Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo news 2009 #1
- Thread starter kiang
- Start date
karenZOO
Well-Known Member
Back from a very hot and very busy day at Colchester!
The new Meerkat is fantastic, very big with lots of viewing points both inside and out and has really opened up that whole area by the Gelada baboons
The keepers were busy putting the finishing touches and shoveling the sand I spoke to the one off zoodays (can't remember her name ? Sarah) and she said they are moving in tomorrow and their old area will then be re developed - didnt say into what?
Shame they couldnt take the lovely wood from the old enclosure - yes it has fake rock
and they seemed to be carrying on the african hut theme they have used in childrens area! hmmmm mud huts are the new pink rock 
I did take some pics but forgot to take a small lens so not up to much as way too near i will upload the best of a bad lot lol
Rajy was just pressed up against the glass looking bored - the tree is sprouting and they have planted up the water pool. No sign of any coconuts
in fact his indoor enclosure was empty of any boxes, blankets or keepers trousers this time
Roz i did get what you meant just talking bout the last disasteous move for the meerkats
We liked the new viewing window in Sasha's enclosure
The new Meerkat is fantastic, very big with lots of viewing points both inside and out and has really opened up that whole area by the Gelada baboons
The keepers were busy putting the finishing touches and shoveling the sand I spoke to the one off zoodays (can't remember her name ? Sarah) and she said they are moving in tomorrow and their old area will then be re developed - didnt say into what?
Shame they couldnt take the lovely wood from the old enclosure - yes it has fake rock
and they seemed to be carrying on the african hut theme they have used in childrens area! hmmmm mud huts are the new pink rock I did take some pics but forgot to take a small lens so not up to much as way too near i will upload the best of a bad lot lol
Rajy was just pressed up against the glass looking bored - the tree is sprouting and they have planted up the water pool. No sign of any coconuts
in fact his indoor enclosure was empty of any boxes, blankets or keepers trousers this time Roz i did get what you meant just talking bout the last disasteous move for the meerkats
We liked the new viewing window in Sasha's enclosure
karenZOO
Well-Known Member
No sorry I didnt see the post about them till I got home or would have asked!
The fake rock in the new meerkat enclosure is sandy rock coloured at least Pertinax
Think they started with the plastic in the chimp bit and the awful cladding on Rajangs old enclosure?? Maybe they ran out of plywood
The fake rock in the new meerkat enclosure is sandy rock coloured at least Pertinax
Think they started with the plastic in the chimp bit and the awful cladding on Rajangs old enclosure?? Maybe they ran out of plywood
Sorry Karen I misread your previous posts!
just a few questions:
A new viewing window in Sasha's enclosure?
Has anything else happened in the development of the farm area, other than the african walkthrough?
Are there any new arachnid/insect/reptile species in the discovery centre?
Is the walkthrough Ibis aviary behind vulture valley still dismantled?
Thanks, Roz
just a few questions:
A new viewing window in Sasha's enclosure?
Has anything else happened in the development of the farm area, other than the african walkthrough?
Are there any new arachnid/insect/reptile species in the discovery centre?
Is the walkthrough Ibis aviary behind vulture valley still dismantled?
Thanks, Roz
karenZOO
Well-Known Member
The new viewing window is down the steps and round the corner before you get to the toilets (by the sand stall) it is much bigger than the one the other side of the playground by the lemurs.
We didnt go in the farm area just had a peek! nor did we go to the discovery centre or to the vultures
It was so crowded we just stuck to the quieter parts
Havent been able to upload any photos as yet keeps closing internet explorer (8!!) I will find out how to do it lol
We didnt go in the farm area just had a peek! nor did we go to the discovery centre or to the vultures
It was so crowded we just stuck to the quieter parts
Havent been able to upload any photos as yet keeps closing internet explorer (8!!) I will find out how to do it lol
Did you happen to see if anything had happened with the Kingdom of Wild extension?
GillP
Well-Known Member
I went to Colchester today ....... practically all the animals were very inactive, probably due to it being warm and humid.
The colony of leaf cutter ants is no more. Apparently the queen ant died of old age, followed by all the others (no mention of when this was). I had no idea that this could happen and I suppose had assumed that another female would acquire the mantle and develop into a queen ant (but what do I know - obviously not very much !) They are hoping to get a new colony.
Talia the new baby chimp was much more visible, clinging to her mum's tummy - but mum kept grabbing her and hoisting her onto her back. Saw the chimps feeding in the afternoon - coconuts seemed the most desirable treat amongst their other fruit and veg. The chimps tapped them until they cracked slightly then drank the milk before smashing them to get at the flesh ....... cue much hanging about and attempts at grabbing by those who hadn't been lucky enough to secure their own.
Rajang - 41 tomorrow - was inside each time I saw him. All 3 'cells' adjacent to the main area were open and late afternoon he was alternating between them, pausing for a couple of minutes to stare at the visitors, then moving on again. Both he (and the chimps) had been given cartons of drink called Crimson Potion (goodness knows what is in that) ........ Rajang used a straw for his, the chimps ripped theirs open. I am still yet to see him outside ......... the 'pond' is now full of lush water plants and flag irises (i.e. lots of greenery in the one place outside the orangutan won't use), the one live tree continues to sprout (a little) and a clump of grass is growing on one of the bits of driftwood.
I saw the Pallas cat for the 1st time ever !
2 female hunting dogs will be arriving shortly (from Denmark I think) to join the 2 new males already there.
The colony of leaf cutter ants is no more. Apparently the queen ant died of old age, followed by all the others (no mention of when this was). I had no idea that this could happen and I suppose had assumed that another female would acquire the mantle and develop into a queen ant (but what do I know - obviously not very much !) They are hoping to get a new colony.
Talia the new baby chimp was much more visible, clinging to her mum's tummy - but mum kept grabbing her and hoisting her onto her back. Saw the chimps feeding in the afternoon - coconuts seemed the most desirable treat amongst their other fruit and veg. The chimps tapped them until they cracked slightly then drank the milk before smashing them to get at the flesh ....... cue much hanging about and attempts at grabbing by those who hadn't been lucky enough to secure their own.
Rajang - 41 tomorrow - was inside each time I saw him. All 3 'cells' adjacent to the main area were open and late afternoon he was alternating between them, pausing for a couple of minutes to stare at the visitors, then moving on again. Both he (and the chimps) had been given cartons of drink called Crimson Potion (goodness knows what is in that) ........ Rajang used a straw for his, the chimps ripped theirs open. I am still yet to see him outside ......... the 'pond' is now full of lush water plants and flag irises (i.e. lots of greenery in the one place outside the orangutan won't use), the one live tree continues to sprout (a little) and a clump of grass is growing on one of the bits of driftwood.
I saw the Pallas cat for the 1st time ever !
2 female hunting dogs will be arriving shortly (from Denmark I think) to join the 2 new males already there.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
Interesting about the ants. Paignton used to have a colony in the Tropical House and it disappeared. I wonder if the same thing happened? I was impressed by their keeper when he was on the Colchester TV series - very enthusiastic!
Let's hope that clump of grass in Rajang's enclosure spreads!
Let's hope that clump of grass in Rajang's enclosure spreads!
taun
Well-Known Member
We are going to wish Rajang Happy Birthday tomorrow - never done the 190 mile trip each way without staying overnight so will find our just how exhausting it is! Perhaps he will get some more greenery for his birthday treat?? LOL
Gigit
Well-Known Member
Yes - wild hair and wild enthusiasm for ants. It's always good to hear someone who's passionate about their subject.
If anybody knows where are the Flying Mouse (Acrobates pygmaeus) group housed at the zoo, please let me know. Cheers
reptile1517
Well-Known Member
They must have an inferiority complex.