Chester Zoo Chester Zoo in 2016 #1

That would be so sad for the keepers and the zoo hope they replace the Andean Condor with a new pair.

 

the zoochat member who said the condor was not there, saw black stork in the aviary. So you were close wayne4swfc

 

Ahh, that'll be it then, I'm not very strong on identifying birds especially from a distance. I hope it is only temporary as it does seem a bit of a waste for such a big enclosure.

 

Is anyone attending the islands and beyond lecture in June, where the zoo are reviewing the successes of the project along with outlining the next steps for islands and demonstrating the overall masterplan? If so any ideas what might be being discussed?

 

Condor and american black vulture have left the collection.
Yellow-faced Myna offshow.

 

The zoo is not looking to bring in more condors, the old female has gone to a private keeper to live out her retirement.

Derbyan parakeets no longer in the elephant house aviary

 

I would like to go to that meeting because I have no idea what is under consideration. It will be very interesting to find out what has been learned from the whole Islands experience so far. The Natural Vision masterplan still exists on paper, but circumstances have changed a lot since it was drawn up. One thing that I do expect is that the increasing numbers of visitors will require continuing upgrading of facilities like catering, toilets, play areas and footpaths. Perhaps there will also be new a visitor activity area to replace the canal boats, mini golf, model boats etc.

Alan

 

Have the Vultures gone to Cotswold Falconry Centre

 

They have gone to two differnet sites, I suspect I know to whom the condor went but I'm not 100% certain.

The American black vulture either went to a collection in the UK, or to Europe, the keeper could not remember.

I guess that the owner has taken the bird back into his own collection in the UK, again I do not really know one way or the other.

 

Another new animal on show.. The tenrec! I'm sensing a Madagascan theme! Anyone know where these will be situated? When is a hedgehog not a hedgehog?? When it?s a tenrec! | Press Release | Chester Zoo

 

There in the Fruit-bat forest.

 

They have been on-show since at least the start of the year

 

These three arived in late 2015. A pair was also held at the zoo during 2000. I don't think they went on show.

 

Is the mini golf going? Please tell me it is.

 

Fingers crossed

Alan

 

I'd happily ditch most (all?) of the extraneous stuff - shouldn't the animals be enough to keep people occupied?

 

All, please! The odd playground in a zoo is fine, but no need for 3 or more that some zoos have! Don't want to start about the dinosaurs again either but....

 

Well we might not like the Dinosaurs,but if it means that the zoo starts building work on the Malayan Tapirs and Sun Bear exhibits in Islands at the end of the year,then its all good with me!!

 

Me too!

I know at least one zoo that saw a big upswing in memberships when it built an indoor play area because it was better value than standalone play areas in the area. Most families will visit once or twice a year for the zoo, but many will come back every other week for a play area and will then spend money in the cafes that otherwise would be spent elsewhere in town.

I know of another zoo that gets too many school trips requesting them to even be able to think about getting rid of its dinosaurs (and it's not one of the better dino displays, either!).

Zoos can't do much without money, so while we'd all rather this sort of thing was at a minimum, and will hurry past and roll our eyes, a few extra play areas are a small price to pay if they fund new exhibits and conservation projects.