Chester Zoo More news at Chester
- Thread starter Writhedhornbill
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I have seen them outside quite a few times. The best chance to see them is early (between 10-11) or mid afternoon (3 ish).
The best chance to see rhinos outside is from the meerkat statue looking into Tsavo 2. It is possible to see Sammy, Rosie and Quinto all at once (in different paddocks though).
Yep. First visit since it opened all three were outdoors. 2nd visit- all three indoors. Probably they were shut out the first time...
I have frequently noticed in the past how the black rhinos at Chester wait on the concrete hardstands near the doors, as if wanting to get back inside, which they do seem to prefer. When Quinto & Pangani lived in the 'little' house(I don't know how better to describe it) I often never saw them as they stayed by choice in the indoor shelters. I imagine this behaviour isn't limited just to Chester...
I've only seen the Tsavo 1 Rhinos out on a few occasions and even then they were on the hardstand wantinf to go back in.
I've seen the off-show tsavo 2 rhinos outside a large amount of time and sometimes they werent looking like they wanted to go back in. I dont think i've ever seen a rhino on the paddock of the small house though although the rhinos in the old rhino house come out on a number of occasions the amount of of time i see them has been reduced now that the house is closed off.
I've seen the off-show tsavo 2 rhinos outside a large amount of time and sometimes they werent looking like they wanted to go back in. I dont think i've ever seen a rhino on the paddock of the small house though although the rhinos in the old rhino house come out on a number of occasions the amount of of time i see them has been reduced now that the house is closed off.
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
They weren`t yesterday they just had the hardstanding at the back of the main house.What did I say a couple of months back about having two Indian rhinos in that size of paddock?
Are the Blackbuck and B.A. Deer still using it? They won't be able to find any grazing in it for much longer...
Possibly, but it would take a large amount of geotextiles to cover the rhino paddock...
Alternatively, I don't see why Chester doesn't open up the free paddock next to the zebra and oryx and one of the ones used by the prezwalski wild horses, for the blackbuck and deer.
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Not sure this would work with such heavyweights as the G.I. rhino. And remember your pair at Chester are only about halfgrown as yet...
I think they will churn up a lot of their paddock(over time) and there's not much can be done about it- unless they moved them to a larger enclosure.
taun
Well-Known Member
Yes but geotextiles are designed to strengthen weak ground and are designed to carry much more weight than two fully grown GI Rhinos.
I agree with it would be differecuilt now to install because it would mean the loss in the little grass that is left. Maybe a rotation policy?? I remember reading somewhere that in the master plan there location is different and maybe than a better solution can be found? Maybe a woodchip paddock and a grass paddock for the summer
I agree with it would be differecuilt now to install because it would mean the loss in the little grass that is left. Maybe a rotation policy?? I remember reading somewhere that in the master plan there location is different and maybe than a better solution can be found? Maybe a woodchip paddock and a grass paddock for the summer
Maybe Chester should get advice from Whipsnade regarding the potential paddock damage etc before they decide how to proceed..Keeping them on woodchips during winter would be fine except they would be more restricted in area and maybe not ableto bathe outdoors.. If it's left as it is though I think two rhinos living in that Asian paddock will reduce the grass to nothing, given time.
Moving them to a much larger, specially designed paddock would be the ultimate answer....
I disagree about the main problem: I'm sure it's a drainage issue. The mound in the paddock has been firm and well-grassed through the winter because the water drains from it. They need to install new land drains in the flat areas of the paddock, which may mean they need to modify the pools as well.
I'm not sure what they should do about the sanded area near the bridge, which seem to have been intended to give the hoofstock a dry area in winter, but hasn't been used at all this winter as far as I have seen.
I do agree with Pertinax up to a point; I think that as the rhinos grow it's unrealistic to expect to keep them with both the blackbuck and the brow-antlered deer (neither of which are right zoogeographically of course). I think the paddock is well-suited to the deer, which seem more at ease than in their previous paddock (where the Pere David's are now). Blackbuck are from arid areas, so I'd prefer to see them moved to a different, drier paddock.
Alan
I'm not sure what they should do about the sanded area near the bridge, which seem to have been intended to give the hoofstock a dry area in winter, but hasn't been used at all this winter as far as I have seen.
I do agree with Pertinax up to a point; I think that as the rhinos grow it's unrealistic to expect to keep them with both the blackbuck and the brow-antlered deer (neither of which are right zoogeographically of course). I think the paddock is well-suited to the deer, which seem more at ease than in their previous paddock (where the Pere David's are now). Blackbuck are from arid areas, so I'd prefer to see them moved to a different, drier paddock.
Alan
I'd actually prefer the Deer and/or Blackbuck (or other ungulates) stay in this attractive paddock. I think its the rhinos who really need to move....
taun
Well-Known Member
I went today, I could only see 6 giraffes? Am not to sure which I could not see but it was either Molly, Margaret and Niamh. Am sure it wasn't me even went back later to make sure but only see the 6!
Has any been lately to confirm this or know any more? Or have i somehow missed one?
The new bridge and area is fantastic, I believe some stated before that it is now all complete and give fantastic views over the asian plains exhibit. I have a few photos that i will post later if i remember.
The cheatah exhibits are all finished bar the new glass viewing area which they were constructing the roof today.
Has any been lately to confirm this or know any more? Or have i somehow missed one?
The new bridge and area is fantastic, I believe some stated before that it is now all complete and give fantastic views over the asian plains exhibit. I have a few photos that i will post later if i remember.
The cheatah exhibits are all finished bar the new glass viewing area which they were constructing the roof today.
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Margaret is off-show at the moment so you are correct with the numbers you saw.
taun
Well-Known Member
Ah thanks for that I thought i was going crazy! Were have they moved here too? The housing used for the Okapi before there current home?
The babirusa are in the old Okapi house now. I'd imagine they have moved her to the old Arabian Gazelle house (that is the building with the orange roof, next to the giraffe house, right?)
Kitani is expected to calf in September 2008. No other females are pregnant. Manyara and Ema are not currently cycling. Rosie is cycling but she is very erratic.
Kitani is quite neurotic and Manyana has been left with her to keep her company. Around a week before the birth is due she will be transferred to the offshow house, and a week after she has had her baby, mother and baby will be returned to the Tsavo exhibit.
The female warthog should have her babies in June.
A male Bennett's Wallaby has arrived and the rhino section are currently looking for a male gemsbok.
The brow-antlered deer and blackbuck will be given full access to Asian Plains as soon as the weather improves.
Bornean Orang Utan Sibu should arrive sometime between 7th and 9th May. He will undergo quarantine in the old orang house, after which Chester will try to find a female he actually likes, and then move the pair on to another collection. The rest of the old house will then be demolished and a new building for the Borneans will take its place.
All three Bornean females are believed to be pregnant and Martha and Taun are inseperable. Unfortunately only the Sumatrans are on show at the moment.
The Aquarium will be replaced within the next three years. All the fish will move to offshow accommodation. The site will then be levelled and a new, larger building will be constructed on the site.
The rest of the cheetahs will be arriving next week.
None of the elpehants are pregnant. Upali wil be hopefully mated with Birma, Sitham and Jangoli in 2009. There are no plans to breed from Thi at the moment, and Upali will be leaving in 3-4 years time.
The Butterfly House is expected to be finished by Niovember.
The Yellow Mongooses which used to be by the staff entrance have been taken offshow now that their quarantine is complete. The will be sharing the red river hog enclosure soon.
A female Sumatran Tiger is expected before the end of the year, the 0.2 Bengals are leaving at the end of the summer. It is not yet known where the female Sumatran will be coming from.
The new pair of Wrinkled Hornbills have hatched 1 chick. The Writhed female is in the nestbox, as is the female Tarictic in Islands in Danger, it is not yet known if either have hatched young.
The Ecuadorian Amazons have been taken off show, and one pair had a chick, which is being hand-reared.
The Blue-throated Macaws laid a fertile egg for the first time, but the nest was abandoned after a peroid of bad weather.
A female Red Bird of Paradise may be coming from the middle east.
Species on the list for the African aviary include Water Dikkop, African Pygmy Goose, a bee-eater species, Hammerkop, and Turacos. It depends on what is available when the enclosure has been built.
The Annam Leaf Turtles have laid eggs and the Roti Island Snake-necked Turtles have been observed mating.
A pair of Asian Arowana have also laid eggs.
Sorry Pertinax, I could not find anyone to ask about the Mandrills.
Kitani is quite neurotic and Manyana has been left with her to keep her company. Around a week before the birth is due she will be transferred to the offshow house, and a week after she has had her baby, mother and baby will be returned to the Tsavo exhibit.
The female warthog should have her babies in June.
A male Bennett's Wallaby has arrived and the rhino section are currently looking for a male gemsbok.
The brow-antlered deer and blackbuck will be given full access to Asian Plains as soon as the weather improves.
Bornean Orang Utan Sibu should arrive sometime between 7th and 9th May. He will undergo quarantine in the old orang house, after which Chester will try to find a female he actually likes, and then move the pair on to another collection. The rest of the old house will then be demolished and a new building for the Borneans will take its place.
All three Bornean females are believed to be pregnant and Martha and Taun are inseperable. Unfortunately only the Sumatrans are on show at the moment.
The Aquarium will be replaced within the next three years. All the fish will move to offshow accommodation. The site will then be levelled and a new, larger building will be constructed on the site.
The rest of the cheetahs will be arriving next week.
None of the elpehants are pregnant. Upali wil be hopefully mated with Birma, Sitham and Jangoli in 2009. There are no plans to breed from Thi at the moment, and Upali will be leaving in 3-4 years time.
The Butterfly House is expected to be finished by Niovember.
The Yellow Mongooses which used to be by the staff entrance have been taken offshow now that their quarantine is complete. The will be sharing the red river hog enclosure soon.
A female Sumatran Tiger is expected before the end of the year, the 0.2 Bengals are leaving at the end of the summer. It is not yet known where the female Sumatran will be coming from.
The new pair of Wrinkled Hornbills have hatched 1 chick. The Writhed female is in the nestbox, as is the female Tarictic in Islands in Danger, it is not yet known if either have hatched young.
The Ecuadorian Amazons have been taken off show, and one pair had a chick, which is being hand-reared.
The Blue-throated Macaws laid a fertile egg for the first time, but the nest was abandoned after a peroid of bad weather.
A female Red Bird of Paradise may be coming from the middle east.
Species on the list for the African aviary include Water Dikkop, African Pygmy Goose, a bee-eater species, Hammerkop, and Turacos. It depends on what is available when the enclosure has been built.
The Annam Leaf Turtles have laid eggs and the Roti Island Snake-necked Turtles have been observed mating.
A pair of Asian Arowana have also laid eggs.
Sorry Pertinax, I could not find anyone to ask about the Mandrills.
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