Chester Zoo Islands - Opening and impressions

[Campbell89]

I think it will look great in the future but what I am trying to say is why as it opened when it's not got any animals in. It's like a petrol station opening with no petrol for the foreseeable future. (personally it stinks of desperation to keep the accountants happy)

What would have happened if this was let's say South Lakes then there would have been a massive out cry against mr gill but hay how it's Chester so it's.

Never been to south lakes so I'm not voicing an opinion on that. However if people heard that the project was 99% complete, with animals in some enclosures, there would be an outcry as to why the zoo isn't allowing visitors to see the animals that are in their enclosures regardless of whether the others are empty.

Simply the zoo can't win. Open with some empty enclosures and people will complain, postpone opening until all enclosures are filled and people will complain. The joys of a public interface!

Besides which it's simple economics. The zoo will want to get a return on the money invested ASAP, in a similar fashion to how house builders get a show home built ASAP and then try and get the first few plots sold, using this money to fund further developments on the one available.

 

[gentle lemur]

I think it will look great in the future but what I am trying to say is why as it opened when it's not got any animals in.

1 hornbill, 5 tentacled snakes (maybe more, I didn't count all the tentacles and divide by 2), several vampire crabs and leeches, 2 large Tomistoma, 1 aquatic turtle (which I didn't see), 2 tortoises and a dozen plus crested macaques gives a total which is very significantly greater than zero animals.
Plus the Rothschild's mynahs and Java sparrows in the Bali Aviary and yellow-backed chattering lories in one of the small side aviaries (which didn't come out while bongorob and I were in the area) and a view of the banteng herd from the path.

Alan

 

[Shorts]

What would have happened if this was let's say South Lakes then there would have been a massive out cry against mr gill but hay how it's Chester so it's ok.

It's not that difficult to understand. Chester is the UK's premier collection that generally get's most things right -therefore most people are happy to cut it some slack when they're embarking on the UK zoo-scene's most ambitious and expensive development ever (especially when, per most reports, it looks like the exhibit's going to settle down fine in the long-run).

That's completely different to some other collections that have a history (in most peoples' opinions) of habitually getting things wrong and, in some cases, being quite antagonistic to visitors/zoo fans/councils etc.

 

[taun]

It's not that difficult to understand. Chester is the UK's premier collection that generally get's most things right -therefore most people are happy to cut it some slack when they're embarking on the UK zoo-scene's most ambitious and expensive development ever (especially when, per most reports, it looks like the exhibit's going to settle down fine in the long-run).

That's completely different to some other collections that have a history (in most peoples' opinions) of habitually getting things wrong and, in some cases, being quite antagonistic to visitors/zoo fans/councils etc.

I echo this, although I have been critical of the zoo and it's handling of Islands, it was a massive construction job. My beef is more the mishandling of communicating that animals had not moved across.

They have sorted this out, although the delays are frustrating I look forward to seeing the Monsoon rainforest building in a weeks time (even though I know there is no animals, I least I wont be shocked by it).

 

[jde7582]

I was very impressed with Monsoon Forrest, I do think the croc viewing area may get very bottle necked though during busy times, with it being a dead end.

Also interesting they haven't planted on the proposed site for the Tapir's, maybe a sign they plan this in the near future, possibly for next year, always good to be able to advertise something new each year.

 

[ChesterZooFan]

I was very impressed with Monsoon Forrest, I do think the croc viewing area may get very bottle necked though during busy times, with it being a dead end.

Also interesting they haven't planted on the proposed site for the Tapir's, maybe a sign they plan this in the near future, possibly for next year, always good to be able to advertise something new each year.

I've been told the tapirs are the top priority for the next phase of Islands (think we will have lost count of how many phases there have been by then!), so don't be surprised if they start work next year. When they do I hope they incorporate indoor viewing (there was no indoor viewing in the original enclosure design) as the tapirs spend a lot of time inside and would otherwise be off show for most of the day.

 

[Waddi]

Also interesting they haven't planted on the proposed site for the Tapir's, maybe a sign they plan this in the near future, possibly for next year, always good to be able to advertise something new each year.

I was told on Tuesday by a river boat guide that once everything that is already built or being built now is open, then the next phase would be 2017, but how true that is I don't know.

 

[ChesterZooFan]

I was told on Tuesday by a river boat guide that once everything that is already built or being built now is open, then the next phase would be 2017, but how true that is I don't know.

The boat guides don't have a good track record of accuracy!! (Did you know the zoo opened in 1952? Warty pigs are ao called as they have warts all over their body? Anoas are a type of goat?) I know others have posted about their experiences on the boat trip.

I've not posted on here about this yet ....but I've not been impressed with the boat guides. I've been on the trip about 6 times now, each with a different guide. Only 1 of those guides added value. The others were below average to very poor indeed.

They are paid employees, and work from a set script, which in my opinion does not do Islands the justice it deserves e.g. No mention whatsoever of the conservation work Chester are doing with many of the species, or the breeding successes they have had. The volunteers have been more knowledgeable (as they are clearly zoo enthusiasts rather than people wanting a summer job?)

I'll continue to form my opinion over the coming weeks, but having done the boat trip at members day with no guide, I much preferred this experience. I would say unless they do some serious upskilling they could save a whole lot of wages or reinvest these employees elsewhere.

Not sure the long term or low season plans for the guides - can't imagine every boat having a guide on an icy Tuesday morning in February!

 

[Dassie rat]

I suspect that the boat guides have scripts supplied by the marketing department and that the scripts have not been proof-read by professionals at the zoo. It is a shame that so much money is spent on providing information, but little, if any, is spent on checking if this information is correct. I have seen nature programmes with obvious mistakes. One of the worst mistakes was in a programme about the Himalayas. David Attenborough asked what a jumping spider ate. He then said it eats "other insects". Later, he said that a pika was a rodent. In another programme about the Himalayas, the narrator said that the jumping spider ate springtails and the pika was related to rabbits and hares. This programme benefited from editing.
Unfortunately, inaccuracies in a text mean that other pieces of information are suspect. I also suspect that books, programmes and other information about other subjects probably contain many errors.

 

[gentle lemur]

I echo this, although I have been critical of the zoo and it's handling of Islands, it was a massive construction job. My beef is more the mishandling of communicating that animals had not moved across.

I agree completely.
Islands is a hugely complicated package deal. The basic concept and the overall design seem very good to me. I think that the facilities for the animals and their husbandry are first class, as we would all expect, although I must reserve judgement on the Bali Aviary at this stage. The facilities for visitors seem to be very good now, after some initial hiccoughs. However the educational provision is still catching up and some of the public relations has been very poor - which is a pity as it would have been so easy to avoid many of the mistakes.
For example like other members, after receiving an e-mail on 1st July, I downloaded the Islands edition of Z magazine. In it a member of the mammal staff was quoted as saying "One of the hardest logistical moves was moving Gaston, our bull banteng, who at over 600kg was more than a handful!" On the first preview day I felt really offended when I found out that the banteng had not been moved, 10 days after reading that they had.
Likewise I feel very sorry for visitors who have wasted time by looking for animals in empty enclosures because there was no sign saying the animals had been moved while the original sign was still in place. Even two days ago, although there were two nice big notices inside the Monkey House, saying that the macaques had moved to Islands, their original sign was still on the wall of the island outside. There were no labels at all on the empty cassowary enclosure or the old banteng paddock, which was a real shame as the male onager was quite anonymous. I wonder how many people have been looking for the birds in the Monsoon House. Why didn't someone have the wit to cover up the two signs identifying the birds?
It's only fair to add that all the zoo staff and the volunteers have been going out of their way to be welcoming and informative (except for the joker who sneaked up behind bongorob and I as we were inspecting the new orang facilities and ordered us to leave ). I even feel sympathy for the Lazy River guides, who must get bored out of their minds - it's not their fault that they haven't been briefed properly, it's just another PR deficiency.

Alan

 

[taun]

I agree completely.
Islands is a hugely complicated package deal. The basic concept and the overall design seem very good to me. I think that the facilities for the animals and their husbandry are first class, as we would all expect, although I must reserve judgement on the Bali Aviary at this stage. The facilities for visitors seem to be very good now, after some initial hiccoughs. However the educational provision is still catching up and some of the public relations has been very poor - which is a pity as it would have been so easy to avoid many of the mistakes.
For example like other members, after receiving an e-mail on 1st July, I downloaded the Islands edition of Z magazine. In it a member of the mammal staff was quoted as saying "One of the hardest logistical moves was moving Gaston, our bull banteng, who at over 600kg was more than a handful!" On the first preview day I felt really offended when I found out that the banteng had not been moved, 10 days after reading that they had.
Likewise I feel very sorry for visitors who have wasted time by looking for animals in empty enclosures because there was no sign saying the animals had been moved while the original sign was still in place. Even two days ago, although there were two nice big notices inside the Monkey House, saying that the macaques had moved to Islands, their original sign was still on the wall of the island outside. There were no labels at all on the empty cassowary enclosure or the old banteng paddock, which was a real shame as the male onager was quite anonymous. I wonder how many people have been looking for the birds in the Monsoon House. Why didn't someone have the wit to cover up the two signs identifying the birds?
It's only fair to add that all the zoo staff and the volunteers have been going out of their way to be welcoming and informative (except for the joker who sneaked up behind bongorob and I as we were inspecting the new orang facilities and ordered us to leave ). I even feel sympathy for the Lazy River guides, who must get bored out of their minds - it's not their fault that they haven't been briefed properly, it's just another PR deficiency.

Alan

I look forward to seeing the open Monsoon Rainforest, and hoping I am leaving my visit long enough to at least see the birds in there, even if orangs and gibbons (which so excited to see the new species) wont be in yet.

I do wish someone could work out a system to be able to keep live plants in an orangutan exhibit as when RORA opened it was great....and shocking to see such huge trees indoors. But I doubt it will ever be achieved.

 

[Panthera1981]

I do wish someone could work out a system to be able to keep live plants in an orangutan exhibit as when RORA opened it was great....and shocking to see such huge trees indoors. But I doubt it will ever be achieved.

Sorry everyone, not being a Chester regular, a few questions:

What are the issues surrounding live planting and Orangs? Are they simply destructive so-and-so's?

What are the exact phases of Islands, and what's the timeframe?

 

[taun]

What are the issues surrounding live planting and Orangs? Are they simply destructive so-and-so's?

Very much so, the RoRA when opened was a lush indoor area with mature trees, within a 6 months I would say if was barren mud. I am sure the Orangs loved it but certainly destoryed the initial lush views you had of the the indoor areas.

 

[ChesterZooFan]

I agree completely.
Islands is a hugely complicated package deal. The basic concept and the overall design seem very good to me. I think that the facilities for the animals and their husbandry are first class, as we would all expect, although I must reserve judgement on the Bali Aviary at this stage. The facilities for visitors seem to be very good now, after some initial hiccoughs. However the educational provision is still catching up and some of the public relations has been very poor - which is a pity as it would have been so easy to avoid many of the mistakes.
For example like other members, after receiving an e-mail on 1st July, I downloaded the Islands edition of Z magazine. In it a member of the mammal staff was quoted as saying "One of the hardest logistical moves was moving Gaston, our bull banteng, who at over 600kg was more than a handful!" On the first preview day I felt really offended when I found out that the banteng had not been moved, 10 days after reading that they had.
Likewise I feel very sorry for visitors who have wasted time by looking for animals in empty enclosures because there was no sign saying the animals had been moved while the original sign was still in place. Even two days ago, although there were two nice big notices inside the Monkey House, saying that the macaques had moved to Islands, their original sign was still on the wall of the island outside. There were no labels at all on the empty cassowary enclosure or the old banteng paddock, which was a real shame as the male onager was quite anonymous. I wonder how many people have been looking for the birds in the Monsoon House. Why didn't someone have the wit to cover up the two signs identifying the birds?
It's only fair to add that all the zoo staff and the volunteers have been going out of their way to be welcoming and informative (except for the joker who sneaked up behind bongorob and I as we were inspecting the new orang facilities and ordered us to leave ). I even feel sympathy for the Lazy River guides, who must get bored out of their minds - it's not their fault that they haven't been briefed properly, it's just another PR deficiency.

Alan

My biggest issue with Islands marketing is that, although the zoo have now been very clear on their website about what to expect, there is no indication whatsoever within Islands about the phased opening.

I don't understand why they would not have a few signs to explain the phased plans, or tell the boat guides to start their commentary by explaining this. Whilst in Monsoon Forest almost every person was searching to see if they could see anything in the orang enclosures, when a simple sign could have informed them they would be "coming soon".

I've worked in customer service for many years, and nothing is more important than trust, honesty and managing expectations when a situation does not go to plan. If visitors know there are no animals in the exhibit because the sign explains the enclosure is being completed then they can at least feel informed. As it stands people are at best confused or worse still annoyed and frustrated.

None of this takes away from the fact that Islands is an incredible success, I just see so much opportunity to have communicated things better.

 

[zoogiraffe]

Once all that should be done on this phase of Islands is done don't expect.much new to be added for a year or two,as the zoo has alot of work to do in the core zoo altering exhibits for the back fill after the animals for Islands have moved.Just remember the Tiger enclosure is a large area in the core zoo,that WILL BE EMPTY FOR QUITE SOMETIME after the Tigers have moved over to Islands!

 

[Waddi]

Once all that should be done on this phase of Islands is done don't expect.much new to be added for a year or two,as the zoo has alot of work to do in the core zoo altering exhibits for the back fill after the animals for Islands have moved.Just remember the Tiger enclosure is a large area in the core zoo,that WILL BE EMPTY FOR QUITE SOMETIME after the Tigers have moved over to Islands!

No sun bears now?

 

[Campbell89]

Regardless of the sun bears coming or not the enclosure will still need some work undertaking to adapt it for the Bears, this won't happen overnight.

 

[Waddi]

Suppose there will be some animals from RSCC available

 

[bongorob]

No sun bears now?

no one has said that, the enclosure will need to be modified for a different species, having held tigers since the 1950s.

 

[SMR]

There are, and have been lots of PR issues with Islands, most of them discussed at length here, and the "phased" opening is a bit of a disaster...

...but what we're getting is one hell of a zoo development. I walked around Monsoon Forest today and it's an outstanding exhibit. It alone would've been an incredible achievement, never mind all the other areas of Islands. It's also worth taking a few moments to examine the scale and attention to detail, both on- and off-show.

My only disappointment was that more hasn't been learnt from RotRA - there will be significant bottlenecks in the orang viewing areas (made worse by needless obstructions in the paths) and the crocodile window is a disaster - but on the whole it's quite an incredible addition to the zoo.