Chester Zoo If you could, how would you change Chester Zoo!

[Fallax]

If some of the trees are removed for easier viewing, Lemur Island could be a place for Gorillas but it seems like a whole new building would be built. This seems like a stretch but maybe a complete refurbishment of Monkey Islands into a Gorilla house and move the Mandrill to the Spider Monkey enclosure at the entrance but this may be too small. Also the Savanna part of the Spirit of the Jaguar could become an area for the South American species and then maybe moving the Lion Tailed Macaques to Lemur Island. However I see a massive array of problems with this and it would be extremely expensive because I doubt Monkey Islands is at all Gorilla proof! Also a refurbishments of the Spirit of the Jaguar savanna would be expensive for the same reason. But it's a fun idea and I would like to hear what others have to say.

 

[JoeDK14]

I think if Chester expanded the outdoor section of the savannah side of spirit of the jaguar and put and path round the edge it would be perfect for the three lions they currently have

 

[Indlovu]

If some of the trees are removed for easier viewing, Lemur Island could be a place for Gorillas.

The island would too small, especially if you factor in the need for high-quality indoor facilities.

I see a massive array of problems with [converting Monkey Islands for gorillas] and it would be extremely expensive because I doubt Monkey Islands is at all Gorilla proof!

Expense isn't necessarily a problem (bearing in mind the cost of Islands!), but I think improvements would need to be made to Monkey Islands, the outdoor viewing in particular.

In all likelihood, any future gorilla exhibit would be on currently unused land (i.e. north of Tropical Realm) or on land which is likely to be bulldozed at some point, as is currently being done with the old tiger enclosure and Europe on the Edge (i.e. Tropical Realm or the current giraffe enclosure site).

 

[Fallax]

An idea I just had, demolishing the giraffe house and making the indoor section of Secret World of the Okapi larger with some more herps and small mammals from Africa. Then converting the paddock into a new Lion enclosure resembling the Gir Forest and moving the Giraffes to a new enclosure in the west part of the zoo. I don't know what could move to the old Lion enclosure though. Perhaps a small carnivore.

 

[JoeDK14]

Ive been thinking about a plan to introduce African lions into the zoo. I was thinking the zoo could build a state of the art lion house on the site of the onager and camel house and connect the paddock to the cheetah enclosure closest to the onager paddock this would create room for a large pride of African lions and would also mean the Asiatic lions could stay in the zoo either in their original enclosure or in a redeveloped enclosure in the SOTJ. I’ve not thought we’re within the zoo the onager or camel would move however. Thoughts ?

 

[Fallax]

Ive been thinking about a plan to introduce African lions into the zoo. I was thinking the zoo could build a state of the art lion house on the site of the onager and camel house and connect the paddock to the cheetah enclosure closest to the onager paddock this would create room for a large pride of African lions and would also mean the Asiatic lions could stay in the zoo either in their original enclosure or in a redeveloped enclosure in the SOTJ. I’ve not thought we’re within the zoo the onager or camel would move however. Thoughts ?

I like the idea of having African Lions but I doubt the zoo would have 2 subspecies at the same time as they are pretty much the same to the public. And the Asiatic Lions being in the SOTJ doesn't make a lot of sense. If a lion enclosure was built on the site of the camels and onagers, maybe a new enclosure could be built on the small field near the Wetland Bird Nursery and connected up to it and the smaller enclosure which held Bongo and Onager at times. The Wetland Bird Nursery could then be moved near the Wetlands Aviary.

 

[Waddi]

If sticking with Asiatic Lions, I would move Cheetahs over to where sitatunga are now in a purpose built immersive enclosure complimenting the painted dogs enclosure and extending the Mkomazi National Park themed area, move lions into cheetah enclosures with a little modification to make it fit for purpose.
If moving into African lions, leave Cheetahs where they are and African lions go where sitatunga are.
Monorail decommissioned and track removed, giraffes moved and mixed with zebra along with current Bongo area. Giraffe house and cattle house demolished, immersive forest exhibit with okapi, bongo, sitatunga and forest buffalo built on its foot print to compliment red river hog.

 

[JoeDK14]

Sounds like a very good idea. The current cheetah enclosure would be perfect for the lions. I would also adapt the current lion eclosure and house to house a breeding pair of Amur leopards or snow leopards. I think Chester could also put maybe a pair of Bengal tigers (white and orange) in one of the cheetah enclosure to make an Asian section alongside the lions.

 

[Fallax]

If sticking with Asiatic Lions, I would move Cheetahs over to where sitatunga are now in a purpose built immersive enclosure complimenting the painted dogs enclosure and extending the Mkomazi National Park themed area, move lions into cheetah enclosures with a little modification to make it fit for purpose.
If moving into African lions, leave Cheetahs where they are and African lions go where sitatunga are.
Monorail decommissioned and track removed, giraffes moved and mixed with zebra along with current Bongo area. Giraffe house and cattle house demolished, immersive forest exhibit with okapi, bongo, sitatunga and forest buffalo built on its foot print to compliment red river hog.

I really like the idea of moving the lions to the cheetah enclosure and carrying on the theme with the painted dogs for cheetahs. It would also make sense to move the Sitatunga to a new enclosure in the Forest Zone. I think the zoo will probably stick with Asiatic Lions but who knows.

Sounds like a very good idea. The current cheetah enclosure would be perfect for the lions. I would also adapt the current lion eclosure and house to house a breeding pair of Amur leopards or snow leopards. I think Chester could also put maybe a pair of Bengal tigers (white and orange) in one of the cheetah enclosure to make an Asian section alongside the lions.

If chester could get leopards in the lion enclosure that would be all the big 4 of cats unless you count snow leopards. But either could go in there. Ever since I was young I always wanted the gap of the leopard to be filled in. About Bengal Tigers, I think this is unlikely especially a white tiger.

 

[Dassie rat]

If some of the trees are removed for easier viewing, Lemur Island could be a place for Gorillas but it seems like a whole new building would be built.

Zootierliste lists 65 zoos that have western lowland gorillas. They include Blackpool, Bristol, Chessington, Howletts, London, Longleat, Paignton, Port Lympne and Twycross. Rather than using a lot of space for a relatively common zoo species, I would prefer Chester to devote space to several smaller endangered species and try and save them from extinction.

 

[SHAVINGTONZOO]

Why not buy the official Chester Zoo Top Trumps

Can I order them on-line? Express delivery!

 

[JoeDK14]

I would have some rarer species on lemur island also hover I do believe Chester could do something for gorillas. Would it be possible to have them in a section of the realm of the ape

 

[Fallax]

Can I order them on-line? Express delivery!

Haha, I forgot about this post and I actually played a game with them today The Sunda Gharial has ridiculous stats and allowed me to win

I would have some rarer species on lemur island also hover I do believe Chester could do something for gorillas. Would it be possible to have them in a section of the realm of the ape

The old Orangutan house?

 

[JoeDK14]

Yes and give them acces to one of the outdoor enclosures in the new orang house

 

[Shorts]

Sounds like a very good idea. The current cheetah enclosure would be perfect for the lions. I would also adapt the current lion eclosure and house to house a breeding pair of Amur leopards or snow leopards. I think Chester could also put maybe a pair of Bengal tigers (white and orange) in one of the cheetah enclosure to make an Asian section alongside the lions.

There's so much here that's either wrong-headed or impractical I don't know where to start:

1. Enclosure for Cheetahs probably not robust enough for Lions (far from perfect);
2. Current Lion enclosure not easily adaptable to Amur Leopards or Snow Leopards (given their vertical abilities I'd suggest a complete rebuild would be needed);
3. Bengal Tigers -difficult to source (none in Europe);
4. White Tigers not a conservation sub-species.

Did I miss anything?

 

[TeaLovingDave]

4a. White Tigers not a subspecies at all

 

[BillEel]

I'd like to see maned wolves back, and I really like the idea of moving the giraffe over to mix with the zebra freeing up more room for the okapi and forest buffalo. There's nothing wrong with either the giraffe or the okapi enclosures to my memory but both could do with a refresh.

In terms of new stuff if we're talking about renovating or converting the Tropical Realm it would be good to see Chester really double down on their marsupials, make it into an Oceanian themed house with tree-kangaroo, quolls and perhaps some free-roaming pademelon? (Not sure how well that would work though.) They could also bring in some New Zealand bird species to go along with the tuatara? Kea? Perhaps even kiwi in the aye-aye area if they get moved as part of the new Madagascar build.

My girlfriend would like to see a better aquarium as theirs is a bit disappointing compared to the rest of the zoo. Perhaps expanding the facilities and introducing some small shark species - some epaulettes, port jacksons, maybe some blacktips and bonnetheads if they had a tank big enough.

 

[Shorts]

4a. White Tigers not a subspecies at all

I never claimed they were -you knew well what I meant.

 

[Fallax]

I'd like to see maned wolves back, and I really like the idea of moving the giraffe over to mix with the zebra freeing up more room for the okapi and forest buffalo. There's nothing wrong with either the giraffe or the okapi enclosures to my memory but both could do with a refresh.

In terms of new stuff if we're talking about renovating or converting the Tropical Realm it would be good to see Chester really double down on their marsupials, make it into an Oceanian themed house with tree-kangaroo, quolls and perhaps some free-roaming pademelon? (Not sure how well that would work though.) They could also bring in some New Zealand bird species to go along with the tuatara? Kea? Perhaps even kiwi in the aye-aye area if they get moved as part of the new Madagascar build.

My girlfriend would like to see a better aquarium as theirs is a bit disappointing compared to the rest of the zoo. Perhaps expanding the facilities and introducing some small shark species - some epaulettes, port jacksons, maybe some blacktips and bonnetheads if they had a tank big enough.

I believe I saw a post before of someone wanting Maned Wolves in SOTJ. Also the tree kangarros and pademelons are moving to islands. I don't know when you last visited but the aquarium had an update recently and looks better than ever. I know many have said the aquarium should go but I think I am too nostalgic for that building I wouldn't mind seeing it be connected to the giant otter viewing area and making it a bit larger with the area nearby, I think it could become one of the zoo's most popular exhibits (It's already a favourite among kids, especially 'nemo').

 

[Charlie Simmomds]

I'd like to see maned wolves back, and I really like the idea of moving the giraffe over to mix with the zebra freeing up more room for the okapi and forest buffalo. There's nothing wrong with either the giraffe or the okapi enclosures to my memory but both could do with a refresh.

In terms of new stuff if we're talking about renovating or converting the Tropical Realm it would be good to see Chester really double down on their marsupials, make it into an Oceanian themed house with tree-kangaroo, quolls and perhaps some free-roaming pademelon? (Not sure how well that would work though.) They could also bring in some New Zealand bird species to go along with the tuatara? Kea? Perhaps even kiwi in the aye-aye area if they get moved as part of the new Madagascar build.

My girlfriend would like to see a better aquarium as theirs is a bit disappointing compared to the rest of the zoo. Perhaps expanding the facilities and introducing some small shark species - some epaulettes, port jacksons, maybe some blacktips and bonnetheads if they had a tank big enough.

Like your idea should on the bringing in of oceanic species and the improvement of the aquarium, however I disagree with moving the giraffes, I would instead demolish the old buffalo house perhaps and expand the okapi enclosures into that land, and building a new path to the giraffes in what is currently the buffalo enclosure, however this idea would be very difficult and would take away from my old idea of adding new hoofstock in that area. I would also suggest some improvements to the giraffes enclosure like new trees planting and enrichment as it is rather bare.