BBC is reporting also on the communicated master plan 20+ years. It includes … a new Chimp Eden by 2016 and 10 million of investment over the next three years!!! I am impressed with the graphics on the gibbon islands. This is how I like it. Source: BBC News - Twycross Zoo £55m revamp to include great apes centre
Also, it the Leicester equivalent with more graphics and a concept detail plan / map. Authored by a local Birmingham firm Weedon Architects. Link: Plans unveiled for £55 million transfomation at Twycross Zoo | Leicester Mercury
http://i3.coventrytelegraph.net/incoming/article8812130.ece/alternates/s1227b/JS58785624.jpg Here's a link to an image from the Coventry Telegraph that shows what the zoo could potentially look like in 2024. It makes mention of a new penguin habitat that looks to be where the amur leopards currently are, and also a new exhibit called the 'twilight realm'. Obviously this is all a massive 'what if?' but at least it's something to look at!
Thank you, feel such an idiot now, I was thinking it may have been something to do with the university campus.
I am hoping to make a visit to this zoo in the near future although I understand that the miniature railway has been out of commission for some time. Do any members by any chance know if the railway has yet returned to service or if not when it will be back in service as I am a keen railway enthusiast and enjoy seeing trains in zoos and parks as well as those in normal service, thank you for any information that you may be able to supply, Roy.
I hope to be going with a lady friend of mine in her motor home, don't want to take the Morris Minor too far.
Chimpanzee, Benji died on 13th April. Statement from Facebook: Twycross Zoo is saddened to announce the death today of one of its chimpanzees, Benji, from natural causes. Benji appeared to collapse in his enclosure and although he was treated immediately by veterinary staff, they were unable to save him. Benji was born at London Zoo in January 1982 and was hand reared before he moved to Twycross in 1983. At 33 years of age, Benji was a familiar and popular chimpanzee and he will be sadly missed by staff and visitors.
Not sure if this is the right place to post this question but was just wondering as I visited today. What is the arrangement with the bonobos? 1 group or is it 2 and they rotate outside?
Another male one from one of their groups gone. I believe this leaves them 22, or 23 Chimps now. I don't know if the 'Benji subgroup' had/have been added to any others since their move from the oldest Ape House.
They are currently trying to integrate Mongo with Jambo's group. He was in with Jomar when we visited yesterday but has been with Jambo and some of the females. A few of them have small injuries, Jambo has quite a big healing gash on his leg.
An interesting read, thanks for posting. A few comments; 1. I had not realised they had so much land( 88 acres) though only 35 have been developed as the Zoo. So a bit odd to see the new Giraffe paddock is wedged in where it is, but I guess maybe all the undeveloped land is rented out as farmland or something. 2. Overall it seems like a major sea change is finally afoot here in the coming years. That can only be a good thing. 3. re the Chimps. Currently numbering 22. At least they now have a CEO there who must be familiar with wild-living chimp groups and intends to replicate them in the Zoo with a single large group, which is certainly encouraging news- the plans have so far showed two separate outdoor Chimpanzee islands but maybe that is a failsafe in case of incompatability problems or other management plans etc. By my reckoning there are now nine males and thirteen females, still split into three main groups (2.11/2.3/3.0/?) Getting them all together in a new enclosure will be time consuming but it is quite feasible. I am only sorry it has taken so long for this issue to be properly addressed. 4. A little concerned to see the statement that they hope to raise the funds for the Chimpanzee development 'in the next couple of years'. That puts it back again a bit from the idea of starting it next year, though later it contradicts that slightly by saying building to start in 2016 or 17. I remain optimistic. 5. Are there really only four Zoos worldwide with 'all four' great Ape species?
