Before going to the old gorilla house they were formerly where you describe the '2nd group' as living, and now the Dusky Langurs. And before that in the old 'langur house' that was demolished. Some of the monkeys at Twycross certainly move around a lot.
Twycross Zoo Twycross Zoo News 2023
- Thread starter Moorhunhe
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Before going to the old gorilla house they were formerly where you describe the '2nd group' as living, and now the Dusky Langurs. And before that in the old 'langur house' that was demolished. Some of the monkeys at Twycross certainly move around a lot.
Pandaboi
Well-Known Member
They certainly do move around a lot. Hopefully they won’t be moved around lots in the future as their enclosures are renovated/ new ones be built as part of the 2030 masterplan.
Until they split it recently, the Diana group at Twycross was the only sizeable one in a UK zoo- Paignton has 1.2, London 1.1 (non-breeding) and Edinburgh ? (but now only 1 or 2 I think.) PL. none? (Twycross' adult male is the son of the older Paignton female and her original mate.)
Edinburgh no longer have Diana monkeys.
Paignton has 1.2.1
Yes, thanks, I forgot the current youngster. Do they know its sex yet?
I visited the zoo on Tuesday and was able to see both the baby vicuña and both of the snow leopards (I would’ve said something on here had I known neither had been announced yet 
). The chimp enclosure was strange without William and I do wonder what will happen with Peter and Tommy now, both seem very placid.
It was good to see the old chimp enclosure being used for l’hoest’s monkeys, with a few still in the old bonobo house. I also noticed a few beams on the climbing structure in the old bonobo outdoor area that looked rather new.
The new mini monkeys house was nice and I did notice a rope leading from the emperor tamarin outdoor area to the trees across the path, does anyone know when they’ll have access to this? The door was closed and the trees were not hot wired on Tuesday however there was a board for the species on the grass and I believe the area is signed on the map.
I had a walk around the gruffalo area for the first time and while it isn’t really for me, I found the aviaries and the butterfly house really quite nice.
The zoo on a whole still feels a bit disjointed, very little has changed since I last visited 17 months ago, other than the gruffalo area, so I do really hope we start to see the new science centre and ape accommodation being started soon.
The empty and disused exhibits were quite obvious, with the old lemur walkthrough sticking out like a sore thumb.
The bottom end of the zoo behind the bush dogs is also pretty dire, with the longhouse, the old marten, seriema and pelican enclosures just being left. This means that while that area of the zoo is still open to walk around, there’s absolutely nothing there - why not just close the path behind the bush dogs and simply leave the one between the owls and rhinos?
What confuses me even more about the empty exhibits, is that there are some enclosures that have animals in that you can only partially view. For example, the monkey enclosures by the entrance clearly used to have indoor viewing, as you can still see the viewing windows and corridor whenever a staff member opens the door, why not open this to the public again? The second bonobo group is only viewable from inside, despite that enclosure having viewing windows all the way around, why not just open a path up around there? Then the rhino enclosure in the trees at the back, why isn’t there some sort of viewing for that? I could see the male in there, why can’t you view that from where the mini monkeys are? Also, on the point of where you can and can’t access, there are still some fences up from the one way system of covid times, meaning in some instances you have to walk quite a distance to see a species’ indoor and outdoor spaces, when there’s a path that leads straight there with a big random wooden fence in the way.
Some enclosures are starting to look really quite outdated now aswell. The orangutan enclosure is now the worst in the country, following Dudley’s expansion. While the indoor space works for a small number of orangs, the outdoor space does make me feel rather uncomfortable. I worry for when they have to start separating orangutans again for whatever reason, as it’s bad enough as it is with 3 of them sharing the space.
The gorilla enclosure is not much better. While the indoor enclosure works quite nicely for gorillas, there’s no denying it’s quite small, and then the outdoor space just feels so unsuitable - a little grassy hill with a couple of wooden platforms (that a young male was literally bending with his hands) and a concrete pool (why?). Again I worry about what would happen should individuals need separating.
On the other hand, I actually think the Amur leopard enclosure isn’t that bad for one individual. I know it gets a lot of criticism on here, including from myself from when individuals were separated into one or two cages each. They are now down to just the one male though and he had the run of the full thing and utilised it. I think that the tight, dense nature of the row suits the species quite well, with the mesh acting as something of a canopy, giving the leopard that element of safety (similar to how a gorillarium works for gorillas), hence the leopard(s) at Twycross historically showing quite well. Obviously when multiple individuals are kept here space really does start to become a problem, but when all the doors are open I don’t think it’s too bad for one leopard (or maybe even a non-breeding pair).
I wasn’t intending for this post to be so long and such a review, but I think there’s some interesting discussion points.
Should also point out - I’ve gone in a bit hard with the criticism but I do actually really like Twycross zoo
). The chimp enclosure was strange without William and I do wonder what will happen with Peter and Tommy now, both seem very placid.It was good to see the old chimp enclosure being used for l’hoest’s monkeys, with a few still in the old bonobo house. I also noticed a few beams on the climbing structure in the old bonobo outdoor area that looked rather new.
The new mini monkeys house was nice and I did notice a rope leading from the emperor tamarin outdoor area to the trees across the path, does anyone know when they’ll have access to this? The door was closed and the trees were not hot wired on Tuesday however there was a board for the species on the grass and I believe the area is signed on the map.
I had a walk around the gruffalo area for the first time and while it isn’t really for me, I found the aviaries and the butterfly house really quite nice.
The zoo on a whole still feels a bit disjointed, very little has changed since I last visited 17 months ago, other than the gruffalo area, so I do really hope we start to see the new science centre and ape accommodation being started soon.
The empty and disused exhibits were quite obvious, with the old lemur walkthrough sticking out like a sore thumb.
The bottom end of the zoo behind the bush dogs is also pretty dire, with the longhouse, the old marten, seriema and pelican enclosures just being left. This means that while that area of the zoo is still open to walk around, there’s absolutely nothing there - why not just close the path behind the bush dogs and simply leave the one between the owls and rhinos?
What confuses me even more about the empty exhibits, is that there are some enclosures that have animals in that you can only partially view. For example, the monkey enclosures by the entrance clearly used to have indoor viewing, as you can still see the viewing windows and corridor whenever a staff member opens the door, why not open this to the public again? The second bonobo group is only viewable from inside, despite that enclosure having viewing windows all the way around, why not just open a path up around there? Then the rhino enclosure in the trees at the back, why isn’t there some sort of viewing for that? I could see the male in there, why can’t you view that from where the mini monkeys are? Also, on the point of where you can and can’t access, there are still some fences up from the one way system of covid times, meaning in some instances you have to walk quite a distance to see a species’ indoor and outdoor spaces, when there’s a path that leads straight there with a big random wooden fence in the way.
Some enclosures are starting to look really quite outdated now aswell. The orangutan enclosure is now the worst in the country, following Dudley’s expansion. While the indoor space works for a small number of orangs, the outdoor space does make me feel rather uncomfortable. I worry for when they have to start separating orangutans again for whatever reason, as it’s bad enough as it is with 3 of them sharing the space.
The gorilla enclosure is not much better. While the indoor enclosure works quite nicely for gorillas, there’s no denying it’s quite small, and then the outdoor space just feels so unsuitable - a little grassy hill with a couple of wooden platforms (that a young male was literally bending with his hands) and a concrete pool (why?). Again I worry about what would happen should individuals need separating.
On the other hand, I actually think the Amur leopard enclosure isn’t that bad for one individual. I know it gets a lot of criticism on here, including from myself from when individuals were separated into one or two cages each. They are now down to just the one male though and he had the run of the full thing and utilised it. I think that the tight, dense nature of the row suits the species quite well, with the mesh acting as something of a canopy, giving the leopard that element of safety (similar to how a gorillarium works for gorillas), hence the leopard(s) at Twycross historically showing quite well. Obviously when multiple individuals are kept here space really does start to become a problem, but when all the doors are open I don’t think it’s too bad for one leopard (or maybe even a non-breeding pair).
I wasn’t intending for this post to be so long and such a review, but I think there’s some interesting discussion points.
Should also point out - I’ve gone in a bit hard with the criticism but I do actually really like Twycross zoo
I was there today( Friday). I might write my own review but to comment on a few of your points...
There were no L'Hoests in the old Bonobo/Totroise House. The enclosures were being renovated. There were two not in the main group that are now in an enclosure near the DikiDik antelope.
I agree the part of the zoo nearest the main road is in a very poor state. The yellow-throated marten enclosure is just boarded up, and the Long House area is completely closed off, though I'm not surprised if it is falling to pieces now.
The indoor of the monkey house( De Brazzas & Langurs)- has been closed for some years now, also the Diana house( ex gorilla house-no entry, just a service area now) and now L'Hoests too, are all closed, probably for a mixture of dilapidation, ease of maintenance and I think also to reduce stress to the monkeys- e.g. the inside area in the Monkey House is very narrow and so its close-up to the monkeys. Its not ideal for visitors though as they can't see them if they are inside.. I think the zoo work on the premise that most visitors are not unduly worried as long as they see a few of the various monkeys there.
The one way system is long gone while those intrusive barrier fences everywhere do seem a lot less prominent than previously, but there are still places where the blocking of access paths seems pointless e.g. behind the zebras to name just one. There are others too.
Although its old now, I think the gorilla enclosure is still fit for the six occupants until the new enclosures get built.. The outside area is nothing special, but its perfectly adequate. If 10 year old blackmale male Lope needs to be seperated from the group in due course, then they will simply remove him to another of the old ape enclosures (or to another zoo).
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The two l’hoest’s must have been moved this week then, as they were in the old bonobo house on Tuesday. It will be interesting to see what is in there next.
On the point of the gorillas, I admit I was maybe a bit harsh - my criticisms of grassy, barren outdoor enclosures for gorillas applies to a number of collections.
I think Twycross' gorilla enclosure is adequate, but certainly not top class. Its best aspect is the easy viewing for visitors I think. Hopefully something better is on the horizon.
walmer88
Member
Today was my first visit to Twycross. The queue to get in took 1 hour not sure if that is normal ? Had a great view of the snow leopard at the entrance. Was mainly there for the primates. The gorillas were very active outside, the bonobos too and the baby bonobo was very active in the grass. Made several visits to the orangutan enclosure. They didn’t come outside, inside it was dark and quite hard to see them. Found there enclosure quite depressing.
Was quite impressed with the chimpanzee enclosure although only a couple were outside. As they give you an annual ticket now would probably tie this in with a visit to Dudley as 4 hours was enough to see everything
Was quite impressed with the chimpanzee enclosure although only a couple were outside. As they give you an annual ticket now would probably tie this in with a visit to Dudley as 4 hours was enough to see everything
I’ve never queued for more than ten minutes to get in, though I normally go in the afternoon so I think you were unlucky. I think this is how this annual ticket will work nicely in giving people the option to go again rather than them being feeling let down at the price to get in to what they have to show at the moment and combining it with Dudley would work nicely even though it’s a good hour travel between them. It would work nicely with Drayton manor in the winter for a cheap day out as they are only twenty mins apart
I visited yesterday. I would never normally go there( or most zoos) at peak holiday times but with school-aged grandchildren there's no option now.
It took us over twenty minutes to get in- admittedly it was the peak arrival time at mid-morning but even so..the queue was stop-start like at a passport control in an Airport... .I watched them processing the pre-booked tickets at the kiosks, this seemed to take as long as if people were paying by card or cash- surely they should just be swiping barcodes or something and have a continual moving procession. The whole thing seemed very confused, with Annual membership people being ushered in seperately and with very few staff assisting. It all seemed ridiculously inefficient and I definately think they certainly need to address this- or is it increasingly normal at other zoos at these peak times?I'm also not clear if you can still access Twycross Zoo as a non-booked visitor or not anymore.
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walmer88
Member
I think what is holding up the line is you have to get the barcode scanned for the ticket and then another barcode for the annual pass. We were 4 so that was 8 barcodes to be scanned. I thought I was clever taking a screenshot before hand not realising it was 2 barcodes needing to be scanned. Also the signal is really bad so people were having to register for the free Wi-Fi at the kiosk do access there tickets which also caused a delay.
...so once I finally managed to get into the place.... My first visit for about two years and I was mainly just interested in the status of some of the larger Old World monkeys/Primates, so here's what I established;.
1.Francois Langur.- group of 7(?) including two females with babies.
2.Spectacled/Dusky Langur.- only 2 remain, a father and a daughter. Is this the end for one of Twycross' iconic/landmark species- its one of the first unusual primate species they ever kept? Could well be.
3.De Brazza guenon- two groups of 4 & 3. New male being introduced in group of 4. Future of 2nd group uncertain- might leave the zoo.
4.L'Hoest's guenon.- Group of 5(?)in old chimp building. Two more in enclosure near DikDik.
5. Diana monkey. Group of 5 in original gorilla house.(1.2 + 2 male offspring). Oldest of the 3 male offspring was sent to Holland. The ex breeding female((D'Early) is now contracepted, while her sister Sabu has never bred. They came from Newquay zoo as already middle-aged.. So this group may be non-breeding from now. If so then it leaves only Paignton in the UK with a (single) breeding female.
6. Only two of these species- Spectacled Langur and the seperated L'Hoest's, can be viewed if indoors. Fortunately for me they all showed at some point as it was warm weather.
The blackback gorilla 'Lope' is well grown now. His younger brother Shufai(who is castrated) is a lot smaller than him. They both still appear to have a good relationship with adult male 'Oumbie'.
The chimps were pretty inactive as per usual. Mostly elderly or middle aged, the group needs some revitalisation with some younger females(pure West African) and some babies and juveniles. It isn't a dynamic group as it is. The Bonobos are considerably more interesting.
I paid little attention to the Orangutans. They tend to stay indoors and the indoor viewing area/window gets very overcrowded and unpleasant to access. Roll on the new Ape complexes...
I didn't go in Gibbon Forest- the ramps were just too long for me by that stage of the day and I can't imagine many changes from last time. As per usual most/all of them were inside.
Elsewhere the area adjacent to the main road looked rundown, with the old YT Marten exhibit boarded up and the Bornean Long House closed. I saw a 'History of Twycross Zoo' display In a pagoda-type building between the rhinos/giraffe. It was just a selection of old photos and a video in one corner- I felt it was a very weak display given the zoo's age now.
Four hours is enough at Twycross, particularly when its so crowded. I've posted a few pictures in the Gallery.
I've posted a
My first visit for about two years and I was mainly just interested in the status of some of the larger Old World monkeys/Primates, so here's what I established;.1.Francois Langur.- group of 7(?) including two females with babies.
2.Spectacled/Dusky Langur.- only 2 remain, a father and a daughter. Is this the end for one of Twycross' iconic/landmark species- its one of the first unusual primate species they ever kept? Could well be.
3.De Brazza guenon- two groups of 4 & 3. New male being introduced in group of 4. Future of 2nd group uncertain- might leave the zoo.
4.L'Hoest's guenon.- Group of 5(?)in old chimp building. Two more in enclosure near DikDik.
5. Diana monkey. Group of 5 in original gorilla house.(1.2 + 2 male offspring). Oldest of the 3 male offspring was sent to Holland. The ex breeding female((D'Early) is now contracepted, while her sister Sabu has never bred. They came from Newquay zoo as already middle-aged.. So this group may be non-breeding from now. If so then it leaves only Paignton in the UK with a (single) breeding female.
6. Only two of these species- Spectacled Langur and the seperated L'Hoest's, can be viewed if indoors. Fortunately for me they all showed at some point as it was warm weather.
The blackback gorilla 'Lope' is well grown now. His younger brother Shufai(who is castrated) is a lot smaller than him. They both still appear to have a good relationship with adult male 'Oumbie'.
The chimps were pretty inactive as per usual. Mostly elderly or middle aged, the group needs some revitalisation with some younger females(pure West African) and some babies and juveniles. It isn't a dynamic group as it is. The Bonobos are considerably more interesting.
I paid little attention to the Orangutans. They tend to stay indoors and the indoor viewing area/window gets very overcrowded and unpleasant to access. Roll on the new Ape complexes...
I didn't go in Gibbon Forest- the ramps were just too long for me by that stage of the day and I can't imagine many changes from last time. As per usual most/all of them were inside.
Elsewhere the area adjacent to the main road looked rundown, with the old YT Marten exhibit boarded up and the Bornean Long House closed. I saw a 'History of Twycross Zoo' display In a pagoda-type building between the rhinos/giraffe. It was just a selection of old photos and a video in one corner- I felt it was a very weak display given the zoo's age now.
Four hours is enough at Twycross, particularly when its so crowded. I've posted a few pictures in the Gallery.
I've posted a
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Its certainly not a very good system at present.
Never had to wait like that at a zoo before. The annual pass business I found very confusing also. Not much use to us as I live a long way away and only visit rarely, but I can understand if it works for locals.I should rephrase this post having just been to Twycross myself- they haven't actually 'split' the Diana group- just removed the oldest of the three males born there, he has now been exported. Otherwise group remains the same but now non-breeding. It appears the only Dianas now in the UK may be at Twycross( non-breeding) London (non-breeding) and Paignton( breeding from one pair- the first birth in 10 years was quite recently).
I'm not a stupid person but I found the use of the word 'Annual' for two different categories of entry(i.e 'Annual Pass'/ 'Annual Membership') confusing also. I understand it now but standing in a frustratingly long queue and seeing the word 'Annual' being bandied about everywhere was a bit confusing to say the least. After a number of other complaints I have since read about the delayed entry problems of this last week, I presume they may be tweaking their system a bit for the upcoming holiday weeks. We just happened on a bad time I think.