Twycross Zoo Twycross report

[chizlit]

Not so much a report, but just my thoughts on the new openings at the zoo, and why I really prefer to be at Dudley anyday!

Firstly I have to say that Himalaya does look fantastic, however the layout regarding the animals on display is poor, and just like others have commented on here it wouldn't take the snow leopards long to get bored in their new home and just want to sleep. I noted that nobody in the restaurant was looking into the brilliant enclosure because there were no cats to be seen (I only saw one and he was sleeping in a rocky den out of view of diners), the only display was put on by wagtails, and very nice they were too, but I doubt the zoo spent £££££'s on British birds!
Also I find getting into the zoo takes your life in your hand as you have to cross over from the car parking area to get into the zoo over a road with no zebra crossing, it's ok on a quiet day I guess but not on a busy summer Sunday.

Another rant concerns the visitors! Now I know a zoo needs them thru the door to pay for future developments etc, but I will never go again on a summer's weekend, the place was overrun with aggresive looking chavs, and tatooed women, also some people are just so rude and need to learn how to queue. And the noise of prams on that horrible gravel going around the zoo drives me nuts.

The other big opening was the Elephant Trail, again i had no problem with this , it looks good and is well planted, but it seems to be only of benefit for visitors and not the ele's. Does anyone know if they can access the waste land at the back of their enclosure as it's a big space?
Also the giraffes looked bored/ stressed again, spending a lot of time licking the bars on the pen. They really need a better space.

Not wanting to make this a major moaning piece, so some good points, I actually saw the wild cats for the first time, and the hyeana's were on full display sleeping out in the open (moan coming up!), just a pity the glass is so bloody poor that you can hardly see them.
I still really like the pets corner bit, but it seems so cut off from the rest of the zoo now.
I will return to Twycross, but wont rush back, my heart still belongs to Dudley, sure they dont have the mega bucks that Twycross does, but they do seem to try more, and at least you get good views of the animals without a mad crush of people, and for the most part the animals have better enclosures.

 

[Shorts]

the place was overrun with aggresive looking chavs, and tatooed women

Dudley's your home zoo and you're not used to this? I've visited all the major zoos in mainland UK and have never been anywhere with as many chavvy looking people and smokers as Dudley. I'm not being judgemental, some of my own family are a little rough (and no lesser people for it), it's just an observation. Maybe the good weather and school holidays brought 'em out at Twycross today?

just a pity the glass is so bloody poor that you can hardly see them.
I still really like the pets corner bit, but it seems so cut off from the rest of the zoo now.

Absolutely agree with you on both those observations. Given all the money they spent on the entrance they really should have been able to pay a little to clean up/replace the Hyena glass. And the positioning of a pretty/very good Pets Corner in isolation just sems to be very poor planning.

I will return to Twycross, but wont rush back, my heart still belongs to Dudley, sure they dont have the mega bucks that Twycross does, but they do seem to try more

Again I agree that Dudley always seems to achieves a lot with limited resources whereas Twycross always seems to underachieve with, one assumes (given greater visitor numbers and entrance fees), far greater resources.

Personally, I've got a soft spot for them both, warts and all, but am not blind to their shortcomings.

 

[MARK]

Not so much a report, but just my thoughts on the new openings at the zoo, and why I really prefer to be at Dudley anyday!

Firstly I have to say that Himalaya does look fantastic, however the layout regarding the animals on display is poor, and just like others have commented on here it wouldn't take the snow leopards long to get bored in their new home and just want to sleep. I noted that nobody in the restaurant was looking into the brilliant enclosure because there were no cats to be seen (I only saw one and he was sleeping in a rocky den out of view of diners), the only display was put on by wagtails, and very nice they were too, but I doubt the zoo spent £££££'s on British birds!
Also I find getting into the zoo takes your life in your hand as you have to cross over from the car parking area to get into the zoo over a road with no zebra crossing, it's ok on a quiet day I guess but not on a busy summer Sunday.

Another rant concerns the visitors! Now I know a zoo needs them thru the door to pay for future developments etc, but I will never go again on a summer's weekend, the place was overrun with aggresive looking chavs, and tatooed women, also some people are just so rude and need to learn how to queue. And the noise of prams on that horrible gravel going around the zoo drives me nuts.

The other big opening was the Elephant Trail, again i had no problem with this , it looks good and is well planted, but it seems to be only of benefit for visitors and not the ele's. Does anyone know if they can access the waste land at the back of their enclosure as it's a big space?
Also the giraffes looked bored/ stressed again, spending a lot of time licking the bars on the pen. They really need a better space.

Not wanting to make this a major moaning piece, so some good points, I actually saw the wild cats for the first time, and the hyeana's were on full display sleeping out in the open (moan coming up!), just a pity the glass is so bloody poor that you can hardly see them.
I still really like the pets corner bit, but it seems so cut off from the rest of the zoo now.
I will return to Twycross, but wont rush back, my heart still belongs to Dudley, sure they dont have the mega bucks that Twycross does, but they do seem to try more, and at least you get good views of the animals without a mad crush of people, and for the most part the animals have better enclosures.

Maybe if you passed on your concerns to the zoo they might want to improve on any short comimgs they may of overlooked, might be worth an email to them?

 

[mazfc]

We were there the same day and seemed to have a totally different experience.

I didn't find I was crowding to get to see amything, and I'm always pleased that I never feel crushed at twycross. Because of my job I can only visit attractions at weekend or school holidays, and believe me I seen crowded in lots of places and that wasn't it for me. Tho I will say I'm always envious of people who can visit at off peak times.

I do agree with you about the giraffes - I hTe their enclosure, and the zoo really needs to do something, as they have a small space and no privacy.

The new elephant walkway is ok, it doesn't reAlly float my boat, but it will keep the punters happy. The keepers at the talk said that the elephants have access to the grass as a treat, tho they didn't explain why it was only a treat.

I like the himalaya stuff as a great entrance. Love the lasagne!! I was most definitely watching the leopard who was up on the wall most of the day - could def see it whilst munching on my garlic bread.

I have a great soft spot for twycross, tho I agree there is room for improvements. I love being able to see all four great apes. And loved seeing the new bonobo babies. I always feel encouraged when I speak to any of the keepers, with their plans and passion for their charges.

I haven't been to Dudley yet, so can't compare the 2, but its in my plans for the summer. Would love to hear your recommendations of special things to look out for

 

[josh_08]

And loved seeing the new bonobo babies.

Has there been another birth in the group? Any info on he/she?

 

[chizlit]

Dudley's your home zoo and you're not used to this? I've visited all the major zoos in mainland UK and have never been anywhere with as many chavvy looking people and smokers as Dudley. I'm not being judgemental, some of my own family are a little rough (and no lesser people for it), it's just an observation. Maybe the good weather and school holidays brought 'em out at Twycross today?

Yes Dudley does have them but not in such great numbers as I saw at Twycross, and yes the sun must have brought them out.
I'm also not being judgemental as I'm just a working class guy myself who loves animals, but most of these oafs you see at zoo's wouldn't know the back end of a zebra from it's front, and that's even if they'd known it was a zebra in the first place.



Absolutely agree with you on both those observations. Given all the money they spent on the entrance they really should have been able to pay a little to clean up/replace the Hyena glass. And the positioning of a pretty/very good Pets Corner in isolation just sems to be very poor planning.



It's so true about the pets corner, and how many people know there is a lovely walk thru bird avary there too?
And I know alpaca's arn't on most people's viewing list but Twycross have 5 lovely examples and all different colours too, and I like the fact that you can touch there wool and feel how soft it is.

 

[chizlit]

OK, so maybe I'm used to having more space to myself at Dudley, but for me Twycross was very busy, for example I felt sorry for the meerkats, people were standing two and even three deep all around there enclosure, it didn't seem to faze them, but who knows.
Even at Chester I didn't feel as surrounded by visitors as at Twycross, maybe because it's a bigger place so the crowds are more spread out.

With the giraffes I think lack of shade is also an issue for me, if they want any they are forced to go inside, Twycross has lot's of unused land so they could build something impressive.

I'm happy you saw the leopard (did you only see the one like me?), but you are not the typical zoo visitor, most people in Himalaya would be too busy calming down screaming kids or filling their faces to even bother with the cats.

I have enjoyed my visits before, but this one I didn't, so when I return it wont be holiday time, and I'm sure I will like it better.

It's not possible to compare Dudley with Twycross, with Dudley you also get history and trying to overcome what this history has dealt them in trying to create a modern zoo.
And with so many planning restrictions and lack of money it's not easy, but if you go there with the feeling that this isn't going to be very good then you might be surprised that actually it isn't as bad as some people make it out to be ( and I don't mean zoo chatters).

We were there the same day and seemed to have a totally different experience.

I didn't find I was crowding to get to see amything, and I'm always pleased that I never feel crushed at twycross. Because of my job I can only visit attractions at weekend or school holidays, and believe me I seen crowded in lots of places and that wasn't it for me. Tho I will say I'm always envious of people who can visit at off peak times.

I do agree with you about the giraffes - I hTe their enclosure, and the zoo really needs to do something, as they have a small space and no privacy.

The new elephant walkway is ok, it doesn't reAlly float my boat, but it will keep the punters happy. The keepers at the talk said that the elephants have access to the grass as a treat, tho they didn't explain why it was only a treat.

I like the himalaya stuff as a great entrance. Love the lasagne!! I was most definitely watching the leopard who was up on the wall most of the day - could def see it whilst munching on my garlic bread.

I have a great soft spot for twycross, tho I agree there is room for improvements. I love being able to see all four great apes. And loved seeing the new bonobo babies. I always feel encouraged when I speak to any of the keepers, with their plans and passion for their charges.

I haven't been to Dudley yet, so can't compare the 2, but its in my plans for the summer. Would love to hear your recommendations of special things to look out for

 

[mazfc]

I am looking forward to seeing Dudley. I've heard mixed reports, but I am definitely going with an open mind.

Has there been another birth in the group? Any info on he/she?

Sorry Josh, there wasn't anyone about to ask. There were definitely 2 very young babies, with their very relaxed and attentive mums. Hoping to pop back for a short visit later this week, so will try and find out more.

 

[josh_08]

There were definitely 2 very young babies, with their very relaxed and attentive mums. Hoping to pop back for a short visit later this week, so will try and find out more.

Yes there must have been another birth then if you say 2 young babies.
If you could try and find out the sex and who its mother is that would be great!

thanks
josh.

 

[Pertinax]

I have enjoyed my visits before, but this one I didn't, so when I return it wont be holiday time, and I'm sure I will like it better.

For the 'more than averagely interested' visitor, somewhere like Twycross- or any major zoo really, at a peak time like a summer Sunday or Bank Holiday can, as you discovered, prove an unenjoyable/unpleasant experience. I always go on weekdays(or Saturdays) and even then I avoid peak periods, though I appreciate many people cannot choose like that. But going at these very popular times can give you a very negative opinion of the Zoo which can present itself in a quite different light on a quiet spring or autumn weekday.

I agree the Giraffe enclosure would benefit from an upgrade.

 

[toucanwalk]

I like twycross I vist often but have to say that myself and my family are disapointed that the giraffes have not been given a new BIGGER enclosure as they do need one but apart from that I think the zoo has improved greatly over my small life time I just hope the chilean flamingos get down to nesting soon!!

 

[zoogiraffe]

I like twycross I vist often but have to say that myself and my family are disapointed that the giraffes have not been given a new BIGGER enclosure as they do need one but apart from that I think the zoo has improved greatly over my small life time I just hope the chilean flamingos get down to nesting soon!!

The Giraffe enclosure is no smaller than Londons so does that mean London needs a new enclosure as well for their Giraffes seeing as they house more than Twycross.
As for a new enclosure for the Giraffes at Twycross best space for them is the Elephant House and enclosure wouldn`t take much work to convert it as the doors are probably not far off being high enough any way!!

 

[Shorts]

As for a new enclosure for the Giraffes at Twycross best space for them is the Elephant House and enclosure wouldn`t take much work to convert it as the doors are probably not far off being high enough any way!!

But what about all the theming, Giraffes don't come from Sri Lanka

 

[Shorts]

On second thoughts, scrub my last remark -ripping up theming a few years after spending a small fortune constructing it would be so "Twycross".

 

[toucanwalk]

well yes i thought the giraffes needed more space at london as well really they still look happy and healthy but these animals i feel need to be able to run - look at the ones kept at longleat and marwell.I realise that peolpe expect to see giraffe at a zoo and both collections and staff care for them very well its space that is simply the problem - I went to cotswold wildlife park there new giraffe paddock was really nice. I think at twycross many peolpe find the gravle off putting too but i realise that it keeps the hoofs healthy. Layout is also a point -paignton zoos giraffes don't have the biggest paddock but there house is big and the paddock is surorunded by green and they also have a lawn!
Do you think they could both live together that would be great to see!

 

[mazfc]

The two males at twycross do live together.

I find their enclosure uninspiring and barren, and would love to see it change.

 

[taun]

The two males at twycross do live together.

I find their enclosure uninspiring and barren, and would love to see it change.

Two males? We still talking about Giraffes? If so Twycross keep 1.1

and I think the other person was talking about placing the giraffes in with the ASIAN ELEPHANTS!

 

[toucanwalk]

yh we r still giraffe de-bating even though i am more a waterbird kinda member but the giraffes at twycross need more space at twycross are we agreed?

 

[Red Panda]

Dudley Zoo has a fond place in my memory as it was the first zoo that I saw a Red Panda running about

Ive not been to Twycross and may not as they dont have Red Pandas, Ive written to them and asked them

 

[taun]

yh we r still giraffe de-bating even though i am more a waterbird kinda member but the giraffes at twycross need more space at twycross are we agreed?

Right ok, My two cents on this then.

I believe the current enclosure is suitable for number of giraffes they hold, and am more concerned about some of their other exhibits that desperately need something done to them first.