No sign of ostrich today but warthogs put on a good show.
ZSL London Zoo London Zoo News 2023
- Thread starter Kalaw
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Yes, I have seen them there 1970s or early 80s.
There was a pair of green and brown hookbills; parkeets or lorikeets of some sort in the free flight part of Blackburn Pavilion today - does anyone know what they are? . Great to see so many young birds.
Not the Goldie’s lorikeets?
Just looked them up and yes, looks like it. Light was behind them and top of the head didn't look quite as red but in all other respects looks like a match. I have not seen them in the filght area (or elsewhere) before. Thanks.
Today's 'Great Lives' featured London Zoo's CEO, Matthew Gould. He chose Stamford Raffles: BBC Radio 4 - Great Lives, Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore and London Zoo
After checking the ZSL Annual Reports, I can confirm that ostriches were last housed in the Stork & Ostrich House in 1987.
Thanks for confirming Tim. I was sure I'd seen them at least around 1980
and also through the night now the changes have been made.
and they have 24hr access to the outside now the changes have been made. It's a much better exhibit with three rather than two. Will be interesting to see what happens when they try full mixing again.
I felt the same about the aquarium and there is only one tank with fish in it currently on view. The species list I have seen does suggest something rather better than an exotic pet shop, and you get a lot more for your money than just reptiles. Which UK zoo collections do you think will now be better?
Reptile House
Well-Known Member
A family pay a lot of money for a day out and they expect to see a comprehensive list of animals and I include reptiles and fish in this.
I am not comparing London Zoo with other UK Zoos, I am comparing with previous visits over the years.
When I was a kid I used to go in the reptile house and be amazed by the huge variety of snakes, whether it was a Boomslang, Green Mamba or Egyptian Cobras. When you went in that reptile house you knew - you were in the best zoo in the country.
I am not comparing London Zoo with other UK Zoos, I am comparing with previous visits over the years.
When I was a kid I used to go in the reptile house and be amazed by the huge variety of snakes, whether it was a Boomslang, Green Mamba or Egyptian Cobras. When you went in that reptile house you knew - you were in the best zoo in the country.
A new colony of Western honeybees has arrived at London Zoo and has been installed in the Tiny Giants building. The new colony was made by splitting the largest colony of bees at Wildwood in Kent.
Information comes from the Wildwood Kent Facebook page.
Information comes from the Wildwood Kent Facebook page.
I visited two days ago and was lucky enough to see lots of the new arrivals: the three warthogs were looking sprightly, three ostriches made a foray outside in the zebra enclosure (the zebras were inside, is the long term plan to allow them to share at the same time?) and the Chinese water deer were looking good in their new home near the otters - thanks to those on this thread that mentioned them before.
I didn't see the hunting dogs, and I haven't seen them on other recent visits this year. Does anyone have any tips in terms of timing? Just been unlucky probably as I see them mentioned elsewhere.
I didn't see the hunting dogs, and I haven't seen them on other recent visits this year. Does anyone have any tips in terms of timing? Just been unlucky probably as I see them mentioned elsewhere.
Prochilodus246
Well-Known Member
On my first visit in April they were out and about and I saw four individuals. It was about 2.30pm but I couldn't watch them for very long as I didn't want to miss my train.
Not sure if it's been noted yet, but there are Senegal Bushbaby in the nocturnal area opposite the Aye-aye. Much larger than the Moholi Bushbaby downstairs, really interesting to compare. Also interesting to see the changes in Night Life (new animals, changes to exhibit spaces/size. The empty Rakali enclosure was sad though)
Really liked the new Galapagos Giant Tortoise house, which bodes well for the new Reptile House.
Only significant no-shows were the Aye-aye, Babirusa and Pygmy Slow Loris.
This was my first visit since March 2020, and it was great to see the zoo actually looking and feeling better than I was expecting. It has left me feeling more positive about the future for sure.
Really liked the new Galapagos Giant Tortoise house, which bodes well for the new Reptile House.
Only significant no-shows were the Aye-aye, Babirusa and Pygmy Slow Loris.
This was my first visit since March 2020, and it was great to see the zoo actually looking and feeling better than I was expecting. It has left me feeling more positive about the future for sure.
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
It has been noted, but it wasn't specified that they were Senegal, and I assumed that it was a secondary enclosure for the Moholis. Wonderful news, considering how much the zoo's nocturnal mammal collection has declined lately with the departure of the Seba's Bats and Water Rats, among others. I will make a point of seeing them on my visit in a few days.
Not wanting to speculate, but any ideas as to where they came from? I know Wingham has quite a large group, so perhaps they came from there?
Not sure where they're from unfortunately, but I did make sure to keep checking the sign, couldn't quite believe that this was a second species of Bushbaby at London! The sign definitely says Galago senegalensis, and that they're new and still settling in. I assumed they were more Moholi at first too
equidae
Well-Known Member
Sometimes if you arrive before the zoo opens (around 8-8:30), you can see them out and about from the canal. Otherwise, I usually see them in the early afternoon, particularly huddled together in their shelters.
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
Wonderful visit to London today.
Started off with what may full well be my last ever visit to the Reptile House. It was a great send-off to that building, with all of the remaining species except the Kaiser's Spotted Newt being extremely active. All the most exciting species, such as Round Island Skink, King Cobra, Mindinao Water Monitor, Big-headed Turtle (always a struggle to see, from my experience) and Lake Oku Clawed Frog were clearly visible. The highlight was the Cayenne Caecilian - I always suspected there was only one, and the zoo's 2023 stocklist confirms this, but I counted at least five, including a few massive individuals, with several swimming about the tank. Hopefully, this indicates that the new House will feature a good caecilian display, which in turn makes me cautiously optimistic that the Congo Caecilians will be included.
Speaking of which, in their semi-onshow room beside the old Aquarium, there was a large, temporary-looking pool in the centre, with netting on top, which I don't recall ever seeing before. There were occasional ripples in the surface, suggesting something inhabited it, but it seemed odd for a terrestrial species like the Congo Caecilians - perhaps there were more new Cayennes than could fit in their Reptile House tank? Other highlights in the herptile collection was an extremely active Galapagos Giant Tortoise, and the new Komodo Dragon, Khaleesi, who was resting on the mound near the front of the exhibit, and looked very photogenic.
Blackburn Pavilion is excellent, at the moment. Several wonderful signs in the walkthrough, pointing out nesting animals, with Red-whiskered Bulbul and Chestnut-backed Thrush both doing so, the latter extremely close to the pathway. Another highlight was visiting Bird Safari shortly before the zoo closed; with very few visitors around, the Abdim's storks had perched on the wooden posts that surround the bridge, and walking between them was wonderful. I also saw an Edward's Pheasant in this enclosure for the first time in all of my visits, and the Madagascar Crested Ibis. Sadly, however, there was no sign of the new Eurasian Hoopoes or Great Argus, both of whom are new since my last visit.
The bird collection as a whole seems to have been moved around quite a bit. There were Red-crested Turaco and Mindanao Bleeding-heart signed in Bird Safari, although sadly, I did not see any, and only saw the signage. There are several new species in the main walkthrough in Blackburn Pavilion, as well, such as Emerald Dove, White-rumped Shama, Emerald Starling and Fischer's Turaco, with the latter in particular being very impressive and active within the walkthrough. I also saw Asian Fairy-bluebird, which I believe is a new species for the zoo. Sorry if this has already been mentioned, but the signage states that there is a Victoria Crowned-pigeon chick in Blackburn Pavilion and a Violet Turaco chick in Meet the Neighbours.
I also entered the Cassons for the first time in my life (asides from the food preparation rooms downstairs, which I visited as part of the overnight experience), and loved it. The atmosphere is brilliant, and the Red River Hogs seemed to love it. Strangely, there is a very large unused enclosure with several climbing apparatus and soil on the floor, which seems to be a future exhibit. A keeper said that she isn't sure yet - perhaps there are plans to put the Big Hairy Armadillos, offshow within the Cassons, onshow, mixed with an arboreal species (to explain the climbing)? It certainly looks as though the plan is to open them permanently now, with a proper sign on the entrance door.
The Senegal Galagos were indeed excellent, their enclosure partially outdoors with a skylight, much like the larger Aye-Aye enclosure, which allows for some good views when they climb the upper branches. There is also another new nocturnal species on the way - one of the empty enclosures in Night Life was signed as a future Harvest Mouse enclosure. Another highlight was seeing a Pygmy Slow Loris venture on the ground for the first time, and seeing it hunt insects in the dark was fascinating. Sadly, however, there was no sign of the Pottos or Aye-Aye.
Upstairs, Rainforest Life is better than ever with the White-faced Sakis. The exhibit has always been weighed down by never truly surrounding you with the animals, but by being larger and more active than any of the other primates, the sakis counter that issue. They regularly got within arms reach of visitors, exploring the branches and trees near the fish tank, and even running along the floor at one point. The female Two-toed Sloth, with the eight month-old baby still clinging to its chest, and the Linne's Flying Foxes were also very active. There is a Three-banded Armadillo in the main enclosure yet again, although sadly they were impossible to find, and the Freshwater Angelfish appear to have left, with their former tank now housing Tambraparni Barb, perhaps from Whipsnade (who in turn got theirs from London!)?
In Into Africa, the zebras and ostrich are still rotating, and sadly, it was the zebra's turn in the main enclosure on my visit. To vary their enclosure more, the keepers also let the ostrich in the giraffe enclosure when the ungulates are locked indoors during the morning to have their enclosure cleaned. The new Warthogs were visible, resting in the shade at the left of their exhibit, and getting closer to the female Okapi than ever before was also wonderful.
Overall a wonderful visit. Despite only six months between this and my last visit, so much has changed, including several new species, which is lovely. With a new major exhibit coming by the end of the year as well, I am really enjoying my visits to London Zoo more than ever!
(In order, the caecilian pool, Blackburn Pavilion signage, Abdim's Storks, nesting Chestnut-backed Thrush, Harvest Mouse signage and Okapi are pictured below)
Started off with what may full well be my last ever visit to the Reptile House. It was a great send-off to that building, with all of the remaining species except the Kaiser's Spotted Newt being extremely active. All the most exciting species, such as Round Island Skink, King Cobra, Mindinao Water Monitor, Big-headed Turtle (always a struggle to see, from my experience) and Lake Oku Clawed Frog were clearly visible. The highlight was the Cayenne Caecilian - I always suspected there was only one, and the zoo's 2023 stocklist confirms this, but I counted at least five, including a few massive individuals, with several swimming about the tank. Hopefully, this indicates that the new House will feature a good caecilian display, which in turn makes me cautiously optimistic that the Congo Caecilians will be included.
Speaking of which, in their semi-onshow room beside the old Aquarium, there was a large, temporary-looking pool in the centre, with netting on top, which I don't recall ever seeing before. There were occasional ripples in the surface, suggesting something inhabited it, but it seemed odd for a terrestrial species like the Congo Caecilians - perhaps there were more new Cayennes than could fit in their Reptile House tank? Other highlights in the herptile collection was an extremely active Galapagos Giant Tortoise, and the new Komodo Dragon, Khaleesi, who was resting on the mound near the front of the exhibit, and looked very photogenic.
Blackburn Pavilion is excellent, at the moment. Several wonderful signs in the walkthrough, pointing out nesting animals, with Red-whiskered Bulbul and Chestnut-backed Thrush both doing so, the latter extremely close to the pathway. Another highlight was visiting Bird Safari shortly before the zoo closed; with very few visitors around, the Abdim's storks had perched on the wooden posts that surround the bridge, and walking between them was wonderful. I also saw an Edward's Pheasant in this enclosure for the first time in all of my visits, and the Madagascar Crested Ibis. Sadly, however, there was no sign of the new Eurasian Hoopoes or Great Argus, both of whom are new since my last visit.
The bird collection as a whole seems to have been moved around quite a bit. There were Red-crested Turaco and Mindanao Bleeding-heart signed in Bird Safari, although sadly, I did not see any, and only saw the signage. There are several new species in the main walkthrough in Blackburn Pavilion, as well, such as Emerald Dove, White-rumped Shama, Emerald Starling and Fischer's Turaco, with the latter in particular being very impressive and active within the walkthrough. I also saw Asian Fairy-bluebird, which I believe is a new species for the zoo. Sorry if this has already been mentioned, but the signage states that there is a Victoria Crowned-pigeon chick in Blackburn Pavilion and a Violet Turaco chick in Meet the Neighbours.
I also entered the Cassons for the first time in my life (asides from the food preparation rooms downstairs, which I visited as part of the overnight experience), and loved it. The atmosphere is brilliant, and the Red River Hogs seemed to love it. Strangely, there is a very large unused enclosure with several climbing apparatus and soil on the floor, which seems to be a future exhibit. A keeper said that she isn't sure yet - perhaps there are plans to put the Big Hairy Armadillos, offshow within the Cassons, onshow, mixed with an arboreal species (to explain the climbing)? It certainly looks as though the plan is to open them permanently now, with a proper sign on the entrance door.
The Senegal Galagos were indeed excellent, their enclosure partially outdoors with a skylight, much like the larger Aye-Aye enclosure, which allows for some good views when they climb the upper branches. There is also another new nocturnal species on the way - one of the empty enclosures in Night Life was signed as a future Harvest Mouse enclosure. Another highlight was seeing a Pygmy Slow Loris venture on the ground for the first time, and seeing it hunt insects in the dark was fascinating. Sadly, however, there was no sign of the Pottos or Aye-Aye.
Upstairs, Rainforest Life is better than ever with the White-faced Sakis. The exhibit has always been weighed down by never truly surrounding you with the animals, but by being larger and more active than any of the other primates, the sakis counter that issue. They regularly got within arms reach of visitors, exploring the branches and trees near the fish tank, and even running along the floor at one point. The female Two-toed Sloth, with the eight month-old baby still clinging to its chest, and the Linne's Flying Foxes were also very active. There is a Three-banded Armadillo in the main enclosure yet again, although sadly they were impossible to find, and the Freshwater Angelfish appear to have left, with their former tank now housing Tambraparni Barb, perhaps from Whipsnade (who in turn got theirs from London!)?
In Into Africa, the zebras and ostrich are still rotating, and sadly, it was the zebra's turn in the main enclosure on my visit. To vary their enclosure more, the keepers also let the ostrich in the giraffe enclosure when the ungulates are locked indoors during the morning to have their enclosure cleaned. The new Warthogs were visible, resting in the shade at the left of their exhibit, and getting closer to the female Okapi than ever before was also wonderful.
Overall a wonderful visit. Despite only six months between this and my last visit, so much has changed, including several new species, which is lovely. With a new major exhibit coming by the end of the year as well, I am really enjoying my visits to London Zoo more than ever!
(In order, the caecilian pool, Blackburn Pavilion signage, Abdim's Storks, nesting Chestnut-backed Thrush, Harvest Mouse signage and Okapi are pictured below)
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