Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo news 2024

DesertRhino150 said:
I have just seen a photograph on a Colchester Zoo fan's page, apparently taken yesterday, that shows a new warthog piglet. No official confirmation yet, but it seems that they are breeding them again (I cannot remember how many warthogs they had before this birth - definitely the two adults and maybe two well-grown youngsters).
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And now the official confirmation - on the 5th and 6th of March, female warthog 'Hermione' gave birth to a litter of four piglets comprising one male and three females.

More information can be found in the link below:
Warthog Hoglets! | Colchester Zoo
 
End of an Era

We are saddened to announce that our male White Rhino, Otto, passed away on 22nd March 2024.

Otto was under veterinary observation which ultimately led us to have to further investigate via general anaesthesia. Unfortunately, Otto, passed away whilst under anaesthesia despite all best efforts to help him.

Our Animal Care Team are currently processing the loss of their beloved friend and would like to thank everyone for their support during this difficult time.

Read more: Otto | Colchester Zoo
 
Embu said:
End of an Era

We are saddened to announce that our male White Rhino, Otto, passed away on 22nd March 2024.

Otto was under veterinary observation which ultimately led us to have to further investigate via general anaesthesia. Unfortunately, Otto, passed away whilst under anaesthesia despite all best efforts to help him.

Our Animal Care Team are currently processing the loss of their beloved friend and would like to thank everyone for their support during this difficult time.

Read more: Otto | Colchester Zoo
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Sad day isn't it and is it a ridiculous thought of thinking for them to bring a new male white rhino in for the long term future ?
 
RIP Otto. Such unfortunate news to be losing such a great animal especially at a relatively young age, he was a great character and has made a big difference at the zoo in the 15 years since he first arrived. I have many great memories of him (including from a Keeper Shadowing experience) and he was one of my favourite individuals at Colchester thanks to these, and I'm sure it is not much different for other visitors.
 
I managed a visit to Colchester Zoo this morning. These are some of the things I noticed:

Births:
  • I didn't see the young warthogs today. However, in the freshwater display in Rajang's Forest, I did notice some small fish fry - I think they are from the rosy barbs. Although they were small, I do think they have now outgrown the chances of being eaten by the adult fish. It's rather nice to see another species of fish breeding at the zoo (at the moment, I think only some of the cichlids actually breed).
Developments:
  • The new Dinosaur Realm was having a members-only soft opening today. I didn't go in myself (the queue was enormous even before the section first opened), but I did notice that the repetitive noises made by some of the animatronics were pretty distracting.
  • In more positive news, a new sign has been put up by the site of the old staircase that led from Penguin Shores down to the Inca Trail (to the right of the hyrax enclosure) confirming the continuation of development there - I cannot recall exactly what the sign said, but it was something along the lines of 'We are making waves in this area'. Hopefully, that means Penguin Shores will be reopening sooner rather than later.
  • About half of the larger of the two tiger enclosures has had a lot of the bamboo cleared. That means, for the first time in years, you can actually partly see the very large pool that is in this enclosure (until today, I forgot it was actually there).
  • The bull paddock at Elephant Kingdom was reopened again, and a new enrichment feeder has been added to the enclosure.
General observations:
  • Heard Tembo for the first time. In fact, I think it is the first time I have ever heard an elephant trumpeting in person.
 
DesertRhino150 said:
I managed a visit to Colchester Zoo this morning. These are some of the things I noticed:

Births:
  • I didn't see the young warthogs today. However, in the freshwater display in Rajang's Forest, I did notice some small fish fry - I think they are from the rosy barbs. Although they were small, I do think they have now outgrown the chances of being eaten by the adult fish. It's rather nice to see another species of fish breeding at the zoo (at the moment, I think only some of the cichlids actually breed).
Developments:
  • The new Dinosaur Realm was having a members-only soft opening today. I didn't go in myself (the queue was enormous even before the section first opened), but I did notice that the repetitive noises made by some of the animatronics were pretty distracting.
  • In more positive news, a new sign has been put up by the site of the old staircase that led from Penguin Shores down to the Inca Trail (to the right of the hyrax enclosure) confirming the continuation of development there - I cannot recall exactly what the sign said, but it was something along the lines of 'We are making waves in this area'. Hopefully, that means Penguin Shores will be reopening sooner rather than later.
  • About half of the larger of the two tiger enclosures has had a lot of the bamboo cleared. That means, for the first time in years, you can actually partly see the very large pool that is in this enclosure (until today, I forgot it was actually there).
  • The bull paddock at Elephant Kingdom was reopened again, and a new enrichment feeder has been added to the enclosure.
General observations:
  • Heard Tembo for the first time. In fact, I think it is the first time I have ever heard an elephant trumpeting in person.
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Might I ask why Penguin Shores was closed in the first place? Are there renovations / improvements on what was formerly there, or is it just necessary maintenance?

Also happy for you that you managed to hear an elephant. When I first heard one, namely the bull Aung Bo back when he was at Chester, which was rather prolonged, as he was agitated to have been separated from the females (something that was necessary due to conflicts with the matriarch) it was perhaps the most remarkable, but terrifying, thing that I have ever heard.
 
Kalaw said:
Might I ask why Penguin Shores was closed in the first place? Are there renovations / improvements on what was formerly there, or is it just necessary maintenance?
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When Colchester Zoo closed the Penguin Shores exhibit, they said it was because they felt it needed a refresh as it was over twenty years old. That being said, I think there could well be some expansion of the area planned - I cannot think why they would have removed and boarded up the piranha tank area otherwise.
 
The quarry development to the east of the zoo, where much of the masterplan was due to be built, has had its planning application rejected on account of potential damage to a nearby Iron Age earthwork. However, the planning officers say they would be amenable to looking at future applications for the site, and they are not going to try and stop the zoo from developing.

A couple of articles can be read below:
Quarry planned near Colchester Zoo and Roman site is refused

Future of Colchester Zoo 'dependent' on refused quarry being built
 
DesertRhino150 said:
The quarry development to the east of the zoo, where much of the masterplan was due to be built, has had its planning application rejected on account of potential damage to a nearby Iron Age earthwork. However, the planning officers say they would be amenable to looking at future applications for the site, and they are not going to try and stop the zoo from developing.

A couple of articles can be read below:
Quarry planned near Colchester Zoo and Roman site is refused

Future of Colchester Zoo 'dependent' on refused quarry being built
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Having read these I'm presuming it means the Zoo wanted the quarrying to be done first as it would create 'new landforms' which the zoo would then use to create new exhibits. Is that the crux of it?
 
Pertinax said:
Having read these I'm presuming it means the Zoo wanted the quarrying to be done first as it would create 'new landforms' which the zoo would then use to create new exhibits. Is that the crux of it?
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That does seem to have been the zoo's plans for the area. I think the reasoning is that extracting the sand and some minerals from the soil would leave a more suitable base for building work.
 
Bit of unexpected news is that both Black & White Ruffed Lemurs are being transferred out of the zoo. Tanjona has gone to Poland and Adelay is being transferred out in the next few days. Maybe to Banham but I have no idea. There is currently no intentions to get anymore individuals and their enclosure is meant to be an add on to the flamingos.

Also the Ring Tailed Lemurs (specifically the breeding group) are going to have a shuffle since there is from what I’m aware only two adults and the rest are youngsters.
 
Sheepy12 said:
Bit of unexpected news is that both Black & White Ruffed Lemurs are being transferred out of the zoo. Tanjona has gone to Poland and Adelay is being transferred out in the next few days. Maybe to Banham but I have no idea. There is currently no intentions to get anymore individuals and their enclosure is meant to be an add on to the flamingos.

Also the Ring Tailed Lemurs (specifically the breeding group) are going to have a shuffle since there is from what I’m aware only two adults and the rest are youngsters.
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Thanks for the heads up. On the Ring Tailed Lemurs, by youngsters do you mean animals that have been born to the current male/breeding animals that formed the group in its current state?
 
Rajang-GOAT said:
Thanks for the heads up. On the Ring Tailed Lemurs, by youngsters do you mean animals that have been born to the current male/breeding animals that formed the group in its current state?
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Yeah, sorry. Should have specified that youngsters are the ones that were born at the zoo from the current breeding animals. There’s only two of the adult breeding RT Lemurs left from what I know. Not sure if this includes the male or not.
 
I noticed it has just been mentioned in another thread, but figured I would post it here as it does relate mostly to Colchester Zoo.

On 23rd February, a pair of female white-lipped tamarins arrived at Colchester Zoo from Utsi Zoo in the Czech Republic. This is the first time this species has been held at the zoo for fifteen years. One of the females was then exchanged with a male at Hanwell Zoo, creating a potential breeding pair at each zoo.

On 9th April, they moved on-show into the Worlds Apart exhibit. I do not know exactly which enclosure they now inhabit - it could be the sloth or tamandua side of the 'walk-through' or mixed with the Goeldi's monkeys.

Tamarin species returns after 15 years! | Colchester Zoo

Unfortunately, it seems possible that as a result of this arrival the pied tamarins have left the collection. They are no longer listed on the animal page on the zoo's website and several of this species have recently moved to Banham Zoo.
 
I visited on Thursday, with good weather, many active animals, a very busy zoo and a few updates to note:
  • First of all, 4 Coppery titi monkeys and a golden headed lion tamarin were out enjoying the weather in the Rainforest Walkthrough, a rare sight for me.
  • Another rare good view was of the Wreathed Hornbill pair, long time no see in my case!
  • At Tiger Taiga the larger enclosure as mentioned before has had a few chunks of bamboo cleared out around the viewing tunnel, leaving behind some rough terrain, and the pool that has now become invisible again appeared to be mostly empty of water.
  • The family of Philippine Spotted Deer were all visible and doing well, and with the Warty pigs no longer around it looks like the grass could hopefully be on its way back!
  • It was great seeing Tembo the African Elephant bull properly again and I noticed for the first time that Zola seems to have much shorter tusks than than the other two cows, Tanya and Opal. The refurbished bull paddock is impressive with a new scratching post at the far end, enrichment feeding device and gate that I may have mentioned previously.
  • The Warthog family were also nice and visible enjoying the sun in a pleasant family scene.
  • In Kingdom of The Wild the Tomato Frog vivarium (possibly also holding another species recently?) was signed as being empty.
  • No sign of the Black and White Ruffed Lemurs as their outdoor enclosure was empty and doors to the indoor area were shut, so they could have now departed as the idea was floated above. A shame they couldn't stick around and possibly be mixed in one of the main lemur enclosures but I am interested to see how their area will be dedicated to the flamingos.
  • The viewing platform accessed by the more rocky Amur Leopard enclosure (with the female Esra in) that gives you views of the walkthrough lemur enclosure as well as Mangabey Mangrove was closed off, with work taking place at least on the floor.
  • On Tatty's 11th birthday the Bornean Orangutan trio were spending some nice quality time together outside, good to see Tiga, Mali and Tatau getting on well.
  • The new White Lipped Tamarin pair were on the sloth side of the outdoor primate walkthrough in Worlds Apart ,and it is quite possible they were still shut in, I believe where the Pied Tamarins were previously (no sign of them, possibly gone now as mentioned above?), and the Golden Lion Tamarin group more memorably before that. Hopefully they can do well.
  • In time I will upload photos to the gallery showing these areas of interest and others to better demonstrate them.
 
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Rajang's Forest is currently closed to the public, as the roof was damaged during yesterday's high winds. The sealion tunnel will be open, but the orangutans will be inaccessible until the damage is repaired - there is no timeframe given for the repairs, but the zoo say they are wanting to reopen the area as soon as possible.

Information comes from the 'Important information' tab on the zoo's website.
 
Firstly, just to mention that the zoo have added an additional piece of information regarding the Rajang's Forest damage - they have specified that the orangutans are all fine. There are also a couple more exciting bits of news from today:

The zoo has announced that, on 2nd March, a Ruppell's griffon vulture chick hatched to parents Jekyll and Morticia, who have previously raised two other chicks successfully:
Critically Endangered Vulture Chick Hatched | Colchester Zoo

Today (16th April), four female Eastern pygmy marmosets arrived at Colchester from Chester Zoo. They are named Queenie, Nursie, Bob and Maria Escalosa - after characters from Blackadder. Queenie is the eldest, being born in 2020, with the other three being born in 2021.
They are living with the golden lion tamarins in Canopy of South America. Interestingly, the zoo says that this is the first time they have kept the species, with the last pygmy marmosets (that lived at the zoo until 2016) being 'common pygmy marmosets'.

More information can be found in the link below:
New Species at Colchester Zoo | Colchester Zoo
 
Went for a fairly brief morning visit to Colchester Zoo today. Saw both new species of callitrichid - although they remained indoors, the white-lipped tamarins do seem to be allowed outside (the door in the sloth section, which the tamarins could access, was open). The pygmy marmosets also seem to have settled in very quickly - several were right next to the front windows of their indoor area, despite having only been at the zoo for two days.

As well as the aforementioned empty tomato frog tank, another tank was also empty:
  • The freshwater angelfish and plecostomus tank in Heart of the Amazon was half-empty, with signage saying that the tank was being refurbished - the fish are described as being off-show, so are still in the collection.
Managed to see most of the new zoo babies (apart from the new vulture chick), namely the warthog piglets and dik-dik.

One thing I did notice, in Feathers of the Forest, is that there now seems to be just the two Victoria crowned pigeons (plus three crested wood partridges), down from the four pigeons that were there on my last visit.

Went through the model dinosaur area for the first time. The models are all very different and many quite ropey-looking, although I have learned that the models are all from different sources and have been recycled, which definitely explains why they don't match thematically. I do wish there had been some attempt to include more live animals in the display - maybe some reptile tanks in the dinosaur discovery building at the end of the walkthrough area, or a smaller outdoor aviary for some kind or bird, or alternatively tree shrews. As it stands, the only live animals in here are goldfish in the smallest of the three ponds.

Only after I got home did I realise that the repair works to Rajang's Forest have been completed, and the exhibit has reopened.
 
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Some additional news released today - the last thirteen batches of Fisher's estuarine moth eggs were released at Brook Country Park near Clacton in the end of March 2024.

With the success of the programme, the zoo will no longer be keeping or breeding the moths for the foreseeable future. However, if new habitat sites are created, there will be the option of restarting the programme. For now, the zoo will continue to maintain hog's fennel, the moth's larval food-plant, on their site.

More information can be found in the link below:
Fisher's Estuarine Moth | Colchester Zoo
 
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