Twycross Zoo Twycross Zoo News 2020

Andrew Swales said:
11% up on footfall, I make that? If they haven't quoted the revenue increase, then presumably you will have to wait for the Trustees report, before you can judge if it is an issue or not?
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Well I guess it depends on how you’re defining issue. The update specifically calls out record breaking revenue from admissions, as well as memberships and retail. Even without detail, considering the zoo didn’t need to share that information at all - it suggests they’re more than happy with the results - indicating no issue.

There has been some suggestion that discounting was bad, or perhaps a desperate attempt to get people through the gate. But that doesn’t always have to be the case. The more people you get in, naturally the more promotions you can afford to offer. Which in turn generate positive media for the zoo.

The real measure of “success” will be average income per guest at admissions, which is probably what they’ll want to have maintained or grown. It averaged around £10 per person across 2017 and 2018. But yes, we’d need to wait a few months for the report to see the actual change there.
 
Visited today first of the year nice weather but very cold, busy for winter, first three car parks full with no offers running today that I know of. All the animals where on show and active also which was pleasing to see for such a cold day even the rhino stood up for us today and had a walk around. The male tiger was in the display house today also, had heard he hadn’t settled as well since his arrival and was attacking the windows but appeared calm and content today so hope to see more of him in the future. More fences have appeared though, looks like this one way thing has / is growing there is now a fence growing from the spider monkeys to the bonobo’s outside area behind the tortoise outside area :( will post a pic to show.
 
Twycross zoo is closed today also because of adverse weather apparently they do give a monkeys :)
 
Just been looking through there website and found a section tucked away on the support us section to do with the 2030 vision that inc a download on this vision which though not confirmed give the species destined for the area, not sure if these where said on here before of just speculated.
https://twycrosszoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/tz-vision-2020-brochure-online.pdf
Further reading of this leaves me a little confused of the funding, the original investment of 55 million over twenty years which I think was through NatWest has already spent 10 million on recent exhibits giraffes, gibbons, chimps, rhino, and tiger leaving 45 million. This section of the development is 28 million of which they have spent 6 million I assume this is chimps and tigers with 12 million secured towards it leaving a short fall of 10 million which they are yet to secure. Whilst I don’t think this would be a problem for them over a ten year period it does state the science and consivation part of this expansion is costing 10 million. So was wondering if the bank / investments was not supporting this section more the exhibits, public sections which will lead to ticket sales ect if this was the case that would be 10 million spent, 12 million allocated leaving a further 33 million for other project not associated with the 2030 section. Some have been listed penguins, kids area and rhino 2 but this still leaves a lot of scope for a lot more redevelopment.
 
Hi, I'm a new member I came across Zoo Chat by accident, there's so much to navigate around but getting there .
I worked at Twycross as a Primate keeper over 40 years when Molly and Natalie devoted their lives to the Zoo, I have to say how disappointed I was when visiting after many years , the Zoo appears to be so run down , litter strewn around and animal pens that have seen better days, the whole experience left me deflated to say the least :(
When I was there we would be litter picking and interacting with the animals when not cleaning or feeding, Molly ran the Zoo with a heart of Gold and a rod of Steel, it seems Twycross is more commercialised now , Only those who worked under Molly would understand , the heart has gone out of Twycross I feel .
The one thing that did bring tears to my eyes were when walking into the Gorilla enclosure a picture of Biddy DOB 19th December 1973 (After being spelt Biddy for all those years someone had decided to spell her name Biddie ) .
Biddy,Eva and Diane came to Twycross in the 70's and I had the privilege to interact with them It was beautiful to see Biddy again after all those years and she had young of her own, I must have stood for an hour watching her ,all the memories came flooding back .
I heard that Eva had died, Diane went to Bristol and a colleague and myself drove down a few weeks later to see her , would love to know if shes still around ?.
I thought after all these years a statue or memorial would take pride of place at Twycross to acknowledge the wonderful achievement and work done by Molly and Natalie by starting the World renown ''Twycross Zoo'' .....

 
J C said:
Just been looking through there website and found a section tucked away on the support us section to do with the 2030 vision that inc a download on this vision which though not confirmed give the species destined for the area, not sure if these where said on here before of just speculated.
https://twycrosszoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/tz-vision-2020-brochure-online.pdf
Further reading of this leaves me a little confused of the funding, the original investment of 55 million over twenty years which I think was through NatWest has already spent 10 million on recent exhibits giraffes, gibbons, chimps, rhino, and tiger leaving 45 million. This section of the development is 28 million of which they have spent 6 million I assume this is chimps and tigers with 12 million secured towards it leaving a short fall of 10 million which they are yet to secure. Whilst I don’t think this would be a problem for them over a ten year period it does state the science and consivation part of this expansion is costing 10 million. So was wondering if the bank / investments was not supporting this section more the exhibits, public sections which will lead to ticket sales ect if this was the case that would be 10 million spent, 12 million allocated leaving a further 33 million for other project not associated with the 2030 section. Some have been listed penguins, kids area and rhino 2 but this still leaves a lot of scope for a lot more redevelopment.
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Great find!

Whilst the idea for some research campus was included in the original masterplan, I think the expectation was it would become a saterlite campus for a local University - perhaps Nottingham or Leicester - and therefore funded for by them. So the cost probably wasn't included in the £55m. Though, the new exhibts for the apes were included in that budget and plan - so I think we'll see those even if they don't secure the funding for the research and education side.
 
J C said:
Some have been listed penguins, kids area and rhino 2 but this still leaves a lot of scope for a lot more redevelopment.
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The Project Plan section 2019-30 seems to clearly list all the new developments and the order they will (hopefully) eventually take place.
 
Pertinax said:
The Project Plan section 2019-30 seems to clearly list all the new developments and the order they will take place.
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Plus in addition to this list, I suspect we'll see lots of smaller developments too. Much like we have the first 6 or so years - which may not be newsworthy but will eat up budget.
 
Gigit said:
@peggy moore According to Gorillas Galore, Diana died at London on 2 April 2002. I'm sure there are Zoochatters who can provide more details.
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Although imported along with Eva and Biddy( who incidentally were assumed to be a pair and only later discovered both to be females) Diana I believe was always earmarked to go to Bristol as a partner for their young zooborn male Daniel. So her initial stay at Twycross was only of a temporary nature. Contrary to what the zoo(Bristol) always say, giving the title to the more recent Kera/Afia birth, Diana was also the first gorilla in the UK to successfully undergo a Caesarian birth, in 1980. She went on to have other babies at Bristol( a lot in fact) but none survived her. She was sent to London with male Jeremiah when Bristol temporarily stopped exhibiting apes with the closure of their Apehouse and subsequent period of construction of the existing Gorilla Island. But Diana and Jeremiah did not return to the new exhibit. I think Bristol wanted to sweep the board clean and start afresh with new 'better' specimens.
 
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haydn said:
Plus in addition to this list, I suspect we'll see lots of smaller developments too. Much like we have the first 6 or so years - which may not be newsworthy but will eat up budget.
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Its interesting that the 'children's zone' seems to be very high up the priority list. What this actually is I am not sure. Hands-on education?
 
Pertinax said:
Its interesting that the 'children's zone' seems to be very high up the priority list. What this actually is I am not sure. Hands-on education?
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Yeah. My guess is some kind of hands-on education/play combo too.

The zoo have planning permission for a 'family adventure building' behind Himalaya and also some minor alterations to the cafe in the Explorer Zone. So my guess is an overhaul of the existing childrens area.
 
haydn said:
Yeah. My guess is some kind of hands-on education/play combo too.

The zoo have planning permission for a 'family adventure building' behind Himalaya and also some minor alterations to the cafe in the Explorer Zone. So my guess is an overhaul of the existing childrens area.
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I would say this to according to the download it’s for entry level / primary with engaging the young with nature, hold a stick insect feel a snake ect probably with a new play area attached hope fully they won’t use all this area as I would like to see it redeveloped to include some larger more zoo like species to spreed the zoo out that way more than all the developments of note taking place on the far side of the zoo. It’s a good farm park now but if I want a farm park I go to a farm park so feel the area is under used as is.
Pertinax said:
The Project Plan section 2019-30 seems to clearly list all the new developments and the order they will (hopefully) eventually take place.
Click to expand...
The order listed seams to make sense for once hopefully they stick to it as it would appear to me they would build the orange new house and the outdoor enclose to the bottom of the plan as this I think will be in an area currently undeveloped freeing up the orangs current house and the former chimp enclosure near the tigers for the bonobos whilst there house is developed and the same again there after for the gorillas whilst there enclosure is developed. This would also allow them to keep the lemurs and chip shop as long as possible as these look to fall in the area on the second orang outdoor enclosure as it looks.
 
J C said:
I would say this to according to the download it’s for entry level / primary with engaging the young with nature, hold a stick insect feel a snake ect probably with a new play area attached hope fully they won’t use all this area as I would like to see it redeveloped to include some larger more zoo like species to spreed the zoo out that way more than all the developments of note taking place on the far side of the zoo. It’s a good farm park now but if I want a farm park I go to a farm park so feel the area is under used as is.

The order listed seams to make sense for once hopefully they stick to it as it would appear to me they would build the orange new house and the outdoor enclose to the bottom of the plan as this I think will be in an area currently undeveloped freeing up the orangs current house and the former chimp enclosure near the tigers for the bonobos whilst there house is developed and the same again there after for the gorillas whilst there enclosure is developed. This would also allow them to keep the lemurs and chip shop as long as possible as these look to fall in the area on the second orang outdoor enclosure as it looks.
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It may be worth looking into what animals will need to move to make way for the major developments, that may give some clues as to what we may see in the new area. Walking with Lemurs could actually be a candidate to move to the Explorer Zone area. Possibly even the Lorikeats? Both would make good “hands on/up close” education experiences. I suspect all the Avaries along the side of the Rhino exhibit will need to move eventually too.
 
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Pertinax said:
Although imported along with Eva and Biddy( who incidentally were assumed to be a pair and only later discovered both to be females) Diana I believe was always earmarked to go to Bristol as a partner for their young zooborn male Daniel. So her initial stay at Twycross was only of a temporary nature. Contrary to what the zoo(Bristol) always say, giving the title to the more recent Kera/Afia birth, Diana was also the first gorilla in the UK to successfully undergo a Caesarian birth, in 1980. She went on to have other babies at Bristol( a lot in fact) but none survived her. She was sent to London with male Jeremiah when Bristol temporarily stopped exhibiting apes with the closure of their Apehouse and subsequent period of construction of the existing Gorilla Island. But Diana and Jeremiah did not return to the new exhibit. I think Bristol wanted to sweep the board clean and start afresh with new 'better' specimens.
Click to expand...
 
Many,many thanks for the information you gave me, you have shed a lot of light on Biddy,Eva and Diana , wish I could have seen Diana once more but it wasn't to be, Once again Thank you for updating me, with regards x
 
Pertinax said:
Although imported along with Eva and Biddy( who incidentally were assumed to be a pair and only later discovered both to be females) Diana I believe was always earmarked to go to Bristol as a partner for their young zooborn male Daniel. So her initial stay at Twycross was only of a temporary nature. Contrary to what the zoo(Bristol) always say, giving the title to the more recent Kera/Afia birth, Diana was also the first gorilla in the UK to successfully undergo a Caesarian birth, in 1980. She went on to have other babies at Bristol( a lot in fact) but none survived her. She was sent to London with male Jeremiah when Bristol temporarily stopped exhibiting apes with the closure of their Apehouse and subsequent period of construction of the existing Gorilla Island. But Diana and Jeremiah did not return to the new exhibit. I think Bristol wanted to sweep the board clean and start afresh with new 'better' specimens.
Click to expand...
Hi I used to work with Jeremiah, Daniel, Diana and Jason at Bristol zoo I have a few photos I took when I was there - I am trying to put a blog together and wondered if anyone else had photos I could use - specifically Jeremiah as I had a very close bond with him - I only just found this forum so I am over the moon to hear my beloved friends spoken about so lovingly
 
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