Chester Zoo Spirit of The Jaguar

zoogiraffe said:
Have you thought that the zoo may not be want to extend deal if Jaguar wanted to extend the sponsorship of the House.[/QUOTE\

It's very possible that this is not a "sponsorship" with a sunset clause, but rather is a permanent naming right based on the level of the initial gift (which as I recall was quite significant--seven figures). This is not an uncommon practice in the US.
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reduakari said:
It's very possible that this is not a "sponsorship" with a sunset clause, but rather is a permanent naming right based on the level of the initial gift (which as I recall was quite significant--seven figures). This is not an uncommon practice in the US.
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I don't know if it's a stipulation or not, but I'm not expecting the name of the building to change any time soon. The sponsorship definitely had a time factor though, as staff have confirmed to me on a couple of occasions, so it will be interesting to see if the logos remain after this time.

One thing I have heard was originally stipulated was that there should be no animals in the building 'exciting' enough to distract attention from the Jaguars for the period of the deal - I've even heard suggestions that this is the explanation for the non-appearance of the piranhas that were on the original plan.

Once the sponsorship is over (which is very soon, if not already) then this would mean the zoo would be free to add other species if they wished.
 
If it's right what a keeper said then the sponsorship deal has finished quite a while ago and no other parties are interested in sponsoring the building in this climate of cuts
 
The zoo is known for Spirit of the Jaguar, Realm of the Red Ape. These two exhibits are two of the best in the zoo, messing with them could go horribly wrong.

Changing the name because of the end of a sponsorship deal would be silly.

Given that Jaguar gave the complete cost of construction - over £3,000,000.
 
LeeMac13 said:
On the suject of Spirit of the Jaguar, does anybody know what has happened to the Ant colony?
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The colony was busy working on another escape plan, so it is currently off-show awaiting the creation of a new home (in the same building).
 
SMR said:
The colony was busy working on another escape plan, so it is currently off-show awaiting the creation of a new home (in the same building).
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I saw a marching group of the ants in Pele's enclosure and thought that it was either a second colony or part of the exhibit (maybe a tunnel or something that connected their enclosure to Pele's). Now I'm wondering if they had escaped into the jaguar's area.
 
Javan Rhino said:
I saw a marching group of the ants in Pele's enclosure and thought that it was either a second colony or part of the exhibit (maybe a tunnel or something that connected their enclosure to Pele's). Now I'm wondering if they had escaped into the jaguar's area.
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I also saw this, although on my last visit they seemed to have vanished! (The main Ant Colony had also gone at this point, which supports your idea, maybe there was a tunnel connecting their enclosure to Pele's...)
 
Paix said:
I also saw this, although on my last visit they seemed to have vanished! (The main Ant Colony had also gone at this point, which supports your idea, maybe there was a tunnel connecting their enclosure to Pele's...)
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Maybe, can anybody confirm whether they were supposed to be there or whether they had escaped?
 
Javan Rhino said:
Maybe, can anybody confirm whether they were supposed to be there or whether they had escaped?
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Escaped. It wouldn't be terribly practical to have a rapidly expanding population of marauding leaf-cutter ants in an area full of (already extremely expensive to keep) exotic plants.

They've found their way into various parts of the building over the years, hence their need for a new home.
 
Ahhh, thanks for clearing that up :). It did look very interesting seeing them in the main exhibit, but I can see what you mean about the expense :p
 
Satan said:
How exactly does it become a empty building? There are still 5 animals housed in it.

I would have though the initial sponsorship deal would have been 10 years. I can find articles about the process the zoo went through but nothing quoting an exact time frame.

Who is to say Jaguar won't sign a new sponsorship deal.
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Ah sorry, my post was following a line of posts reasoning that the animals were eventually going to pass away or some such and were no longer present in the 'big empty building'. Do keep up Satan old chap! /joke ;)

I very much doubt Jaguar would sign up to a new sponsorship deal considering they have had a very bumpy year financially - which has been in the news after all.

As for a zoo keeping the name of an exhibit because it is well known for having that exhibit, looking at a longer view than a few score years these exhibits come and go. Chester zoo (and every other zoo) has been well known for other exhibits and famous animals in the past, and it will be in the future. Things do come and go as zoos and exhibits move on. :)

Oh and Gentle Lemur - fantastic post, great idea! And how refreshing to see someone on ZC show a sense of humour! /joke again? ;)
 
gentle lemur said:
There could be an auction :) - highest bidder to nominate the occupants of the renamed building
  • Spirit of the Skoda - cheap & cheerful - for rhesus macaques, perhaps
  • Spirit of the Nissan - straight from Sunderland (black cats only)
  • Spirit of VW, no animals - just more crazy Golf and crazy Polo too
  • Spirit of the Ferrari - one black horse
  • Spirit of Ecstasy (Rolls Royce) - mink and beluga sturgeons
Any more?

Alan
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Spirit of the Fiat, -Pandas
Spirit of the Reliant - Scimitar horned oryx and robin.
 
I'm having a bad few days, I seem to be more of a cranky ****** than normal at the minute.

As for the Ants, thought the were massing and army to mount another escape attempt. That was the reason we there were "off show" when we last visited. They might be small but they are certainly devious.
 
I don't think I am breaking any confidences if I say that Tim Rowlands talked to us about options for this building at our meeting a few weeks ago. I remember that he pointed out that the fence on the left hand side outdoor enclosure is "like Jurassic Park - you could keep a T. rex in there!"
On my next visit I took a special look - and he's right, (provided that you used an extra high voltage on the live wires). However I don't think this was a hint of any sort :)

Alan
 
gentle lemur said:
There could be an auction :) - highest bidder to nominate the occupants of the renamed building
  • Spirit of the Skoda - cheap & cheerful - for rhesus macaques, perhaps
  • Spirit of the Nissan - straight from Sunderland (black cats only)
  • Spirit of VW, no animals - just more crazy Golf and crazy Polo too
  • Spirit of the Ferrari - one black horse
  • Spirit of Ecstasy (Rolls Royce) - mink and beluga sturgeons
Any more?

Alan
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Spirit of the VW would have to be beetles surely!:)
 
The spirit of Morris - mynar birds or a nice Marina enclosure

The spirit of Bentley - anything continental really
 
Spirit of Ford: Pumas and Cougars
Spirit of Rootes: Gazelles, Chamois, Huskies, Mink (Minx)
 
gentle lemur said:
I don't think I am breaking any confidences if I say that Tim Rowlands talked to us about options for this building at our meeting a few weeks ago. I remember that he pointed out that the fence on the left hand side outdoor enclosure is "like Jurassic Park - you could keep a T. rex in there!"
On my next visit I took a special look - and he's right, (provided that you used an extra high voltage on the live wires). However I don't think this was a hint of any sort :)

Alan
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Well given the embryo work on Dodo`s that is mentioned on the infamous white board in Tim`s office it wouldn`t surprise me if he managed to get some T-Rexs from somewhere!!
 
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