Chester Zoo Chester Zoo 2015 #2

Sad to see Facebook photos/messages suggesting Franka the Spectacled Bear has passed away

 

I agree Shavington Zoo.

 

With her perfect 'Spectacles' a postcard of Franka would be a fitting tribute- or don't they produce postcards any more?

 

Just visited today, for the first time in a few months, a few things I noticed:
*the current zoo map no longer has a number for tigers on in their current enclosure- perhaps a little premature?
*didn't see any sign of the Sulawesi Macaques in islands, but they've definitely been moved over
*Saw both of the Philippine mouse deer in Dragons in Danger
*Free-flying Mindanao bleeding-hearts in the tropical realm, i've only ever seen them in the aviaries before
*The former green tree python vivarium in RotRA is now a display of pitcher plants
*Blue-crowned hanging parrots are much smaller than I imagined
*the male onager is now in the former Banteng/Bongo paddock
*the jaguars Napo and Goshi seemed to be getting along very well, and spent a long time grooming each other, any chance of the pitter patter of tiny paws anytime soon?

 

Napo and Goshi?

~Thylo

 

the pair of jaguars. i didn't realise i didn't state their species anywhere, sorry
i'll edit that.

 

Come on Thylo you know who Napo and Goshi,everyone knows who they are

 

Oh wow! I can't wait to see them.

Meanwhile lots of herp species remain offshow.

 

Yes, but loads are going into Islands...just gotta be patient!

 

Chester Zoo have had visitor number 1 million today for the year!

 

Think I'm right in saying this is the earliest it has ever happened! Usually it's September time. Looks like they will get the 150k increase in visitors that was anticipated then, especially as there are still 3 peak weeks left, plus the full opening of Islands

 

I don't think they are supposed to breed jags at present which is a pity because those two are such beauties and so well bonded.

 

Yes, I meant it is a complete waste of an exhibit. I'm not a member of the North of England BOTANICAL Society.

 

Perhaps not, but you are nevertheless a member of an organisation with a decades-long history of award-winning horticulture and botanical conservation. I think we can allow them a few plants here and there. And they do hold the National Collection of Nepenthes, so it's not any old plants.



(...and that's from someone else looking forward to the Islands herps giving the scaly quotient a much-needed bump!)

 

We have been patient.

It was supposed to have opened in April ... er June ... er ...

 

North of England Zoological Society, who run Chester Zoological Gardens.

Everyone knows my views on that subject. When Mark Sparrow departs (if he hasn't already) there is a chance that the zoo might turn around its horticulture from being one man's private folly to something more memorable and meaningful.

 

Not much to report from yesterday, visitors still saying there are not enough animals on show.

male onager looked very settled in his new home.

The nursery aviary in the tropical house contained young pekin robins and what I think was a white-rumped shama chick.

Visible in Islands was 3 warty pigs, 1 cassowary.

 

Maybe the animals are hiding because they think "being moved to Islands" is actually a euphemism for euthaniasia or going to the Lakes or something

 

In fairness, I'd be cautious if I were them. It has a similar ambiguity to "deep into Europe" if you're going by title alone.