Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo news 2014
- Thread starter DesertRhino150
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I remember back in the nineties, they also had other African reptiles in there. My memory is a bit hazy. I think there were the tortoises on one side, and lizards on the other, with the public path between. I remember monitor lizards, though I can't quite remember if they were Bosc or Nile monitor. There may also have been plated lizards. I've got some old Colchester Zoo maps of the period, but these are of no help as the building is simply labelled as "Out of Africa: African Reptiles". Nowadays, whenever I visit Colchester Zoo, which I generally do about once a year, I religiously make a note of which species of animals are housed where, as things change so rapidly at Colchester and my lists will be ve4ry useful in the future to show where all the animals were. It's just a shame I didn't think to do that in the nineties and early noughties.
Somehow missed this news - on the 14th October* one of the female Kirk's dik-dik gave birth to a healthy calf. Despite being a first-time mum, the female and her calf are both doing well.
We welcome a tiny calf to our Kirk's dik-dik group! - ZOO NEWS - Colchester Zoo
* The calf was supposedly born on the 14th October while the news was published on 11th October.
We welcome a tiny calf to our Kirk's dik-dik group! - ZOO NEWS - Colchester Zoo
* The calf was supposedly born on the 14th October while the news was published on 11th October.
On 24th October, a baby L'Hoest guenon was born - this now brings the zoo's group up to six individuals.
Meet the latest addition to our L?hoest monkey group! - ZOO NEWS - Colchester Zoo
Meet the latest addition to our L?hoest monkey group! - ZOO NEWS - Colchester Zoo
I presume this one is a son of the old pair. The original group(2.2) currently comprises the old pair, the younger (now adult) male and a smaller female juvenile. The other day I was told they are having some problems adding the three new (unrelated) females to this group. The indoor exhibit area of the 'Forest' enclosure was all closed off for renovations and I wondered if it is being redone, partly at least, to facilitate their introduction.
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Colchester Zoo visit.
A few notes and impressions from my recent visit, the first for about four years;
I think they should call Colchester the 'Bamboo Zoo'( or Zone?) - I have never seen so much of the stuff- they could feed a pair of Giant Pandas with it! The Siberian Tiger areas are so full of it, just a sea of Bamboo now, that the cats are virtually invisible- it actually looks quite good- though arguably Siberians aren't the most suitable species to show in this setting- but it does make viewing them very difficult- a few cleared patches to give some open areas too, would definately help here.
Bamboo is now very evident in the old Tiger valley too- now an effective Lemur area. It seemed to be closed as a walkthrough though.
Sun Bears- new outside enclosure is a true Colchester-style 'Rock-fest' (celebration of fake rock
). But roomy and does the job.
Orangutan 'Forest'. Doesn't get any better with age.
They should roof the outdoor enclosure, add hanging strapping ('vines') etc and make the visitor viewing at ground level, so you look up, not down. But with only single males there is little to see in there anyway. Tiga and Rajang were again seperate- is this becoming a permanent arrangement now?
Mangabeys- see above- they appear to have exchanged some females born in the group for 3 new unrelated ones. Currently the two groups are held seperately- as 2.2 and 0.3. Indoor area of 'Mangabey Forest closed and being renovated.
Geladas. Currently 12 animals(7.5) 2 adult males, 4 females, 6 younger ones(5.1). Skewed toward males.
Mandrills. About 25. I noticed at least 6-7, maybe more, adult or near-adult males in the group. I wondered if apart from one obvious dominant male, whether the others have been castrated to allow them to stay in the group longterm, as most of them didn't look quite 'right' somehow. Maybe this is the way some Gorilla groups will look in the future.
L'Hoest's monkeys are now in the large enclosure in the Africa area, where the Colobus used to live. Unfortunately there is no indoor viewing of their house, so if indoors(as they were) Mr Average visitor won't ever see them. But they were up by the small windows of the house soaking up the sun and I could see the new baby. I think maybe the Colobus made a better display here.
Philippine Deer/Warty Hogs. Four of each (they are mixed again). The Deer have lost their nice grassy enclosure because of the Pigs' rooting activity. Its now been completely covered in dry bark material instead. The two species seemed compatable though I felt sorry for the deer with no grazing whatsoever now. I don't think these Deer(1.3) have ever bred here, at least successfully anyway, as I have never seen a young one.
Leopards-enclosure has already 'matured' and with the rocky areas blended in. Its smaller than I expected it would be, but its okay. Prefer it to YWP's for example.
Francois Langurs- will be moved to the Wilds of Asia enclosure (currently still housing Lion-tailed Macaque) after its been renovated. I presume LTM will leave the collection- I saw only one and they don't seem to be labelled any more.
Chimps-no change to enclosure outdoors until after Francois Langurs move.
Pygmy Hippos- probably the smallest/poorest enclosure for these in UK. Pool is tiny, as is the landspace.
Wolves- still just about the best viewing anywhere I know of for this species, though enclosure isn't large even for the three(?) that remain.
Elephants- despite there being four(?) I only ever seem to see one or two of them. I presume breeding them is now a thing of the past here.
Likes; Sheer Size and variety of collection.
Inside display areas for reptiles, fish etc scattered all about.
Attempts at naturalised enclosures.( I can even live with the fake rock)
Labelling, Information and education displays.
Playa Patagonia( Sealion area)
Dislikes; Automatic Doors everywhere.
Herbivores in bare surroundings without any grass-e.g. Rhino, Zebra, Phillipine Deer, Gelada etc.
'Musak'- though much reduced nowadays.
Cluttered design in the old part of Zoo and steep paths/dead ends etc- but you can't change the old layout of course.
Orangutan 'forest'.
Indoor viewing of the large African' ungulates- such ugly holding areas.
Smelly-looking lake-it needs better drainage I think.
Last point-first impressions and that- the entrance drive from the Main Road to the Car Park must be one of the poorest for a large Zoo in the UK- it remains unchanged over many years of my visits- potholed and scruffy- they should resurface the road and tidy this area up.
A few notes and impressions from my recent visit, the first for about four years;
I think they should call Colchester the 'Bamboo Zoo'( or Zone?) - I have never seen so much of the stuff- they could feed a pair of Giant Pandas with it! The Siberian Tiger areas are so full of it, just a sea of Bamboo now, that the cats are virtually invisible- it actually looks quite good- though arguably Siberians aren't the most suitable species to show in this setting- but it does make viewing them very difficult- a few cleared patches to give some open areas too, would definately help here.
Bamboo is now very evident in the old Tiger valley too- now an effective Lemur area. It seemed to be closed as a walkthrough though.
Sun Bears- new outside enclosure is a true Colchester-style 'Rock-fest' (celebration of fake rock
). But roomy and does the job.Orangutan 'Forest'. Doesn't get any better with age.
They should roof the outdoor enclosure, add hanging strapping ('vines') etc and make the visitor viewing at ground level, so you look up, not down. But with only single males there is little to see in there anyway. Tiga and Rajang were again seperate- is this becoming a permanent arrangement now?Mangabeys- see above- they appear to have exchanged some females born in the group for 3 new unrelated ones. Currently the two groups are held seperately- as 2.2 and 0.3. Indoor area of 'Mangabey Forest closed and being renovated.
Geladas. Currently 12 animals(7.5) 2 adult males, 4 females, 6 younger ones(5.1). Skewed toward males.
Mandrills. About 25. I noticed at least 6-7, maybe more, adult or near-adult males in the group. I wondered if apart from one obvious dominant male, whether the others have been castrated to allow them to stay in the group longterm, as most of them didn't look quite 'right' somehow. Maybe this is the way some Gorilla groups will look in the future.
L'Hoest's monkeys are now in the large enclosure in the Africa area, where the Colobus used to live. Unfortunately there is no indoor viewing of their house, so if indoors(as they were) Mr Average visitor won't ever see them. But they were up by the small windows of the house soaking up the sun and I could see the new baby. I think maybe the Colobus made a better display here.
Philippine Deer/Warty Hogs. Four of each (they are mixed again). The Deer have lost their nice grassy enclosure because of the Pigs' rooting activity. Its now been completely covered in dry bark material instead. The two species seemed compatable though I felt sorry for the deer with no grazing whatsoever now. I don't think these Deer(1.3) have ever bred here, at least successfully anyway, as I have never seen a young one.
Leopards-enclosure has already 'matured' and with the rocky areas blended in. Its smaller than I expected it would be, but its okay. Prefer it to YWP's for example.
Francois Langurs- will be moved to the Wilds of Asia enclosure (currently still housing Lion-tailed Macaque) after its been renovated. I presume LTM will leave the collection- I saw only one and they don't seem to be labelled any more.
Chimps-no change to enclosure outdoors until after Francois Langurs move.
Pygmy Hippos- probably the smallest/poorest enclosure for these in UK. Pool is tiny, as is the landspace.
Wolves- still just about the best viewing anywhere I know of for this species, though enclosure isn't large even for the three(?) that remain.
Elephants- despite there being four(?) I only ever seem to see one or two of them. I presume breeding them is now a thing of the past here.
Likes; Sheer Size and variety of collection.
Inside display areas for reptiles, fish etc scattered all about.
Attempts at naturalised enclosures.( I can even live with the fake rock
)Labelling, Information and education displays.
Playa Patagonia( Sealion area)
Dislikes; Automatic Doors everywhere.
Herbivores in bare surroundings without any grass-e.g. Rhino, Zebra, Phillipine Deer, Gelada etc.
'Musak'- though much reduced nowadays.
Cluttered design in the old part of Zoo and steep paths/dead ends etc- but you can't change the old layout of course.
Orangutan 'forest'.
Indoor viewing of the large African' ungulates- such ugly holding areas.
Smelly-looking lake-it needs better drainage I think.
Last point-first impressions and that- the entrance drive from the Main Road to the Car Park must be one of the poorest for a large Zoo in the UK- it remains unchanged over many years of my visits- potholed and scruffy- they should resurface the road and tidy this area up.
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karenZOO
Well-Known Member
Some nice aerial views of the zoo as well as santa 
(might want to jump to 1.14 mins in )
Magic of Christmas at Colchester Zoo! - YouTube
Glad you kind of enjoyed your visit, I think Pertinax
(might want to jump to 1.14 mins in )Magic of Christmas at Colchester Zoo! - YouTube
Glad you kind of enjoyed your visit, I think Pertinax
Looking at some of the YouTube links with the above story the one about the history of Colchester zoo brought back some memories of my first visits in the late 1990's I don't know if any one else remembers, but the shot of the building of Play a Patagonia shows the old elephant house still in Place at the back of the hole. And one of the zeedonk's looking very old.
Glad you kind of enjoyed your visit, I think Pertinax
I did indeed. Always enjoy my visits there. So much to see. I can take the rough with the smooth- as in Fake rock.
Oh, and I didn't see a single Rat......
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Went for a visit today - the weather was abysmal, although this had the added bonus of meaning the zoo was practically empty. Very little news to report overall:
- The rhinoceros hornbill indoor viewing window has now been boarded over
- The Amur leopard male enclosure is having work done on it; the roof looks like it is being made taller
- All four Kirk's dik-dik, including the new youngster, were outside and easily visible
- Cherry-crowned mangabey indoor area is now off-limits while the butterfly walkthrough is being built
- There are now a total of ten Komodo dragons on show in five different exhibits (the two adults in the Dragons of Komodo exhibit, seven youngsters in two exhibits in Worlds Apart and the oldest hatchling has now moved into Wilds of Asia, replacing the Philippine sailfin lizard and yellow-margined box turtles)
- I went with my dad for the first time in several years and although he found that although the enclosures are generally better, he wasn't best pleased by the loss of almost all the 'smaller, more interesting animals', to use his words exactly.
- The rhinoceros hornbill indoor viewing window has now been boarded over
- The Amur leopard male enclosure is having work done on it; the roof looks like it is being made taller
- All four Kirk's dik-dik, including the new youngster, were outside and easily visible
- Cherry-crowned mangabey indoor area is now off-limits while the butterfly walkthrough is being built
- There are now a total of ten Komodo dragons on show in five different exhibits (the two adults in the Dragons of Komodo exhibit, seven youngsters in two exhibits in Worlds Apart and the oldest hatchling has now moved into Wilds of Asia, replacing the Philippine sailfin lizard and yellow-margined box turtles)
- I went with my dad for the first time in several years and although he found that although the enclosures are generally better, he wasn't best pleased by the loss of almost all the 'smaller, more interesting animals', to use his words exactly.
That is usually the times I used to go DR when it was wet and awful but at least the the zoo was empty of other folk. I agree with your dad, and i think that is a large part of why I stopped going so often all the lively little mongoose and such like have all gone. including the maned wolves which were always visible, replaced by ant eaters that aren't , and the dholes,, geoffroy cats fishing cats, all gone I fear, replaced with a lot more mundane crowd pleasing animals. at least it is still there and not closed down or added more theme park rides.
does anyone know what has been done to the male Amur leopard enclosure?
Been for a quick visit today and saw that the male leopard enclosure has been refurbished. He has a new house and the roof has been made taller as
well as a new climbing frame.
the butterfly house is nearly finished
work has begun on the chimp enclosure
the orangutans have been separated permanently.
well as a new climbing frame.
the butterfly house is nearly finished
work has begun on the chimp enclosure
the orangutans have been separated permanently.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
Do you know why?
i think its because tiga is now a adult male and has developed his cheek pads so now they are starting to wrestle more seriously so it is better safe than sorry to separate them before they become injured.. but i thought that males could be kept together as i know that monkey world was planning on having a bachelor pad for male orangs.
but i thought that males could be kept together as i know that monkey world was planning on having a bachelor pad for male orangs.
Males cannot normally be kept together when adult. In the wild they are territorial and will fight fiercely on meeting. Some wild males have missing fingers, scarred cheek pads etc bearing testimony to such fights.
A group of three males was tried somewhere in Southern Europe(forget where) and it eventually failed for this reason. Unlike Gorillas I think its a non-starter.
this may be why then
Animal Friendly
Well-Known Member
Perhaps the time has come for Tigga to have a lady companion?
karenZOO
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the update as I haven't managed a visit lately.
Good to hear the chimp expansion has finally started as I expect this is the best time to do it when they can make use of the indoor areas.
I am pleased they have taken the step of separating the Orangs before things got out of hand as Tiga has got so big and last time I saw them together Rajang was really showing his age!
Pertinax I have not seen any for ages!! Only mice in the orang enclosure! When we were at London Zoo in the summer in the Clore one of the volunteers pointed out a rat that was as big as a small dog! whilst commenting on them having all of London wildlife in the zoo but had not seen one that big before!
Good to hear the chimp expansion has finally started as I expect this is the best time to do it when they can make use of the indoor areas.
I am pleased they have taken the step of separating the Orangs before things got out of hand as Tiga has got so big and last time I saw them together Rajang was really showing his age!
Pertinax I have not seen any for ages!! Only mice in the orang enclosure! When we were at London Zoo in the summer in the Clore one of the volunteers pointed out a rat that was as big as a small dog! whilst commenting on them having all of London wildlife in the zoo but had not seen one that big before!