Colchester Zoo Zoo History?

ajmcwhipsnade

ajmcwhipsnade

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
I know colchester zoo is not the most popluar zoo on these forums (i personaly think it is one of the best zoo i have been too) but was wondering if anybody has any old pictures or any old information on how the zoo used to be etc.

I believe the zoo used to house Leopards next to the wild of asia and Andean Condor avearies, but i may be wrong. I also recall seeing Jaguars there as well.

If anyone can help or just give any bit of info they can that would be awsome!
 
Hey,

I have some pictures and maps of the old zoo i can email you as there have been many changes to the zoo since it opened in June 1963.

Regards

ZL
 
You are right to say about Leopard being in there. There are now a pair of Binturong in the Enclosure. Jaguars used to be nearby however Amur Leopards are now in that enclosure.
 
ajmcwhipsnade said:
I know colchester zoo is not the most popluar zoo on these forums (i personaly think it is one of the best zoo i have been too) but was wondering if anybody has any old pictures or any old information on how the zoo used to be etc.
Click to expand...

I can't provide any photos but I remember that during the 1960/70's period it was a rather shabby, '2nd rate' animal collection. Yet today it has one of the largest and most varied animal collections in any British Zoo and in that respect ranks not far behind somewhere like Chester. Their unique brand of enclosure-design may not be to everybody's taste (including mine!) and some exhibits are the target of justified criticism on here, but for a privately owned Zoo, Colchester has achieved a massive amount and it IS undeniably a very popular zoo. I think they deserve credit for what they've achieved.
 
Pertinax said:
I can't provide any photos but I remember that during the 1960/70's period it was a rather shabby, '2nd rate' animal collection.

I would have to agree with you there, the bears and Orangs lived in concrete like box cages, I went there again in the late 80s and could see it was so much better and by the sound of what some have said here has inproved even more :cool:
Click to expand...
 
I've been a regular visitor to Colchester Zoo since the 80's and the place has changed so much since then. I would the say one of the biggest changes I've noticed was the increase in space with the Africa area, which has given the zoo a much more open feel to it.
 
I went to Colchester about 10 years ago and then 'rediscovered 'it a couple of years ago and now I love going there. It seems to be constantly improving and expanding the areas and although many people might not like the fake rock there must be a good reason for using it and the animals don't seem to mind it??
I did the Ussuri Falls tour on Saturday and I thought it was a nice enclosure - the 'behind the scenes' areas are very good and as these are just for the animals that is important .
Apparently they have brought the area at the bottom of the site and are turning it over to encourage native wildlife.
 
Thanks for that zooleopard, my 2 were littluns then and brought back memories of goat attacks and endless rides on that awful little train, and the coin operated horse!! funny how at that age they weren't that bothered with the animals!! well except Rajang who my son used to call his mate lol
 
karenZOO said:
Thanks for that zooleopard, my 2 were littluns then and brought back memories of goat attacks and endless rides on that awful little train, and the coin operated horse!! funny how at that age they weren't that bothered with the animals!! well except Rajang who my son used to call his mate lol
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LOL Well my 1st visit was in 1993 so the zoo was quite similar to this. I think it took me some time to get to know/like the animals. We have at home a family video of Colchester Zoo from 1995.

But Rajang was one my favourites from when I was little and still is 1 of my favourites now....shame he wasn't on that video.;)
 
Really good video, bought back lots of memories. In 1991 I was 6/7 and remember the old train foundly.

I always remember being very interested in the animals even when I was tiny. I found it annoying when i went on school trips and the other kids wanted to spend all day in the play ground instead of looking at the animals.

A few raddom things that I remember about the zoo around this time.
- Having to pay at the enterance gates, making the road outside gridlocked on busy days.
- The picnic area (now the enterance/shop)
- The bison in what is now the coach park.
- The spinning ride and the arcade.
- The elephants being walked out to the display area (now the BBQ terrace)
- The sealion and parrot shows.
- The 'ocean sounds' that countinously played near the sealions.

Also does anyone know what cat species is shown at the 2:17 mark?
 
bugs said:
Really good video, bought back lots of memories. In 1991 I was 6/7 and remember the old train foundly.

I always remember being very interested in the animals even when I was tiny. I found it annoying when i went on school trips and the other kids wanted to spend all day in the play ground instead of looking at the animals.

A few raddom things that I remember about the zoo around this time.
- Having to pay at the enterance gates, making the road outside gridlocked on busy days.
- The picnic area (now the enterance/shop)
- The bison in what is now the coach park.
- The spinning ride and the arcade.
- The elephants being walked out to the display area (now the BBQ terrace)
- The sealion and parrot shows.
- The 'ocean sounds' that countinously played near the sealions.

Also does anyone know what cat species is shown at the 2:17 mark?
Click to expand...

I remember they used to have leopard cats, cannot identify from the video though is a bit blurry!:D
 
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