Ah ok no worries! Always frustrating when you can’t find out what’s going on!
Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo News 2023
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Ah ok no worries! Always frustrating when you can’t find out what’s going on!
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Had a good day at Colchester today. Weather was lovely and lots of people but it wasn’t too crowded. Was in the right mood for the ‘big zoo’ sort of day when there are lots of people. Still some quieter spaces though. The zoo does a good job with benches etc.
Took a few phone snaps of the new covered walkway platform that’s under construction opposite the Komodo dragons.
Most animals were visible / active which was fun. The cheetahs were moving around which was a change from my previous visits.The young warthogs look good. The gelada group has more youngsters again and they were fun to watch play fighting. The small primate / sloth areas delivered as usual. The youngest rhino is very sweet and I got good views from the balcony above the enclosure. Only the lion and hyenas were no shows.
Was particularly nice to see the bush dog family as they were in the enclosure where the train queue starts so you could actually stand and watch them - good to see the growing youngsters.
Nothing of great note re changes etc but it was an all round good day out.
Took a few phone snaps of the new covered walkway platform that’s under construction opposite the Komodo dragons.
Most animals were visible / active which was fun. The cheetahs were moving around which was a change from my previous visits.The young warthogs look good. The gelada group has more youngsters again and they were fun to watch play fighting. The small primate / sloth areas delivered as usual. The youngest rhino is very sweet and I got good views from the balcony above the enclosure. Only the lion and hyenas were no shows.
Was particularly nice to see the bush dog family as they were in the enclosure where the train queue starts so you could actually stand and watch them - good to see the growing youngsters.
Nothing of great note re changes etc but it was an all round good day out.
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Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
Wow! I haven't been for a while unfortunately but looks like some big changes down by Dragons of The Komodo!
Tetradactyla
Active Member
I also visited Colchester Zoo today, although it sounds like I wasn’t quite as lucky as Lafone was! I did get to see the sun bears working their way through some enrichment, which was rare enough that it held me in thrall for a good twenty minutes. The male orangutan Tiga was also on fine form, using a long piece of straw to extract food from a series of small holes in a feeder mounted right next to the glass. Fascinating, and also a huge relief, given what he and Mali had been doing right in front of the glass the last time we visited…
Incidentally, I wondered if any Colchester regulars have info about the buffy-headed capuchins; I noticed when going through my photos that one of the individuals in the enclosure down towards the lions had what looked like a very bad cleft lip, with several incisors and a canine tooth completely exposed. It looked rather grisly, but I’m interested as to what might have caused it - birth defect, or battle wound?
Incidentally, I wondered if any Colchester regulars have info about the buffy-headed capuchins; I noticed when going through my photos that one of the individuals in the enclosure down towards the lions had what looked like a very bad cleft lip, with several incisors and a canine tooth completely exposed. It looked rather grisly, but I’m interested as to what might have caused it - birth defect, or battle wound?
Went for a visit to Colchester this morning - it was actually more a visit to do some vigorous walking without having to worry about other people's dogs. I did however notice one new thing that hasn't been reported yet:
There is a new female pileated gibbon, named Qiwen, who is seven years old and has recently arrived from Zurich Zoo to join the male Lae as part of the breeding programme. Currently, the indoor area is roped off so that she can settle in.
There is a new female pileated gibbon, named Qiwen, who is seven years old and has recently arrived from Zurich Zoo to join the male Lae as part of the breeding programme. Currently, the indoor area is roped off so that she can settle in.
Baringogiraffe12
Well-Known Member
What happened to the previous female?
Sheepy12
Active Member
Mali went to a zoo in France (I believe) at the end of last year. I’m very excited about the arrival of Qiwen.
Sheepy12
Active Member
The Southern Tamandua baby has been named Tobermory! Here’s the link to their Instagram post: Colchester Zoo on Instagram: "Our young male Tamandua has been named! Meet Tobermory! Tobermory was born back in December last year and has since grown healthy and strong, and can often be seen in his habitat with mum, Ruth."
In other news, I visited yesterday and got told that Tayo, the young male Southern White Rhino, will be moving to Portugal at some point in the future. Mainly due to breeding recommendations but also because you can’t have two male rhinos together.
The new Pileated Gibbon, Qiwen, has settled in well and was sitting with Lae who has been vocalising less in the company of the new female. The new viewing area opposite the Komodo Dragons is looking really nice too.
In other news, I visited yesterday and got told that Tayo, the young male Southern White Rhino, will be moving to Portugal at some point in the future. Mainly due to breeding recommendations but also because you can’t have two male rhinos together.
The new Pileated Gibbon, Qiwen, has settled in well and was sitting with Lae who has been vocalising less in the company of the new female. The new viewing area opposite the Komodo Dragons is looking really nice too.
A male Kirk’s dik-dik was born May 15:
New Dik-dik arrival! On the 15th May, female Kirk’s Dik-dik, Pumpkin, gave birth to a healthy male calf, who has since been named Pie.
New Dik-dik Arrival! | Colchester Zoo
New Dik-dik arrival! On the 15th May, female Kirk’s Dik-dik, Pumpkin, gave birth to a healthy male calf, who has since been named Pie.
New Dik-dik Arrival! | Colchester Zoo
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
I visited again today for the first time in a while, mostly because today marks the zoo's official 60th birthday. Despite this, it was not too busy (I did however arrive later in the day, possible because the zoo stayed open until 8:30). I won't go into in depth updates, mainly because things I have only just noticed after not visiting for nearly 5 months may be well established in presence for others and have already been mentioned here.
- The full Colchester Zoo Rocks 60 display is now set up, quite near the entrance/exit, for visitors to be able to easily notice and see.
- It seems that all the fish in the tank in the Wilds of Asia Tank have been moved off show (I think that is what the notice said).
- I was able to get a good view of 2 Lion Tailed Macaques outside (rare sight for me) and sunbathing!
- I was able to see all 3 Tigers.
- The Madagascar Road Train let visitors go into the Lost Madagascar lemur walkthrough once again, is this back for the first time since lockdown?
- I was able to talk to the head elephant keeper after the late elephant encounter and amongst other things she seemed excited and positive about the zoo's masterplan of sorts that was released in mid May.
- Saw all 6 rhinos including Dara for the first time.
- I was able to get good views of the two female Spotted Hyenas.
- The refurbishments on the indoor Amur Leopard (and Golden Lion Tamarin) viewing area now seems to be pretty much fully complete compared to my last visit and now physically bears the name "Canopy of South America", it seems to be much improved inside, enough for me to manage to see Esra in her enclosure through one of the windows in the cave.
- It seems the 3 (?) Buffy Headed Capuchins that have been living in one of the old bear enclosures will be departing the zoo in the near future as there is a notice on their species information proclaiming "TEMPORARY HOME
- However there are still 4 (?) living in the enclosure that I have become accustomed to them living in in the recent past near the entrance.
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I went for a brief morning's visit to Colchester Zoo this morning. These are the things of importance that I noticed:
- The Victoria crowned pigeons in Feathers of the Forest have a new young chick in the nest basket near the exit of the building. I think this is the first time they've bred in the new enclosure.
- There were at least four nests with eggs at the Chilean flamingo end of the lake. I am not sure if they are real or 'dummy' eggs, but other than one bird briefly standing at a nest, none of the eggs were being sat on.
- Finally, the model dinosaurs are starting to be put into place. I'll be charitable and say they look awful. I'm just very sad that the bird show was cancelled and the stands torn down for something like that. I appreciate that such a display may not be made for someone like me in mind, but I can't see how such egregiously inaccurate models could be considered even passingly educational.
One other thing I have just been reminded of from a new article on the zoo's website is that I saw the new female pileated gibbon outside with the male - according to the article, they are now living together full-time and have already been seen grooming one another.
More information can be found in the link below:
New Pileated Gibbon Arrival! | Colchester Zoo
More information can be found in the link below:
New Pileated Gibbon Arrival! | Colchester Zoo
Sheepy12
Active Member
Colchester Zoo has announced the death of Europe’s oldest aardvark, Afer.
Afer was 32 years old when he died on the 3rd of June. I myself have done an experience with the aardvarks as they are one of my favourites so I am deeply saddened by this news although he did reach a grand old age.
Oldest Aardvark in Europe passes away at the age of 32yrs | Colchester Zoo
Afer was 32 years old when he died on the 3rd of June. I myself have done an experience with the aardvarks as they are one of my favourites so I am deeply saddened by this news although he did reach a grand old age.
Oldest Aardvark in Europe passes away at the age of 32yrs | Colchester Zoo
Sheepy12
Active Member
Another few things I’ve heard from today’s visit.
Tayo will be moving to a new zoo as soon as the enclosure is finished. He was on the hard stand all day today as Dara was out in the main paddock all day too. Apparently, about a month before Astrid gave birth to Dara, she rejected Tayo and basically attacked him and therefore it is unlikely that the zoo will mix him with Astrid and Dara.
The young male Rock Hyrax, Boo, went to a new zoo (I don’t know which one) and that zoo had an extra female Hyrax and she arrived at Colchester a couple weeks ago. I’m unsure if she’s been mixed or not but I could only see two Hyrax today from a brief look. On the note of this enclosure, the burrow is noticeably empty without Afer and OQ was finding it tough to find a comfortable position to sleep in by herself. It has been noted that the keepers have said they will 100% be getting more aardvarks in the future but with Afer only just passing away it is very fresh so it won’t be for a while.
The new female Cheetah, Anika, was out today and I managed to get some pictures of her. She is absolutely stunning and they are in the process of slowly mixing her with the boys so we should have some cheetah cubs to look forward to in the future.
If I remember anything else I will make another post.
Tayo will be moving to a new zoo as soon as the enclosure is finished. He was on the hard stand all day today as Dara was out in the main paddock all day too. Apparently, about a month before Astrid gave birth to Dara, she rejected Tayo and basically attacked him and therefore it is unlikely that the zoo will mix him with Astrid and Dara.
The young male Rock Hyrax, Boo, went to a new zoo (I don’t know which one) and that zoo had an extra female Hyrax and she arrived at Colchester a couple weeks ago. I’m unsure if she’s been mixed or not but I could only see two Hyrax today from a brief look. On the note of this enclosure, the burrow is noticeably empty without Afer and OQ was finding it tough to find a comfortable position to sleep in by herself. It has been noted that the keepers have said they will 100% be getting more aardvarks in the future but with Afer only just passing away it is very fresh so it won’t be for a while.
The new female Cheetah, Anika, was out today and I managed to get some pictures of her. She is absolutely stunning and they are in the process of slowly mixing her with the boys so we should have some cheetah cubs to look forward to in the future.
If I remember anything else I will make another post.
Are we any wiser to what’s happening at the old wild dog enclosure?
Sheepy12
Active Member
I have no idea what species is going in there but glass panels have been added to both the new viewing area and the old one and it looks like the viewing areas at least are nearing completion, however, the enclosure will obviously need work but hopefully as that happens we will get a clearer picture of what to expect. I go every two weeks so I should be able to get updates on the progress.
Sounds promising though! Look forward to hearing what’s planned
For those of us that aren't in the know, could you please be clear with the species you are talking about
The zoo have announced news about the hatching of the Victoria crowned pigeon chick on 26th May. It is the eighth chick hatched at the zoo, to mother Violet and father Ozzy. The chick has recently fledged.
In more exciting news, the zoo have also announced their first hatching of crested wood partridges, with two chicks hatched on the 8th June. The mother, Wiz, was hatched in July 2018 and the father, Ben, hatched in June 2021, both at The Living Rainforest in Berkshire.
More information can be found in the link below:
A Trio of Cracking Arrivals! | Colchester Zoo
In more exciting news, the zoo have also announced their first hatching of crested wood partridges, with two chicks hatched on the 8th June. The mother, Wiz, was hatched in July 2018 and the father, Ben, hatched in June 2021, both at The Living Rainforest in Berkshire.
More information can be found in the link below:
A Trio of Cracking Arrivals! | Colchester Zoo