Pandaboi
Well-Known Member
The only one is Josie in my opinion. I’d like to see new females be brought into Twycross to breed with Kibali.
Twycross Zoo Twycross Zoo News 2023
- Thread starter Moorhunhe
- Start date
I don't really rate Fruit Bat Forest. Firstly I can't entice my wife to go in because she's scared of bats she can't see. Secondly, on the one time I did get to go in it was too dark to see the bats and therefore feels more like a cheap horror attraction in a theme park than a serious zoo exhibit.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Ten years isn't really that long in terms of the investment profile and planning permission, funding and animal acquisition that would be needed for Twycross to be the best zoo in the UK.
It's nice to see it making some changes and there are some good green shoots, but at the moment it seems a deeply average place even though it does have a number of unique species and a couple of really good enclosures. I admit I am not a fan because the visitor behaviour on my couple of visits has been stand out some of the worst I have ever seen and it put me off making it a frequent destination. That's probably untypical. I do keep meaning to go back but it's not quite enough even with a couple of things like Bonobos you can't see often elsewhere.
I welcome any improvement in a collection, the more high standard places with amazing exhibits the better though. Will be interesting to see how it moves beyond being a mixed bag of OK, good, sort of ok, great and not great.
It's nice to see it making some changes and there are some good green shoots, but at the moment it seems a deeply average place even though it does have a number of unique species and a couple of really good enclosures. I admit I am not a fan because the visitor behaviour on my couple of visits has been stand out some of the worst I have ever seen and it put me off making it a frequent destination. That's probably untypical. I do keep meaning to go back but it's not quite enough even with a couple of things like Bonobos you can't see often elsewhere.
I welcome any improvement in a collection, the more high standard places with amazing exhibits the better though. Will be interesting to see how it moves beyond being a mixed bag of OK, good, sort of ok, great and not great.
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Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
I read with interest yours and similar comments this evening from other members about anti social behaviour during your visits. Do you think that this behaviour is becoming more usual ?
Lafone
Well-Known Member
I'd say more striking when it does happen.
In some places I seem to see it more than others. Might just be an unlucky day! Twycross the first time I visited there were adults (they had kids with them but it was the adults who were the issue) absolutely screaming abusive nonsense (monkey d*** was the most polite) at the top of their voices and banging on the glass at the Bonobos and then the gorillas and then someone else hung a child over a bin to go to the toilet barely 20m from a toilet. I just upped and left! Second time there was yelling and glass banging but not as bad. I do notice glass windows for primates in particular bring out the glass bangers among the primates who've paid to get in.
Sometimes people are just impolite (shoving you out of the way for example).
But most of the time it's fine and I think when you consider the sheer number of people at a zoo, the number of idiots or people being badly behaved is a tiny fraction of the whole. I guess we remark on it because it is 'wow' vs it is happening all the time.
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
This is just my opinion, of course but I think the large carnivores would benefit in a change of diet haha
How long did you stay to allow your eyes to adapt? We see lots of people who walk in, decide it's too dark to see anything and walk straight through and out. Give it time and it's definitely a serious zoo exhibit.
I can't remember. It was a long time ago
New updated planning permission is in now for Twycross. It says: " Development of new animal enclosures and associated infrastructure, new lecture theatre, education block, education facilities, sub stations and associated residential block and lodges, new access from Orton Hill, new car park, landscaping and other associated works (following the demolition of some existing buildings)."
Pandaboi
Well-Known Member
Amazing news!
I'm afraid the fact your wife won't go in is no statement on whether it's a good exhibit or not.
If it were lighter the bats wouldn't be as active - as noted above, you just need to allow time for your eyes to adjust - the lobby with the rodent enclosures is there to help with that, and there are staff in there all the time to show off and discuss the bats. In no way is it a horror attraction - I fear your view there is being shaped by your wife's reaction to it.
I have been with zoo nerds, non-nerds but regular zoo visitors, and people who basically never go to zoos - almost without fail that is the most popular exhibit of the day. And I don't think there's a better exhibit for engaging people with bats as animals anywhere else I've been - barring just possibly the Monteverde Bat Jungle in Costa Rica, which is basically a bat museum with a live animal component.
After looking in more detail, the plans do look very impressive. In addition to the huge new Orang-Utan enclosure, there is an aviary and two other smaller animal enclosures (one of these is split into two as well).
Interestingly though, when compared to the artist impressions shared a few years back, this development will eat up all space that was earmarked for at least half of the new Gorilla enclosure too. So can’t wait to see what Plan B (or plan J?) is that for that in a few years now.
Not sure what I think of the proposed lodges for visitors yet though… it’s a growing trend I know, but seems like an odd location when you consider the overall zoo space.
Interestingly though, when compared to the artist impressions shared a few years back, this development will eat up all space that was earmarked for at least half of the new Gorilla enclosure too. So can’t wait to see what Plan B (or plan J?) is that for that in a few years now.
Not sure what I think of the proposed lodges for visitors yet though… it’s a growing trend I know, but seems like an odd location when you consider the overall zoo space.
Pandaboi
Well-Known Member
Looking at the plans again, there is 3 outdoor enclosures for the orangutans and multiple playrooms and dens. Perhaps Twycross could go into Sumatran Orangs too or keep another group of Bornean. Hopefully they will get planning permission soon for it and work can begin. Exciting Times for Twycross!
This is a possibility for sure. The entire development will have an Indonesian theme, bridging Chimp Eden and the tigers to create a large themed village and area. In the extensive design statement, there are multiple references to both Sumatran and Borneo areas influencing much of the planned architecture and design elements.
Pandaboi
Well-Known Member
I’m not a fan of the lodges if I’m being completely honest. And it’s a growing trend in zoos. The zoo could have done more with the space which is being used for lodges. Though I’m a huge fan of everything else. I believe the new area is planned to be finished in October of 2025-26? I think it will be a great addition to the zoo and the guests will enjoy it.
It seems the lodges are actually intended for the researchers, and not actually “visitors” as I initially thought. Which is better but I suspect it’s only a matter of time
They’re planning for October 2025. It seems they’ve also had lots of pre-planning meetings and extensive consultation with locals already - so I suspect this will get green lit very quickly. Can’t imagine the council will want to slow it down, especially as this was a levelling up project!
They’re planning for October 2025. It seems they’ve also had lots of pre-planning meetings and extensive consultation with locals already - so I suspect this will get green lit very quickly. Can’t imagine the council will want to slow it down, especially as this was a levelling up project!
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
Sorry if it's obvious or I've missed something but where exactly can these plans be seen?
Pandaboi
Well-Known Member
Simple Search search “zoo” and the plans should come up.