Alwaysevergreen
Well-Known Member
I wanted to wait until I had seen @TNT review on his thread, and I didn't want to hijack his post by any means, but today I spent 4 and a half hours in the company of Rob Baxter, who is the partner of Donna Rose who owns GTKA.
There is much in what TNT posts which I agree on, but I want to give an alternative viewpoint as to my own findings at the collection.
I arrived shortly before 10.45am today, for me I must learn never to rely on Google Maps, it still takes you to the old address in Chingford, some 5 miles away, and you would be greeted by an empty shop. For anyone planning a visit, the correct postcode is CM16 5HW, make sure you use this to avoid the delayed trip I had today.
The front of house staff, are very friendly, and I must say the booklet given on entry is one of the more informative guides and maps given out by a zoo for free. It highlights the zoo is very much an interactive zoo, and details all they have to offer.
Now myself as well as paying £15 to get in, which most might seem a little steep for an entry fee to a small inside zoo, I paid £175 to take part in an ultimate experience and monkey experience.
I didn't expect the day to go from around 11.30am to 3.00pm. It wasn't constant, as Rob had to go out and take phone calls and do the odd handling of a snake with other guests, but he showed me around the whole zoo, got out many of the animals, allowed me to get many photo's of them, and told me a lot about the back stories of the animals.
Rob was very much into his animals, and his passion shone through.
TNT in his report commented about the Blue Light setting in the Nocturnal house, and it is something I raised with him as well. He did actually tell me that they would soon be moving to a red light setting in the nocturnal house, so if it was Rob who TNT had a discussion with, it is clear that his suggestions were well received and have been implemented.
The zoo is a mixture of adequate exhibits, to small exhibits, there is barely a square inch that isn't backed with animals. It is very much an interactive zoo, all the animals bar a few new additions are used to being handled and make for an enjoyable experience if you are in to that sort of thing.
I know that TNT isn't and I'm sure many other "Zoo Enthusiasts" that frequent this forum won't be, but for me, it was more about photography than handling of animals. I wanted images of animals I hadn't seen before and to add nice photos to the thousands I have on my hard drive.
One thing I noticed TNT hadn't picked up on, was the "Party Room" which is twice the size of the "fluffy's" area and this is where a lot of kids meet and greets take place. There are also two function rooms upstairs as well, and room for a few more exhibits, in what is called the Treehouse.
There is also a bit more space behind the zoo, which they can branch out in to. This will allow perhaps the opportunity in time for the birds to move outside. I am not aware if these areas were visible for TNT when he visited, or he knew of them.
The heavy mix of "ex pet" birds was also unsettling a little for me, and would have been my crab point of the visit. I actually got to go in there and see some of the birds up close and personal favourites were the Turaco, Fancy Pigeon and the Galah who all came close. There was a Cockatoo called Nigel, who lets say was a bit brash!
The reason there are two African Grey's in a separate exhibit is because they don't get on with the group so had to be kept separate. Rob did say one or two of the birds would be moving soon.
A good point was made about the American Alligator and it was a subject I brought up with Rob, it could be said, that with extra space they have, an exhibit could be created in the future, but it was also said, that at some stage when she gets bigger she may have to move on.
The Squirrel Monkey's exhibit was not small, it was not huge either, but there was plenty to enrich them. I got to go in with them and the male Malcolm jumped all over me, sat on my shoulder and ate out of my hands. I appreciate this is not something all on here agree with, but it was an enjoyable experience for me nonetheless.
The Binturong made an appearance later in the day, after my experiences had ended and Rob fed him "Dusty" early, so I could hopefully see him. He came out to eat before going back into his house. He said when it's quiet he comes out a lot, but has only joined them recently and getting used to his surroundings. They do not do any experiences with him, and he is not an animal who can be handled or interacted with. All photo's I got of him were outside his exhibit.
Rob did say, if he didn't become more showy and settled better, they would have to look into moving him to another collection and getting something more suitable in his place. I saw this as the zoo being Proactive, and I actually felt, he could have benefited more from being in the Squirrel Monkey exhibit, which whilst not as big, would be a lot less noisy. Time will tell whether he stays or moves on, but I did see him later in the day.
I got to photo and meet a number of reptiles in the experience and it was enjoyable to photo the Chameleons and Skinks, as well as seeing all the Gecko's, holding some and the snakes.
The reptiles were an enjoyable mix of pet shop animals and I was impressed by the amount of Chameleon's held.
Like TNT, the highlight for me, was the Nocturnal area. This will be going red light setting in time and the highlight of the day was meeting "Armond Willow" the 9 Banded Armadillo. He was allowed out his exhibit and we followed him around the zoo, as he wandered around, posed for some photo's, sadly so many out of focus and deleted, had a few snacks and went back to his exhibit. Luckily it was quiet enough for him to roam the zoo for 10-15 minutes impressing those who were visiting and allowing me to see and touch him, he is a lovely animal and looks so much more impressive outside of the light settings.
I then got to meet the Grey Short-Tailed Opossum, who was very active and allowed for photo's, before we fed the Cloud Rats and Gambian Pouched Rats.
The Jerboa was going mad in his exhibit, pacing and running about, so a picture would have been impossible.
There is also Sugar Gliders, Fat Tailed Jird and Skunks (of which there are three babies) in this area.
I can appreciate that this zoo may not be everyone's cup of tea, and that some people are not into interactive zoos, but they do have some space to expand in to. The owners are considerate of the conditions and the animals and are making changes as they go to make things as good as they can be.
There are a few rarities along the way and the experience allowed me to get photos I am happy with and I am happy to share with the site as above.
There will be progress and change, and I would suggest to TNT to visit again in the future, when under red light, when the upstairs is open, when they have completed work out the back and had time to implement suggestions people have made to them, and time has allowed the animals to settle in.
This zoo was 15 months in the making and they have recently only taken on paid staff. I enjoyed my day and the experience side of it, I also enjoyed chatting to Rob at length about the collection and it's direction. Everything is ex pet or zoo surplus and it's an enjoyable collection.
Even if interaction is not your thing, the staff are happy to show and chat and are very passionate and I feel most people will enjoy a visit. I certainly did.
There is much in what TNT posts which I agree on, but I want to give an alternative viewpoint as to my own findings at the collection.
I arrived shortly before 10.45am today, for me I must learn never to rely on Google Maps, it still takes you to the old address in Chingford, some 5 miles away, and you would be greeted by an empty shop. For anyone planning a visit, the correct postcode is CM16 5HW, make sure you use this to avoid the delayed trip I had today.
The front of house staff, are very friendly, and I must say the booklet given on entry is one of the more informative guides and maps given out by a zoo for free. It highlights the zoo is very much an interactive zoo, and details all they have to offer.
Now myself as well as paying £15 to get in, which most might seem a little steep for an entry fee to a small inside zoo, I paid £175 to take part in an ultimate experience and monkey experience.
I didn't expect the day to go from around 11.30am to 3.00pm. It wasn't constant, as Rob had to go out and take phone calls and do the odd handling of a snake with other guests, but he showed me around the whole zoo, got out many of the animals, allowed me to get many photo's of them, and told me a lot about the back stories of the animals.
Rob was very much into his animals, and his passion shone through.
TNT in his report commented about the Blue Light setting in the Nocturnal house, and it is something I raised with him as well. He did actually tell me that they would soon be moving to a red light setting in the nocturnal house, so if it was Rob who TNT had a discussion with, it is clear that his suggestions were well received and have been implemented.
The zoo is a mixture of adequate exhibits, to small exhibits, there is barely a square inch that isn't backed with animals. It is very much an interactive zoo, all the animals bar a few new additions are used to being handled and make for an enjoyable experience if you are in to that sort of thing.
I know that TNT isn't and I'm sure many other "Zoo Enthusiasts" that frequent this forum won't be, but for me, it was more about photography than handling of animals. I wanted images of animals I hadn't seen before and to add nice photos to the thousands I have on my hard drive.
One thing I noticed TNT hadn't picked up on, was the "Party Room" which is twice the size of the "fluffy's" area and this is where a lot of kids meet and greets take place. There are also two function rooms upstairs as well, and room for a few more exhibits, in what is called the Treehouse.
There is also a bit more space behind the zoo, which they can branch out in to. This will allow perhaps the opportunity in time for the birds to move outside. I am not aware if these areas were visible for TNT when he visited, or he knew of them.
The heavy mix of "ex pet" birds was also unsettling a little for me, and would have been my crab point of the visit. I actually got to go in there and see some of the birds up close and personal favourites were the Turaco, Fancy Pigeon and the Galah who all came close. There was a Cockatoo called Nigel, who lets say was a bit brash!
The reason there are two African Grey's in a separate exhibit is because they don't get on with the group so had to be kept separate. Rob did say one or two of the birds would be moving soon.
A good point was made about the American Alligator and it was a subject I brought up with Rob, it could be said, that with extra space they have, an exhibit could be created in the future, but it was also said, that at some stage when she gets bigger she may have to move on.
The Squirrel Monkey's exhibit was not small, it was not huge either, but there was plenty to enrich them. I got to go in with them and the male Malcolm jumped all over me, sat on my shoulder and ate out of my hands. I appreciate this is not something all on here agree with, but it was an enjoyable experience for me nonetheless.
The Binturong made an appearance later in the day, after my experiences had ended and Rob fed him "Dusty" early, so I could hopefully see him. He came out to eat before going back into his house. He said when it's quiet he comes out a lot, but has only joined them recently and getting used to his surroundings. They do not do any experiences with him, and he is not an animal who can be handled or interacted with. All photo's I got of him were outside his exhibit.
Rob did say, if he didn't become more showy and settled better, they would have to look into moving him to another collection and getting something more suitable in his place. I saw this as the zoo being Proactive, and I actually felt, he could have benefited more from being in the Squirrel Monkey exhibit, which whilst not as big, would be a lot less noisy. Time will tell whether he stays or moves on, but I did see him later in the day.
I got to photo and meet a number of reptiles in the experience and it was enjoyable to photo the Chameleons and Skinks, as well as seeing all the Gecko's, holding some and the snakes.
The reptiles were an enjoyable mix of pet shop animals and I was impressed by the amount of Chameleon's held.
Like TNT, the highlight for me, was the Nocturnal area. This will be going red light setting in time and the highlight of the day was meeting "Armond Willow" the 9 Banded Armadillo. He was allowed out his exhibit and we followed him around the zoo, as he wandered around, posed for some photo's, sadly so many out of focus and deleted, had a few snacks and went back to his exhibit. Luckily it was quiet enough for him to roam the zoo for 10-15 minutes impressing those who were visiting and allowing me to see and touch him, he is a lovely animal and looks so much more impressive outside of the light settings.
I then got to meet the Grey Short-Tailed Opossum, who was very active and allowed for photo's, before we fed the Cloud Rats and Gambian Pouched Rats.
The Jerboa was going mad in his exhibit, pacing and running about, so a picture would have been impossible.
There is also Sugar Gliders, Fat Tailed Jird and Skunks (of which there are three babies) in this area.
I can appreciate that this zoo may not be everyone's cup of tea, and that some people are not into interactive zoos, but they do have some space to expand in to. The owners are considerate of the conditions and the animals and are making changes as they go to make things as good as they can be.
There are a few rarities along the way and the experience allowed me to get photos I am happy with and I am happy to share with the site as above.
There will be progress and change, and I would suggest to TNT to visit again in the future, when under red light, when the upstairs is open, when they have completed work out the back and had time to implement suggestions people have made to them, and time has allowed the animals to settle in.
This zoo was 15 months in the making and they have recently only taken on paid staff. I enjoyed my day and the experience side of it, I also enjoyed chatting to Rob at length about the collection and it's direction. Everything is ex pet or zoo surplus and it's an enjoyable collection.
Even if interaction is not your thing, the staff are happy to show and chat and are very passionate and I feel most people will enjoy a visit. I certainly did.
