Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo news 2009 #1

[Pertinax]

It seems Colchester could now become a holding place for 'bachelor male' Orangutans from other zoos that haven't the space. There aren't currently any other male 'candidates' in the UK but that might happen in the future?

 

[karenZOO]

We also finally know what orangs they are also hoping to breed, I wonder if its through choice or what they could get, I am happy we are halfway there!!?

A batchelor pad
In a set up where Tiga is kept with other males does this effect him maturing.
I have always thought of Rajang as being Asexual, I know the keepers told me they only saw him attempt mating with Djambe once and I have never seen any sexual behaviour from him. I am wondering how this will effect the dynamics between Rajang and Tiga as he matures.
I was assuming Rajang will be the more dominant of the 2 only through age but am wondering if Tiga hormones will see him be top orang

I am sure you can put me right (always willing to learn more )

 

[Pertinax]

If they find they can keep them together okay, then I'd say it wouldn't impede Tiga's development at all.

As 'Rajang' was handreared it could have affected his 'desires' as I've heard of one or two other males like that (Dudley's male Benjamin?) which don't show interest in females. It might be a factor in whether they can keep these two together too.

 

[karenZOO]

Hi have posted a couple of photos from sasha enclosure just wondered if it was anything exciting

Its a new wire section internally and a shutter with a metal fence around it externally next to new viewing window

Probably nowt

 

[karenZOO]

Visited last Monday

New souvenir guide out ! Rajang on the front, not sure they have had one for a while, species guide was out last year - not usually allowed in the shop

Notice on the Margays enclosure to say the pair have left the collection and a Geoffroy's Cat has taken up residence.

Only saw 2 hunting dogs have the girls arrived yet?? - so disappointed that my planned visit to Dudley to visit the old dogs in their new home went disastrously wrong

 

[Andiii]

New souvenir guide out ! Rajang on the front, not sure they have had one for a while, species guide was out last year - not usually allowed in the shop:

I got a copy on my last visit - 'twas Ragy's usual charm that sealed the deal of course!!
It's an interesting read though - they did do a species guide with a spring down the side as well - not sure if the new one has replaced this.

 

[karenZOO]

New baby anteater born 22/7/2009
Colchester Zoo News: Baby Giant Anteater born!

Also a baby llama born 23/7/2009

 

[monkeyworld]

I'm plannig to go to Colchester zoo next friday depending on the weather ... dose any-one have any questions ? and can't wait to see Tiga, the baby chimp taila and the new baby anteater ...

 

[James27]

Good news, anteaters are cool

 

[Roz]

I visited colchester today.
The anteater indoor area was cordoned off due to the new baby, though couldn't see any of the anteaters all day, including silva, the other youngster who is in the fossa enclosure (not sure if the Fossa's have left the collection? )
Tiga was under a sheet all day (in the main indoor area, Rajang had the sleeping areas and outside but unsurprisingly stayed indoors all day!) though did show himself in the afternoon to try and put a coconut in a drink bottle!
Only one Green Anaconda in worlds apart? There were 2 on my last visit.
The new leopard enclosure is progressing though I thought it was going to be built on the dik dik paddock and not the Margay, Cuban Hutia and Mongoose Lemur enclosure. There was no sign of the new Leopard from france.
No leafcutter ants, the tank and island looks ready for a new colony.
The shutter and mesh on Sashas enclosure looks very much like a public training area, though I cannot confirm if it is.

 

[Andiii]

Tiga was under a sheet all day (in the main indoor area, Rajang had the sleeping areas and outside but unsurprisingly stayed indoors all day!) though did show himself in the afternoon to try and put a coconut in a drink bottle!

Poor old Rajy, I bet he is fed up being restricted to the sleeping areas unable to mooch along the main area's glass to interact with his public. I wonder if they switch them around so he still gets the main area to roam in?

 

[karenZOO]

Any news muchly appreciated Monkeyworld

I had heard they had taken all of Tiga's covers away to try and get him to come out of hiding? Probably would be less stressful for Tiga to be outside but maybe they are trying to get him used to the public all crowding round and staring!

Cant wait to see what they have planned for the amur leopard enclosure I had a look at the plans when at the zoo but no idea from them what it will look like lol Real shame if they dont go for a high public viewing point like Marwells as they spend so much time up high

Shame about the ants as the public seems to love them, although I got a nasty bite that took ages to go away after peering through the magnifying glasses

I thought it was some sort of training area at Sasha enclosure he has been asleep in the bamboo last 2 times we have been tho

 

[Pertinax]

I had heard they had taken all of Tiga's covers away to try and get him to come out of hiding?

I wonder if they are aware that Orangutans can sometimes get very depressed when transferred to a new Zoo?- hiding away is their way of getting over it. Occassionally they can get so deeply depressed they need to be transferred back again, or die...

 

[James27]

Surely they'd know that..?
Any luck with mixing the two males yet or not?

 

[karenZOO]

I wonder if they are aware that Orangutans can sometimes get very depressed when transferred to a new Zoo?- hiding away is their way of getting over it. Occassionally they can get so deeply depressed they need to be transferred back again, or die...

Blimey we don't want that !!! Maybe he just has less, he had loads when we went last and several nests.

 

[Pertinax]

Surely they'd know that..?

who knows? it doesn't happen with every Orangutan, just a few. But hiding away like this is pretty normal while he gets used to the new surroundings.

 

[Andiii]

I wonder if they are aware that Orangutans can sometimes get very depressed when transferred to a new Zoo?- hiding away is their way of getting over it. Occassionally they can get so deeply depressed they need to be transferred back again, or die...

I'm worried that giving Rajang restricted areas, mainly outside which he does not prefer as there's no human interaction and small sleeping quarters where he can't move about and mooch much, will also make HIM depressed and withdrawn through lack of interaction and movement. Could such change at his age have a long-lasting and in the worst case, fatal effect on him?

 

[Pertinax]

Could such change at his age have a long-lasting and in the worst case, fatal effect on him?

I wouldn't worry about Rajang- I doubt any of the alterations you describe to his routine would disturb him too suchh an extent. Its facing a totally new environment they sometimes find difficult to cope with. When the male Batu at Twycross first arrived I know he stayed hidden on one shelf for weeks(months?)on end before he finally started to venture out more. I've just realised this is Tiga's own father- so maybe its inherited behaviour?

 

[Andiii]

I wouldn't worry about Rajang- I doubt any of the alterations you describe to his routine would disturb him too suchh an extent. Its facing a totally new environment they sometimes find difficult to cope with. When the male Batu at Twycross first arrived I know he stayed hidden on one shelf for weeks(months?)on end before he finally started to venture out more. I've just realised this is Tiga's own father- so maybe its inherited behaviour?

I hope you are right as I'd hate anything to happen to Rajang. As you say, it could be inherited behaviour which by the sounds of things, could go on for some time The enclosure really doesn't seem right for having 2 orangs separated for a long period of time. It would have been far better had it been designed so that the main area could be split into 2 if necessary so both orangs have similar space whilst at the same time can see each other and thus become used to one and other.

 

[Gigit]

This is the first time Tiga has been alone and apart from his mother. I'm glad he still has sheets etc - they have them at Twycross and nothing else at Colchester will be familiar to him.