Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo news 2009 #1

I agree that the chimp area is probably the most dingy and dated area of the zoo. I always feel they are "tucked out of the way" where they are (I think it'd be easy to miss them if you didn't know the zoo and weren't avidly following the map) and that the outside area isn't really outside at all (I do know it has access to the fresh air, but the set up seems dated and cramped, with, IMO, a lack of climbing structures).

Compare this to the outside enclosure for the colobus monkeys near the cheetahs ...... and how comparatively small they are next to chimps, and the size of the chimps' outside bit.

I love watching the chimps but usually feel depressed after - I can't think of any other area of the zoo which has the same effect. I usually also always notice a fair bit of poo throwing and smearing on the windows from some of the chimps - not being an expert I don't know if this is normal behaviour or not, but from a human perspective the 1st thing that enters your mind is some sort of "dirty protest" and/or the sign of being disturbed. I could of course be wrong about this and would be interested if anyone has any further insight about this type of behaviour.

I'm sure I haven't read anything about their area being improved or relocated ............
 
I haven't been back yet but there's nothing on Colchester's website yet ..... hope all is well.
 
Is there still a spotted hyena in the collection, and if so where is it housed.

I am correct in saying that this is the last spotted hyena in the UK, or am i?
 
kiang said:
Is there still a spotted hyena in the collection, and if so where is it housed.

I am correct in saying that this is the last spotted hyena in the UK, or am i?
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Hi,

Yes there is still a spotted hyena at Colchester Zoo. It is housed in the Africa section next to the mandrills (near the elephants). It shares the enclosure with the stripped hyenas, although not at the same time. One day the spotted hyena will be in the offshow area and the next the stripped hyenas will.

Link - http://www.colchester-zoo.com/index.cfm?fa=education.species.detail&id=42

I'm not sure if there are any others in the UK though.

Bugs
 
I've been checking their website every day (not today yet !) and had begun to think I'd somehow imagined it !

I wonder why they delayed announcing it ? ...... maybe because they wanted to ensure it was okay first perhaps.
 
bugs said:
Hi, One day the spotted hyena will be in the offshow area and the next the stripped hyenas will. Bugs
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Why are they taking the hyena off show?
 
Oh so they'll alternate enclosures? Are they planning on getting a breeding pair of spotted hyenas?
 
ashley-h said:
Oh so they'll alternate enclosures? Are they planning on getting a breeding pair of spotted hyenas?
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Yeah. There is one main hyena enclosure that is on public view, and behind it an off show area. Only one type is on display at any one time, one day the stripped will be on show and then the next day the spoted. I don't know why they haven't built a separate on show enclusure so that both species can been on public view all the time, but i guess it would be due to space and money.

ISIS says there is (1.1) striped hyenas and (1.0) spotted hyena, but i'm afriad I don't know what the breeding plans are for this species at Colchester.
 
bugs said:
Yeah. There is one main hyena enclosure that is on public view, and behind it an off show area. Only one type is on display at any one time, one day the stripped will be on show and then the next day the spoted. I don't know why they haven't built a separate on show enclusure so that both species can been on public view all the time, but i guess it would be due to space and money.

ISIS says there is (1.1) striped hyenas and (1.0) spotted hyena, but i'm afriad I don't know what the breeding plans are for this species at Colchester.
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The last time I went (February) there was a sign up at the enclosure saying that the female striped hyena was not acting as normal, and the keepers feel she may be pregnant. Fingers crossed!
 
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That would be good, it's a shame Hyenas aren't in more zoos.
 
Kito to go to Dvur Kralov?

Young male elephant Kito may go to Dvur kralove, according to a post in the DK section.
 
Pertinax said:
Young male elephant Kito may go to Dvur kralove, according to a post in the DK section.
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What is the use in sending a youngster ... Dvur requires a full grown proven breeder!!! If you look at the range of adult males available, it is rather disconcerting that a youngster is recommended for transfer to Dvur. :(
 
The females in Dvur are already too old for breeding, so it doesn`t matter. And getting a fully mature african elephant bull is more the difficult. There are just too few of them, and if one becomes availible, he should go to a zoo with hope for breeding = young females. Cabarceno, Beauval could use a proven breeder!
 
Seems a bit of waste then, sending Kito out to a zoo that's non-breeding-unless they are hoping to aquire new cows when the old ones die, when Kito will be maturer?
 
I hope the new baby is female and then maybe they will keep it! Especially as Tembo is not the father!

Its lovely watching them grow but would be a shame if Kito doesnt get the opportunity to breed but I am sure he would enjoy the older cows mothering him for the time being!
 
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