Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo news 2025

Sheepy12 said:
Colchester Zoo has updated the statement on their website regarding the incident involving Ziggy, the male Maneless Zebra, and the White Rhinos on Friday.

Kingdom of the Wild - Statement - Colchester Zoological Society


“On Friday 10th January male zebra, Ziggy, sadly passed away following an incident in our mixed species African habitat.

Ziggy had lived happily with the other species, including the rhino, in this habitat since November 2017 when he arrived.

On Friday, two of the rhinos, Astrid and her son Tayo, were sparring with one another, which is a regular and natural behaviour for this species. On this occasion, unfortunately Astrid attempted to move Ziggy out of the way and in doing so unintentionally punctured his stomach and he died of these injuries a few minutes later.

In the light of these rare events, we review our care for the animals to minimise the risk of these incidents reoccurring. As a result, the Animal Care Team will continue to closely monitor the animals behaviour in the coming weeks.

These sorts of incidents are extremely rare and we are devastated by this loss, Ziggy was a much loved animal who will be dearly missed.

We would really like to thank our supporters for the well wishes at this difficult time and thank our fantastic Animal Care Team who dealt with this very difficult situation extremely professionally.”
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How very sad but good to see the zoo sharing the details to avoid unnecessary speculation. More than seven years is hardly a situation where an accident was waiting to happen it appears. Do feel for the Keepers, must have been horrible for them.
 
Very surprising news to me - is Napoleon a pure chimpanzee subspecies? Asking because I don't think any of the current Colchester troop are (not actually sure of the Chimpanzee EEP aims - are they still allowing hybrids to breed?). I also thought so many of the chimpanzees were so old that there would be little scope for any to breed other than the youngest female Talia, who is approaching 26.

I honestly was thinking that Colchester were running down the numbers of their chimps to they could switch over to the bonobos mentioned in their masterplan. Obviously that is not the case.
Pertinax said:
Does this leave Colchester with no males now apart from the new incoming one?
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It will do, yes. The remaining three chimps would all be female.
 
Hopefully it will be a good transfer. Will be quite a disruption for chimps who have lived in the same place for a long time (nearly 30 years in one case) but I guess this is well practiced.

On a general note related to this move, how challenging is it to integrate chimps into a long established group and does them being male going into related female group make it easier or harder?

The plan appears to want to mix them. If they cannot will Belfast hold them as two groups with access to the same facilities without compromising things like outdoor access?
 
Lafone said:
On a general note related to this move, how challenging is it to integrate chimps into a long established group and does them being male going into related female group make it easier or harder?
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Re. Chimpanzee introductions:

Introducing unrelated adult chimpanzees has the potential to be extremely challenging, but it can certainly be achieved depending on the individuals.

Adult males to adult males is usually the most challenging; followed by adult females to adult females. Adult females are usually more receptive to adolescent females joining their troop than adult females, which are perceived as a greater threat to their status. This also mirrors the natural social order, where adolescent females transfer between troops.

Males of any age are usually excited to welcome females to their troop (potential breeding partners). Females can be wary of males (and vice versa), so care is needed when undertaking introductions. A prime aged male killed a prime aged female at Hamilton Zoo in 2015 after they were introduced days after her arrival at the zoo. Monarto Safari Park undertook the introduction of four adult males to four adult females, noting they felt confident to allow the groups physical contact after they were seen attempting to mate through the mesh (after an extended period of protected contact introductions).

As a general rule, introductions are carried out so as not to disadvantage either party. For example Taronga Zoo began introductions of three incoming females to two of their males (the alpha and the beta). I’d similarly anticipate Belfast Zoo to start by introducing the two males to three of their females; not all five at once (nor Napoleon at Colchester to the entire troop all at once).
 
Zoofan15 said:
Re. Chimpanzee introductions:

Introducing unrelated adult chimpanzees has the potential to be extremely challenging, but it can certainly be achieved depending on the individuals.

Adult males to adult males is usually the most challenging; followed by adult females to adult females. Adult females are usually more receptive to adolescent females joining their troop than adult females, which are perceived as a greater threat to their status. This also mirrors the natural social order, where adolescent females transfer between troops.

Males of any age are usually excited to welcome females to their troop (potential breeding partners). Females can be wary of males (and vice versa), so care is needed when undertaking introductions. A prime aged male killed a prime aged female at Hamilton Zoo in 2015 after they were introduced days after her arrival at the zoo. Monarto Safari Park undertook the introduction of four adult males to four adult females, noting they felt confident to allow the groups physical contact after they were seen attempting to mate through the mesh (after an extended period of protected contact introductions).

As a general rule, introductions are carried out so as not to disadvantage either party. For example Taronga Zoo began introductions of three incoming females to two of their males (the alpha and the beta). I’d similarly anticipate Belfast Zoo to start by introducing the two males to three of their females; not all five at once (nor Napoleon at Colchester to the entire troop all at once).
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Interesting stuff, thank you!
 
DesertRhino150 said:
I honestly was thinking that Colchester were running down the numbers of their chimps to they could switch over to the bonobos mentioned in their masterplan. Obviously that is not the case.
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Gorillas also I believe?

Lafone said:
The plan appears to want to mix them. If they cannot will Belfast hold them as two groups with access to the same facilities without compromising things like outdoor access?
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I visited Belfast last year and from what I recall it didn’t appear that they have the facilities to run two troops. One outside, one inside and back offshow rooms.
 
DesertRhino150 said:
Very surprising news to me - is Napoleon a pure chimpanzee subspecies? Asking because I don't think any of the current Colchester troop are (not actually sure of the Chimpanzee EEP aims - are they still allowing hybrids to breed?). I also thought so many of the chimpanzees were so old that there would be little scope for any to breed other than the youngest female Talia, who is approaching 26.

I honestly was thinking that Colchester were running down the numbers of their chimps to they could switch over to the bonobos mentioned in their masterplan. Obviously that is not the case.


It will do, yes. The remaining three chimps would all be female.
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I was also very surprised when I first heard this news, as all I've ever seen stated on here or by the zoo itself previously was that none of the current five chimps were pure P.t versus and the only pure chimpanze in recent years was the male Pippin (from Twycross) who died in 2019. Furthermore the purity of the chimpanzees isn't even mentioned in the article (although I believe Napoleon may be pure versus). However surely this move wouldn't be recommended if it was not the case that at least Tara or Kora was pure?

In terms of the status of the females, Tara was born in 1985/6, and has had one offspring, the female Tekita in 1996.
Kora is Tara's sister, although they have different sires, and was born in November 1999, yet to have any offspring.
Talia was born in March 2009 (so is not yet 16) to the same parents as Tumba, Tekita and Pippin, and I assume she won't be a breeding candidate as Tekita's dad was Pippin's brother- I believe both Tumba and Talia may have been accidental births.
However, article claims Tombe is the dad of Talia, which seems to be either a mistake or a veryrecent discovery? Either way I don't expect Talia to breed as as I'm quite sure Tombe and Tekita had the same dad.

I did think the same about the chimps potentially being on the phase out for Bonobos, but I won't complain if we see new life being breathed into the current group with the big investment the upgrade of the enclosure was in the second half of last decade.
jtrbmvcq said:
Gorillas also I believe?
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Gorillas were also mentioned on the masterplan, however they were given an enclosure on the map, whereas this was not the case for Bonobos, leaving the chimp enclosure as a potential option if the species was to leave the collection in the next 10-20 years, which obviously now doesn't look to be likely.

Perhaps someone can listen in at a chimp encounter in the near future and find out the answer to the uncertainties this has left?
 
Zoofan15 said:
As a general rule, introductions are carried out so as not to disadvantage either party. For example Taronga Zoo began introductions of three incoming females to two of their males (the alpha and the beta). I’d similarly anticipate Belfast Zoo to start by introducing the two males to three of their females; not all five at once (nor Napoleon at Colchester to the entire troop all at once).
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Location can also have some effect too- i.e. which sex is on 'homeground' can affect the outcome for the ones being introduced, as well as the balance/ ratio. Many years ago when Arhem in the Netherlands founded their large group, they had a difficult time as a female group had already been established before three adult males were added. The females, led by the dominant Alpha and Beta ones, attacked them and the outnumbered males, far from retaliating, were terrified of them. They rectified it by removing the two most dominant females, thus allowing the males to get on good terms with the other females. Then later reintroduced the two dominant females, though again they tried to antagonise the males, but now the other females no longer backed them up. Outnumbered they soon gave up. Complicated stuff but important. A group of females at Dudley killed a single adult male after he was put with them, again he was both outnumbered and the 'new' animal.

In this Belfast case I'm sure they will stagger the intros to ensure(hopefully) harmony.
 
Pertinax said:
Location can also have some effect too- i.e. which sex is on 'homeground' can affect the outcome for the ones being introduced, as well as the balance/ ratio. Many years ago when Arhem in the Netherlands founded their large group, they had a difficult time as a female group had already been established before three adult males were added. The females, led by the dominant Alpha and Beta ones, attacked them and the outnumbered males, far from retaliating, were terrified of them. They rectified it by removing the two most dominant females, thus allowing the males to get on good terms with the other females. Then later reintroduced the two dominant females, though again they tried to antagonise the males, but now the other females no longer backed them up. Outnumbered they soon gave up. Complicated stuff but important. A group of females at Dudley killed a single adult male after he was put with them, again he was both outnumbered and the 'new' animal.

In this Belfast case I'm sure they will stagger the intros to ensure(hopefully) harmony.
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Interesting social structures and pretty complex for the Keepers I assume. I was interested to see Bonnie and her son Elvis take over the Whipsnade troop after Nicky the dominant male died - that has been interesting to see developing over time, although in dynamics terms no new chimps were introduced of course but any balance change probably needs the same attention from the staff.
 
Lafone said:
Interesting social structures and pretty complex for the Keepers I assume. I was interested to see Bonnie and her son Elvis take over the Whipsnade troop after Nicky the dominant male died - that has been interesting to see developing over time, although in dynamics terms no new chimps were introduced of course but any balance change probably needs the same attention from the staff.
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Twycross seem to have had quite frequent problems with their established group- dominance fallouts and segregated animals have been fairly common place since their single large group was established.
 
Pertinax said:
Twycross seem to have had quite frequent problems with their established group- dominance fallouts and segregated animals have been fairly common place since their single large group was established.
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I guess personalities play a part? Keepers can do all they can but the animals are all individuals and intelligent ones at that. I guess size of a group can also be a factor, in relation to space. Twycross has a good amount of space but it is still finite.
 
Yes, they are certainly complex creatures. You see a large group of chimps in a zoo all looking calm and relaxed and everything apparently harmonious. But sometimes that hides the
underlying tensions and power struggles in the making. That may result in sudden upheavals and fighting which may result in serious injury or even fatalities. They aren't really my favourite animals.
 
jtrbmvcq said:
Gorillas also I believe?


I visited Belfast last year and from what I recall it didn’t appear that they have the facilities to run two troops. One outside, one inside and back offshow rooms.
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For the number they will have-7- I am sure they will be planning just the single group.
 
Pertinax said:
Yes, they are certainly complex creatures. You see a large group of chimps in a zoo all looking calm and relaxed and everything apparently harmonious. But sometimes that hides the
underlying tensions and power struggles in the making. That may result in sudden upheavals and fighting which may result in serious injury or even fatalities. They aren't really my favourite animals.
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Oddly enough they are my favourite apes. I find them the most interesting though I also like Orangs and could (and have!) watch both for hours.
 
Could Colchester possibly be wanting to start a breeding group with imported females in the future to get a mix but breed westerns?
 
Until the move happens, the troop should look like this.
0:1 Tara (8/10/1985) George x Billy-Joe
1:0 Tombe (2/8/1996) Bobby x Mandy
0:1 Kora (26/11/1999) Bobby x Billy-Joe
1:0 Tumba (5/12/2004) Pippin x Tekita
0:1 Talia (14/3/2009) Pippin x Tekita

Some previous troop members who have passed since the exhibit was redveloped:

0:1 Tekita (1/2/1996-1/12/2020) Bobby x Tara
1:0 Pippin (23/3/1986-9/9/2019) Bimbo x Coco (Twycross born)
0:1 Billy-Joe (~1975-1/3/2018)

I know Bobby was Oscar x Coco (Twycross born) but not sure how long he was at Colchester, he certainly doesn't seem to have died in the last 15-20 years. As I pointed out, for some reason in the zoo's news article from yesterday it states that Tombe is the father of Talia, which seems to be either a very new revelation or an accident.
Charles said:
Could Colchester possibly be wanting to start a breeding group with imported females in the future to get a mix but breed westerns?
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If you'd told me 6 months ago that they were bringing in a new male to breed I would've thought that this was the case, but I don't see any evidence of it being the direction of the group currently. Although, the zoo saying that they hope Napo 'will bond with our resident females and help towards the conservation of their species' is probably suggesting that the opposite is true and he will breed with the current females. I would be interested to find out why the EEP has decided it wants to breed from some of Colchester's females at this specific point in time, as currently it could make sense to bring in some new females after the new male has settled in.
 
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