Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo news 2009 #1

[GillP]

The viewing windows at Colchester are pretty extensive - which would all be very well, if, for example, Rajang was often to be found happily brachiating from one side of either the indoor or outdoor area - but a) for starters, as we know, the poor old boy doesn't have much in the way of vertical ropes, and b) he does tend to sit right up against the glass ......... which is great if you're stood in the right spot, but which means you get a very restricted view otherwise !

However, as Gigit said earlier, it's no big deal and if I don't see him 1st time round I'll come back. Luckily, his enclosure isn't too far from the entrance so it's quite easy to do this.

 

[Pertinax]

Are there hanging ropes in the indoor area? From the photos it looks better 'furnished' than the outside area. The indoor area in the old exhibit was possibly the worst in any Uk zoo- so bare and it looked more like a sleeping den for big cats than orangutans.

Its also my guess they may make some changes/additions to the climbing equipment as time goes on when ideas occur as to how they can improve the new exhibit.

 

[Andiii]

I find it interesting that some of you (re above posts: Andiii and Gigit) will block a viewing area and refuse to move for other visitors and think that's a good thing to brag about, and yet if there was a normal (for want of a better term) person there doing the same thing you would no doubt complain till you were blue in the face.

Lighten up! It was only meant as a a bit of exaggerated light-hearted jesting not bragging - the 'normal' people do exactly the same anyway!! I don't REALLY stand there all day blocking the entire view! The viewing area is massive anyway and as I'm only 5'3", I hardly encompass the whole view.

If it's too busy, I, too as Gigit said, return later when quieter so I can enjoy watching Rajang my favourite orangutan in peace. I'm pleased he's a popular resident as I'd hate to think he had no visitors and was sat there with no interaction. I love nothing more than to share my enthusiasm for him with other interested visitors.

 

[Gigit]

I think the indoor viewing area of the Mary le Fevre Ape House at Paignton was badly designed. The show dens are very spacious but the viewing area is so restricted that on busy days people are crammed three or four deep in a very small space to view the Apes, particularly the Gorillas.

I can assure you that at such times I will be nowhere near the place, and certainly not blocking the view for normal people

 

[Pertinax]

I can assure you that at such times I will be nowhere near the place, and certainly not blocking the view for normal people

That's why I never go there in the 'high' season....

 

[karenZOO]

wonders if I become a normal person when I am not at my usual zoo

I never stand where the crowds are with Rajang as he always comes over for a kiss where ever I am

 

[karenZOO]

I am going to Colchester tomorrow - Will hopefully be able to give an update on the tree in orang utan forest outdoor area maybe we have some green since my last visit

I am sure it will be quiet tomorrow so will have the place to my self

 

[Gigit]

Perhaps you could throw some assorted plant seeds over the wall!
Good luck - I'm sure Paignton will be just as delightful, so I'll be keeping away

 

[karenZOO]

good idea but unfortunately there is a huge floor to ceiling window outside
Aww if they all go to Paignton now it will be empty by the end of September for me

 

[Roz]

you might see the meeerkats being moved to their new enclosure by lion rock as the website says that this will happen over the weekend. Would you be able to take some pictures of the enclosure KarenZOO?

 

[karenZOO]

Will do Roz

I DO HOPE they are not experimenting with lions and meerkats again I am sure Subu still keeps an eye on the tunnels in lion rock waiting for another tasty snack to pop their head out

Some animals just dont mix!!!!!

Although if they can see them it may keep the lions awake for a while

 

[Andiii]

I am going to Colchester tomorrow - Will hopefully be able to give an update on the tree in orang utan forest outdoor area maybe we have some green since my last visit

We were there last week - it's greening up nicely - lots of big conker (I think) leaves - hopefully the branches will be shooting upwards next! He's been cracking coconuts on his glass (so a volunteer told me) in one of the corners - you can see the scratches on his side!!! Well, give a big fella a coconut ... crack it he must!! Shame I missed it - might catch him next time - if there's any glass left that is!! He was in fine fettle last weekend .. plenty of interaction and I got 3 kisses!! Have a good trip - say 'Hi' from me!

 

[bugs]

Will do Roz

I DO HOPE they are not experimenting with lions and meerkats again I am sure Subu still keeps an eye on the tunnels in lion rock waiting for another tasty snack to pop their head out

Some animals just dont mix!!!!!

Lol, What was that about? What happened?

Bugs

 

[karenZOO]

The original plan for lion rock was to have meerkats in with the lions, if you look at the rocks the have tunnels coming out of them!

Unfortunately the first time they tried mixing them, the meerkat popped out and got eaten! Trying to remember what we were told at the time (was in 2005) it was the lioness i think, that they had then (who has since died)

Can't find a story (unsurprisingly) on the website but one about the opening of lion rock Press Information: Colchester Zoo's Lions move into their new home

 

[karenZOO]

lol at the coconuts Maybe he has read all the bad press and is trying to break his way out!

Does one tree make a forest

Bet it will be so busy I won't get near enough to any glass to pucker up

 

[Jacobea]

How many lions has Colchester got?

 

[Andiii]

lol at the coconuts Maybe he has read all the bad press and is trying to break his way out!

Does one tree make a forest

Bet it will be so busy I won't get near enough to any glass to pucker up

Maybe he's trying to find an alternative to Palm Oil in Coconut Oil!!! It does make me wonder if it's in the breadrolls they give him and if so if it's from a sustainable source!!

Nope - one tree defo don't make a forest so let's hope it has saplings soon!! LOL.

Avoid 12 Noon feeding time - defo won't get near then! The crowds tend to dwindle afterwards - only us ardant Ragy lovers stay to see him eat every bit of food all smiles!! LOL. He soon susses the true fans from the fickle ones and makes sure we get our kisses!!

Have a great visit - he'll head straight for you as soon as he sees you I'm sure!

 

[bugs]

The original plan for lion rock was to have meerkats in with the lions, if you look at the rocks the have tunnels coming out of them!

Unfortunately the first time they tried mixing them, the meerkat popped out and got eaten! Trying to remember what we were told at the time (was in 2005) it was the lioness i think, that they had then (who has since died)

Can't find a story (unsurprisingly) on the website but one about the opening of lion rock Press Information: Colchester Zoo's Lions move into their new home

I never knew that, you have to wonder what Colchester was thinking. I wonder if this has ever been done in other zoos?

I also wonder if there will be any problems with the new meerkat enclousure being right next to the birds of prey display area... e.g. if any birds seek out a snack!!!

Bugs

 

[Bele]

I never knew that, you have to wonder what Colchester was thinking. I wonder if this has ever been done in other zoos?

I also wonder if there will be any problems with the new meerkat enclousure being right next to the birds of prey display area... e.g. if any birds seek out a snack!!!

Bugs

Could be the meercats will have repeated nervous breakdowns or never show themselves , birds of prey are their natural predators which they are always on the look-out for .

The lions must have loved the enrichment with meercats popping out of the rocks for them to catch .

 

[Roz]

Will do Roz

I DO HOPE they are not experimenting with lions and meerkats again I am sure Subu still keeps an eye on the tunnels in lion rock waiting for another tasty snack to pop their head out

Some animals just dont mix!!!!!

Although if they can see them it may keep the lions awake for a while

I thik tatyou misunderstood my quote karen it said the new meerkat enclosure near Lion Rock, this is on the site of the old Yellow Billed Stork aviary. Also I am lucky enough to have a video of Rajang trying to break open a coconut using the glass, but the downside to this is that it has an annoying little kid saying something every time he does it!