I haven't been since the 'New England Wetland Toilets Window' was opened, but the more I hear the less I am enthused. Why are they forcing people to hang around the toilets to see animals?
Twycross Zoo Twycross report
- Thread starter chizlit
- Start date
I haven't been since the 'New England Wetland Toilets Window' was opened, but the more I hear the less I am enthused. Why are they forcing people to hang around the toilets to see animals?
Aah, that's the cunning thing, you can only see a little pool and a grassy bank, which hides the rest of the aviary. Even more cunning, there are no birds in the aviary yet, as far as we know.
So you can just only watch the ants as you work out how to make the soap dispensers and taps work: I had to help a nice man with Downs Syndrome who got totally confused by them.
Alan
mazfc
Well-Known Member
The view from the ladies sounds very similar to your view from the gents Alan. Will be glad when there are some birds to see through the window.
I really like the leaf cutter ant idea, but am embarrassed to say I didn't actually notice them on my first 2 visits (and yes I did wash my hands! ), maybe I was just so excited to use the dyson hand driers - they never cease to fascinate me
I really like the leaf cutter ant idea, but am embarrassed to say I didn't actually notice them on my first 2 visits (and yes I did wash my hands! ), maybe I was just so excited to use the dyson hand driers - they never cease to fascinate me
I have to say that was my thinking when I saw it at the nearly completed stage a few months ago.
toucanwalk
Well-Known Member
On the whole Twycross I think is beginning to get better but i feel they should of improved on what they already had before opening the new visitor centre.
I think the zoo is committed to conservation,education and their animals but they seem to be rushing to expand in order to compete with other zoos which seem to be expanding and opening exhibts all the time.
They have a good team of caring keepers at twycross who care very much for their charges.
They get better on each visit in little ways,although I was hoping the flamingos would of nested by now so they need to work on them as they are a mature flock now.
I would like to see the gorillas given a straw bed insted of a tiled floor as the ones kept at chessington have - it just seems more natural to me.
The outside ape areas have been worked on i think the army helped to re-do one.
It must be hard working with old ape housing which ideally needs a complete revamp,but they could do things they really need some massive old logs and tree trunks and lots of tuff grasses that sort of thing although I'm not a ape expert.
The last time i visted the orangs looks happy playing in the sun. To the zoos credit they did breed 3 penguins last year and I'm sure they are working on the problems voiced here as When ever i go peolpe say how the giraffes need mroe space.I'm glad they have rehomed the lions also but i think they are coming back hopefully to a bigger area.
I think the zoo is committed to conservation,education and their animals but they seem to be rushing to expand in order to compete with other zoos which seem to be expanding and opening exhibts all the time.
They have a good team of caring keepers at twycross who care very much for their charges.
They get better on each visit in little ways,although I was hoping the flamingos would of nested by now so they need to work on them as they are a mature flock now.
I would like to see the gorillas given a straw bed insted of a tiled floor as the ones kept at chessington have - it just seems more natural to me.
The outside ape areas have been worked on i think the army helped to re-do one.
It must be hard working with old ape housing which ideally needs a complete revamp,but they could do things they really need some massive old logs and tree trunks and lots of tuff grasses that sort of thing although I'm not a ape expert.
The last time i visted the orangs looks happy playing in the sun. To the zoos credit they did breed 3 penguins last year and I'm sure they are working on the problems voiced here as When ever i go peolpe say how the giraffes need mroe space.I'm glad they have rehomed the lions also but i think they are coming back hopefully to a bigger area.
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
The model for the proposed new Lion/Dhole and Hyena was on display in the visitor information centre (The old shop),last time i popped my head in to the building,but don`t expect it to build within the next few years,as at the moment i can find no record of them having applyied for planning permission to the local council yet!
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Also I can't see any development grants, which Twycross seemingly needs for the big projects, being abundant for a few years.
Then again, maybe they can convince local authorities that what the area really needs is a combined farm shop/job centre/leisure centre with an adjoining asian predators enclosure (where you can only see the Lions from underwater in the leisure centre swimming pool).
Seriously, I hope they spend any spare funds on tidying up/improving existing enclosures (especially gibbon and monkey houses) before embarking on any new major projects.
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mazfc
Well-Known Member
Thank you zoogiraffe I'll pop in and have a look next time I go.
adrian1963
Well-Known Member
On the Lion front when the 2 females were transfered to Dudley I recieved an E-Mail stating they would not be having any more Lions in the Zoo for quite a while no reason given
I would love to see lions back at the zoo because I think lions are one of the main species that visitors want to see.
I would love to see lions back at the zoo because I think lions are one of the main species that visitors want to see.
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zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Thanks for posting this Shorts i haven`t stopped laughing,but only because i can actually picture Twycross doing under water viewing for Lions!!
is the current hyena enclosure just temporary? are they planning to build them a new enclosure?
the current hyaena enclosure, is the old lion exhibit and when the new "asian carnivore project" is done (or actually started), they'll move in there
I visited last Friday . On a day with heavy showers 'Himalaya' came into its own - it was packed . To me it is crazy that you have to go out into the rain to pay to get into the Zoo - probably something to do with the Grant received . A wooden hut near the entrance could be for visits into the new Aviary - there was somewhere working on it but I could see that it did lead into the Aviary which ( from the limited toilet view ) appeared to still be empty .
There are hardly any solid paths in the Zoo and on a wet day it was all puddles and mud which is far from impressive .
I liked the cultural aspects of the new path behind the Elephants . The large area of land behind could be developed for a great range of Indian/Sri Lankan species , as well as the Lions and Dholes . Possibilities could include Sloth bear , Axis Deer , some aviaries and small enclosures for Giant Squirrels etc.
All quiet with the Bonobos , split in 2 groups . Inside on the left were I think the 4 males ( certainly the ones moving around were all boys ) . To the right , with outside access , the females and babies , both mothers very relaxed . At least one of the other females was looking far from the normal very slim body-shape .
Not much happening with the Gorillas . Asante was out in the rain , with the other 3 older ones lying around as usual . Oumbie was wandering around outside with Ozala in the cave . The new Gorilla enclosure is much better than the old one with its big landscaped outside area .
The bird collection now includes lots of interesting species . I did not see any Saddle-billed Storks - I think one of the pair died a while ago . The big marsh aviary was full of action with breeding Egrets , Glossy Ibis , Black Stork and ( not seen ) Purple Heron .
The paddocks at the rear are now all South American including Vicuna and Darwin's Rhea .
There was a lot of work going on putting in new natural timber uprights and horizontal perches for the Primate outside areas . There are quite a few yougsters amongst the New World Monkeys and Gibbons but nothing amongst the Guenons and Langurs .
There are hardly any solid paths in the Zoo and on a wet day it was all puddles and mud which is far from impressive .
I liked the cultural aspects of the new path behind the Elephants . The large area of land behind could be developed for a great range of Indian/Sri Lankan species , as well as the Lions and Dholes . Possibilities could include Sloth bear , Axis Deer , some aviaries and small enclosures for Giant Squirrels etc.
All quiet with the Bonobos , split in 2 groups . Inside on the left were I think the 4 males ( certainly the ones moving around were all boys ) . To the right , with outside access , the females and babies , both mothers very relaxed . At least one of the other females was looking far from the normal very slim body-shape .
Not much happening with the Gorillas . Asante was out in the rain , with the other 3 older ones lying around as usual . Oumbie was wandering around outside with Ozala in the cave . The new Gorilla enclosure is much better than the old one with its big landscaped outside area .
The bird collection now includes lots of interesting species . I did not see any Saddle-billed Storks - I think one of the pair died a while ago . The big marsh aviary was full of action with breeding Egrets , Glossy Ibis , Black Stork and ( not seen ) Purple Heron .
The paddocks at the rear are now all South American including Vicuna and Darwin's Rhea .
There was a lot of work going on putting in new natural timber uprights and horizontal perches for the Primate outside areas . There are quite a few yougsters amongst the New World Monkeys and Gibbons but nothing amongst the Guenons and Langurs .
the shed connecting to the aviary on the side of himalaya (aviary is called windows onto the wild according to new maps) is going to be the entrance to the conferance centre so they dont have to walk thru the public part
The female Saddle-billed Stork went to Dvur Kralove last year, in exchange against a pair of young Spot-billed Pelicans. Twycross then transfered the pelicans to Zlin, but I don ´t know if they sold them or exchanged for another animals (I ´m yet to read the Zlin yearbook for 2009).
mazfc
Well-Known Member
Had an afternoon visit to twycross today. It was very busy, roll on quieter winter days.
The highlight of my visit was seeing the giraffe courtship behaviour. It was lime watching a dance with all the mirrored movements and head and neck rubbing. Justin was trying his best to consummate it, so fingers crossed.
The gorillas were much quieter than last time I went, though Asante still will not stay in the same area as boulas. Oumbie and Ozala were shut in today, tho I don't know why.
The bonobos appear to back in mixed groups again, and I'd agree with bele that one of the other females is looking a little chunky.
The highlight of my visit was seeing the giraffe courtship behaviour. It was lime watching a dance with all the mirrored movements and head and neck rubbing. Justin was trying his best to consummate it, so fingers crossed.
The gorillas were much quieter than last time I went, though Asante still will not stay in the same area as boulas. Oumbie and Ozala were shut in today, tho I don't know why.
The bonobos appear to back in mixed groups again, and I'd agree with bele that one of the other females is looking a little chunky.