If this did happen, it would certainly be a huge boon to the zoo - driving past today on the way into Colchester you can see that the overall footprint of the site is enormous. However, looking at the site of Tarmac itself, it seems that the quarry is being restored more for wildlife than the zoo with 'extensive planting of species-rich hedges, woodland and grassland'. It could be just that the zoo oversees the site without developing on it. Our Plans for Stanway Quarry | Colchester, Essex It might be just as well though, seeing as the entrance to the quarry is the only place where I have ever seen warning signs for quicksand before.
Found some more potential information on the councils preferred options page which sets out the councils “vision ,strategy, objectives and policies for planning and delivery across the borough”(Colchester Council || Preferred Options Local Plan) I can copy what I think the relevant parts of the page if required (is a bit of a read, apologies) seems as though it’s all being talked about and debates are happening at a high level. On the page near the part about the zoo there are maps. (Policy WC2: Stanway through to Policy WC3: Colchester Zoo)
From the zoos Facebook; Introducing cheetahs Abasi & Azizi, two brothers from France who arrived at Colchester Zoo on 11th February! Since their arrival the pair have been spending time getting to know their keepers and their new surroundings and it is hoped they will spend time with female Sia in the near future! Cheetah brothers Abasi and Azizi arrive at Colchester Zoo! - ZOO NEWS - Colchester Zoo
Genuinely very upset by this news! Rest In Peace Billy-Joe We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of Chimpanzee Billy-Joe - ZOO NEWS - Colchester Zoo
From the zoos Facebook page: This March Colchester Zoo celebrates 35 years of ownership by the Tropeano family! The Tropeano family took over the zoo in March 1983 and invested in enclosure improvements for the existing residents such as Rajang the orangutan and white rhino Flossy, as well as introducing more species to the collection, including two of our resident elephants, Tanya and Zola who arrived in 1985. Sadly we recently said goodbye to one of our longest standing residents, chimpanzee Billy-Joe, who was at Colchester Zoo prior to the Tropeano family. As well as the hard work put in to improve Colchester Zoo, the Tropeano family and the team here at Colchester Zoo have also put huge emphasis on the importance of education and conservation actively supporting a number of different organisations around the world, through its charity, Action for the Wild, which was set up in 1993 and achieved charitable status in 2004. Find out more about the history of Colchester Zoo here> This March Colchester Zoo celebrates 35 years of ownership by the Tropeano family! - ZOO NEWS - Colchester Zoo
Amur Tigers Igor And Taiga have been mixed for the first time and from the video posted on the zoos twitter feed it is looking good so far, here’s hoping for cubs in the near future! Twitter
Some notes from a double zoo visit this weekend; -Both Saki Monkey & Cherry Crowned Mangabey babies look as though they are growing well, both were still clinging onto their mothers. -The Patas/Colobus monkey enclosure is looking as though it nears completion, there is an extensive climbing frame. Also there is now quite a lot of space which I imagine they will extend the lions enclosure into. -Only two of the three Aardvark were on show today- ?an imminent birth as previously mentioned another zoochatter saw one of the aardvark having an ultrasound -The chimp family doesn't appear to be too unsettled with the loss of Billy-joe, there was lots of excited activity when the keepers put out enrichment out and were settled later in the day. -All four giraffe were out in the main paddock today -At a keeper talk about the Red Pandas the keeper informed us that they have been given the go ahead to breed from their pandas (the first time in two years) and they have seen mating so are hopeful later in the year for cubs. -The wooden bridge over the bush dog enclosure (which is used to line up for the Lost Madagascar train) but no explanation was given on the handwritten sign on Saturday On a separate note, does anyone happen to know when Otto the male rhinoceros will be back from his breeding loan?.
From a visitors post on the zoos Facebook page: “Visited the zoo today and saw the aardvarks have a new baby (so sweet) but could someone tell me why there was a person constantly sat in the enclosure? Thank you” Can any zoochatter confirm?
The baby aardvark was born on 23rd March. Mum OQ and baby are in an offshow den which can be seen on a TV screen. There was a keeper in with them on the three occasions we looked in. Maybe OQ is a first time mum and they are keeping a close eye on the pair... Other news that hasn't been shared - a new exhibit has been completed at the back of the chimp complex, containing spiny turtle and Agamid Lizard SPP (Hypsilurus Magna). The window was condensated so I couldn't see the lizard.
That's great news for the zoo! If I'm correct it is still only Colchester & Africa Alive who have bred Aardvark in the UK. Wonder what it is about East Anglia & Aardvarks? Was the upstairs to the outdoor chimp enclosure open to the public yet?
Incidentally, aardvarks regularly bred at London Zoo during the 1980s although, sadly, none of the young survived.
OQ is not a first time mum - but I believe aardvarks are known to be notoriously clumsy so they are probably just trying to ensure the baby doesn't get accidently injured.
They have always kept a close eye on their previous Aardvark babies, even taking the youngster home overnight to ensure it doesn’t get accidentally crushed by its mother.
That make sense. Mum did seem a little bositerous round the baby, the keeper had to push her away a few times.
Some updates From the zoos website; -Colchester Zoo were delighted to welcome a new arrival on Christmas Day 2017 as Saki monkey Kachiri gave birth to a single healthy offspring! This is Kachiri’s first time as a mum after mating with fellow Saki monkey Karlos and since the new arrival was born, they have been doing a great job looking after the youngster! The new arrival continues to do well and is beginning to explore the outside area whilst sticking close to mum and is starting to feed on fruits and seeds. -A few months ago our black and white colobus monkeys temporarily moved in with our Patas monkeys as their old enclosure was demolished as part of the Lion Rock development project. Since then our team have been working hard to complete their new home which is one of our tallest projects yet with climbing beams reaching 9 metres high! Not only will the colobus soon be moving into their luxury new pad but their new neighbours will also be joining them as the patas and colobus continue to live together in the new area. The new high facility will give these two species a chance to climb to a whole new level and enjoy views of the zoo and surrounding areas -Colchester Zoo is excited to announce that we have now opened our new boardwalk in memory of our late chimpanzee Billy-Joe who we sadly lost in March 2018. The boardwalk is one of the final areas to be completed as part of ‘Chimpanzee Lookout’. The new pathway includes a new home to our recently introduced agamid lizard. This species has a very unusual feature as its teeth are on the outer rim of its mouth! We have also welcomed Spiny hill turtles, this is a very unique turtle with a sharp spiky-edged upper shell. The pathway also leads to our new top viewing area of Chimpanzee Lookout. Visitors can climb a spiral staircase to see the enclosure from new heights as well as enjoying a birds eye view of the rest of the zoo!
The zoo have announced the Aardvark birth on Facebook; We are excited to announce that on the 23rd March we welcomed a baby aardvark! Born to Mum Oq and Dad Afer, the new arrival is currently spending its time with mum at the Aardvark Burrow in our specially designed baby burrow, cameras are up and running so you can catch a glimpse of the baby on screen during these early days. Find out more here> We welcome an aardvark baby! - ZOO NEWS - Colchester Zoo
