Twycross Zoo Twycross Zoo News 2021

[Pertinax]

Yes, there's a couple of questionable things right now. Chimp Eden feeling somewhat unfinished, the one way system, etc are all valid complaints. But I think its unfair to call them out over empty or older housing stock when its clear they have a plan to refurbish and replace most or if not all of it. My guess is that in another 15-20 years, most of the buildings and enclosures that existed pre 2010 will no longer be there or will be recognisable as they are today.

I think with Chimp Eden its only the big outside wall that's an eyesore, plus I think they could have planted more vegetation, but both are comparatively small issues, after very many years the Chimps finally have topclass accomodation. It seems their latter home, the previous gorilla house, is being given a facelift so we might expect new residents in there. But the oldest gorilla house and chimp colony buildings both remain as part of the old legacy just containing 'filler' animals for now. I guess the colony building at least might disappear if/when the newbuilds for other apes do go ahead.

 

[haydn]

I think with Chimp Eden its only the big outside wall that's an eyesore, plus I think they could have planted more vegetation, but both are comparatively small issues, after very many years the Chimps finally have topclass accomodation. Its seems their latter home, the previous gorilla house, is being given a facelift so we might expect new residents in there. But the oldest gorilla house and chimp colony buildings both remain as part of the old legacy just containing 'filler' animals for now. I guess the colony building at least might disappear if/when the newbuilds for other apes do go ahead.

Absolutely, I think over the next few years we'll see most of the old ape houses go. Based on the timeline in the future brochure, Orang-Utans are next, possibly 2023? Fortunately, they don't need to move to make way for their new home but the Bonobos which are next inline after will and so will the Gorilla's which are up after the Bonobos.

Based on this, I suspect we'll see the Bonobo's move into the old chimp house (next to Eden). Their existing exhibit can then be demolished ready for the new one. The question is where do the Gorilla's go for the short term? Could the old Orang-Utan house hold them? Or could we see them move off-site and be replaced with a new group in the future?

Once the main ape's have moved - it will open up a tonne of space in the centre of the zoo, which would hopefully afford them space and opportunity to do something about the armur leopards. There is also a monkey forest and new penguin cove planned over the same period as the ape developments.

 

[J C]

Absolutely, I think over the next few years we'll see most of the old ape houses go. Based on the timeline in the future brochure, Orang-Utans are next, possibly 2023? Fortunately, they don't need to move to make way for their new home but the Bonobos which are next inline after will and so will the Gorilla's which are up after the Bonobos.

Based on this, I suspect we'll see the Bonobo's move into the old chimp house (next to Eden). Their existing exhibit can then be demolished ready for the new one. The question is where do the Gorilla's go for the short term? Could the old Orang-Utan house hold them? Or could we see them move off-site and be replaced with a new group in the future?

Once the main ape's have moved - it will open up a tonne of space in the centre of the zoo, which would hopefully afford them space and opportunity to do something about the armur leopards. There is also a monkey forest and new penguin cove planned over the same period as the ape developments.

I don’t think the gorillas would ever move of site they won’t want to lose there ‘ marketing ‘ potential of the four great apes if anything it’s possible for them to move to there original house by the tapirs for the short term if the indoor quarters still exist to be suitable

 

[Pertinax]

Absolutely, I think over the next few years we'll see most of the old ape houses go. Based on the timeline in the future brochure, Orang-Utans are next, possibly 2023? Fortunately, they don't need to move to make way for their new home but the Bonobos which are next inline after will and so will the Gorilla's which are up after the Bonobos.

Based on this, I suspect we'll see the Bonobo's move into the old chimp house (next to Eden). Their existing exhibit can then be demolished ready for the new one. The question is where do the Gorilla's go for the short term? Could the old Orang-Utan house hold them? Or could we see them move off-site and be replaced with a new group in the future?

Once the main ape's have moved - it will open up a tonne of space in the centre of the zoo, which would hopefully afford them space and opportunity to do something about the armur leopards. There is also a monkey forest and new penguin cove planned over the same period as the ape developments.

I am presuming the structural repairs on the ex Gorilla and Chimp house (the one near Eden) currently being done indicate its going to be used again for Apes but that's only a guess, afaik nothing has been announced by the zoo. General consensus seems to suggest the Bonobos, or over time could it also be to house the younger male gorillas? I know the plans showed two gorilla groups in the future, one of them being a bachelor one, though they still might need to form one sooner than that- Lope is already eight and Shufai rather younger. Perhaps it is too soon yet( I prefer to see them stay in their natal group as long as possible anyway) but its a thought. When it does happen there are two other males in the same age range who might join them, Baaku(8) from Belfast & Gernot(rising 6) from London, which would make a group of 4. I don't know the situation with the Bonobos at present but it seems perhaps more likely they are the ones(or some of them) that will move in here initially, if it is being prepared for apes that is. Perhaps it will see more than one different species use it over time?

I am sure they would rearrange things so the main group of gorillas doesn't have to leave or be offshow at any point. They have more potential alternative/temporary housing for Apes there than elsewhere anyway.

 

[haydn]

Yeah, I couldn’t see them moving the Gorillas out of the zoo, even if it was for just a year. But they do pose a logistical challenge.

I guess they could move them to the old Chimp house (after the Bonobo’s) whilst they build the new Gorilla House and one of the outside areas, then complete the second outdoor area once the animals have moved in and the old Chimp house can be demolished.

Of course, this is all based on the locations of the exhibits in the concept art - which might not be representative of the final layout at all!

 

[J C]

Yeah, I couldn’t see them moving the Gorillas out of the zoo, even if it was for just a year. But they do pose a logistical challenge.

I guess they could move them to the old Chimp house (after the Bonobo’s) whilst they build the new Gorilla House and one of the outside areas, then complete the second outdoor area once the animals have moved in and the old Chimp house can be demolished.

Of course, this is all based on the locations of the exhibits in the concept art - which might not be representative of the final layout at all!

They could be thinking of moving the gorillas in the old chimp enclosure, last time I was there they where replacing the outside enclosure viewing windows I would presume this would be for stronger glass as I couldn’t see them replacing it for any other reason given all the other enclosures has the same glass from the seventies still in it so it must be for upgrading perposes

 

[Pertinax]

Of course, this is all based on the locations of the exhibits in the concept art - which might not be representative of the final layout at all!

Very true...

 

[Pertinax]

They could be thinking of moving the gorillas in the old chimp enclosure, last time I was there they where replacing the outside enclosure viewing windows I would presume this would be for stronger glass as I couldn’t see them replacing it for any other reason given all the other enclosures has the same glass from the seventies still in it so it must be for upgrading perposes

Which is why I'm presuming more Apes will be using it again rather than some other species, although its not clear what strength of glass they've put in this time- I seem to remember some panels had been broken anyway. I think the main gorilla group will stay where they are presently, as according to the outline plans, a move for them isn't necessary anytime soon, so more likely perhaps to be a transitionary home for Bonobos or the young male gorillas, maybe the latter later on...guesswork entirely of course.

 

[J C]

Which is why I'm presuming more Apes will be using it again rather than some other species, although its not clear what strength of glass they've put in this time- I seem to remember some panels had been broken anyway. I think the main gorilla group will stay where they are presently, as according to the outline plans, a move for them isn't necessary anytime soon, so more likely perhaps to be a transitionary home for Bonobos or the young male gorillas, maybe the latter later on...guesswork entirely of course.

Whilst we are guessing I hope they move the leopard in there temporarily from the snow leopards enclosure so they can get a new snow leopard in and hopefully start breeding again as they do tend to do well on leopard breeding

 

[Benosaurus]

With the exception of 2020, and most likely this year too for obvious reasons, the zoo has enjoyed year on year growth in terms of visitor numbers and financials. That suggests what they're doing is resonating well with the every day visitor.

I don't think it's as black and white as that. You can attract more and more visitors, and those visitors can have an okay enough experience, but what I'm saying is that the experience could be better.

improvements take time and money.

Believe me I know.

I'm not sure which part of current plans have come out of nowhere?

'Come out of nowhere' as in when they were revealed they were completely unexpected in terms of their magnitude.

To elaborate on why I am sceptical about the plans:

• By 2030 (less than 9 years away) they say they want to build a new;

- Children's zone.
- Orangutan enclosure phase 1.
- Bonobo enclosure.
- Rhinoceros enclosure phase 2.
- Gorilla enclosure.
- Penguin enclosure.
- Orangutan enclosure phase 2.
- 'Monkey tropical forest'.
- National Science and Conservation Centre (NSCC) which will include laboratories, classrooms, lecture theatres, café and accommodation block.

• 13 months ago the zoo was panicking and warning that because they missed out on the government's emergency COVID funding they would have to carry out a "mass cull" of their animals. They said the zoo was costing £650,000 a month to run while closed and £950,000 a month when working at maximum capacity. How many months were zoos closed for during the pandemic? Have they said any of the plans have been amended/downsized since the pandemic? Have the large new enclosures they have already built in recent years (chimps, tigers, gibbons, giraffe) finished being paid for yet?
• The NSCC is not confirmed. All they have done is simply thought of some plans and put in a bid for the £20 million Government’s Levelling Up Fund to build it. In the meantime they have have got some great publicity out of it, overdosed on flimflam and self-installed a halo above their heads.
• How much are they relying on winning that £20 million for them to be able to build all the proposed new orang/gorilla/bonobo etc. enclosures as well?
• They have released a shiny publicity video that talks about the global crisis i.e. global warming, climate change, pollution, declining wildlife populations, deforestation, poaching and that now is the time to act. Hilariously they then say that the way to combat this is by building this NSCC. Sorry, but how on Earth do they think that any of these things will be in any way significantly impacted by a scientist studying a captive orangutan (like scientists haven't already been studying captive animals for countless years) as well as more laboratories and classrooms/lecture theatres in the UK of all places, which we already have an abundance of. The answer is that they don't really think that. Imagine how much meaningful in-situ conservation projects would benefit and make an actual real-world difference to many of those global crisis factors with £20 million.

To be honest I hope they do win the bid as of course it will mean Twycross will get some desperately needed new enclosures for its animals. I just don't like the whole false pretence and over-hyped importance of the NSCC (which is not set in stone), but I do understand they have no other choice if they want the funds.

Twycross Zoo warns of 'mass cull' of animals after missing out on Government funding - Derbyshire Live (derbytelegraph.co.uk)
Welcome to the Future of Twycross Zoo | Twycross Zoo
tz-vision-2020-brochure-online.pdf (twycrosszoo.org)
£20m bid to create National Science and Conservation Centre at Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire - Business Live (business-live.co.uk)

 

[hjkr]

Just got back from Twycross.

Nothing much to report. Very busy, very few people wearing masks (even indoors) and with all of the barriers it was difficult to avoid people as lots of people had to congregate in the same area to get from one place to another.

Anyway:
-The bonobos were quite active today; usually when I visit they're all just sleeping in the corner.
-The orangutan females and youngsters were locked inside; I assume Batu had access to the outdoor enclosure but we didn't see him anywhere.
-No sign of the tapirs for the third visit in a row - anyone know if they're still there?
-Lope (gorilla) is getting bigger, now around the same size as the females, I wonder if he'll be moved on soon.

I'll add a few photos to the media section.

 

[Pertinax]

J
-Lope (gorilla) is getting bigger, now around the same size as the females, I wonder if he'll be moved on soon.

There is currently no new or planned UK group he could join, but I think it is likely Twycross will create one themselves when he does need to leave the group, either with Shufai or other males as company.

 

[haydn]

I don't think it's as black and white as that. You can attract more and more visitors, and those visitors can have an okay enough experience, but what I'm saying is that the experience could be better.



Believe me I know.



'Come out of nowhere' as in when they were revealed they were completely unexpected in terms of their magnitude.

To elaborate on why I am sceptical about the plans:

• By 2030 (less than 9 years away) they say they want to build a new;

- Children's zone.
- Orangutan enclosure phase 1.
- Bonobo enclosure.
- Rhinoceros enclosure phase 2.
- Gorilla enclosure.
- Penguin enclosure.
- Orangutan enclosure phase 2.
- 'Monkey tropical forest'.
- National Science and Conservation Centre (NSCC) which will include laboratories, classrooms, lecture theatres, café and accommodation block.

• 13 months ago the zoo was panicking and warning that because they missed out on the government's emergency COVID funding they would have to carry out a "mass cull" of their animals. They said the zoo was costing £650,000 a month to run while closed and £950,000 a month when working at maximum capacity. How many months were zoos closed for during the pandemic? Have they said any of the plans have been amended/downsized since the pandemic? Have the large new enclosures they have already built in recent years (chimps, tigers, gibbons, giraffe) finished being paid for yet?
• The NSCC is not confirmed. All they have done is simply thought of some plans and put in a bid for the £20 million Government’s Levelling Up Fund to build it. In the meantime they have have got some great publicity out of it, overdosed on flimflam and self-installed a halo above their heads.
• How much are they relying on winning that £20 million for them to be able to build all the proposed new orang/gorilla/bonobo etc. enclosures as well?
• They have released a shiny publicity video that talks about the global crisis i.e. global warming, climate change, pollution, declining wildlife populations, deforestation, poaching and that now is the time to act. Hilariously they then say that the way to combat this is by building this NSCC. Sorry, but how on Earth do they think that any of these things will be in any way significantly impacted by a scientist studying a captive orangutan (like scientists haven't already been studying captive animals for countless years) as well as more laboratories and classrooms/lecture theatres in the UK of all places, which we already have an abundance of. The answer is that they don't really think that. Imagine how much meaningful in-situ conservation projects would benefit and make an actual real-world difference to many of those global crisis factors with £20 million.

To be honest I hope they do win the bid as of course it will mean Twycross will get some desperately needed new enclosures for its animals. I just don't like the whole false pretence and over-hyped importance of the NSCC (which is not set in stone), but I do understand they have no other choice if they want the funds.

Twycross Zoo warns of 'mass cull' of animals after missing out on Government funding - Derbyshire Live (derbytelegraph.co.uk)
Welcome to the Future of Twycross Zoo | Twycross Zoo
tz-vision-2020-brochure-online.pdf (twycrosszoo.org)
£20m bid to create National Science and Conservation Centre at Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire - Business Live (business-live.co.uk)

I can understand the scepticism. But I guess you have to look at some of that in the context of when it was announced or when it happened.

First, the 2030 vision was all announced pre-pandemic, when the zoo was in a very different place to today. It was off the back of several very successful years and I personally believe the zoo we’re more than capable of delivering what they had outlined in the timeline up to 2030 at that moment in time. Giraffes, Gibbon Forest, Chimp Eden, Tigers and Rhinos, plus a host of smaller developments delivered across five years demonstrates the zoo are capable of delivering big projects in close succession.

However, fast forward 18 months and through a global pandemic. Of course things will have changed! Do I expect them now to deliver all that before 2030? No. And I suspect no reasonable person would either. However, do I think they’ll still deliver these projects in time? Yes!

The zoo said themselves last year, they had paused all investment programmes whilst they took stock on the impacts of COVID. However, they’re now planning what was to be the next project (the children’s zone) for next year, only one year later than planned, which should be taken as an indication things are back in motion. I suspect a few things may have changed - but the projects we're largely dictated by a need to improve animal welfare so I suspect the general areas of focus will remain the same (apes, monkeys, penguins and Rhino). And would it really matter if it was done by 2035 now instead? No. Surely what matters most, is the zoo continues to move forward.

I don’t personally believe the projects within the existing zoo we’re directly dependent on them securing the funding for the science centre either. Most we’re already part of the existing 20-year transformation plan, for which funding was largely secured. And whilst they formed part of the marketing material and visuals, I believe this was purely to demonstrate the zoo’s continued development and subsequently positioning it as a location worthy of investment (after all the vision was launched with a plea for £10m investment from third parties!).

In terms of applying for he levelling up fund. This again demonstrates they’re still committed to the idea surely? They were always looking for £10 million investment and it’s not too hard to believe that funding gap has increased due to the impacts of the pandemic (if resources have been redirected or early investors pulled out) - or perhaps they're just trying their luck to get as much as possible.

And finally. Some of the comments the zoo made over the last 12-18 months (namely those around mass-culling) we’re clearly exaggerated to gain media attention. The zoo fund was seriously flawed and fair play to Twycross Zoo using their voice to call the Government out on this. I guess the shock-factor tactics they used in their PR though we’re a reflection on their current management having a history in campaigning (and protesting) for animal welfare. The reality though: at the end of 2019, the zoo we’re sitting on just over £23m in reserves. They were in no immediate danger of closing at the time they made those comments but I guess, had the closures continued it could have quickly become a reality for them and many zoos.

In short though, I get your scepticism. But I personally believe we have reasons to be more optimistic. And the world sure as hell could benefit from more optimism!

 

[hjkr]

There is currently no new or planned UK group he could join, but I think it is likely Twycross will create one themselves when he does need to leave the group, either with Shufai or other males as company.

Thank you for the information, I wasn't sure if there was a bachelor group he would be moved to. I guess on the plus side there are a few empty enclosures that previously housed chimps and may be suitable (with a bit of refurbishing) for a small group of males.

 

[Shorts]

I can understand the scepticism.

Yes, given past experience of over-promising (to be fair Twycross are not the only ones) and.....

I can understand the scepticism.
And finally. Some of the comments the zoo made over the last 12-18 months (namely those around mass-culling) we’re clearly exaggerated to gain media attention.

You admit yourself they're not above exaggeration.

The reality though: at the end of 2019, the zoo we’re sitting on just over £23m in reserves.

Without commencing business studies 101, note that reserves are not equivalent to cash (of which Twycross "only" had £2.7m). Given their operations don't generally generate a large surplus it's hard to imagine significant capital expenditure (have you seen the cost of good ape enclosures?) without obtaining a major amount of external funding. Let's hope their efforts in this area succeed.

Sure, I want Twycross to do well (it's my nearest zoo) but with big zoo developments, and associated timescales, experience has shown there's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip. I remain hopeful but will not get excited till it's completed.

 

[haydn]

Without commencing business studies 101, note that reserves are not equivalent to cash (of which Twycross "only" had £2.7m). Given their operations don't generally generate a large surplus it's hard to imagine significant capital expenditure (have you seen the cost of good ape enclosures?) without obtaining a major amount of external funding. Let's hope their efforts in this area succeed.

This all explained in the charity trustees report. They’re required to make freely available enough cash to operate the zoo for 90 days. This is why they maintain a minimum cash in the bank of £2.7m. Everything else (above the general income/expenditure) is transferred into the charitable trust, which currently stands at £23m.

The zoo are able to pull down on this as and when needed - in addition to having access to other existing credit facilities, and the trustees are committed to supporting the continued redevelopment of the zoo.

 

[Shorts]

This all explained in the charity trustees report. They’re required to make freely available enough cash to operate the zoo for 90 days. This is why they maintain a minimum cash in the bank of £2.7m. Everything else (above the general income/expenditure) is transferred into the charitable trust, which currently stands at £23m.

The zoo are able to pull down on this as and when needed - in addition to having access to other existing credit facilities, and the trustees are committed to supporting the continued redevelopment of the zoo.

Excuse my ignorance but where's the £23m shown in the consolidated balance sheet (summary of assets and liabilities) of the charity?

 

[haydn]

Excuse my ignorance but where's the £23m shown in the consolidated balance sheet (summary of assets and liabilities) of the charity?

Good question!

It's not shown there. Looking at definitions of the sections - I'm guessing because the trust is held for longer than 12 months, it's excluded from the 'other' category. However, if you look at the full financial report for 2019 (the latest available), it's referenced in the trustee's report and also the statements on pages 20-22.

Worth also mentioning, the reports explain that the zoo have typically paid for large parts of the recent developments themselves through their normal income streams plus some credit. Capital expenditure in this area is accounted for under the conservation and welfare expenditure of the main statement. There is reference to a loan for the Tiger enclosure, but past reports show the zoo paid for Chimp Eden themselves in two chunks over the two year build.

Though not fully detailed, there is a section under Going Concern which talks about the impacts of COVID-19. The zoo maxed out a number of its credit facilities in 2020, took £3m in Government business loans and paused any non-essential cap-ex spend 2020. Though in the periods they were open, they performed better than expected. So it will be interesting to see the full impact on those numbers in the next report.

 

[Shorts]

Good question!

It's not shown there. Looking at definitions of the sections - I'm guessing because the trust is held for longer than 12 months, it's excluded from the 'other' category. However, if you look at the full financial report for 2019 (the latest available), it's referenced in the trustee's report and also the statements on pages 20-22.

As I suspected these are not monies held but notional funds (or reserves). This is illustrated (though not entirely caused) by the fact that these funds include revaluations of assets (not cash inflow, just an accounting adjustment) and are influenced by actuarial gains/losses of the pension fund (again notional and not a cash-flow). The cash they've got looked to be £2.7m (2019) after all.

Very basically (ignoring the notional stuff which is dark arts territory) this seeming anomaly arises thus: Charity makes "profit" (funds) of £1m and from the £1m cash received spends £0.8m on enclosures (fixed assets) leaving £0.2m in bank -hence £1m funds but only £0.2m cash (the other £0.8m's in fixed assets and no longer available to spend). Over time a significant gap between reserves and actual cash held can open up.

Now, anyone want to talk animals?

 

[haydn]

As I suspected these are not monies held but notional funds (or reserves). This is illustrated (though not entirely caused) by the fact that these funds include revaluations of assets (not cash inflow, just an accounting adjustment) and are influenced by actuarial gains/losses of the pension fund (again notional and not a cash-flow). The cash they've got looked to be £2.7m (2019) after all.

Very basically (ignoring the notional stuff which is dark arts territory) this seeming anomaly arises thus: Charity makes "profit" (funds) of £1m and from the £1m cash received spends £0.8m on enclosures (fixed assets) leaving £0.2m in bank -hence £1m funds but only £0.2m cash (the other £0.8m's in fixed assets and no longer available to spend). Over time a significant gap between reserves and actual cash held can open up.

Now, anyone want to talk animals?

Hands up. I miss-understood that part.