On Saturday I saw 2 langurs in the outside enclosure with another 3 in the den on the other side of the path , they could also travel along the overhead run to see the others but not enter the enclosure .
Other primate observations - the 'Colobus link' to the Gorilla enclosure has been totally removed . All 4 gorillas were together inside and , later , with access outside , all looked relaxed but not in close contact with each other . The volunteer in the area suggested the pregnancy story might be due to the portly appearance of Zaire , I thought she looked slimmer . Not easy to identify the new male as he is much the same size and colour of the younger females . I was told that only 1 of the squirrel monkeys born last year was reared , some females dropped their babies .
Other observations - I was early in the Blackburn Pavilion and had it to myself , some very nice birds including new African pygmy geese , breeding sunbitterns , several sunbirds and hummingbirds . Other birds continuing to breed - black hornbills , Toco toucans , black-faced ibis . I enjoyed the exhibits in the Amazon Hall of the Aquarium including a second piranha species not familiar to me and breeding spotted freshwater rays ( small ones ) , the Tropical Reef Hall has many superb tanks full of live corals and colourful small reef fish . There are now 2 adult Komodo dragons but the small enclosure where the youngster was on show is blocked off . The African walk-through Aviary was empty with the netting being replaced . Saw the aardvark getting their morning feed , one is much smaller than the other . Lots of meercats in 3 separate exhibits . I have commented on the area beyond the tunnels on the Okapi thread .
Seemed to be quite a lot of visitors around , foreign accents being very much to the fore . I suppose for European visitors the £19 entry fee is not too bad .
Any questions ?
