Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo news 2021
- Thread starter DesertRhino150
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Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't go as far to say awful, its just quite different to other outdoor orangutan enclosures in this country and many people don't agree with those differences. However you may be right as it was only a few years ago that Chimp World was redeveloped into Chimpanzee lookout, and maybe these changes are coming sooner than expected for some.
The problem with this outdoor enclosure is that it was squeezed into a small narrow area bordering the zoo's entrance road. So it is basically a pit offering no views outside for the inhabitants, only limited climbing facilities and a lot of concrete which is both aethsetically unnattractive and a bad surface for apes too. The chimp enclosure was never as bad as this in its original form. I think you would be hard put to find people who would say its a good orangutan enclosure.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
I would urge you to have a look at the gallery photos of orang enclosures at Paignton, Chester and Jersey - if you've not already seen them. Admittedly, Paignton is currently a shadow of what it was originally, having lost its climbing structures and tall trees. But even as it is now, awaiting refurbishment, it is still more enriching than Colchester.
I actually think its a pretty good enclosure, but thats just my opinion 
Please dont crucify me haha
Please dont crucify me haha
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
It sounds like the main things it has missing are natural elements (plants, trees, fruit?), Looking nice/aesthetically pleasing, and looking natural and the animals having views, and resembling natural habitat. This is just what it seems like to me.I actually think its a pretty good enclosure, but thats just my opinion
It may not be as good as the 3 you mention, but compared to Blackpool, Twycross and do I need to name Dudley......?
The thing about those 3 orangutan enclosures is that they are all far older than the enclosure at Colchester. Dudley are in the middle of building a large outdoor area for their orangutans as well as their current enclosure. Twycross also have big plans for their orangutans in the near future (I'm not entirely sure about Blackpool). My point here is that for a fairly recent build, the orangutan enclosure at Colchester isn't much better than many older enclosures which is the big problem I find with it. The small size of the indoor areas isn't ideal if any of the apes need to be separated for a longer period of time and the outdoor area is about as basic as a modern zoo enclosure can get with very limited opportunities for such highly intelligent animals. I have to admit that the outdoor space isn't as small as it appears on photos but my issue with it is the way the space is used.
But even at these three, which are undeniably among the oldest and worst in the country (though Dudley are finally rectifying this and maybe Twycross will be able to fairly soon too) the Apes can see outside of the enclosure, they can watch visitors, observe things in the middle or further distance etc. It provides an important dimension on their life. Colchester's don't have this opportunity, for the most part. So their 'world' is even more restricted.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
But it's more than the sum of these parts. I was just going to write something along the lines of Pertinax's post. I've watched 12 orangs passing through Paignton's enclosure since the first ones arrived from ZSL in 1992. Those pioneers weren't in good condition but Bulu and Senja used to haul their bulk round the islands and find somewhere quiet to sit. Chinta and Nakal climbed, being younger and fitter. Mali's arrival signalled the end for most of the trees as she turned out to be the most active of all PZ's residents, closely followed by her small apprentice, Tatty. I know I'm in the minority in being fascinated by them so won't go on at length about how wrong it is that they moved. At Colchester they are given plastic puzzle containers of pellets. At PZ they made their own entertainment from what they found and were generally only given sheets outside. And you'll never know what an orang can do with a sheet until you've seen Tatty in action.
I will add to Pertinax's succinct argument that as orangs aren't social beings, they need space to be able to spend time away from each other.
Didn’t the zoo have to reach a compromise with the Orang exhibit because of the church ruins close by? I remember it taking longer than expected to build due in part of this. And,yes, it certainly is “unique” compared to some of the Orang exhibits I’ve seen!
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
Yes, I know there was a archeological dig around the church that delayed the construction as well as other problems.
The new blue duiker calf mentioned earlier in the thread has now been officially announced by the zoo. It is a male and has been named Haslam, was born on 18th September and is the fourth calf born to female Jasmine (that arrived at the zoo from France in 2013) and male Jafar.
More information can be found in the link below:
Duiker family grows! | Colchester Zoo
More information can be found in the link below:
Duiker family grows! | Colchester Zoo
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
New Addition to the Troop | Colchester Zoo
On 8th November, female squirrel monkey, Milu, gave birth to a single offspring sired by our male, Malcolm!
Milu is an experienced mother and has had 2 offspring in the past. I am not quite sure what is going on here as they have had 100+ babies born since they arrived in the 90s and I don't remember seeing them announced previously. I am not sure what is going on with the 2 squirrel monkey groups; if they have been mixed, if new males have been brought in, if they have been restricted on breeding them. But this birth is certainly not a negative one!
On 8th November, female squirrel monkey, Milu, gave birth to a single offspring sired by our male, Malcolm!
Milu is an experienced mother and has had 2 offspring in the past. I am not quite sure what is going on here as they have had 100+ babies born since they arrived in the 90s and I don't remember seeing them announced previously. I am not sure what is going on with the 2 squirrel monkey groups; if they have been mixed, if new males have been brought in, if they have been restricted on breeding them. But this birth is certainly not a negative one!
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
I think the fact that I had no idea this was even happening shows how good the zoo are at updating things like this. Funnily enough I know nothing as I haven't seen the zoo post about it, it is a similar situation to the moves of Luka, Colonel Tom and Kifaru.( Amur leopard, Cheetah, and White rhino offspring all recently dispatched from the zoo). In fact I still don't know where Kifaru currently resides.
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
Themonkeyguy1
Well-Known Member
Kifaru is at Port Lympne, though, I had no idea where the male cheetah is.
Colonel Tom is at Wingham Wildlife Park
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
The 9th November was the 36th anniversary of Tanya and Zola being reunited from Longleat with Tanya arriving on the 2nd and Zola the 9th of November 1985. Today is/would have been Kitos 19th birthday. I will post about these on the Colchester zoo Elephant thread.