Chessington Zoo Review of Chessington Zoo, 24th May 2009
- Thread starter mhale
- Start date
reptile1517
Well-Known Member
For Chessingtonphobes, the Zoo only is open during the half-term holiday in February 2010. As different parts of the country have different dates it may be as well to check before going. Also price etc.
easytigger
Well-Known Member
The first female binturong acquired by chessington was Marlene, she was from Banham but she passed away in 2006
easytigger
Well-Known Member
Chessington Zoo Days - a world of animals this winter
They do have an number of zoo only days over weekends and arouond christmas according their website, unless this has changed do to the current economic climate.
I visited yesterday, having finally been persuaded by my children that we should go. My last visit was about twelve years ago during the summer and I was not convinced Chessington Zoo was going to have much to offer, or how well maintained the collection would be. Last time I was there I did not like it very much.
I am pleased to say, however, that we spent four hours there and it was an excellent visit. Keepers and other staff were very friendly, there was plenty to do and most importantly of all I was impressed by the collection.
I did think the leopard enclosure was restrictive and given recent criticism of London Zoos tiger enclosures was suprised at the Chessington enclosures simplicity, given recent births. On a zoo only day, the Sea-Life Centre was fine, although I can imagine it being unbearably crowded in the summer; I did note that their Amazonian exhibit mis- identified (African) Congo tetras as South American Cardinal Tetras, though!
All in all I was pleased to see a significant number of animals, all looking in fine form in what seems to me to be a good general collection. If I have any decent photographs I will post them; if I can remember how to do it.
I am pleased to say, however, that we spent four hours there and it was an excellent visit. Keepers and other staff were very friendly, there was plenty to do and most importantly of all I was impressed by the collection.
I did think the leopard enclosure was restrictive and given recent criticism of London Zoos tiger enclosures was suprised at the Chessington enclosures simplicity, given recent births. On a zoo only day, the Sea-Life Centre was fine, although I can imagine it being unbearably crowded in the summer; I did note that their Amazonian exhibit mis- identified (African) Congo tetras as South American Cardinal Tetras, though!
All in all I was pleased to see a significant number of animals, all looking in fine form in what seems to me to be a good general collection. If I have any decent photographs I will post them; if I can remember how to do it.
mhale
Well-Known Member
Visit to Chessington Zoo, 7th March 2010
On the spur of the moment, I visited Chessington today (as just the zoo was open). I can't believe that Mbula the gorilla will be one year old this week; when I last saw him, he was only two months old. I only saw Damisi's group today (for both the scatter feeds) so Mbula was quite evident. I don't know why Kumba's group weren't outside at all today.
The baby binturong, Ayu, was absolutely lovely and was following her mother Jelita around the enclosure, whilst dad (Awam) was curled up in the corner.
I watched the sea lion training, which involved two of the sea lions. This showed the extent of their abilities on land and in the water. I'm pretty sure I heard the presenter tell someone that two female sea lions would be arriving at the end of March.
The Wild Wood Animal Antics show hadn't changed much from last year. Fordham the coati made my husband's day by climbing onto his legs and sniffing his hand whilst we were sitting in the front row!
The capybaras have been split into two groups, one remaining in the original enclosure and the other sharing an enclosure in the Creature Features area with mara and wallabies.
There were several baby animals including four otter pups which were being very vocal.
The meerkats in Creature Features were offshow "due to new arrivals". The notice said that this would allow them time to bond.
I managed to spend four hours there today, but in the future I look forward to perhaps seeing more species when the plains exhibit comes to fruition.
On the spur of the moment, I visited Chessington today (as just the zoo was open). I can't believe that Mbula the gorilla will be one year old this week; when I last saw him, he was only two months old. I only saw Damisi's group today (for both the scatter feeds) so Mbula was quite evident. I don't know why Kumba's group weren't outside at all today.
The baby binturong, Ayu, was absolutely lovely and was following her mother Jelita around the enclosure, whilst dad (Awam) was curled up in the corner.
I watched the sea lion training, which involved two of the sea lions. This showed the extent of their abilities on land and in the water. I'm pretty sure I heard the presenter tell someone that two female sea lions would be arriving at the end of March.
The Wild Wood Animal Antics show hadn't changed much from last year. Fordham the coati made my husband's day by climbing onto his legs and sniffing his hand whilst we were sitting in the front row!
The capybaras have been split into two groups, one remaining in the original enclosure and the other sharing an enclosure in the Creature Features area with mara and wallabies.
There were several baby animals including four otter pups which were being very vocal.
The meerkats in Creature Features were offshow "due to new arrivals". The notice said that this would allow them time to bond.
I managed to spend four hours there today, but in the future I look forward to perhaps seeing more species when the plains exhibit comes to fruition.
My guess is because they want the baby(Mbula) on display to the public as long as possible through the day- so the Kumba group are let out during non-visiting hours and days when its closed.. Its not ideal but that's the problem they have until they build another enclosure.
1. Be careful if you try to go to Chessington at that time of year. In winter they have reduced much opening- mostly just weekends and school holidays. On their website there is usually a calendar showing which days(dates) they are open, so check that first. This is because the large amusement park which covers much of the rest of the site is closed during winter.
2. There is a decent-sized(10) Gorilla group. The enclosure is like a version of Howletts but with no inside viewing. A very successful group but in rather mediocre housing.
3. Rest of collection is mainly Big Cats, SeaLions, some monkeys, good birds and now hoofed animals(White Rhino, zebra etc) in new 'safari-style' setting with an adjacent hotel. Our UK cut-price version of Disneyworld maybe? Animal viewing time- 2-3 hours maybe.
4. Very easy to access from M25 being only a couple of miles from Junction 9.
5. Can be visited en route to Aspinall Parks.
2. There is a decent-sized(10) Gorilla group. The enclosure is like a version of Howletts but with no inside viewing. A very successful group but in rather mediocre housing.
3. Rest of collection is mainly Big Cats, SeaLions, some monkeys, good birds and now hoofed animals(White Rhino, zebra etc) in new 'safari-style' setting with an adjacent hotel. Our UK cut-price version of Disneyworld maybe? Animal viewing time- 2-3 hours maybe.
4. Very easy to access from M25 being only a couple of miles from Junction 9.
5. Can be visited en route to Aspinall Parks.
Personally I wouldn't bother. There is not a lot of animals there and they all live in very small enclosures. I could not believe that 10 gorillas are housed in such a small enclosure.
I have been 4 times and never seen a tiger once. The lions are good but again I do not think the enclosures are suitable to house lions. If anything the otters have a nice enclosure.
I would visit in the summer when the rides are open as then there is more to do. But if you are not a fan of rides then pop along in the winter on there "zoo days".
If you are interested then go but I am never going to visit chessington again.
I have been 4 times and never seen a tiger once. The lions are good but again I do not think the enclosures are suitable to house lions. If anything the otters have a nice enclosure.
I would visit in the summer when the rides are open as then there is more to do. But if you are not a fan of rides then pop along in the winter on there "zoo days".
If you are interested then go but I am never going to visit chessington again.
Personally I wouldn't bother. There is not a lot of animals there and they all live in very small enclosures. I could not believe that 10 gorillas are housed in such a small enclosure.
I have been 4 times and never seen a tiger once. The lions are good but again I do not think the enclosures are suitable to house lions. If anything the otters have a nice enclosure.
I would visit in the summer when the rides are open as then there is more to do. But if you are not a fan of rides then pop along in the winter on there "zoo days".
If you are interested then go but I am never going to visit chessington again.
A bit harsh I think! I don't remember any of the enclosures being too bad.
I think the zoo days are about £12, which I would suggest represents better value than several other animal attractions in the south of England!
This year's Zoo Days dates have been announced, tickets booked in advance are £9 Zoo Days - School holiday and weekend zoo activities for kids & families
One thing about the Zoo Days is that the safari area is not open, essentially making the animals there (including giraffe and white rhino) off-show.
Personally I quite like visiting Chessington on the Zoo Days, yes it is not very big, but there is a nice mix of species. I will admit that the enclosures are on the smallish size (not tiny, but adequate), unfortunately looking at old maps the footprint of the big cat enclosures haven't changed at all since the 1970s. But the gorilla family are very active with a nice range of ages, great to watch their behaviour, especially at the morning scatter feed. Shame Ashok the male Asiatic Lion has died, he was an amazingly vocal lion, always heard him roaring on my visits last winter!
One thing about the Zoo Days is that the safari area is not open, essentially making the animals there (including giraffe and white rhino) off-show.
Personally I quite like visiting Chessington on the Zoo Days, yes it is not very big, but there is a nice mix of species. I will admit that the enclosures are on the smallish size (not tiny, but adequate), unfortunately looking at old maps the footprint of the big cat enclosures haven't changed at all since the 1970s. But the gorilla family are very active with a nice range of ages, great to watch their behaviour, especially at the morning scatter feed. Shame Ashok the male Asiatic Lion has died, he was an amazingly vocal lion, always heard him roaring on my visits last winter!
Last edited:
New to this site, I'm not sure where to begin to find the info. I'm looking for.
An old gentleman asked me if I could find out what happened to Nellie and Margaret, two of the elephants who were resident at Chessington zoo in the nineteen-forties.
This gentleman went into the forces and lost contact with the zoo. Thank you
An old gentleman asked me if I could find out what happened to Nellie and Margaret, two of the elephants who were resident at Chessington zoo in the nineteen-forties.
This gentleman went into the forces and lost contact with the zoo. Thank you