Chester Zoo Previous species.

Javan Rhino

Javan Rhino

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
I seem to remember a topic similar to this but can't find it (looked back through til the end of last year, so it would be old now anyway). This is where you can share info on previous species at Chester.

I seem to remember toucans where the Great Indian and Rhinoceros hornbills are in tropical realm (Indian hornbills used to be at the entrance of the elephant house).

I also seem to remember seeing a raccoon where the lemurs are now (opposite Asian Steppe). Not sure if I'm right in any of these since it was when I was only little, so maybe if somebody could confirm whether they were there or not that would be great.

What other species do you remember seeing at the zoo, where were they and when/why did the zoo stop keeping them?
 
Javan Rhino said:
Ahhh cheers :). Wasn't sure about whether a new one was needed, on another forum I go on it is against the rules to resurrect threads that are over a few months old.
Click to expand...

I don't think it matters on ZooChat.

Since the last update I've found some new species.

New
Rainbow Crab (Cardisoma amaratum) 1999
Rufous-bellied Niltava (Niltava sundara) missed off the Muscicapidae list. One pair arrived at Chester in 2008 and a second pair in 2009.

1950s collection deposited for a short time by Gerald Durrell on his return from west Africa, included birds for Belle Vue Zoo
Superb Sunbird (Nectarinia superba)
West African Pygmy Kingfisher (Ceryx picta picta)
White-spotted Crake (Coturnicops pulchra pulchra)

Zootierliste lists the following species as having been kept at Chester Zoo. I have no records of when.

Northern Spur-winged Goose (Plectopterus gambiensis gambiensis)
Plain Chacalaca (Ortalis vetula)
Diademed Tanager (Stephanophorus diadematus)
Senegal White-rumped Seedeater (Serinus leucopygius riggenbachi)
White-winged Whydah (Euplectes albonotatus eques)
Dusky Titi (Callicebus moloch)
Giant Genet (Genetta victoriae)
Turkestan Red Pika (Ochodonta rutila)
 
Cat-Man said:
sun bears were kept ages ago (dont no when they left so info anyone?)
Click to expand...

Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus) 1933-1976.

The last specimen died from a papillary adenoma of the gall bladder.

I have no idea what that is.
 
That is a shame, I'd love to see Sun Bears (missed the ones that Edinburgh are getting by a month or two). Out of interest, how many British zoos keep Spectacled Bears? I thought that they were the 'common' species in British zoos, but on reflection I can only think of Chester and South Lakes.

Also, I know that they used to keep African Elephants with the Asians until Motty was born, my question is this: What made Chester choose Asian elephants over African elephants?

In my opinion, factors that may have been considered:
1) Asian elephants are more endangered that African ones. This is the zoos priority
2) Are Asians easier to keep than Africans? Or cheaper?
3) Did they have a larger Asian herd than African, and more chance of keeping it going?
4) Did all of the Africans just die out naturally, and Chester didn't replace them?

If anybody knows the answers I would be greatful to hear, thanks :).
 
Javan Rhino said:
T how many British zoos keep Spectacled Bears?

What made Chester choose Asian elephants over African elephants?

In my opinion, factors that may have been considered:
1) Asian elephants are more endangered that African ones. This is the zoos priority
Click to expand...

1. Spectacled Bears are kept at Chester, South Lakes, Belfast and Jersey.

If you look on ISIS(Species Inventory System) under 'find animals' you can track which Zoos hold which species worldwide, though its not 100% accurate sometimes particularly in between updates.

Regarding the Elephants, I think 1. above was the correct answer. But Asians are also harder to breed successfully due to the presence of the Herpes virus- which seems to have finally struck at Chester now with the death of 2 year old male 'Raman.'
 
The herpes virus is a disaster :(, I hope it doesn't strike again in the upcoming calves and any calves after that. Is it treatable, or does it usually go unnoticed until the infant dies?

Also, does the Herpes virus not affect African elephants? Or is it rarer that they are affected?
 
Javan Rhino said:
Also, does the Herpes virus not affect African elephants? Or is it rarer that they are affected?
Click to expand...

You will find plenty of discussion about Herpes virus on various past threads- chiefly Elephant ones obviously but I can't point you at any one to start with. But there is a lot of previous info which its worth your reading. Also on Asianelephant.net.

Briefly- and to my knowledge- Africans can carry it but it doesn't affect them, and they can transmit it to Asians- hence the ruling zoos shouldn't keep both species.

One theory is that its transmitted genetically/sexually- the current Chester bull 'Upali' came from Zurich Zoo, where one or two of his relatives appear to carry it. It is interesting to note Chester have never had a case until the loss of Upali's first calf 'Raman.' Another theory is it erupts when stress levels are high. Whipsnade have also lost several calves to it.
 
Well I think these will be some of Upali's last young at Chester and maybe the last elephant calves for a while - only two breeding females, one of which is getting on a little.
 
Yeah, it is devastating. Is Upali the only breeding bull? If he is the father of the two calves and if they die from the virus, maybe they will bring in a new bull and retire Upali into a bachelor herd?
 
They are bringing in a new bull in a year or two anyway. This is just an elephant management stratergy and nothing to do with the virus.
 
bongorob said:
They are bringing in a new bull in a year or two anyway. This is just an elephant management stratergy and nothing to do with the virus.
Click to expand...

Ahh cool, any info on where Upali is planned to go to, or will he stay at Chester (I wouldn't imagine there would be room for 2 fully grown, breeding bulls). Will he retire from breeding do you think, or will he become a breeding bull in another collections herd?
 
Ungulate wise they have kept Sable antelope, mountain gazelles, guanaco, barasingha, axis deer, Nilgai, American Bison, Pere David's deer,
common Hippo, Ankole cattle, Eland and Wildebeest.

Probably many more from before I was born!
 
I remember the North American bison (bison bison) being where the Tsavo paddock and building is now. I think they left/died after or during a foot-and-mouth outbrake in the late 90's or early 00's (not sure when it was, but I was only little). Anyway, I don't remember seeing them afterwards. I also remember reindeer somewhere down the side (I think where the zebra are now). I could be mistaken though.
 
Would I be right if I said Reindeer used to be in what it now the Spectacled Bear enclosure?
 
You certainly could be right, I remember seeing them somewhere along one of those 'edge paddocks' of West Zoo, so anywhere from where the bears are now down to the end of the zebra paddock.
 
Reindeer were kept where the bears are, but only the eatern side of the enlcosure, the other enclosure was larger and also included the area where the tapirs are now.

The bison left in 2001.
 
bongorob said:
Reindeer were kept where the bears are, but only the eatern side of the enlcosure, the other enclosure was larger and also included the area where the tapirs are now.

The bison left in 2001.
Click to expand...

Why did the bison leave? Was it anything to do with the foot-and-mouth outbrake that was near then or was it just to make more room for Tsavo?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top