ZSL London Zoo London Zoo News 2023

Quick summary of visit yesterday:
- 3 new White-faced Saki Monkeys were very visible and active in the Rainforest Kingdom.
- Eight of the Colobus monkeys were out in the Monkey Valley at around 5pm. I was pleasantly surprised that it is now open later and not busy at that time (closes at 5.30pm), allowing a long look at them interacting and swinging though the branches and on the ropes.
- The new Reptile House is not yet open, though I'm pretty sure I received a survey from the zoo asking if I had visited it yet!
- NIghtlife looks much better since last visit, with various Lorises, Bush babies, Jumping Rats all visible. Has anyone got any clues on seeing the Tenrec though? I've never been able to find it.
- Bird Safari closed (to prevent avian flu?)
- Lions: Bhanu was nuzzling Arya before wandering off to roar a bit
 
Red Footed Tortoise said:
They were very active when I visited yesterday, jumping from branch to branch, and the young one was climbing up to investigate and touch the fruit bats, much to their annoyance.
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Nice to know they are settling I have to say I always enjoyed watching them - not a crowded space and in good weather when they were not in the house with the obscured / dirty windows they were usually active. Guess Whipsnade doesn’t want small primates now.
 
Red Footed Tortoise said:
Quick summary of visit yesterday:
- 3 new White-faced Saki Monkeys were very visible and active in the Rainforest Kingdom.
- Eight of the Colobus monkeys were out in the Monkey Valley at around 5pm. I was pleasantly surprised that it is now open later and not busy at that time (closes at 5.30pm), allowing a long look at them interacting and swinging though the branches and on the ropes.
- The new Reptile House is not yet open, though I'm pretty sure I received a survey from the zoo asking if I had visited it yet!
- NIghtlife looks much better since last visit, with various Lorises, Bush babies, Jumping Rats all visible. Has anyone got any clues on seeing the Tenrec though? I've never been able to find it.
- Bird Safari closed (to prevent avian flu?)
- Lions: Bhanu was nuzzling Arya before wandering off to roar a bit
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I believe the Bird Safari remains closed following a decision by DEFRA regarding access to the Sacred Ibis.
The aviary which is the entry to Gorilla Kingdom has a pair of Madagascar Crested Ibis
 
Regent said:
I believe the Bird Safari remains closed following a decision by DEFRA regarding access to the Sacred Ibis.
The aviary which is the entry to Gorilla Kingdom has a pair of Madagascar Crested Ibis
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I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the case with the Sacred Ibis. My local zoo no longer has any ‘invasives’ on exhibit after draconian instructions from DEFRA
 
equidae said:
The fencing I saw was the same as what they're using for the zebra/giraffes. I don't think it'd be suitable for small deer?
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As I said in my reply it was suggested small deer but plans change for a number of reasons. We will find out in due course
 
FBBird said:
I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the case with the Sacred Ibis. My local zoo no longer has any ‘invasives’ on exhibit after draconian instructions from DEFRA
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So how are the Coati in the Childrens' Zoo doing?
 
dillotest0 said:
So how are the Coati in the Childrens' Zoo doing?
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From my last couple of visits I haven’t seen any coatis in the area near llamas & alpacas. There are a couple of coatis at the far end, near the exit towards Blackburn Pavilion
 
Asked some members of staff about area today and they had no idea / said they haven’t been made aware. Not a primate as primate keeper said she’d know about it if so.

Photo taken from outside of zoo as no access from inside.

Regent said:
As I said in my reply it was suggested small deer but plans change for a number of reasons. We will find out in due course
Click to expand...
 

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polarbear said:
Asked some members of staff about area today and they had no idea / said they haven’t been made aware. Not a primate as primate keeper said she’d know about it if so.

Photo taken from outside of zoo as no access from inside.
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I spoke to a couple of zoo employees yesterday (Friday) and they are under the impression Chinese water deer are earmarked for the former reindeer paddock
 
Kalaw said:
When I visited Whipsnade last week, there were three Chinese Water Deer on Spicer's Field, separated from the main herd in Passage through Asia.

Perhaps these are the ones ultimately destined for London?
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Now that would make sense, the feeling was that probably 3 Chinese water deer were coming to London
 
Chinese Water Deer?
Surely they could come up with something else that can’t be found roaming the wilds in Beds?
 
aquilla1 said:
Chinese Water Deer?
Surely they could come up with something else that can’t be found roaming the wilds in Beds?
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I disagree - I’m actually quite happy with the species chosen. They’re not exactly commonplace in captivity, they’re fairly interesting appearance-wise and they’re about the right size for the space. Not everyone goes up to Bedfordshire on a regular basis so it’s not as if water deer are a common sight in the wild for the vast majority of visitors.

As an aside it’s nice to see additions to the collection when most of the talk nowadays is about downsizing - it potentially shows a willingness to actually use spaces that recently had fallen into disrepair.
 
aquilla1 said:
Chinese Water Deer?
Surely they could come up with something else that can’t be found roaming the wilds in Beds?
Click to expand...
amur leopard said:
I disagree - I’m actually quite happy with the species chosen. They’re not exactly commonplace in captivity, they’re fairly interesting appearance-wise and they’re about the right size for the space. Not everyone goes up to Bedfordshire on a regular basis so it’s not as if water deer are a common sight in the wild for the vast majority of visitors.

As an aside it’s nice to see additions to the collection when most of the talk nowadays is about downsizing - it potentially shows a willingness to actually use spaces that recently had fallen into disrepair.
Click to expand...
Fanged deer are a favourite of mine, and I won't be complaining about seeing them more often! Certainly rarer than Domestic Reindeer, and more endangered, which is important as ZSL seems to become more oriented towards displaying threatened species.
 
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