Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo news 2021

During my visit today, I noticed that it appeared both the adult female tigers were in the smaller exhibit whilst the cubs (only 2 seen) were on the platform. No sign of Igor the adult male- is there another bedroom or holding pen offshow? Surely he wouldn't be mixed with both females or the cubs
 
On my recent visit, there was a tiger (couldn't tell which one) in the off-show third tiger enclosure that is only visible through the vegetation from the nature reserve trail. Igor and Anouska were both in the smaller of the two on-show enclosures with two of the cubs in the larger one.
 
DesertRhino150 said:
On my recent visit, there was a tiger (couldn't tell which one) in the off-show third tiger enclosure that is only visible through the vegetation from the nature reserve trail. Igor and Anouska were both in the smaller of the two on-show enclosures with two of the cubs in the larger one.
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So there is a 3rd enclosure, that explains things. Thanks
 
Colchester have now released news about the birth of the two warthog piglets. They were born on March 28th to female 'Hermione' who arrived in 2019 and male 'Moja' who was born at Colchester back in 2014. The piglets are yet to be named as the zoo do not currently know if they are male or female.

More information can be found in the link below:
Warthog Babies Born | Colchester Zoo
 
I do wonder what's going to happen with the hyenas re: future breeding - the females at Colchester are on hormone treatments because the only male is their father. Longleat's are all males.

Is the plan to get another male? Because it would be nice if it wasn't just YWP breeding spotted hyenas.
 
Colchester have publicly announced the opening of 'Feathers of the Forest' - home to four Victoria crowned pigeons (breeding pair 'Ozzy' and 'Violet', plus 2019 male chick 'Barry' and 2020 female chick 'Sonya').

More information, with a brief video clip of the pigeons in their new home, can be found in the link below:
Feathers of the Forest | Colchester Zoo
 
Nathano said:
I do wonder what's going to happen with the hyenas re: future breeding - the females at Colchester are on hormone treatments because the only male is their father. Longleat's are all males.

Is the plan to get another male? Because it would be nice if it wasn't just YWP breeding spotted hyenas.
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Back in 2019 there was talk of abu moving on and a new Male arriving. Because of covid these might have been halted.
 
Tombe said:
Back in 2019 there was talk of abu moving on and a new Male arriving. Because of covid these might have been halted.
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Who's to say it's not happening soon? Somebody did mention the signage about him had been removed...

Whilst I met him (on a Keeper-for-a-Day thing about two-and-a-half years ago) and he was lovely, it would be nice for more than one UK zoo to be breeding hyenas.

I hope Longleat get a couple of females in.
 
Had a visit here today first time for 12 yrs thought it was fantastic most of the enclosures were fab compared to other zoos I have been to, found some of the routes confusing however will definitely go back x
 
Trudie said:
Had a visit here today first time for 12 yrs thought it was fantastic most of the enclosures were fab compared to other zoos I have been to, found some of the routes confusing however will definitely go back x
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Did you see the orangutans? Were they active? What does the outdoor area look like now?
 
Gigit said:
Did you see the orangutans? Were they active? What does the outdoor area look like now?
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We saw three outside I can only compare size wise to other zoos that I have been. To and it’s a lot bigger than Dudley and twycross x but it was a hot day so not very active and I don’t blame them lol
 
We had a great visit today - bit of a queue to get into Rajang's Forest but it was worth it once we were in as we saw all three active both inside and out.Tiga (resident male) is absolutely obsessed with Mali (older female from Paignton) and follows her everywhere - it is lovely to see him more active and I think has been a great change for him. Mali seemed more interested in using a stick to solve the puzzle feeders but seemed totally relaxed in her new environment. Tatty (younger female from Paignton) was also on good form but is clearly still a bit wary of Tiga. They have the slides to the bedrooms partially open so the females can get some space from Tiga if they want to and she was making use of this feature. She did however follow them outside and again, seemed confident in her new environment. The outside has two large climbing frames all connected by hoses and it a definite improvement on what it used to contain. I didn't realise there were no pictures on here otherwise I would have taken one of the enclosure - I'll have to see if my partner took any.
 
Other changes we noticed since our last visit:

- Bearded saki monkeys have moved to the enclosure behind the penguin pool - they were in the encloure opposite the sealions on previous visits
- Small walkthrough indoor area near the Komodo dragons is closed for some kind of refurb - the bit that held the (I think) Burmese Python previously.
- 'African Plateau' walkway has opened which makes for much better access around the back to the vultures.
- There is signage right at the front of the zoo as you enter saying something like "Have you 'herd' what is happening?' - obviously in reference to a development but I'm not sure what exactly. Could be the aforementioned walkway actually... I didn't stop to try to read more as it is obviously a busy area.
- Feathers of the Forest is open but we did not go in.
- Having never once seen a warthot at Colchester we saw four - the arrival of the piglets has created much more activity it seems! They were the suprise highlight of the day.
- The right hind viewing area for the Cheetah has red & white tape to keep people back as it is currently SWAMPED in tent caterpillars. They are everywhere and it is worth going to have a look at them!
- A gourmet sausage takeaway hut has replaced the previous sit down food outlet that was behind the display arena. I sampled a Bratwurst for £5 in the interests of providing you all with the really important info from the day... it was good :)
- The former display arena that I am sure was supposed to become a high ropes course is now a picnic area.
- There is now a giant asian pond turtle in Rajang's Forest
- Pygmy hippo's can only be viewed inside - unclear why outside was closed.

I can't think of anything else for now...
 
I went in feathers in the forest the other day and I was surprised that it isn’t even a ‘walkthrough’ as the crowned pigeons are still in an exhibit that you just walk past. Although I suppose is still is a walkthrough as you are walking through a building:p.
Also, how long has there been bony headed toad in Rajang’s forest? I’ve never noticed them until now.
 
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