At around 1:30 today Emily the female white rhinoceros gave birth to her calf in the outdoor paddock in full public view. Although the sex remains unconfirmed, early thoughts are that it is a male. Full information is in the link below, with a video on the Facebook page: https://www.colchester-zoo.com/explore/news/animals?view=entry&id=333 Interesting to note from the above article is that Otto, the zoo's bull rhino has temporarily moved to another zoo.
An article on Woburn's web-site which is no longer available for viewing stated that an 18 year old bull called Otto had arrived. I wonder what happened to bull Kaj from Woburn?
Otto is on loan to Woburn and will likely return once required at Colchester again. Kaj is still at Woburn (just being kept apart from Otto and the females)
Something of interest I have just seen of Facebook - in response to a comment on the arrival of the new tamanduas, the zoo has said that Inti (the female long-tailed tamandua) moved to another zoo. Not sure how old she must be, because she was at Colchester for a considerable length of time.
The zoo has confirmed the baby Rhino is a male https://www.colchester-zoo.com/explore/news/animals?view=entry&id=335
Went for a visit to Colchester today - these are my observations: - Unfortunately, all of the Burmese mountain tortoises have gone; their signage has been removed and there are now only the three Aldabran giant tortoises in the exhibit - The tamarin enclosure by the Penguin Shores exhibit is empty and according to signs is being refurbished - Saw the new Amur tiger 'Taiga' - she was indoors while 'Igor' and 'Anouska' were together in the smaller of the two outdoor enclosures - Saw both the new pygmy hippo calf and the white rhinoceros calf, the latter of which briefly went outside onto the hardstanding - Finally managed to get reasonable views of two formerly invisible species, the African pygmy hedgehog and the Costa Rican tiger-rump tarantula - The new tamanduas are currently being kept separately - one in the Worlds Apart indoor area formerly for the tamanduas and the other mixed in with the titi monkeys and Geoffroy's marmosets; the tamandua in the mixed exhibit was very active later in the afternoon - An interesting behavioural observation - the slender-snouted crocodile was repeatedly yawning and bellowing which was making the chimps very anxious; there was much screaming and banging of glass, with most of the chimps converging on the window that allows them a view into the crocodile exhibit in order to keep an eye on it
Just for the record this is a similar age of death to Bristol Zoo's previous Pygmy Hippo calf (not the current one).
Does anyone know when the new Chimp exhibit will be (finally) be finished? Also the zoo's future development page on their website seems to have disappeared so are there any other major redevelopment planned for the future?
On a visit today; -Signage at King Vulture Exhibit stating that the Vultures are showing signs of nest building currently -Outdoor chimp enclosure still not open -Visible eggs on a leaf in the Poison Dart Frog exhibit -Couldn't see any bush dogs so not sure if they have arrived? -Could only see one Cheetah's name on the "Adoption List" so has the zoo lost their male/female or is he/she just extremely unpopular with visitors? -A single male L'hoest Monkey is being housed in the "Kingdom of the wild" house whilst the zoo waits for their existing male "Harry" to be moved to another collection.
Their is only one cheetah at Colchester zoo now. From what I have seen the chimp enclosure should be finished soon. The bush dogs still dont have an enclosure so they wont be arriving yet.
A few photos from the past on the local newspapers website which was posted on Monday 13th March: NOSTALGIA: Vintage images of zoo take us back in time
From a visit today: -The female African hunting dog has paired the the Alpha male and they are hopeful for successful breeding in the near future -Only 5 Komodo dragons remain at the zoo -The new female Amur Tiger was inside and participating in target training with her keepers -The baby White Rhino has now been given access the mixed species paddock -Redevelopment work is nearing completing on the Amazon walkthrough enclosure -The outdoor Chimp enclosure was open for the public to view. Looks rather impressive and well thought out design in my opinion. There is a viewing area so the public can watch the keepers as they carry out their training session with the chimps, plenty of climbing space, enrichment activities such as wooden and metal drum & feeding station and heated rocks/cave. (I will attempt to upload pictures to the gallery). There is also a raised viewing platform which will give views not only of the chimps but will be able to look out across the zoo, this part will be open to the public within the next couple of weeks and also the Chimps will be given access to the outdoor part of their exhibit within the next 2 weeks I was told by a volunteer. -Also was inform plans are afoot to start development on a new Tropical House which will be situated next to the new outdoor chimp exhibit which will house "several" reptile species and tropical fauna.
Small favour to ask - did anyone happen to purchase the (Colchester) Zoo Days Dvd when it was on sale at the zoo several years ago? Looking to purchase a copy if anyone has it and can help
