Colchester Zoo Orang Utan Forest

taun said:
Thanks for the Pics of the newexhibit Karen Zoo.

Am not impressed, the cost of this exhibit was £2million??? What did they spend the money on?
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its unlike colchester to make mistakes on thier new exhibits, all we can do is watch and wait!
 
Tigerlemurguy said:
its unlike colchester to make mistakes on thier new exhibits, all we can do is watch and wait!
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It you read a later post from KarenZoo, it seems colchester had to do alot of accomadation works, while not neccessary part of the enclosure but needed to be done so the enclosure to be built.

All this is usually included in the price of the project.
 
taun said:
It you read a later post from KarenZoo, it seems colchester had to do alot of accomadation works, while not neccessary part of the enclosure. All this is usually included in the price of the project.
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Yes, it seems that shoring up the foundations of the old Church and an underpass tunnel(?) used up a lot of dosh and this was all included in the larger budget for the whole project.

Looking at the photos it certainly isn't anything like on the scale of ROTRA at Chester, but Colchester is a much smaller zoo of course. The new indoor area reflects Colchester's distinctive style of enclosure design too, the wooden flooring and 'grotto' feel to the viewing windows. So far I can only see solid wooden climbing structures but no doubt they plan to add swinging ropes/vines when the interior is finished out.

I will also be interested to see whether some more Orangutans do arrive in due course or not.;)
 
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looked at the photos so far, i am not sure of the the panels of wood they seem rather unatural, lets see whats comes of it!
 
Pertinax said:
Yes, it seems that shoring up the foundations of the old Church and an underpass tunnel(?) used up a lot of dosh and this was all included in the larger budget for the whole project.
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Indeed! If you look at the figures in their annual report (from the website) Colchester made a loss of just over £1 million in 2007. Partly due to the poor summer etc as well as the costs of the new buildings. I hope they are doing better this year - surely the publicity from 'Zoo Days' will have helped, but perhaps they are not. This may be part of the explanation why this orang project has taken so long.

Alan
 
Well the move looks like its going ahead as planned next week (? Monday 6th)
Fingers crossed it goes well! :)

Got a email last week, Rajang and Djambe will then be off show to at least the weekend so they can settle in but I will Definitely be there the following week to see them :)

official opening not until Easter 2009 when the outside part is completed!
 
Orangs now in orangutan forest move went smoothly and they are both happy with their new area!!!!!! Off show for the next few days though.
 
Brilliant news :D

I like a wally was worried bout them all yesterday and kept looking for news on the site! :o

Just read news on the site cant wait to see how they are in new enclosure altho wont go at weekend I like the place to myself (well nearly :) )
 
Me to its so 'Rajang' that he had a quick look around at new enclosure then went to sleep and then played up to the cameras!

I have been avoiding being filmed for zoodays every time i go to the zoo but love watching it and I must say the number of people visiting has certainly gone up this year! Roll on the cold wintery days when it feels like you have the place to your self! (Although brilliant for Colchester to have high visitor numbers this year!)
 
UPDATE FROM SITE

The Orangutan Forest is now open - why not go and visit Rajang and Djambe in their new home next time you visit the zoo? Please bear in mind that they are still settling into their new enclosure and viewing may be limited at times.


Aww glad they are taking the move and settling in nice and slowly for them both :D
 
Went to Colchester on Saturday just to have a look at Rajang (and Djambe) to check they were settling in ok only there 10 minutes (the joy of having a platinium card).

Very busy in the Orangutan Forest but had a staff member selling badges for orangutan conservation and to also keep an eye on them both!

Lovely and warm in there to and so much better for them as they were usually in the indoor sleeping bit of their old enclosure when it was cold or wet!

Djambe was up on the metal shelf half way up the enclosure she had made a nest out of bedding material, a fruit box and she had her usual sack over her head but had her back to everyone!

Rajang was sat at the front watching everyone that came in! so Rajang! I stood at the side of the enclosure to avoid the crowd around him but he had spotted me and came over to me and I got a couple of kisses through the glass :D he then went off to sit in the corner facing the wall as he had had enough of the people I think!

Just wanted to see they were alright and happy and pleased with my flying visit!

Would like to have seen Rajang climbing/off the ground and not just people watching as in his previous enclosure but only there a short time and girl selling badges didnt seem to know how he was getting on!

Had a look at the outside area they have finished concreting the side walls and have put up some climbing poles! Up to Stanway church is all pathed and going to be a nice area with flower beds and seats!
Education area that is accessed outside is not finished yet.
 
are the pond turtles in their enclosure yet, is the aquarium done and what are the invertebrates in the tanks at the top of the ramp?
 
No the turtles and the aquarium still isnt finished yet! Not sure what the invertebrates are gonna ber there was an empty tank in the wall at the bottom of the ramp!

My brick I bought 4 years ago was finally up lol I may even post a picture of it!! :eek: :D
 
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