Twycross Zoo Twycross Zoo News 2025

Any talk on what is being considered as a replacement for the tapirs when they are eventually phased out (if they haven’t been already, I’m unsure as last went in late April)? Given the shade, outdoor pool, mud, hard standing and decent shelter, I hope that they’ll keep it for another semi-aquatic species or at the very least, fill the pool with bark and give the tufted deer an expansion as would be such a shame to see such a large paddock empty. My main suspicion is that they will continue to use it for the male vicuña when he is not being used for breeding.
 
Mckenzie2000 said:
Any talk on what is being considered as a replacement for the tapirs when they are eventually phased out (if they haven’t been already, I’m unsure as last went in late April)? Given the shade, outdoor pool, mud, hard standing and decent shelter, I hope that they’ll keep it for another semi-aquatic species or at the very least, fill the pool with bark and give the tufted deer an expansion as would be such a shame to see such a large paddock empty. My main suspicion is that they will continue to use it for the male vicuña when he is not being used for breeding.
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Currently the youngest male Vicuña, Max, who was born a couple of years ago lives in the paddock as his dad, Poland, is aggressive towards him. It’s a shame the tapirs went but I wouldn’t be against another South American species like Giant Anteater or Capybara.
 
Pandaboi said:
Currently the youngest male Vicuña, Max, who was born a couple of years ago lives in the paddock as his dad, Poland, is aggressive towards him. It’s a shame the tapirs went but I wouldn’t be against another South American species like Giant Anteater or Capybara.
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It has been a long time since Twycross last had Giant Anteaters.
 
Some rather sad news to share.

Keke the male Bonobo passed away on Wednesday the 13th August. Diatou was able to be with his body to mourn him. She was accompanied by close companion Cheka who has been very loving towards her.

Keke was the first Bonobo born in the UK on the 2nd January 1994. He was born to mother Diatou and father Kakowet II. He lived at Twycross his whole life and fathered 8 children during his lifetime. These include: Khaya (2001), Banbo (2002), Bokela (2003), Gemena (2005), Bili (2008), Winton II (2010), Moko II (2016) and Upendi (2022).

Anyone who knew Keke will remember his loud high pitch screams and moving his straw around the indoor enclosure like a hoover! He was a lovable character and will be missed by all.

This now leaves 4.8 Bonobos at Twycross.

In lighter news another baby Red Titi Monkey was born to parents Maurice and Sirena a few days before his passing.
 
Pandaboi said:
Currently the youngest male Vicuña, Max, who was born a couple of years ago lives in the paddock as his dad, Poland, is aggressive towards him. It’s a shame the tapirs went but I wouldn’t be against another South American species like Giant Anteater or Capybara.
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I know they're not from South America, but I feel as though the ex-Tapir paddock could be suitable for Lowland anoa.
 
Unfortunately another Ape death to announce. Biddy the Western Lowland Gorilla passed away on Tuesday.

Keepers had noticed that her health was worsening and the decision was made to put her to sleep.

Biddy had arrived at Twycross in 1973 and went on to successfully have 2 children: Mambie (1991) and Ozala (1994).

She played a large part in the zoos history and served as an ambassador for her wild counterparts. Another chapter in the Twycross story closes with her passing.
 
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A bit of information from the last few weeks.

Male Siamang ‘Darwin’ passed away during August. He didn’t respond to his treatment and went downhill. The zoo is looking to source a male for his mother ‘Tango’ (who is currently the only Siamang at the zoo) as she is the 3rd most valuable female in the studbook.

The zoo is progressing well with construction on the Orangutan building. The frame work is up and service roads are being built.

Lots of smaller developments progressing at the zoo. Honestly, I’ve never seen the zoo so busy.

The current Dusky Langur enclosure is being extended with the zoo attaching the enclosure to the current open topped are Brazza’s Monkey enclosure. I still believe the last Dusky Langur male is leaving the zoo to a collection in Europe.

Male Orangutan ‘Basuki’ is still at the zoo. He’s maturing into a very handsome male!

The baby Bonobo (believed to be a male) is doing well snuggled up in mom’s arms. ‘Yuli’ is doing a fantastic job as a first time mother.
 
Bit of a sadder post to make. The last Dusky Langur was put to sleep recently. His daughter passed away from intestinal issues in July this year leaving him alone. The zoo had hoped to move him to another European collection but unfortunately no place suitable was found for him. Keepers noticed his behaviour becoming unusual from the stress of being by himself leaving the keepers to make the difficult decision to put him to sleep as his wellbeing was deteriorating. Dusky Langurs were one of the first unusual primate species kept at Twycross in the 1960’s, with his passing it’s the end of a long legacy for the zoo. Twycross still look after another species of Langur, the Francois Langur, who are currently without a breeding male.
 
Pandaboi said:
Bit of a sadder post to make. The last Dusky Langur was put to sleep recently. His daughter passed away from intestinal issues in July this year leaving him alone. The zoo had hoped to move him to another European collection but unfortunately no place suitable was found for him. Keepers noticed his behaviour becoming unusual from the stress of being by himself leaving the keepers to make the difficult decision to put him to sleep as his wellbeing was deteriorating. Dusky Langurs were one of the first unusual primate species kept at Twycross in the 1960’s, with his passing it’s the end of a long legacy for the zoo. Twycross still look after another species of Langur, the Francois Langur, who are currently without a breeding male.
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This is really sad. A stunning species and one that I loved seeing as I was growing up locally. I remember all the species of langur kept at Twycross.
 
TriUK said:
This is really sad. A stunning species and one that I loved seeing as I was growing up locally. I remember all the species of langur kept at Twycross.
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Indeed. They have been at Twycross for around sixty years and when Twycross first got them-I can't remember the exact year -they were a unique species to see there. With their bright orange babies they featured on the cover of at least one early guidebook, while there is a postcard I have of the same image. The group didn't prosper in recent years however, until it dwindled to the final father/daughter pairing. Now this species joins other Old World primates no longer seen at Twycross- Diana, Hamlyn's, Spot nosed and Crowned guenons, + Purplefaced langur are some of those I can think of. I'm sure others can add to this list.
 
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Pertinax said:
Indeed. They have been at Twycross for around sixty years and when Twycross first got them-I can't remember the exact year -they were a unique species to see there. With their bright orange babies they featured on the cover of at least one early guidebook, while there is a postcard I have of the same image. The group didn't prosper in recent years however, until it dwindled to the final father/daughter pairing. Now this species joins other Old World primates no longer seen at Twycross- Diana, Hamlyn's, Spot nosed and Crowned guenons, + Purplefaced langur are some of those I can think of. I'm sure others can add to this list.
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I’m sure they had Phayre’s as well as Javan Langurs too. I don’t ever remember seeing Hanunamans, but I do remember the Proboscis and unrelated Ukari monkey. It was ‘one hell’ of a collection at one point, which bizarrely included a Dorias Treen Kangaroo too!
 
TriUK said:
I’m sure they had Phayre’s as well as Javan Langurs too. I don’t ever remember seeing Hanunamans, but I do remember the Proboscis and unrelated Ukari monkey. It was ‘one hell’ of a collection at one point, which bizarrely included a Dorias Treen Kangaroo too!
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Yes they had Phayre's , was it just a single one? and Javans. No Hanumans ever afaik. Proboscis long gone. More recently Colobus have gone too I think or maybe the odd one left, but years ago they had a big breeding group. If the Dusky/Spectacled ones now leave Howletts/PL at any time then that will be another species lost to the UK.
 
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