ZSL London Zoo Other side of the canal plans

CountAlmaviva

CountAlmaviva

Member
Hello,

I was in the zoo today and happened to over hear a conversation between some very official and senior looking ZSL staff walking on the Primrose Hill side of the canal. They were effectively proposing that the aviaries would go and that camels would be moved to the resulting space. Does anyone know any more on this?

And WHERE are the tapirs? Off-show now for two years, by my estimate.
 
Sounds very interesting! Not sure what I think about it. If they must redevelop the area I would prefer something a bit more interesting although not necesarilly more elaborate than a camel paddock. Of course the camels will need to move when the tiger development goes ahead.

As for the tapirs, they are still in the same place and are sometimes on show but not featured on the map I notice. Sometimes you can peer in to the house and catch a glimpse.
 
Don't get too excited, people. The officials were David Field, Zoological Director, and Ralph Armond, Director General, and another senior chap whose name I don't know. They were having their annual walk-about to see what needs attending to in the whole zoo and I'm sure any overheard remarks were informal ideas rather than future projects!
 
volvox said:
Don't get too excited, people. The officials were David Field, Zoological Director, and Ralph Armond, Director General, and another senior chap whose name I don't know. They were having their annual walk-about to see what needs attending to in the whole zoo and I'm sure any overheard remarks were informal ideas rather than future projects!
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Exactly, personally I do not think it is appropriate for people to listen in or overhear conversations made by zoo staff and then later post it on this site, this is not the first time I have noticed it, I am sure nobody means any harm by it but at the end of the day it is just gossip .
 
Actually, you're both right, I've deleted my post therefore. I have to say though, I wouldn't exactly call the prospect of a new camel enclosure 'exciting'....but I am excited about a potential move for the Malayan tapirs (based on their removal from the map and the inclusion in the artist impressions for the tiger exhibit), and hope that can be discussion on this, er, discussion forum, at some point.
 
Sorry, chaps, I just thought it might be of interest, perhaps it was a bit gossipy to post! I'll delete the post, if you agree?
 
Yes, it's probably not that helpful, though obviously you meant well. I also overheard some of their chat as they passed but guess what, I'm not repeating it here! They seemed to be having a lovely day, wandering around in the sun...
 
CountAlmaviva said:
Sorry, chaps, I just thought it might be of interest, perhaps it was a bit gossipy to post! I'll delete the post, if you agree?
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No, I don't think there is any need for that, it's good to see people taking an interest in London Zoo , its just that it was overheard information.
 
volvox said:
Yes, it's probably not that helpful, though obviously you meant well. I also overheard some of their chat as they passed but guess what, I'm not repeating it here! They seemed to be having a lovely day, wandering around in the sun...
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We probably walked past each other!
 
Oh, almost certainly! I was around all day... I can remember several chaps on their own, with cameras usually... perhaps you were one of them! I spent a lot of time in the squirrel monkey walkthrough which was... interesting, as the monkeys liked the sun and were out in force. Last year's youngsters were being particularly feisty; and there are about five pregnant females at the moment, so we should have some babies soon, always a crowd-pleaser!
 
I am a Fellow and was at last years ZSL AGM and the subject of this area was raised. As far as I can remember its seems likely that the small aviaries will go and these birds will go to Whipsnade. A side from that it was very much in flux One thing they will be having their - as suggested by one Fellow - is cheeters. The ground is not flat enough.
 
John Dineley said:
I am a Fellow and was at last years ZSL AGM and the subject of this area was raised. As far as I can remember its seems likely that the small aviaries will go and these birds will go to Whipsnade. A side from that it was very much in flux One thing they will be having their - as suggested by one Fellow - is cheeters. The ground is not flat enough.
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I presume you mean 'one thing they won't be having there'?

How about Leopards, my favourite animal?!!!

...and an animal my favourite two Zoos, Whipsnade and London, don't have!
 
I too thought the Snowdon Aviary was listed but according to the book 'The Buildings of London Zoo' (Guillery, P. 1993) it isn't; however, it may have been listed since the book was published.
That said I, don't think anyone is talking about the Snowdon Aviary. There are a number of others on the north bank i.e. the North Pheasantry of 1962, the Owls' Aviary of 1905 and some smaller aviaries near the site of the old North Gate which is grade 2 listed.
 
jwer said:
I thought the large aviary (always forget the name) was a monument?
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I meant the small aviaries. The Snowdon will stay. Yes it's listed. I saw something on the long-term plan for London Zoo of having the Snowdon as a walk though exhibit with primates and birds; but that's some way off I would think and well beyond the new tiger exhibit.
 
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The aviaries as they stand aren't very inspiring in my view and I would welcome some creative thinking for this part of the zoo.
 
London Zoo

Those Owl & Pheasant aviaries have seen a lot of breeding success in their time [as had the sadly demolished Crane & Goose paddocks opposite], and were attractive in their own right. Does every zoo exhibit have to be huge and 'naturalistic'? London Zoo is getting to where, with the exception of the Blackburn, the bird collection is barely worth visiting. birds are never likely to be taken seriously at Whipsnade, where large mammals rightly take priority.
 
I'm not saying that birds should be neglected but I don't think the aviaries here are at all attractive. They may well be good for their inhabitants, I don't know about that but in my opinion, this part of the zoo isn't very attractive in terms of exhibits and I think birds could be presented in a more inspiring way than this.

I won't be sad for the zoo or for myself as a visitor if the aviaries go, they are small and dreary with not especially attractive planting on the whole.
 
johnstoni said:
Actually, you're both right, I've deleted my post therefore. I have to say though, I wouldn't exactly call the prospect of a new camel enclosure 'exciting'....but I am excited about a potential move for the Malayan tapirs (based on their removal from the map and the inclusion in the artist impressions for the tiger exhibit), and hope that can be discussion on this, er, discussion forum, at some point.
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The Malayan tapir move to the proposed tiger exhibit area has been public knowledge for some time. I would hope they can still start building in the current year (allthough due to financials the project was postponed last year).


I sure the poster meant no harm, but ... I too find it very inappropriate for people to listen in to informal conversations by zoo staff and then post their comments here. If not are no party to that conversation it should be just that informal chatter on potential future projects ... And even if you were party to, they might have said so in confidence. I would hope we show some respect here.

Lest best if we all go that way ... we be having all sorts of rumours on here. Imagine if papers - to some extent they unfortunately already do - would only publish hearsay ...
 
I think you've just described the mainstream/corporate media....at least in the UK.

I would add though, that a discussion 'in confidence' would be held behind closed doors, not strolling through a public zoo during opening times.

Is moving the Malayan tapirs to the Casson actually public knowledge? Where have you seen it confirmed? Other than the indicators I mentioned that suggest it, I know nothing to suggest this is definitely going ahead.
 
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