Twycross Zoo Twycross Zoo news 2015

Didn't the 'Kuno' project get to this sort of stage too, but then no further?

Of course I would very much like to see this happen for the Chimps. And if these proposals really are to encompass the other Ape species in time, then the planned work on the existing Orangutan building is most likely to be only an interim measure, but again any improvements are welcome.

Yes the Kuno carnivore exhibit did get to this stage, there was also a model of it on display at the zoo stating "coming soon", just as well we didn't hold our breath!. I am not saying this will happen with the proposed new facilities for the great apes, for the benefit of the animals themselves I sincerely they get the best housing money can buy.
 
Yes the Kuno carnivore exhibit did get to this stage, there was also a model of it on display at the zoo stating "coming soon", just as well we didn't hold our breath!. I am not saying this will happen with the proposed new facilities for the great apes, for the benefit of the animals themselves I sincerely they get the best housing money can buy.

The "Kuno" plan was a fantastic idea, the best zoo-exhibit plan I have seen for a long time! I have seen the plans, I also know of at least one extra species that was considered which would have added to a fantastic exhibit but these plans never came to fruition. Alas, this never came to be...

Nowadays you have a new giraffe enclosure and gibbon complex to look forward to, re-vamped orang accommodation, add that to the zebra and nyala which have not long arrived and then the long talked about "Chimp Eden" in the long term. Twycross could be a zoo on the up! :)
 
Nowadays you have a new giraffe enclosure and gibbon complex to look forward to, re-vamped orang accommodation, add that to the zebra and nyala which have not long arrived and then the long talked about "Chimp Eden" in the long term. Twycross could be a zoo on the up! :)

As far as I can see the order of planned completion will be Giraffe(soon) Gibbon Islands(this summer?), alterations to existing Orangutan House( soon?) and then 'Chimpanzee Eden' next year.

Looking at the photos accompanying the press release, it appears that 'Chimpanzee Eden' will be situated in the 'long' strip of the Zoo bounded by the new Giraffe House to the North, and zoo boundaries to the West and South. The footprint looks similar in size to the new Giraffe area.

Chimp Eden would be the first phase of eventual new accomadation for all the other Apes too, extending the complex toward the Lemur Walkthrough.

Personally I would be happy to see just the Chimpanzee complex get done.:) I wonder if the rest for the other Apes will ever materialise while I'm still around.:) I just wish they wouldn't go for water-moated enclosures though- they are dangerous and waste so much space the animals could have instead.:(
 
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I thought after all the hype when Ms Redrobe became CEO the first thing that was so important was the new home for the chimps but it is now on hold so it is fine for so many chimps being where Jo lived ?
Has anyone noticed that when ever she is on the TV/Radio or in the Paper the first thing she mentions is money it wouldn't be that bad if Ms Redrobe actually listened to what people actually say about the zoo.

I know I will get slated for this but I am not bothered Ms Redrobe is not business minded in my opinion and please note that is my opinion.
 
I just wish they wouldn't go for water-moated enclosures though- they are dangerous and waste so much space the animals could have instead.:(

If they are going to have water moated enclosures I do not like the sound of that, remember what happened to Beau the Twycross orang when he was living at Blackpool with their water moat.
 
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I agree the water moats are a waste of space, yes I remember what happened to Beau perhaps they are going to be the water park for the children. LOL

If they are going to have water moated enclosures I do not like the sound of that, remember what happened to Beau the Twycross orang when he was living at Blackpool with their water moat.
 
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I agree the water moats are a waste of space, yes I remember what happened to Beau perhaps they are going to be the water park for the children. LOL

Miss Badham and Miss Evans never had water moats for their great apes as years ago they sent a chimp to another zoo and it also drowned in the water.
 
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You are correct that chimp was called Brook as I have just been told so they never did moats.

Miss Badham and Miss Evans never had water moats for their great apes as years ago they sent a chimp to another zoo and it also drowned in the water.
 
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If they are going to have water moated enclosures I do not like the sound of that, remember what happened to Beau the Twycross orang when he was living at Blackpool with their water moat.

He's not the only one. There have been plenty of others too, around the World, and of all three species-Gorilla, Chimp, Orangutan-both adults and young. At least three adult male Gorillas. Several juvenile Orangutans. More than one Chimp mother has drowned trying to rescue a baby that had fallen into the water. Prague recently nearly lost a young Gorilla that fell into the water- the group just sat and watched but the keeper managed to jump in and save it just in time.

Some zoos of course have not had any accidents. But Apes that have not previously been kept with water barriers (such as at Twycross) are obviously at greater risk still. The plan definately shows islands and what appear to be water moats.

Apart from the danger factor, these moats, because of their necessary width, mean the actual display areas for the animals is often small and use up large areas the Apes could have instead if it was dry land. Although I don't like other aspects of the Twycross Ape enclosures overall, I think the glass viewing walls and dry ditch system is actually a good one, both for viewing and the Apes can use the ditch areas too.
 
He's not the only one. There have been plenty of others too, around the World, and of all three species-Gorilla, Chimp, Orangutan-both adults and young. At least three adult male Gorillas. Several juvenile Orangutans. More than one Chimp mother has drowned trying to rescue a baby that had fallen into the water. Prague recently nearly lost a young Gorilla that fell into the water- the group just sat and watched but the keeper managed to jump in and save it just in time.

Some zoos of course have not had any accidents. But Apes that have not previously been kept with water barriers (such as at Twycross) are obviously at greater risk still. The plan definately shows islands and what appear to be water moats.

Apart from the danger factor, these moats, because of their necessary width, mean the actual display areas for the animals is often small and use up large areas the Apes could have instead if it was dry land. Although I don't like other aspects of the Twycross Ape enclosures overall, I think the glass viewing walls and dry ditch system is actually a good one, both for viewing and the Apes can use the ditch areas too.

They may use hot wire to prevent access to the moat. But then this would just make the moat even more a waste of space.
 
Prague recently nearly lost a young Gorilla that fell into the water- the group just sat and watched but the keeper managed to jump in and save it just in time.

Wasn't it an orangutan or was there a gorilla incident as well?
 
Wasn't it an orangutan or was there a gorilla incident as well?

I don't know about an Orangutan but definately a young Gorilla. The keeper who saved it had to climb out on the Gorillas' side with them in the enclosure as he could not climb out on the visitor side! Apparently the youngster was in shock but soon recovered and was running around within the group again within an hour or so- they were lucky.
 
Is there a dedicated site for the masterplan or somewhere where i can blow up the illustrations for a closer look?
 
Is there a dedicated site for the masterplan or somewhere where i can blow up the illustrations for a closer look?

I could only find the ' View Gallery' link on e.g. the 'CoventryTelegraph' release about these developments(sorry, I'm not very good with links). There are a dozen illustrations but I could not enlarge them though.

The BBC link on Page 4 of this thread also shows the Ape Complex plan. I've now worked out that it seems that 'Chimp Eden' will be the first phase(on the left of the plan, involving possibly two seperate islands) followed eventually by matching developments later on for the other Ape Species. The whole complex would then fill that whole corner of the Zoo.
 
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I don't know about an Orangutan but definately a young Gorilla. The keeper who saved it had to climb out on the Gorillas' side with them in the enclosure as he could not climb out on the visitor side! Apparently the youngster was in shock but soon recovered and was running around within the group again within an hour or so- they were lucky.

Must make a habit of it!

Prague Zoo Orangutan Rescued From Drowning in Moat

It was 2010

On Thursday 7th January, 'Pagy', an adventurous nine year old male Orangutan in Prague Zoo embarked upon a round of enclosure exploration of his 'Indonesian Jungle Pavilion' home.

Climbing along ropes and branches without a problem he became encouraged and made an attempt to explore further. An attempt to climb and swing upon some palm foliage ended in disaster as it gave way causing the unfortunate animal to fall into the deepest part of the water filled moat below.

Without a moments hesitation the brave keeper Denise Ryšková jumped into the water to rescue him. She was quickly assisted by a pavilion gardener, Zdeněk Loužil, and between them they managed to pull the animal out of the water. He appeared in a bad way but was immediately placed into the recovery position and then aid administered. He coughed up a large amount of water and quickly showed improvement and struggled to his feet.

Pagy was then persuaded into an off show area where he could be dried off and given veterinary supervision.
 
£55 million is an awful lot of money - even when spread over 20 years. I fear there may be plenty of hype here. £10 million over 3 years is more realistic aim.... I fear the orangs may be nearer the bottom of the queue.

Alan

I thought that too. London spent around £3-4 million on e.g. Gorilla Kingdom though admittedly these plans involve completely fresh buildings from scratch, but even so- £55 million over twenty years?:eek:

Regarding the Orangutans- I think a revamp of their existing quarters is definately on the cards now, though possibly as an interim measure, until the new Ape complex is built. Though its not made clear how long that might be (Chimp Eden phase excepted)
 
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but it is worth pointing out that many bad ape enclosures still get opened today, and so many establishments struggle to manage live vegetation or anything like a canopy in most exhibits.

Many bad ape enclosures do indeed still get opened. There seems an obligatory tendency to create the most impressive-looking buildings and enclosures possible, but they are not always for the animals' best benefit. A simpler cheaper enclosure can sometimes achieve that better if its well -planned and large enough to allow vegetation to remain undamaged to a greater extent.
 
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