Twycross zoo » Twycross Zoo

11-01-2008

I have to say the new entrance and visitor facilities are long overdue - the current arrangement is simply not adequate for a place that attracts half a million people a year. Hopefully they will choose a more ambitious design, because the last thing the zoo needs is another red-brick institutional building.

One other criticism I have it that the enclosures have a very haphazard arrangement and the routes around the site are poorly defined. Half the zoo is nothing more than a large field with a series of cages. Sure, it may have started out that way but 40 years on, and with those visitor numbers, they can do better.

Oh, and the website's a joke - no news since June. Kudos to them for trying to put a comprehensive species list on the site, but it hasn't been updated in 4 years.

It sounds like I'm being terribly critical, but the thing I feel walking round Twycross is frustration: such a unique and amazing collection exhibited in such a mediocre way.

On a (slightly) positive note, I do like the leopard exhibit, but I wish there were 2 outdoor enclosures so the male/cubs could be outside at the same time.

12-01-2008

I'm afraid I have always been rather critical of Twycross for many reasons- chiefly the designs but also the poor management of some species- particularely the Elephants and Gorillas where little or no effort has been made to ensure the animals continue to breed after initial successes..

I agree the website's a nonstarter- it looks like its written for 8 year olds... and very out of date. And yes, its a very good collection, but much of it isn't displayed to its full advantage. I still remain hopeful that things will improve overall in the future. The new entrance area is long overdue...

12-01-2008

The new Visitor centre is not long overdue, I would say will be started around the Summer time and should expect to take around 18-20 months to complete. It won't be another red-bricked building, it will be a big building along with the Snow Leopards and Wading birds enclosures.

Current work around the zoo going on is around the Flamingo & Malayan Tapir area, so once all that and the new cafe is complete, then I think the new centre should start, and maybe some other work around the zoo

James B

12-01-2008

Wonder why they are doing it in the summer with the amount of vistors in the summer and not in the winter.

James, what work happing around the Flamingo & Malayan Tapir area ?? Any pictures ???

12-01-2008

What I meant by 'overdue' is that they've needed one for a long time now.

13-01-2008

They will start in the summer, because if its going to take 18 months to complete they will get two summers during construction and hopefully be good weather which makes life easier when building stuff!

13-01-2008

I love Twycross and think that it gets more stick than it deserves, but I must ask: does the place really need yet another cafe? It already has 3!!! The last time I went they only had 1 of them open, and that was on a Saturday in July. The new Gorilla Outpost Cafe is excellent, but even that was shut on this particular day.

Looking forward to the new attractions though; I agree that the new entrance is a really good idea, and I just can't wait for those Snow Leopards to arrive.

13-01-2008

Sandcat, Do you think that could have anything to do with the fact they have four female Asian elephants which they could send out on breeding loan (Two of them are proven breeders I think) and NO bull, maybe if they sent out just one or two of the females at a time they could still have some on show and end up with some babies as well?.

13-01-2008

The cafe near the entrance is going an being bulit into a new one. Well that is what i can make out.

13-01-2008

Twycross has 4 cafe's at the moment (Monkey Bar, Cockatoo, Gorilla Outpost, and Oasis). The new centre will be very updated with a mightly large cafe, also a large gift shop, info area, new toilets and more. Monkey Bar cafe at the entrance won't be built into a new one.

I don't know the current work going on near the Flamingos and Tapirs but I guess its a Flamingo/Tapir extension and an extention to the Bornean walkways. I will try and find out more when I'm next there working.

James B

15-01-2008

I believe Twycross are doing some work to improve the drainage in certain areas of the site so maybe the flamingo/tapir area is one of those.

15-01-2008

I also heard that, and somthing about adding some reed beds.

15-01-2008

Well it certainly needs it in that part of the zoo,while they are doing the drainage i believe they are also making the Tapir paddock bigger at the same time,i think the reed beds are part of what has already been done unless its a second one up by the Elephants that has been talked about.

16-01-2008

Just going onto the Lions, how long have they been down to the 1 male lion?

16-01-2008

I went in October and they deffinately had 1 male and 1 female then.