of what is in the main exhibit and numbers? The webpage mentions tree anteaters but I assume these are held in a smaller enclosure around the side?
Species which have been mentioned as living in the refurbished rainforest section are:
Golden Lion Tamarins
Golden-headed Lion Tamarins
Silvery Marmosets (shown in ZSL's website banner)
Common Marmoset (shown in ZSL's website banner)
Emperor Tamarins
Red Titi
Cotton-Top Tamarins
Goeldi's Monkeys
Tamandua
Linne's Two-Toed Sloth
Agouti
Sun Bittern
Trumpeter Bird
Armadillo,
Salmon Pink Bird Eating Spider
Scorpions
The only ones being mentioned in the media which are living in the biome are the sloth, golden headed lion tamarin, sun bittern, trumpeter bird, agouti, red titi and emperor tamarin
I don't think so. They weren't before at least; the tamandua were in the main forest last year when I was there (though they are not mentioned in the article).
The species list seems to change every time I go, so I can't speak for certain as to what are currently kept in there. From the guardian article I gather it's sloth, sunbittern, trumpeters, golden-headed lion tamarin, and titis (same as when I last visited) with the addition of emperor tamarins.
EDIT: Haha! Jimmy beat me too it!
procyonlotor
Well-Known Member
After missing the Clore previews for staff on Weds, the media on Thursday and fellows yesterday, I FINALLY got my glimpse of the finished Clore today. Has anybody else seen it yet?
The heat and humidity are definitely up and there's a lot more plant cover. The two golden-headed lion tamarins are highly inquisitive, and have to be repeatedly ushered back into the central area by the on duty keeper (though I believe this is just temporary until everything is settled and then policing duties will be handed back to the volunteers). The trumpeter also seems to like coming over into the public area and terrorising small children in pushchairs. The male sloth enjoyed coming up to the sides (close enough to touch) today, and seems to like using the pipework as a means of getting around the exhibit. There's also one enclosure that's open, with various foliage in- what the point of this is I'm not sure. It does look better, it's definitely got a fresh and buzzy vibe to it, and the animals seem extremely playful. It's still early days though. There are also more bird species, however I only recognised the Montessori Orioles. I believe the other small bird species are a type of finch but don't quote me on that.
In regards to the Nightzone, I wasn't overly impressed. The lighting in some of the enclosures is essentially a fluoro bulb in plastic casing, painted green to reduce its intensity (hmmmm). New species include the bats (the exact name eludes me) which replace our former ones. These guys seem a lot more active, and the "bat cave" doesn't look too shoddy at all. There are also naked mole rats (not too impressed with the set up, but they're easy enough to spot if you look for the food chamber or nest), brown rats and armadillos (fantastic little creatures).
There's also a brand new ant colony as you enter the Clore. It's the same species as the BUGS! colony, but in a more natural setting. At present there doesn't seem to be much going on however, as the colony matures and settles in, it should look spectacular.
The heat and humidity are definitely up and there's a lot more plant cover. The two golden-headed lion tamarins are highly inquisitive, and have to be repeatedly ushered back into the central area by the on duty keeper (though I believe this is just temporary until everything is settled and then policing duties will be handed back to the volunteers). The trumpeter also seems to like coming over into the public area and terrorising small children in pushchairs. The male sloth enjoyed coming up to the sides (close enough to touch) today, and seems to like using the pipework as a means of getting around the exhibit. There's also one enclosure that's open, with various foliage in- what the point of this is I'm not sure. It does look better, it's definitely got a fresh and buzzy vibe to it, and the animals seem extremely playful. It's still early days though. There are also more bird species, however I only recognised the Montessori Orioles. I believe the other small bird species are a type of finch but don't quote me on that.
In regards to the Nightzone, I wasn't overly impressed. The lighting in some of the enclosures is essentially a fluoro bulb in plastic casing, painted green to reduce its intensity (hmmmm). New species include the bats (the exact name eludes me) which replace our former ones. These guys seem a lot more active, and the "bat cave" doesn't look too shoddy at all. There are also naked mole rats (not too impressed with the set up, but they're easy enough to spot if you look for the food chamber or nest), brown rats and armadillos (fantastic little creatures).
There's also a brand new ant colony as you enter the Clore. It's the same species as the BUGS! colony, but in a more natural setting. At present there doesn't seem to be much going on however, as the colony matures and settles in, it should look spectacular.
Well the waiting will be over before long,it seems that most of the work will be on the nocturnal section,after all the tea-planters back garden that is supposed to represent a rainforest has already been done,The photo in the Times made it look fantastic - even i wanted to visit it until i rememembered what it really is,cosmetic surgery as substantial as Jackos nose!Much as i love dear old R.P.the butchery of the Clore is unsatisfactory - all that space lost to the public,capacity lost to a classroom,callitrichid after callitrichid,what ever happened to breeding small mammals?I fear the worst after what they have done thus far and i believe the Panay Cloud Rats are going to Wroclaw.Lets hope the Slender Loris are staying at least.And yes im a Fellow,rant,rant,rant!
johnstoni
Well-Known Member
So, am I right in thinking there were no structural changes to the nocturnal exhibits? If it is just a cosmetic makeover then I think the zoo was disingenuous in advertising this space as a new exhibit. Especially because I think keeping fruit bats in dark, indoor glass enclosures is rapidly beginning to look outdated. From what people are saying on here, there has just been some structural work on the main biome to allow the animals to come into the public area, with the addition of misters and new plants. Really, for the average visitor, who maybe came to see the Rainforest Lookout in 2006 as a new exhibit, how different is this exhibit now?
That said, I don't miss the old clore. As stunning as the collection was, it was a very bleak place, and I wouldn't relish seeing that many mammal species stuffed into glass cases in that sort of density again. Sure, tamarins are easy to find at most zoos, but I do think the installation of the Rainforest Lookout exhibit was a step forward. I will be interested to see whether this latest rebranding exerscise is a further step forward or just a well-advertised spruce up.
That said, I don't miss the old clore. As stunning as the collection was, it was a very bleak place, and I wouldn't relish seeing that many mammal species stuffed into glass cases in that sort of density again. Sure, tamarins are easy to find at most zoos, but I do think the installation of the Rainforest Lookout exhibit was a step forward. I will be interested to see whether this latest rebranding exerscise is a further step forward or just a well-advertised spruce up.