Chester Zoo Visit to Chester Zoo

Pat - I really agree with your assesment, perhaps now you can see that Chester fanboys are objective and rational after all.

The new hyrax enclosure - I think this is a real disappointment, and not up to Chester's usual high standard. It's poky, with a low roof and horrible mesh over it. It will soon look very crowded if they breed. Also the viewing window is too low and taller people crack their heads on it. The same goes for the porcupine enclosure which I think looks better with the glass barrier, although in my opinion that is also on the small side (particularly if the yellow mongooses go in there).

I would also go with the general consensus regarding the orangs. The house looks ugly and despite a nod to immersion (apparently) doesn't work in that respect. However you can easily see how good it is for the animals despite looking artificial. The "proper" outside enclosures are also beautiful, although underutilised like the monkey islands.
 
Pygathrix said:
Pat - I really agree with your assesment, perhaps now you can see that Chester fanboys are objective and rational after all.
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You got me there. :)

Pygathrix said:
Also the viewing window is too low and taller people crack their heads on it. The same goes for the porcupine enclosure...
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That's another thing I forgot to mention. I'm pretty tall and a lot of the exhibits I had to stoop for. I realise that children (and short people) need to be accommodated for but most of the exhibits in the aquarium probably came up no higher than my armpits, I just crouched down to see into some of the rodent exhibits around to zoo, and the two you mention aren't very tall-people friendly.
 
PAT said:
You got me there. :)



That's another thing I forgot to mention. I'm pretty tall and a lot of the exhibits I had to stoop for. I realise that children (and short people) need to be accommodated for but most of the exhibits in the aquarium probably came up no higher than my armpits, I just crouched down to see into some of the rodent exhibits around to zoo, and the two you mention aren't very tall-people friendly.
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I know what you mean I'm tall as well (for a lady anyway!) and I end up sticking my ass into some poor unfortunate sap quite often as I bend over to investigate the exhibit!! Nice for me but probably enough to scar some small children for life :D
 
Pygathrix said:
I would also go with the general consensus regarding the orangs. The house looks ugly and despite a nod to immersion (apparently) doesn't work in that respect. However you can easily see how good it is for the animals despite looking artificial. The "proper" outside enclosures are also beautiful, although underutilised like the monkey islands.
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It doesn't matter where you go, the Orangutans invariably spend a lot more time indoors than outside (provided they have the choice) So the indoor areas are always going to take more of a beating as the occupants are present more(most) of the time.

I can't think of anywhere that has overcome the problem of 'functional' versus 'aesthetic' regarding indoor Orangutan housing.
 
Pygathrix said:
Pat -
The new hyrax enclosure - I think this is a real disappointment, and not up to Chester's usual high standard. It's poky, with a low roof and horrible mesh over it. It will soon look very crowded if they breed. Also the viewing window is too low and taller people crack their heads on it. The same goes for the porcupine enclosure which I think looks better with the glass barrier, although in my opinion that is also on the small side (particularly if the yellow mongooses go in there).
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It is not only tall people that end up with sore heads. I was with some relatively short older children (a little over 5' or so) and they ended up with sore heads at the porcupine enclosure. Maybe if it was taller and the overhang was larger it would not only prevent sore heads but also reduce the reflections on the glass. I do agree with your comments about the glass barrier and size of the enclosure.
 
karoocheetah said:
I know what you mean I'm tall as well (for a lady anyway!) and I end up sticking my ass into some poor unfortunate sap quite often as I bend over to investigate the exhibit!! Nice for me but probably enough to scar some small children for life :D
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You took your donkey to the zoo ? ! ?

;)
 
Hi there. I just joint the zoochat today. I am supposed to write a short review for the Biodiversity course I am doing at the moment, on one of the mammal species at Chester zoo. Unfortanutely I couldn't vizit the zoo last week, because my small daughter had a cold. I would be very grateful if somebody gives me more info on the Bornean orangutans in the zoo.And more specifically on: the size and layout of the enclosure, shelters, substrate and barriers, plantings, amenties for the animals, food presentation, interface with the public (how distant, to just one side), any innovative feature. Have to say few words about the quality of the exibit from the public's, zookeeper's and animals' points of few. I will include your observations on RoRa. Thank you very much
 
Mihaela said:
I would be very grateful if somebody gives me more info on the Bornean orangutans in the zoo.And more specifically on: the size and layout of the enclosure, shelters, substrate and barriers, plantings, amenties for the animals, food presentation, interface with the public (how distant, to just one side), any innovative feature. Have to say few words about the quality of the exibit from the public's, zookeeper's and animals' points of few. I will include your observations on RoRa. Thank you very much
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Welcome to ZooChat.
As you may know already, the best introductions and sources for details about RotRA are on ZooLex ZooLex Exhibit and the Powerpoint presentation which the Zoo prepared for a conference in Chicago, which can be downloaded from Realm-Red-Ape ppt.
The Borneans live off show in the dens and indoor enclosures of the old Ape House, but the females and juveniles have access to one or both of the netted outdoor enclosures of RotRA.
I think you will find an interesting range of comments about RotRA in the Chester threads here.

Alan
 
Spent an interesting 20 minutes or so yesterday watching Sarikei (female Bornean orangutan) who had decided to uproot one of the dead trees in one of the netted enclosures. She was very determined and strong! Princess Leia came along when the work was done to check whether there was anything good on offer.
 
How many Bornean orangutans are actually there at the Zoo and what age are they? According to the Chester Zoo web site there are 6 individuals-5 females and one male.
 
Hi Mihaela,

As for the above question OrangePerson or another Chester regular will know all that stuff (and more), or have a search on here and I am sure you will find everything you need and more probably.

May I ask what is your biodiversity course actually covering and how indepth into biodiversity does it go, ie Climates, Populations, Indviduals, Groups, Species interaction etc,,? just interested and, ok nosy too!
 
Thank you for the both replies.
It's a MSc course on Biodiversity and Conservation at Leeds University. There are modules like Community Ecology, Population Dynamics, Habitat Restoration, Habitat management, Practical Conservation. There is an African and a Mediterranean field courses. It's good, but I find it quite intensive. Lots of assignments in a very short time.
 
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