Twycross Zoo Future Developments

T

tomzoo123

Well-Known Member
Just thought Id start this for people to put any info they have about future developments they know of which are planned. The two reports are from end of 2008 and end of 2009/ start of 2010.

I have just been reading reports on the charity commission for this year and it says the following (ive cut some of them down):

What are your charity's main objectives for next year?

the arrival of
several new animal species including ground cuscus, sugar gliders and
tawny frogmouth.

With the relocation of Pet’s Corner to the new Pets
at Twycross area at the entrance to the zoo exciting
plans are afoot to develop the newly vacated
building into a much larger enclosure for our
Aldabran giant tortoises. Following on from this
the two corner enclosures in the visitor area of the
bonobo house will then be joined together to create
one large mixed exhibit for several South
American species, including Linne’s two-toed
sloth, douroucoulis (owl monkey’s) and a ground
dwelling species.

Following the successful redevelopment of the old
reptile house to the current Tropical house in 2005
it is now time to take stock and look at ways of ensuring the continued success of this type of
exhibit. The last four years have seen the Tropical
House become one of our most popular exhibits
and during the latter half of the year a total revamp
is planned to develop the building into a
nocturnal Australasian themed exhibit. As well as
keeping visitor expectations high this will also see
the arrival of several new animal species including
ground cuscus, sugar gliders and tawny frogmouth.

Me - This was planned for late 2009 so maybe they have decided against this and may build another building somewhere to do this? E.G in the massive gap infornt of the otter enclosure and behind the tropical house?

http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/SIR/ENDS41\0000501841_SIR_08_E.PDF

http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/ScannedAccounts/Ends41\0000501841_ac_20081231_e_c.pdf

Also in the next few years it said in the end of 2007 report that - Plans also include the demolition of the old chimp houses with the chimps being re-housed in a new
Ape Cognition Centre to be built in the area next to the Gorilla Enclosure.
 
About the Aldabra, maybe this explains why there is currently nothing in there at the moment apart from the degus and iguana. Plus, as the iguana is in the end wall enclosure, what is in the glassed enclosure in the tropical house?
 
Good detective work. Many thanks.

Quite thought provoking, though as you point out "future plans" for zoos tend to be a little fluid.
 
I think I've probably seen the same as you i.e:-

Ape Cognition Centre up the top left end of the zoo to replace Green Mile
Asian Carnivores top right end of the zoo
Native Wildlife Area somewhere in the bottom car park area
Nocturnal House in place of Tropical House
Elephant Walkway Sri Lankan Classroom

I've also seen a new Meerkat exhibit on the right hand side as you go through the new entrances, behind where the bus parking is. That's not on a report, it's just on one of the Himalaya plans so not sure how serious that is.

I don't know if you saw mention of the money they've lost through their Lehman Brothers investment in the 2008 report. I wonder whether that has any impact on when these get done.
 
Where did you see himilaya plans with that on? Also the nocturnal house I think they should just build a seperate exhibit as the tropical house is a must keep!
Also the ape cognition centre is something I hope does get done in the next few years. Does this mean that they would get rid of the green mile and the old gorilla house where chimps are housed to build one large enclosure? Also the chimps that are in the old gorilla house currently, where were they before the gorillas moved out of there?
 
tomzoo123 said:
the tropical house is a must keep!
Click to expand...

Is it though? Only a tiny fraction of visitors must go through it given what an awkward and frustrating experience they've made it. The building has had several maintenance problems both before and since the conversion.

I'd be happy to see it replaced/remodelled.
 
Yeah true, they should just have it freely open and have staff in there. If they made it into an australian themed house that should just be walkthrough to make it better. If its still going to be the same method they should just keep the tropical house?
 
Investment Loss

rubymurray said:
I don't know if you saw mention of the money they've lost through their Lehman Brothers investment in the 2008 report. I wonder whether that has any impact on when these get done.
Click to expand...

I do not think that Mollie B. would have invested in an American Business !
 
Maybe I'm being a little idealistic (I'm having one of those days, maybe it's the election) but if Twycross really wants to sell itself as "The World Primate Centre" any Nocturnal House should have Douroucouli, Aye Aye, Lorises & Galagoes.

Whatever they do to the Tropical House they should drop the handheld guided tours -unworkable and unsatisfying.:mad:
 
Bele said:
I do not think that Mollie B. would have invested in an American Business !
Click to expand...

I'm sure you're right! It is really unlucky though that they've waited all this time to get their hands on the money and then a fair old chunk of it just goes up in smoke. It should have been safe, they must be gutted. I guess there is a chance they might get some of it back but who knows how much and when.
 
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