zoomart
Member
I've put my report in the CWP thread. Chaos was an understatement, unfortunately.
Re-opening of UK Zoos - dates, timings & bookings
- Thread starter TriUK
- Start date
I've put my report in the CWP thread. Chaos was an understatement, unfortunately.
In complete contrast to this, I was lucky enough to visit Hamerton today and they've cracked it. They'd seemingly considered everything and you'd struggle to find any chinks in their system -directions around zoo well signalled, frequent distancing reminders, standalone hand wash stations, plentiful hand gel options too, a good number of distanced picnic tables (none adjacent to cafe).
Superb, props to Andrew and his staff -their thorough planning and hard work has paid off and Hamerton is a model of how to manage the current situation. Very impressive.
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
I went to Colchester today. The opening of the new A14 route south of Huntingdon really has made that journey so much more bearable.
Yep, that's my understanding too.
Today was my first post-lockdown zoo day at Twycross. Generally very little I can pick fault with in how they handled it - I did three loops of the one-way system over 5 hours and only once got into a significant queue, which was quickly spotted and eased through by a member of zoo staff (it was a bottleneck caused by a baby L'hoest's Guenon, so forgiveable! 
). I think they've pitched their numbers very well - the zoo is running with decent capacity but never too crowded to distance and the time slots and one-way seemed to work in keeping it evenly busy across the site rather than have crowds in popular areas. Only a very few people weren't trying to keep distance and I think I noticed only 4 or 5 groups who weren't following the one-way system. They're using the normal gift shop with the same approach as high street shops use as this is of course outside the zoo proper (only this and the takeaway coffee stand are accessible in Himalaya).
Saw almost all the mammals and birds you normally would - the only exceptions I can think of being:
- because they only have one outdoor exhibit per species you can only see one of the chimp/bonobo groups at a time
- most of the small domestics, the butterfly house, the aviaries between the pet buildings and the 'longhouse' aviary aren't accessible
- the infamous leaf-cutter ant toilet display is off show as the Himalaya toilets are closed
- the Pileated Gibbons are only visible at a distance and with great luck at the moment (these were the only mammal species I didn't see at all)
Think that's it - otherwise things are all on show in their outdoor enclosures and accessible (including the Snow Leopards via the end window, which is the last thing on the one-way tour). The rhinos were indoors as usual but although you can't go in the house you can see the rhinos through the windows. As you can also walk up to the windows in the pet building doors, you can even see the gundis (at a distance).
Very good day. (Actually far more enjoyable than my last 'normal' Twycross visit - absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that!).
). I think they've pitched their numbers very well - the zoo is running with decent capacity but never too crowded to distance and the time slots and one-way seemed to work in keeping it evenly busy across the site rather than have crowds in popular areas. Only a very few people weren't trying to keep distance and I think I noticed only 4 or 5 groups who weren't following the one-way system. They're using the normal gift shop with the same approach as high street shops use as this is of course outside the zoo proper (only this and the takeaway coffee stand are accessible in Himalaya).Saw almost all the mammals and birds you normally would - the only exceptions I can think of being:
- because they only have one outdoor exhibit per species you can only see one of the chimp/bonobo groups at a time
- most of the small domestics, the butterfly house, the aviaries between the pet buildings and the 'longhouse' aviary aren't accessible
- the infamous leaf-cutter ant toilet display is off show as the Himalaya toilets are closed
- the Pileated Gibbons are only visible at a distance and with great luck at the moment (these were the only mammal species I didn't see at all)
Think that's it - otherwise things are all on show in their outdoor enclosures and accessible (including the Snow Leopards via the end window, which is the last thing on the one-way tour). The rhinos were indoors as usual but although you can't go in the house you can see the rhinos through the windows. As you can also walk up to the windows in the pet building doors, you can even see the gundis (at a distance).
Very good day. (Actually far more enjoyable than my last 'normal' Twycross visit - absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that!).
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Also interesting to note a few overheard conversations I noticed along the lines of people trying to remember when they last came as it hadn't been for years, or making reference to coming because the zoo was one of the first leisure things to open. Seems quite a few were either drawn in by the publicity of the recent campaigning or just from lack of competition, but all seemed happy to be there. Maybe there is a chance to get people back into zoos who weren't previously visiting thanks to the few weeks head-start over theme parks and bowling alleys and all the rest. Would be nice to think so.
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
Thank you Shorts, that is very encouraging to hear... I will make sure the staff see it, as even though we had pre-empted some of it back in March; the amount of work put in by them and our regular volunteers over the last couple of weeks, has been enormous. We did have a little bit of 'bunching' very briefly today largely due to the Flamingo chicks, and the one-way system sending everyone on the same route rather than allowing them to go their own way. We'll have to monitor this and tweak it a bit if necessary. From Monday we will also have two arrival slots, one at 10.30 opening and the second at mid-day, to spread arrivals out a little.
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My feeling on this is that zoos have got an advantage at present as being one of the few things that are open for families to visit. The current 'popularity' they seem to be enjoying may go back to normal levels once other attractions become available again. A bit like when refuse tips(no comparison intended...) were first re-opened, there were enormous queues but they died down to normal after a couple of weeks. I think the zoos may experience the same to some extent. But at present they have a good opportunity with families/children etc still being cooped up at home.
Sorry to hear that. But I do appreciate the honest and varied reports from all zoos that have been put on here.
To be honest, as quite an anxious person, I can't see me visiting any zoos for some time yet, as I fear it would only take 1 or 2 people invading my personal space to wind me up and ruin my day. Personally I'm still very fearful of this virus and would much rather wait and hopefully enjoy things like zoo visits in the future, even if that means essentially missing out in the short term. However, I'm pleased that zoo openings seem to have generally gone well, especially Chester and Hamerton. Cotswold is troubling but when I saw they weren't doing pre-bookings for a specific date I knew it would be trouble, albeit I might not have anticipated quite how chaotic it would be! I hope they review things quickly, I want them to do well but safety must come first.
I'm actually really glad to hear that Hamerton Zoo - one of my favourites - is doing well when it comes to adhering of social distancing measures. I mean, really good news, because I had resigned myself to the fact that, due to having multiple reasons to shelter in place due to health conditions, I would not be visiting any zoos until this virus is no longer a threat, but knowing that my household could effectively socially distance here, I feel a lot better and may consider a visit towards the end of the summer. Well done @Andrew Swales and the rest of the staff at Hamerton!
PZ will have bookings open from tomorrow. Date unannounced.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
I'm primed and ready to go but they haven't opened their bookings yet. However, filling time by reading their information about annual pass extensions, I see they say they closed on 23 March and were closed for 105 days - which brings us to 6 July as the re-opening day.
Gigit, I'm the same, hovering over the webpage waiting for it to 'go live'! What has it come to?
Gigit
Well-Known Member
It's easier to get tickets for Glastonbury
Exmoor is reopening on July 5th. Booking on their website is easy 
Exmoor Zoo
Exmoor Zoo
Paignton’s re-opening on Monday 6th July now announced, with the first two days open to Annual Pass holders only.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
Me too, although I nearly missed the 11am start as I was hoovering around the computer to relieve the tension!