Colchester Zoo New Species Arrive At Colchester Zoo From The RSCC
- Thread starter bugs
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Ok, now the felines out the sack does anyone know what timescale the evacuations' planned over? i.e. will the place be open or anything for me to see when I visit on 5th or 6th September?
Unfortunately, their website mentions nothing about the running down of stock which is annoying (but probably understandable, yet morally debateable, from a commercial perspective).
Unfortunately, their website mentions nothing about the running down of stock which is annoying (but probably understandable, yet morally debateable, from a commercial perspective).
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The bearded saki monkeys are in the Heart of the Amazon, opposite the squirrel monkeys.
The rhinoceros hornbills are in an enclosure at Wilds of Asia.
The rufous hornbills are in Worlds Apart, opposite the penguins so I presume they may be in the enclosure for Montserrat orioles.
Strangely, the website does not seem to show where the Victoria crowned pigeons are kept.
I will probably be visiting sometime next week, and I will provide updates and see if I can track down the newcomers.
Im glad I visited when I did then, this is very unfortunate news but at least the collection will still exist in some way.
I'm not hugely suprised though, for the majority of my visit the other week me & my family were the only visitors there. Shall be interesting to see where some of the other species turns up though.
Now I just need an excuse to visit Colchester to see those Sakis.
I'm not hugely suprised though, for the majority of my visit the other week me & my family were the only visitors there. Shall be interesting to see where some of the other species turns up though.
Now I just need an excuse to visit Colchester to see those Sakis.
??? what's the point of asking a question when you give the answer in the same sentence
peacockpheasant
Active Member
So the cat is finally out of the bag on this one.
I won't say im disappointed. With the construction of a new Zoo or Wildlife park there is a freedom to build exhibits which are large and tailored to the requirements of the intended occupants. The restriction of old and existing exhibits/buildings that afflict established zoos does not apply.
The founders of the RSCC chose to ignore this opportunity instead opting to cram as many species into undersized, basic and often inadequate exhibits as they could. This didn’t go unnoticed by even the most casual zoo goer and im sure contributed to the decline in visitor numbers which made maintaining this facility unfeasible. The expansion was too rapid and too congested pouring what little income from gate receipts they had down the drain.
It’s good to know that the majority of the animals will find new homes with institutions that will give them suitable enclosures and care.
I won't say im disappointed. With the construction of a new Zoo or Wildlife park there is a freedom to build exhibits which are large and tailored to the requirements of the intended occupants. The restriction of old and existing exhibits/buildings that afflict established zoos does not apply.
The founders of the RSCC chose to ignore this opportunity instead opting to cram as many species into undersized, basic and often inadequate exhibits as they could. This didn’t go unnoticed by even the most casual zoo goer and im sure contributed to the decline in visitor numbers which made maintaining this facility unfeasible. The expansion was too rapid and too congested pouring what little income from gate receipts they had down the drain.
It’s good to know that the majority of the animals will find new homes with institutions that will give them suitable enclosures and care.
Is there any printed or other 'official' source for this news, so that we can clarify what the situation here is more precisely?
In an ideal world maybe, where unlimited space and funds are available. In reality compromises have to be made, balancing funds available, enclosure designs and visitor needs/expectations in trying to create a sucessful collection (especially in early days).
There's been enough said on this already and neither sides will ever concede to the other. Suffice to say there's significant differences of opinion on a long spectrum between your opinion and others who see no wrong whatsoever. I think most fall nearer the middle but have a love for the collection of animals available to wonder at.
That's pure speculation, unless you have access to details of visitor numbers. Personally I think it's location, one end of the country - quite a hike from anywhere but London which has it's own distractions/attractions, and low public profile that contibuted most to any alleged lack of viability. (A little speculative I know, but I think the argument has more inherent logic -in my limited experience most visitors have had an overall positive opinion).
I can agree on that and hope most of the species end up on display in UK collections. Whatever your opinion there's no denying Todd has managed to build up a fanastic variety of obscure species and in some way contributed towards towards a renaissence of zoos increasing their variety of species in recent years.
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Being close geographically to both Howletts & Port Lympne could have had a negative effect too. I feel sure the majority of the paying public would rather go to a large park with Gorillas, Tigers, Elephants & Rhinos than this small specialist collection. Whereas if it was the only collection for a large area they would probably have got more visitors.
Bwassa
Well-Known Member
This is a real shame. I've followed the comings and goings of various fantastic species at the RSCC on here, and was loosly planning to visit at the end if the year, together with Howletts & PL.
How would the Centre be able to function money-wise if they did not admit the public? If they had that kind of capital behind them, surely they wouldn't have gone bankrupt in the first place?
As regards the Hornbills, would you now get better views of them at Colchester than you would have at RSCC?
I will definitely be popping down to Colchester on-route to Kent.
How would the Centre be able to function money-wise if they did not admit the public? If they had that kind of capital behind them, surely they wouldn't have gone bankrupt in the first place?
As regards the Hornbills, would you now get better views of them at Colchester than you would have at RSCC?
I will definitely be popping down to Colchester on-route to Kent.
taun
Well-Known Member
Yes and no, they had a pretty basic aviary at RSCC so were fully visible (but due the distance to the mesh difficult to take photos).
If Colchester do the same enclosure as there othe hornbill species, you may not see them at all! But if you do you should be able to get a photo.
Colchester Zoo are in the process of building a new hornbill enclousure. They are also building a new otter enclosure, I wonder if Colchester are interested in RSCC's smooth-coated otters?
Future Projects
Bwassa
Well-Known Member
karenZOO
Well-Known Member
Popped in very quickly today and only managed to find the Saki's who were only in their inside quarters, all happily eating and jumping around 
I saw someone has put on their facebook page that Rajang's old enclosure is being done up for the arrival of Sunbears??? Any rumours about the RSCC's ones departing soon ??
I saw someone has put on their facebook page that Rajang's old enclosure is being done up for the arrival of Sunbears??? Any rumours about the RSCC's ones departing soon ??
This is the post from the Colchester Zoo Facebook page. The person who made it is called ***************
Just got back from an almost full day at the zoo. The Sakis are amazing animals, I spent ages watching them. I can't wait until they get names! I didn't realise there are only 6 in europe (thanks to the member of staff that told me that
), we're all very luck to have them at Colchester. I noticed that Rajang's old house is being re-done for some sun bears, do you know when they will be arriving?
Next person on here who goes to Colchester please have a look round the area mentioend and look for any indications that this isn't a wind up!
Just got back from an almost full day at the zoo. The Sakis are amazing animals, I spent ages watching them. I can't wait until they get names! I didn't realise there are only 6 in europe (thanks to the member of staff that told me that
), we're all very luck to have them at Colchester. I noticed that Rajang's old house is being re-done for some sun bears, do you know when they will be arriving? Next person on here who goes to Colchester please have a look round the area mentioend and look for any indications that this isn't a wind up!
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mazfc
Well-Known Member
I know this poster personally and she is reporting what she saw, in fact she texted me from the zoo to tell me about it.
Who knows when the sun bears could arrive, surely not too far away tho or there wouldn't be signs about it.
It might be a nice idea to remove the posters name from your thread as I'm not sure we should be directly quoting members of the public (tho I do appreciate that fb is a public forum).maybe just put a link to it instead?
Who knows when the sun bears could arrive, surely not too far away tho or there wouldn't be signs about it.
It might be a nice idea to remove the posters name from your thread as I'm not sure we should be directly quoting members of the public (tho I do appreciate that fb is a public forum).maybe just put a link to it instead?
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