Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
A really interesting article, I particularly applaud the way that the zoo is not going down the road of not being regarded as anything other than what it actually is ,a ZOO!
Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo news 2024
- Thread starter DesertRhino150
- Start date
Lafone
Well-Known Member
An excellent article and certainly look forward to the changes including the new status. The plans around the lion habitat etc are really exciting. I do like the emphasis on partnering in conservation and education, which is as it should be but still great to hear.
On the conservation front this really resonates with me “Upwards of 95% of the world’s wildlife doesn’t live in a protected area. It lives on farmland; it lives among us. The challenge is finding a balance in terms of our impact on it." - this is a key element in education and how things move forwards and zoos play a critical role in this movement.
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
Thanks for sharing this, snowleopard, very interesting, that new lion habitat looks promising and it is really nice to hear about some of Colchester's conservation efforts, as it isn't something that is discussed too often compared to other more conservation-oriented zoos, nor is it something that the zoo seems too vocal about. Although I do find it odd that a sector of the article entirely voted to the collection's in situ work with African Hunting Dogs has a picture of a Striped Hyena. (EDIT: before anyone corrects me, I realise now it was an Aardwolf, apologies)!
To make matters stranger is the photo of a pack of actual hunting dogs in the next section...
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Lafone
Well-Known Member
Thanks for sharing this, snowleopard, very interesting, that new lion habitat looks promising and it is really nice to hear about some of Colchester's conservation efforts, as it isn't something that is discussed too often compared to other more conservation-oriented zoos, nor is it something that the zoo seems too vocal about. Although I do find it odd that a sector of the article entirely voted to the collection's in situ work with African Hunting Dogs has a picture of a Striped Hyena!
I had a momentary hope of a new species after that picture! That would be cool. Google image search for photos for articles is not a reliable friend.
cornu aspersum
Well-Known Member
It's actually an aardwolf and if you click the link, the photo was taken at UmPhafa where the zoo does in-situ work for African wild dogs.Although I do find it odd that a sector of the article entirely voted to the collection's in situ work with African Hunting Dogs has a picture of a Striped Hyena!
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
Aardwolves (or indeed Striped Hyenas
) would be excellent at Colchester, but alas. Strangely, the post by the zoo which contained that photo doesn't even mention the African Hunting Dogs among the list of 'other' species seen on the reserve (African Wildcat, Caracal and Serval, which by the way is an impressive number of carnivores to be working with in situ), so not sure what the article searched for to result in that error. I shouldn't be surprised, with the number of London and Whipsnade visitors I have heard get excited about seeing their first hyena while standing outside the hunting dog enclosures over the years, and to be fair the two species do bare something of a resemblance to those who don't know the species well.
I didn't edit in time, it would seem.
My fault for poor ID skills.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Aardwolves (or indeed Striped Hyenas
Yes had the same experience with the painted dogs being ID'ed as other species. I have to confess to a preference for Hyena (and Aardwolf if that happens!) over painted dogs at the zoo, though the conservation value of the dogs is high of course.
I think the aardwolf picture came about because it is the cover picture accompanying the latest news article from the Umphafa Reserve, as they recently obtained the first photographic proof of the species on their reserve. They seem to have had good fortune with smaller carnivores on the reserve recently, as they have also recorded African wildcat for the first time recently.
Rare Predators of UmPhafa - UmPhafa
I sort of hope that, if the big masterplan goes ahead, the Kingdom of the Wild area becomes more themed on Umphafa and its conservation work - all the species in the mixed paddock are found in the reserve already, and there could be a lot of potential for a very interesting exhibit.
Rare Predators of UmPhafa - UmPhafa
I sort of hope that, if the big masterplan goes ahead, the Kingdom of the Wild area becomes more themed on Umphafa and its conservation work - all the species in the mixed paddock are found in the reserve already, and there could be a lot of potential for a very interesting exhibit.
I went for a visit to Colchester Zoo earlier today. These are the things that I noticed:
- The redevelopment of the capuchin monkey enclosure has continued further - the old orangutan indoor area has now been demolished as well.
- The new enclosure in Worlds Apart, adjacent to the tamandua and titi monkey enclosure, remains unoccupied but is now signed. It will be home to Goeldi's monkeys - whether they are just moving the current animals over or getting a second group, I do not know.
- In Feathers of the Forest, the crowned pigeon nest basket has been removed, so it seems the nesting attempt did not work out. On a more positive note, three new female crested wood partridges have been added, bringing the flock up to six individuals.
- Work has resumed on the viewing platform between the cherry-crowned mangabeys and the lemur walkthrough, which has been closed for some time.
- I found at least four places in the zoo where large information signs about the planned new lion enclosure have been erected. There is one by the old lion enclosure, one by the cheetahs, one by the red river hogs and one in the small shelter near the zoo exit.
- In a more minor change, the undercover viewing platform through the African livestock paddock in Familiar Friends has been halved in length, presumably so the goats and sheep can move between the two halves of the paddock without having to use the visitor path.
- Not sure if it has been mentioned before, but in the Sensation Station, the strawberry poison-dart frogs and West African giant land snails seem to have swapped tanks. I have no idea as to why.
- In very pleasant news, I saw the young Gariau forest dragon again in the same enclosure as its parents. I also saw the spiny turtle for the first time in ages.
I knew I had forgotten some things:
- Looking in at the Kingdom of the Wild indoor area, there are three female ostriches being kept in there. Not sure if I just missed the third one on my last visit or whether it was a more recent arrival. This is in addition to the male ostrich, who was outside with the crowned cranes, zebras, rhinos and giraffes today.
- The Southern rufous hornbill was inside the nesting box in the indoor area today, while the Northern rufous hornbill was displaying outside the box.
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
I visited on Saturday 14/9, for the Starlight Safari, and also saw a few notable things around the zoo, some of which have been mentioned above by @DesertRhino150.
- It was weird to see the capuchin enclosure so significantly deconstructed, and kind of sad to think about how much time I've spent in there at the start of visits over the years, even thinking back to seeing the Sun Bears there years ago. I suppose it has had it's time really, and I would be surprised if it wasn't the oldest mostly unchanged enclosure in the whole zoo, especially considering Penguin Shores has been closed for a few years now, and the capuchin enclosure has had the back half of the viewing area and the original main entrance door closed off a while now as well. Hopefully the redevelopment in its place will be a worthy impressive modern replacement after its predecessor has served the zoo so well remaining almost unchanged.
- It's been nice to see the construction of that enclosure in Worlds Apart progress and it will be interesting to see how it is used. Also in Worlds Apart in their outdoor area on the right in the walkthrough there was a baby Coppery Titi Monkey out with its parents which was nice to see, I'm not sure if it has been announced but it has probably been mentioned on this thread.
- On the Ostriches, there are now 3 females I believe that were separated from the male inside when I visited, there were definitely 4 birds present then.
- Again, not sure if it has been mentioned, but a new smallish structure/shelter has been built to the left of the Sensation Station, I assume to carry out encounters with some of the larger animals there, as there was a sort of counter/stand with astroturf on. In addition to this there was. A board behind showing different types of foods (I assume to illustrate different animal diets)
- In the time I was around Aardvark Burrow, only one of the 3 Aardvarks came into the outdoor enclosure, and only briefly at that, maybe because of the light show (with some music) taking place on the lake opposite the enclosure.
I saw this today, and the board was all about the care of guinea pigs (what foods to give them normally and in small amounts, and different means of analysing the health of guinea pigs, such as body condition and poo). I think this was in relation to Guinea Pig Awareness Week from the 23rd to 27th September - the zoo certainly mentioned it earlier this week on their Facebook page.
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
Do they do awareness weeks for other "pets"?. This is one of these things that I would like zoos to do generally, because when I was at Dudley zoo people often asked keepers for advice on their pets.
I think it is just guinea pigs they are joining the awareness week for, as they are basically the only common 'pet' species kept in Familiar Friends, aside from maybe the rats.
Colchester have now announced the arrival of their two new female ostriches - which helps clear up how many have arrived - and brings the flock up to four individuals.
The two eight-year-old female ostriches, named Daphne and Daisy, have come to Colchester from an ostrich farm. The two new birds have already been introduced to the single already-present female Doris, and over the next few weeks will be introduced to the other species in the Kingdom of the Wild paddock.
More information can be found in the link below:
Un-feather-gettable Friends | Colchester Zoo
The two eight-year-old female ostriches, named Daphne and Daisy, have come to Colchester from an ostrich farm. The two new birds have already been introduced to the single already-present female Doris, and over the next few weeks will be introduced to the other species in the Kingdom of the Wild paddock.
More information can be found in the link below:
Un-feather-gettable Friends | Colchester Zoo
I make that three?
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
You're forgetting the male, who is presumably still separated from the new females, as he was on my visit in mid September.
I went for a brief visit to Colchester Zoo this morning - little of note, other than the development of the capuchin enclosure continuing, now with new mesh being added to some parts of the enclosure where older metal mesh had been removed. Also, for the second visit in a row, I did not see the single African white-backed vulture - I am not certain if it is still on-show, as the aviary does not exactly have masses of places where such a large bird could hide.
In other news, the zoo has revealed its brand-new website today:
Welcome to Colchester Zoological Society | A Wild Family Day Out In Essex
I am pleased to see that a pretty much complete list of animals is now recorded on the Animals page, including most of the fish and all the species of on-show reptile. I did notice that some of the smaller animals, including all four Sensation Station species, are not mentioned and, more curiously, some animals that I had thought had left several years ago are still mentioned - the bronze turkey is a prime example.
In other news, the zoo has revealed its brand-new website today:
Welcome to Colchester Zoological Society | A Wild Family Day Out In Essex
I am pleased to see that a pretty much complete list of animals is now recorded on the Animals page, including most of the fish and all the species of on-show reptile. I did notice that some of the smaller animals, including all four Sensation Station species, are not mentioned and, more curiously, some animals that I had thought had left several years ago are still mentioned - the bronze turkey is a prime example.
A little bit of pleasant conservation news (not linked to the Colchester Zoo site specifically), the zoo's Umphafa private reserve has now been declared as an official Nature Reserve by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
UmPhafa has been officially declared a Nature Reserve - Colchester Zoological Society
Also, from last month on the zoo's Facebook page, confirmation that the reserve now has the permission and required permits to allow the reintroduction of the first pair of cheetah onto the reserve.
UmPhafa has been officially declared a Nature Reserve - Colchester Zoological Society
Also, from last month on the zoo's Facebook page, confirmation that the reserve now has the permission and required permits to allow the reintroduction of the first pair of cheetah onto the reserve.
Other 2024 News Worth Mentioning:
On June 21st, the zoo announced the spider monkey's sex (1.0) and name, Chicory.
6.3K views · 111 reactions | The results are in and we are pleased to announce the gender and name of our newest Colombian black spider monkey baby! Say hello to Chicory | By Colchester Zoo | Facebook
On June 28th, the zoo announced the squirrel monkey's sex (1.0) and name, Luca.
Colchester Zoo
On July 6th, the zoo officially named the tamarins Jack and Bonnie.
Also on July 6th, it was announced they transferred a (1.0) golden lion tamarin to the Darling Downs Zoo in Queensland, Australia.
Colchester Zoo
Darling Downs Zoo
On July 10th, the zoo announced they sexed the penguins as (0.2) and named them Salsa and Taco.
Colchester Zoo
On August 29th, the zoo announced they sexed the gelada as (1.0) and named the monkey Kairo.
Colchester Zoo
On October 9th, the zoo announced that the vulture was sexed as (0.1) and named Lenny.
Colchester Zoo
On October 13th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) black tree monitor which is now on display in the Hearts of the Amazon area.
Colchester Zoo
On June 21st, the zoo announced the spider monkey's sex (1.0) and name, Chicory.
6.3K views · 111 reactions | The results are in and we are pleased to announce the gender and name of our newest Colombian black spider monkey baby! Say hello to Chicory | By Colchester Zoo | Facebook
On June 28th, the zoo announced the squirrel monkey's sex (1.0) and name, Luca.
Colchester Zoo
On July 6th, the zoo officially named the tamarins Jack and Bonnie.
Also on July 6th, it was announced they transferred a (1.0) golden lion tamarin to the Darling Downs Zoo in Queensland, Australia.
Colchester Zoo
Darling Downs Zoo
On July 10th, the zoo announced they sexed the penguins as (0.2) and named them Salsa and Taco.
Colchester Zoo
On August 29th, the zoo announced they sexed the gelada as (1.0) and named the monkey Kairo.
Colchester Zoo
On October 9th, the zoo announced that the vulture was sexed as (0.1) and named Lenny.
Colchester Zoo
On October 13th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) black tree monitor which is now on display in the Hearts of the Amazon area.
Colchester Zoo