Nothing has changed at Chester, but a Chester member (or Twycross etc) needs a ticket when visiting Colchester, which we have to obtain from the office outside the main entrance. At Chester, visitors can get their tickets from such an office before the actual zoo opening, as they can at some other zoos, but with Colchester that office opens at actual zoo opening.
Ahh - I see... Yes - it would be more sensible to open it at least 20min before opening and let those ppl go through the 'pre-paid' ticket line.
Barbary macaques, a primate that has not been at Colchester Zoo for over 30 years are to be joining the collection. Two males from the Netherlands, as well as three females from France, in the hope they will form a breeding group. New species coming to Colchester Zoo! | Colchester Zoo
Maybe it’s just me, but why would you breed with barbary macaques when there are rescue centres overflowing with seized animals?
They are an Endangered species and as such, zoos say they need to maintain a healthy captive population for possible release projects in the future. I think "rescue centres" are often against breeding, as they want to provide a 'comfortable' retirement home and keep space available for future rescue subjects.
on this morning walk round noticed 4 rock hyrax have moved in with the L’Hoest Monkeys, 2 are still left in the patas monkey enclosure and there are the two adults with 3 babies in with aardvarks which brings the zoo total up to 11. Two tiger cubs where very active this morning playing and chasing each other. Zola was back in with Tembo.
Through looking at visitors posts on the zoos Facebook page it appears as though a baby saki monkey has been born...
From the zoos Facebook page- Pippin the alpha Chimpanzee has been PTS. On Monday 9th September 2019 Colchester Zoo said a sad farewell to Pippin the Chimpanzee who arrived in 1992 at just 6yrs old from Twycross Zoo. Pippin’s behaviour and physical condition in the few days before his passing had caused the animal care team some concern resulting in the zoo veterinary team being called. Pippin underwent a diagnostic health check on Monday 9th September where the vet team checked his general condition including an ultrasound of Pippin’s abdomen. Unfortunately, a mass on Pippin’s liver was found and other factors identified from his general health check resulted in the hard but most kind decision being made for his welfare to put Pippin to sleep. At 33 years of age Pippin was not an old chimp but he was certainly in the later part of his expected life span. Pippin leaves behind a great legacy as during his time at Colchester Zoo he sired two young with female chimp Tekita and both of his offspring are still with us today, Tumba and Talia. Tumba is recognisable as he is the chocolate chimp within the group and Talia is the youngest of the family. Pippin was a lovely chimpanzee with a great personality and he built a very strong bond with his care team, some of whom had cared for him since his arrival back in 1992. It is a very sad time not just for the staff at Colchester Zoo but for Pippin’s chimpanzee family who he leaves behind who will all miss him.
The leopard tunnel was closed off yesterday and no sign of the female outside. Some good news soon hopefully?!
What is unfortunate is that Pippin was a confirmed P.t. verus - which cannot be said of the rest of the chimp troupe -.
2 Amur Leopard Cubs have been born on the 9th September. From the zoos Facebook; Colchester Zoo is excited to announce that on the 9th September a pair of critically endangered Amur leopard cubs were born to mum Esra and dad Crispin! This is the first time that Colchester Zoo has bred Amur leopards and it is also Esra’s first litter. Keepers will be monitoring the cubs closely via CCTV but so far Esra is being very attentive and gentle with the cubs who are both looking well! It will be a number of weeks until they are big and strong enough to begin emerging from their den and this will also be determined by Esra. We’ll be sure to keep you up to date with their development and progress over the next few weeks! Find out more here> Critically Endangered Leopard Cubs Born for the First Time at Colchester Zoo | Colchester Zoo See the birth of one of the cubs and footage from their first few days:
A couple of bits of news from the Colchester website: - On July 30th a pair of bush dogs pups were born, bringing the group at Colchester Zoo up to ten individuals. The sex of the new pups is currently unknown. More information can be found in the link below: Bush Dog pair add to their ever-growing family! | Colchester Zoo - There are going to be a few developments made to a couple of enclosures. The Australian Rainbows lorikeet walkthrough will be closed until early October so that essential maintenance can be done including interior design improvements that will benefit both visitors and lorikeets. The Penguin Shores enclosure is also to be refurbished with a new filtration system and a new underwater viewing area. The enclosure will be closed for six months - in the meantime the penguin flock will be mixed with the other group in the Inca Trail enclosure. More information is included on the link below: Developments continue at Colchester Zoo | Colchester Zoo
Has there been anymore news on the Barbary macaques about when they'll be arriving yet? Only thought I'd ask this in case....
I know it's not exactly news (it is over six years old), but I haven't seen this posted on ZooChat before and thought it was quite interesting. I was just browsing the websites of some zoo design firms and found a series of images and details about the South American indoor exhibit (simply called 'South American Species') that was planned for near the zoo entrance. It was to cover 1,046 square metres and house 'a number of animals, among other species of birds, butterflies and (amphibious) reptiles'. The plans are in the link below: South American Species exhibit concept design - lionhouse
