Twycross Zoo Twycross Zoo News 2023

Rajang-GOAT said:
  • Thanks for the summary, hopefully I will get round to it next time, it was a case of it understandingly being lower priority than the great apes and other more exciting species and modern developments.
  • Yeah I guess I was just unlucky with the Snow Leopards, still a beautiful enclosure though!
  • At the very least the Northern White Cheeked Gibbons had access outside as i got a few photos, not sure if I saw any other species though and the balcony/walkway on the right from the entrance was closed for maintenance.
  • The Nyala were separate from the Giraffe (which were inside anyway) in their own enclosure and I managed to get a few decent photos through the mesh.
  • I was going off what I had seen on the Colchester website that said Chester was the only zoo limited to one visit, but I'll bear it in mind, and I don't mind waiting until next year to visit again, that's when all the exciting stuff will happen, and there's many other zoos I could visit in the meantime.
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Going of the Colchester site you have unlimited access to twycross through out the year, like I have on my twycross pass to Colchester,you are also limited to the on visit to marwell though like chester. As mentioned though by @Alwaysevergreen i don’t think they police the one visits, last time I used mine at Chester they just look at it through the kiosk window to check my photo and didn’t take any details of it, name, membership number ect. You can see the second snow leopards holding area from the gruffalo area, over the fence was watching one of them the other day being feed on one of the platforms there, not always but the last few time I’ve gone. And the gruffalo area is worth the time to visit not least for the butterfly house to warm up on what is normally a cold visit to twycross. Glad you enjoyed your visit though always good to hear new, fresh eyes opinions on the place.
 
J C said:
Going of the Colchester site you have unlimited access to twycross through out the year, like I have on my twycross pass to Colchester,you are also limited to the on visit to marwell though like chester. As mentioned though by @Alwaysevergreen i don’t think they police the one visits, last time I used mine at Chester they just look at it through the kiosk window to check my photo and didn’t take any details of it, name, membership number ect. You can see the second snow leopards holding area from the gruffalo area, over the fence was watching one of them the other day being feed on one of the platforms there, not always but the last few time I’ve gone. And the gruffalo area is worth the time to visit not least for the butterfly house to warm up on what is normally a cold visit to twycross. Glad you enjoyed your visit though always good to hear new, fresh eyes opinions on the place.
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  • Well on the Colchester website it doesn't say any limits for Marwell, though I think that shouldn't trouble me anyway, it just says Chester, but I will bear in mind the lack of policing.
  • Yeah, I will most likely get to the gruffalo area on my next visit and see everything it has to offer, is it not currently most recent development at Twycross?
  • Yeah thanks for your feedback, I hope to visit semi-regularly in the future, at least compared to other zoos of a similar size that I can't get into for free.
 
Alwaysevergreen said:
Managed to speak to a keeper.

The Bonobo area if fenced off, with only house viewing because, they are sorting out the path. I wondered with the poles in the ground, if an extension was being done, but no, it is just work on the path and viewing should be back to normal in the next couple of weeks.

Michie's Tufted Deer are 2 females, but not going anywhere, they are just doing crate training in case they ever need to take them in for veterinary needs and she said they do this with a lot of animals.

The small monkeys area is now open with the Marmosets and Tamarin's back on show. This is what the keeper told me, but sadly I couldn't find this area, and the only ones I saw were the Titi Monkeys and Pygmy Marmosets, and the ones behind here, appeared to be fenced off.

A lot of birds have been moved or are offshow because of AI.

Over this year, they are doing a lot of improvements on many of the primate exhibits, so things will shuffle around this year as each improvement is done. She said a lot of the primates were in multiple exhibits or in ones they wouldn't normally be in at present.

I asked if the Lemur Walkthrough would re-open soon, and was told unlikely in the near future.
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There are 3 michie’s tufted deer at twycross at least there was today if there is two females I would assume this is mother and daughter and the other in the right hand enclosure is dad. Would think the crates are there for there to move them for the new developments in the area hope fully to another area of the zoo
 
Sorry if this has already been said, I’ve been a busy and haven’t had the time to read the chat haha. It’s been confirmed Kayan is now at Monkey World in the orang crèche! Hopefully I can see her on my visit in April!
 
First visit for quite a while (2021) taking advantage of free entry with Colchester pass. It was pretty busy and the weather was changeable with periodic torrential rain. The site doesn’t drain very well it seems (flooding in the tiger tunnel, the penguin viewing area was blocked off and full of water and generally muddy and wet around the site). I’m always a bit surprised by people not having coats for an outdoor visit when the weather forecast is grim - loads of people got soaked. Still it helped keep it feeling fairly quiet in most areas even when the sun came out.

On the only occasion I visited before there was such a lot of glass banging and shouting at the apes I just left and didn’t see the whole zoo. Luckily this time none of that, so glad it was a one off. Found all the things I missed last time.

I found the zoo quite a mixed bag which reflects the comments on here and the redevelopment plans. It does look half ok, half in a bit of disorder or run down if that makes sense.

The Gruffalo thing had a couple of animals in it to look at (Edwards pheasant a highlight) and no doubt good for the kids which is fun.The goats were absent somewhere. It’s a big area for not much to see but accept am not target audience.

As Rajang mentioned the gibbon forest was a highlight and lots of outside as well as indoor action with some playing on the high poles when the sun came out and all three outdoor spaces featuring animals to see. Good spaces for viewing and the animals and lots to enjoy.

Quite a few enclosures signed as birds off show due to avian flu which is entirely reasonable. But quite a few also simply empty and signed waiting refurb. I can’t recall another collection I’ve visited recently with quite as many empty spaces. Still, means there’s a place to put more animals.

I really enjoyed the butterfly house with the crowned pigeons. Some colourful specimens and the pigeons were happy to come close which was excellent.

The lemur walkthrough was closed (along with the walk through aviaries due to avian flu) and no sign of them.

Enjoyed the variety of small and medium size monkeys - lots of activity and some unusual species. It’s good to have so many to see quite near each other and a few circuits of the zoo paid off in terms of viewing. Some noticeably newer enclosure spaces looked well done. Some of the old ones look pretty tired (including some damaged glass). The longhouse was shut / signed refurb - the path to it was flooded.

One of the tigers was active. It’s an interesting enclosure design with the glass tunnel - the female who was out was sitting on the wooden frame that runs over it and taking quite an interest in people underneath for a while so looks like it works for both. Good variety of items and felt modern.

The bush dogs were great to watch and had a decent area to run around in. Spent quite a bit of time there once they were up and about.

Enjoyed seeing the black rhino, giraffes and Nyala (the giraffe were in but the Nyala were out in the paddock). The rhino were separated with a lot of action going on through the bars between the big grass and more sandy / rock enclosure.

The Amur Leopard space was rather cat in a box for me and it looks odd.

Saw one of the snow leopards. It’s a little strange having the best viewing from the cafe (which was very busy with people taking all the chairs into groups near the windows leaving no where to either sit or watch the enclosure if you hadn’t formed a group of 8 adults and 10 kids) but it’s a great backdrop. Struck me as somewhere you’d have to visit on a weekday if you wanted to spend time watching it from the best angles.

The small wetland area could do with a bit more effort on signage.

Being able to see all the great apes in one zoo is pretty cool and the bonobos were the stand out for me. Amazing to see. The young bonobo is a complete treat. I hope their enclosure is on the list for some modernisation. The orang outdoor space seemed a bit small as well compared to a couple of the newer enclosures about the place. But the multi level indoor space was interesting. Some of the chimps did venture out for a bit which was great. The indoor area wasn’t too crowded with people so got some good views. Saw the gorillas, albeit briefly - their indoor viewing area was rammed because of the rain but that’s understandable and it’s personal choice to wade through a crowd!

I’d not seen Michies tufted deer before so that was awesome. I was excited to read about them in this thread and saw two. Be interesting to see them in a more open space if they move.

The only thing I found really off was an enclosure for Seriema which had two birds in a small space next to two enclosures for owls (who had more room). I’ve not seen larger birds in such a small area for a while (though it at least had some height). Caveat of course that I’m not a zoo professional or Seriema expert, but you can only compare what you see around and this looked about the right size for some chickens of the non battery sort.

On the whole the zoo had some interesting animals and spaces and the monkey / ape collection justifies a repeat visit.
 
Lafone said:
First visit for quite a while (2021) taking advantage of free entry with Colchester pass. It was pretty busy and the weather was changeable with periodic torrential rain. The site doesn’t drain very well it seems (flooding in the tiger tunnel, the penguin viewing area was blocked off and full of water and generally muddy and wet around the site). I’m always a bit surprised by people not having coats for an outdoor visit when the weather forecast is grim - loads of people got soaked. Still it helped keep it feeling fairly quiet in most areas even when the sun came out.

On the only occasion I visited before there was such a lot of glass banging and shouting at the apes I just left and didn’t see the whole zoo. Luckily this time none of that, so glad it was a one off. Found all the things I missed last time.

I found the zoo quite a mixed bag which reflects the comments on here and the redevelopment plans. It does look half ok, half in a bit of disorder or run down if that makes sense.

The Gruffalo thing had a couple of animals in it to look at (Edwards pheasant a highlight) and no doubt good for the kids which is fun.The goats were absent somewhere. It’s a big area for not much to see but accept am not target audience.

As Rajang mentioned the gibbon forest was a highlight and lots of outside as well as indoor action with some playing on the high poles when the sun came out and all three outdoor spaces featuring animals to see. Good spaces for viewing and the animals and lots to enjoy.

Quite a few enclosures signed as birds off show due to avian flu which is entirely reasonable. But quite a few also simply empty and signed waiting refurb. I can’t recall another collection I’ve visited recently with quite as many empty spaces. Still, means there’s a place to put more animals.

I really enjoyed the butterfly house with the crowned pigeons. Some colourful specimens and the pigeons were happy to come close which was excellent.

The lemur walkthrough was closed (along with the walk through aviaries due to avian flu) and no sign of them.

Enjoyed the variety of small and medium size monkeys - lots of activity and some unusual species. It’s good to have so many to see quite near each other and a few circuits of the zoo paid off in terms of viewing. Some noticeably newer enclosure spaces looked well done. Some of the old ones look pretty tired (including some damaged glass). The longhouse was shut / signed refurb - the path to it was flooded.

One of the tigers was active. It’s an interesting enclosure design with the glass tunnel - the female who was out was sitting on the wooden frame that runs over it and taking quite an interest in people underneath for a while so looks like it works for both. Good variety of items and felt modern.

The bush dogs were great to watch and had a decent area to run around in. Spent quite a bit of time there once they were up and about.

Enjoyed seeing the black rhino, giraffes and Nyala (the giraffe were in but the Nyala were out in the paddock). The rhino were separated with a lot of action going on through the bars between the big grass and more sandy / rock enclosure.

The Amur Leopard space was rather cat in a box for me and it looks odd.

Saw one of the snow leopards. It’s a little strange having the best viewing from the cafe (which was very busy with people taking all the chairs into groups near the windows leaving no where to either sit or watch the enclosure if you hadn’t formed a group of 8 adults and 10 kids) but it’s a great backdrop. Struck me as somewhere you’d have to visit on a weekday if you wanted to spend time watching it from the best angles.

The small wetland area could do with a bit more effort on signage.

Being able to see all the great apes in one zoo is pretty cool and the bonobos were the stand out for me. Amazing to see. The young bonobo is a complete treat. I hope their enclosure is on the list for some modernisation. The orang outdoor space seemed a bit small as well compared to a couple of the newer enclosures about the place. But the multi level indoor space was interesting. Some of the chimps did venture out for a bit which was great. The indoor area wasn’t too crowded with people so got some good views. Saw the gorillas, albeit briefly - their indoor viewing area was rammed because of the rain but that’s understandable and it’s personal choice to wade through a crowd!

I’d not seen Michies tufted deer before so that was awesome. I was excited to read about them in this thread and saw two. Be interesting to see them in a more open space if they move.

The only thing I found really off was an enclosure for Seriema which had two birds in a small space next to two enclosures for owls (who had more room). I’ve not seen larger birds in such a small area for a while (though it at least had some height). Caveat of course that I’m not a zoo professional or Seriema expert, but you can only compare what you see around and this looked about the right size for some chickens of the non battery sort.

On the whole the zoo had some interesting animals and spaces and the monkey / ape collection justifies a repeat visit.
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Great review, nice to see a lot of your experiences and views reflect mine. This includes some of the flooding and puddles (I also only saw one tiger briefly inside), I saw 2 Tufted Deer as well as the crates in their enclosure, sadly I didn't see the Bush Dogs, and I actually had pretty good views of the Gorillas, Bonobos, and Orangutans, but I think the glass/viewing areas weren't really ideal for those, as the glass looked to possibly have been a bit foggy.
Either way none of those windows were ideal for photography for me, and it wasn't too easy to see the orangutans high up or the Bonobos (and a baby or 2) inside (bear in mind on my visit most of the individuals for all 4 species of great ape were inside, understandably considering the weather). I think part of my views on Gibbon Forest are probably down to personal preference, but either way it sets the standards high for the new great apes exhibits in the near future.
 
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Went to Twycross today and I have some news to share!

The house with the marmosets and tamarins that has been closed for a while is now open! You can see the indoor quarters for the small monkeys. The Red Titi and Pygmy Marmosets are no longer in that area (not sure where they have gone) the Pygmy marmosets were in the old L’hoest monkey house but are no longer there. I will add photos to the gallery later.

Near the Marmosets and Tamarins were the Dusky Langurs. They are renovating that building as I’ve said before. I asked a keeper and they said it should be done hopefully in 1-2 weeks time!

I asked a Keeper about the two black rhinoceroses. The keeper said they have plans to introduce them together next month. I saw the rhinoceroses outside in separate yards very close to the fences and rubbing against each over through the fence. Hopefully we will see some offspring at Twycross zoo!

All of the bird species (except the Owls and Seriema) are off show because of Avian Flu.

Inside the Siamang enclosure in Gibbon Forest the slides to the outside enclosure have bars on them. I haven’t seen the Siamangs in gibbon forest for a while now.
 
Pandaboi said:
Went to Twycross today and I have some news to share!

The house with the marmosets and tamarins that has been closed for a while is now open! You can see the indoor quarters for the small monkeys. The Red Titi and Pygmy Marmosets are no longer in that area (not sure where they have gone) the Pygmy marmosets were in the old L’hoest monkey house but are no longer there. I will add photos to the gallery later.

Near the Marmosets and Tamarins were the Dusky Langurs. They are renovating that building as I’ve said before. I asked a keeper and they said it should be done hopefully in 1-2 weeks time!

I asked a Keeper about the two black rhinoceroses. The keeper said they have plans to introduce them together next month. I saw the rhinoceroses outside in separate yards very close to the fences and rubbing against each over through the fence. Hopefully we will see some offspring at Twycross zoo!

All of the bird species (except the Owls and Seriema) are off show because of Avian Flu.

Inside the Siamang enclosure in Gibbon Forest the slides to the outside enclosure have bars on them. I haven’t seen the Siamangs in gibbon forest for a while now.
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I wouldn't want to burst your bubble however... Black rhino Nandi is 24 this year and although still in her prime has only produced one calf who was born 2013.

Not that it is unrealistic but the chance of Nandi getting pregnant would be slim plus it would depend how dominant the bull is seen as he's younger.
However miracles do happen and it would be a massive achievement for Twycross which they do deserve
 
The red titi where down in the old monkey enclosure near the owls on your way through to the rhinos and giraffe last time I was there some weeks ago. They where supposed to get a third rhino a while back possible a younger female but have since blamed it’s none arrival at the moment due to brexit paper work. The siamangs where there when I was last there, but all the gibbions where locked inside that day and the zoo had just been erecting new hot wire below there hatch outside so I wouldn’t be supposed if they had found a new way to escape again.
 
Embu said:
I wouldn't want to burst your bubble however... Black rhino Nandi is 24 this year and although still in her prime has only produced one calf who was born 2013.

Not that it is unrealistic but the chance of Nandi getting pregnant would be slim plus it would depend how dominant the bull is seen as he's younger.
However miracles do happen and it would be a massive achievement for Twycross which they do deserve
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she is pretty old haha, I was just repeating what the keepers said :)
 
J C said:
The red titi where down in the old monkey enclosure near the owls on your way through to the rhinos and giraffe last time I was there some weeks ago. They where supposed to get a third rhino a while back possible a younger female but have since blamed it’s none arrival at the moment due to brexit paper work. The siamangs where there when I was last there, but all the gibbions where locked inside that day and the zoo had just been erecting new hot wire below there hatch outside so I wouldn’t be supposed if they had found a new way to escape again.
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where the titi was where you saw it last time you visited is where I saw the Pygmy Marmosets. Though now nothing is there
 
J C said:
The red titi where down in the old monkey enclosure near the owls on your way through to the rhinos and giraffe last time I was there some weeks ago. They where supposed to get a third rhino a while back possible a younger female but have since blamed it’s none arrival at the moment due to brexit paper work. The siamangs where there when I was last there, but all the gibbions where locked inside that day and the zoo had just been erecting new hot wire below there hatch outside so I wouldn’t be supposed if they had found a new way to escape again.
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The pygmy marmosets were also in the corner enclosure near the path to the rhinos, just past the hoarding with all the animal picutres, when I was there last week.
 
Have just got back from the zoo. It wasn't as busy as I'd thought it would be so that was good.

Both the pygmy marmosets and red titi monkeys are now in the old crowned lemur enclosure (on the corner near the bonobos, rhinos and zebras). The pygmy marmosets were not sign posted that I could see but the titi monkeys were.

The orangutans seemed to be separated with Batu alone indoors and Maliku/Basuki outside with access to the back enclosure where Kayan used to stay. Most of the gorillas were active. The chimps were very quiet, no sign of Jambo, Genet or Samantha although I didn't stay long as it was quite crowded in there.

I did not go to the other small monkeys as I didn't have time (only went around half the zoo) so did not see how the renovations are coming alone for the dusky langur enclosure.

I overheard a keeper telling someone the two snow leopards are still separate. Today it was Khumbu's turn in the main enclosure.
 
Great read. That new enclosure has given Coco and the others a new lease of life. TZ has come a long way in a reasonably short space of time, how ever overdue it has been. Long may it and Coco continue!
 
Had a short visit this afternoon, couple of bits of news the world of small monkeys house has reopened and been refitted looking smart will upload a pic. The tortoises in the giraffe house have gone with their little shed cleared away, speaking to some one she beloved they had now left the collection. Some of the over growth has been cleared in sone enclosure and around the nyala stables so you can see them clearly. Not the same at the bush dogs but would think there’s will be done sone, as the enclosure has three foot high thick bush all over and no chance of seeing them. And the long house is still shut but you can see the birds in there still if you find a gap in the surrounding bush
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J C said:
Had a short visit this afternoon, couple of bits of news the world of small monkeys house has reopened and been refitted looking smart will upload a pic. The tortoises in the giraffe house have gone with their little shed cleared away, speaking to some one she beloved they had now left the collection. Some of the over growth has been cleared in sone enclosure and around the nyala stables so you can see them clearly. Not the same at the bush dogs but would think there’s will be done sone, as the enclosure has three foot high thick bush all over and no chance of seeing them. And the long house is still shut but you can see the birds in there still if you find a gap in the surrounding bush
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It’s sad me and my daughter went in here the other day and got excited as it was something new lol
 
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