Twycross Zoo Review of Twycross Zoo

[zoogiraffe]

Its an idea that has not even gone for planning permission yet,as for the area it will take up the last I heard it would cover the area,of the Green Mile the old Pets Corner,the Old Gorilla exhibit(now houses Chimps),and most of the lawn in front of the old Gorilla exhibit.As for timescale for this exhibit happening any time soon I wouldn't hold my breath,for this or the Asian Carnivora exhibit happening within the next couple of years,as I believe the next project that is being built is a new Vet Centre,of which the zoo doesn't have to find all the money,as a Veterinary College is helping fund the building!!

 

[adrian1963]

About the Lion enclosure I recieved an e-mail from the zoo just after they had sent the
2 lionesses to Dudley and in it they say it will be quite a considerable time before any new lions or enclosure will be erected at the zoo.
I was going to visit the zoo last month but because of on going problems I have had to rearrange it for the 3rd August
Will be back soon.

 

[Pertinax]

Pertinax..... apologies as I;ve obviously missed the chat about a new chimp complex at Twycross. Is this rumour or fact based upon planning applications etc? If so, where in the park will it be built?

The area ZooGiraffe describes is what I've heard too. But I think its still only in the 'talked about' stages and that's all. I guess the Lion/Dhole exhibit would come first and Adrian1963's post just above this, indicates that is now some long way off too- it appears to have slipped back along the time frame.

So for the chimps, grouping the Green Mile residents is the only possible advance they could make at present.

 

[Shorts]

I'd be surprised (though glad to be proved wrong) if it happens within the next five years (I must check my old posts, I'm sure I've got a bet on with someone on the timescale). Realistically, I wonder if nothing's happened within 5 years (say) whether the age of the Chimps might make them further reconsider whether it's still worth prioritising the plans at that stage.

Unfortunately it seems that current economic conditions (at the least) mean that Twycross only seem to be able to get anything significant built if they can get someone else to joint fund. A sensible idea in some ways but it can lead to some compromises -imposing, tall, impressive looking aviary with no flying birds and no view for visitors except from the toilet anyone?

 

[TARZAN]

I'd be surprised (though glad to be proved wrong) if it happens within the next five years (I must check my old posts, I'm sure I've got a bet on with someone on the timescale). Realistically, I wonder if nothing's happened within 5 years (say) whether the age of the Chimps might make them further reconsider whether it's still worth prioritising the plans at that stage.

Unfortunately it seems that current economic conditions (at the least) mean that Twycross only seem to be able to get anything significant built if they can get someone else to joint fund. A sensible idea in some ways but it can lead to some compromises -imposing, tall, impressive looking aviary with no flying birds and no view for visitors except from the toilet anyone?

Rest assured I have not forgotten our wager,I thought the "vetinary center" was intended to be part of the new Molly Badham primate center, I think we can safely say there will be no new dhole/ asian lion exhibit, at least in the near future, well at least the dholes are not currently living in sub standard accomodation and there are currently no asiatic lions on the premises unlike Benjy, Jambo and co. who are still languishing in sub standard accomodation. What sticks in my throat is to think of the three and a half million pounds which evaporated in the Leiman's investment, what a first class primate center that could have built, remember folks if it was not for the chimpanzee then perhaps there would never have been a Twycross Zoo, and we would not have been in the position to talking about it and discussing it's future.

 

[Pertinax]

Realistically, I wonder if nothing's happened within 5 years (say) whether the age of the Chimps might make them further reconsider whether it's still worth prioritising the plans at that stage.

I think your timescale is probably quite realistic(or even optimistic!) Some more of the oldest chimps in the Green Mile may die during that period(two- Jilloch(?) and Eve have died quite recently). So its possible some of the remainder will never be moved.

That leaves the two other 'colonies' of middle-aged and younger animals in the Chimpanzee and old Gorilla House respectively, which could stay as they are 'ad infinitum' if this plan is never realised.