Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo news 2009 #2

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karenZOO said:
I hope that when Subu sadly dies they will not just replace him with a non breeding pair in the same enclosure
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You are right, they could/should do a larger/more roomy enclosure in the 'edge of Africa' area before contemplating more Lions.


I have the ideal species to replace them in the 'Lion Rock' enclosure. It would- with some landscaping- make an excellent enclosure for the Gelada Baboons- imagine 30 or more of them running about in there against the concrete 'cliff' backdrops and playing in the sanded areas, . 100X better display than where they are now.:(:(
 
I definately agree, Lion Rock is an enclosure I too im not too keen on it just seemed to be quite small and bare.
Perhaps Colchester could hold a group of non-breeding males? - With the certain boom happening in the moment we need some of the bigger zoo's especially the Safari's to with hold their breeding unless it is absolute necessary and they plan in keeping them.
I can see a male group of possibly 4 vesectomised male's a group of brothers or cousins - It would mean Colchester would have the big male lion that the visitors expect and want to see.
 
Riziki said:
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I can see a male group of possibly 4 vesectomised male's a group of brothers or cousins - It would mean Colchester would have the big male lion that the visitors expect and want to see.
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good idea. I Imagine colchester will always have Lions, for the 'draw factor' if no other reason. An area similar in size to the Mandrill or Warthogs(or their new Tiger enclosure) would make for a better display though.
 
Thats exactly what I thought, there is no real reason for Colchester to breed them at the moment so a group of males will keep everyone happy.
 
I like the ideas that have been made here. I especially like Pertinax's idea on refurbishing "Lion Rock" into a first-class exhibit for the Gelada Babboons. I agree their lion enclosure is rather too small and rather unexiciteing.

After Subu has passed away its possible that for a few years they won't have any lions. It would have to be on a new site this new lion enclosure but yes it would indeed have to be near the "Edge of Africa" area.
 
I am with Pertinax to :)

SO!! Colchester you can take notes if you like :p (purely fantasy!!)

Gelada's in lion rock (now Gelada Rock) plenty of the fake type to please Pertinax

The Gelada's old enclosure - extend the ring tail lemurs and make a (wait for it) Lemur walkthrough (I know original) Starting by the meerkats coming out by bridge part near the mongooses (or should that be mongeese ??) make it a walk through similar to Woburn (but sadly without the lovely trees) and maybe only let the public and lemurs in at feeding time!!

SOO who to move/mix/get rid of to make way for the Lion enclosure ?? ummmm Warthogs in with the Colobus ?? :confused: :rolleyes: or just put them in the paddock with the rest :D
The warthogs dont have a bad enclosure!

Any other ideas for this small fantasy :p
 
karenZOO said:
The Gelada's old enclosure - extend the ring tail lemurs and make a (wait for it) Lemur walkthrough (I know original) Starting by the meerkats coming out by bridge part near the mongooses (or should that be mongeese ??) make it a walk through similar to Woburn (but sadly without the lovely trees) and maybe only let the public and lemurs in at feeding time!!

SOO who to move/mix/get rid of to make way for the Lion enclosure ?? ummmm Warthogs in with the Colobus ?? :confused: :rolleyes: or just put them in the paddock with the rest :D
The warthogs dont have a bad enclosure!
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I'm loving your plan Karen I really hope Colchester Zoo listen to this!:D;)
 
Thanks :) although on hindsight may be better to swap the warthogs for the red river hogs and put the warthogs in their enclosure, may be easier to mix?? (or may be wrong am certainly no expert, just playing fantasy zoo :rolleyes: !! )
 
karenZOO said:
Thanks :) although on hindsight may be better to swap the warthogs for the red river hogs and put the warthogs in their enclosure, may be easier to mix??
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I thought the Red River Hog was just a little on the small side.
 
karenZOO said:
Gelada's in lion rock (now Gelada Rock) plenty of the fake type to please Pertinax
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Gelada Rock- I like it!!:). Actually they are the one species they have got that would benefit from the abundance of rockwork, fake or otherwise.... Who knows, it might happen one day?:D
 
Whats the Gelada Enclosure like?
Am I right in saying it is on the old Lions of the Serengeti Enclosure?
From what I can remember it had a fake rock base and its all glass-fronted. I guess climbing polls have been added?
 
The old lion enclosure houses Cherry Crowned Mangabeys

The Gelada enclosure is basically a grass sloped area and a long wooden structure adjoining the lemurs. A raised walkway would fit in well for a Lemur walkthrough!

Maybe the warthogs are for the chop in my fantasy zoo then lol

Hope your reading colchester Pertinax would like to cut the ribbon :)
 
karenZOO said:
The old lion enclosure houses Cherry Crowned Mangabeys
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I never realised that.

I visited Colchester several times during the late 1990's(up to about 2000) and I thought the Lions were always where they are now. Am I getting confused in my old age? When did they move? I queried Riziki on this in the Gallery/Mangabey enclosure photo. It would explain why the Mangabeys have such a 'spacious' enclosure;) if it was originally the Lion enclosure.(. So they could also do it for the Geladas/current Lion enclosure too!

And yes, I'll cut happily the ribbon at the opening ceremony- fake rock and all..
 
It was quite a good enclosure completely glass fronted giving good views of the lions.
When Lions of the Serengeti opened they had 3 lions Massing,Ashanti and Subu who were born on the 22/4/89 at Woburn Safari Park brought over on the 8/12/89.
When I visited the Zoo in 2001 all 3 where there but when they moved to Lion Rock in 2004 there was no mention of Massing who i think had died between 2001-4 I do not know of what cause and I cant see a middle-aged lioness being moved anywhere and I havent heard anything either.
When Ashanti died around 2006 ish Leoni was brought in from Blair Drummoned - Could be wrong as I always get her mixed up.
And now Subu is left on his own after the death of Leoni a few weeks ago.
It would be great for Lion Rock to be turned into a Gelada enclosure and this enclosure shows a once great Lion Enclosure can be turned quite easily a great place for a Primate species.
 
Riziki said:
It was quite a good enclosure completely glass fronted giving good views of the lions.
When Lions of the Serengeti opened they had 3 lions Massing,Ashanti and Subu who were born on the 22/4/89 at Woburn Safari Park brought over on the 8/12/89.
It would be great for Lion Rock to be turned into a Gelada enclosure and this enclosure shows a once great Lion Enclosure can be turned quite easily a great place for a Primate species.
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Sorry I queried you about the change in Enclosures- I hadn't realised 'Lion Rock' was different,- or that when I was looking at 'Mangabey Forest' it was actually where I'd seen the lions on my several previous visits..:rolleyes:

As you said, they transformed that enclosure into a perfectly workable primate exhibit, so they could do it again for the Geladas...(here's hoping!)

Nor had I realised the three original lions(during the 90's) were a brother & two sisters. Very interesting.
 
No worries Pertinax :)
I'd never relised that either until i emailed the Zoo about it and they were fantastic about sending me information - Best Zoo I have ever contacted.
I have some pictures of the 3 in the Lions of the Serengeti Enclosure and I shall try and scan them in soon.
They were even though all siblings very different looking lions with Ashanti being the smaller of the trio with a much smaller head than the other two.
Subu definately carries the very magestic mane that the Woburn Lions had along that time - he looks very similair to a Lion 'Legs Diamond' born about 2/3 years before him. However with the Knowsley Lions coming in after the death of the last males the mane characteristic has been lost slightly.
Your right I can see Gelada's fitting nicely if the enclosure was refurbished quite abit.
 
First Discussion: Lion Rock Revamp?

I would love to see the enclosure become home to some birds of prey. A long, fairly spacious exhibit for maybe Condors or Turkey Vultures. This move will not only free up the World of Wings (Which itself needs a makeover) but will also be near the Birds of Prey displays, so anyone that misses the display can glance at the magnificent birds swooping opposite. What do you guys think?
 
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