Any orangutans updates » Chester Zoo

Any orangutans updates
12-07-2008

As i heard all 3 boreans were aspected pregnant has this been confrimed ?

any other news form the orange guys ?

12-07-2008

There was a baby sumatran Orang earlier this year to emma.

Sibu has returned from Alphenheul and will be paired with a new female soon.

I don't know about the Bornean females, sorry...

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Jonathan Beilby-www.zooscene.co.uk

(Join the hornbill group-www.zoobeat.com/group.php?groupid=2)

12-07-2008

I was going to find out if the Bornean pregnancies had been comfirmed when I visited on Tuesday, but I forgot to ask.

Sibu is getting a mate in August, if they get along both will be leaving for another collection. After that phase 2 of RORA will be constructed, improving the accommodation for the Bornean Orangs.

I did not see Sibu myself on Tuesday but apparently he likes to sit at the top of his tree and watch the world go by. So he should be easy to spot.

12-07-2008

He is very easy to spot (especially from the pathway from the chimps or by the flamingos). I've got quite a few photos of him from just 2 visits. He also appears quite fond of the good old-fashioned mail sacks and likes to rest under them from the climbing frame's platform.

Sibu's fence
13-07-2008

Does anyone know exactly why they built that heavy palisade fence around his enclosure? My guess is to keep the public further away both to give him privacy and prevent feeding, but maybe there's some other reason?

Presumably its only a temporary measure until he leaves the zoo and reconstruction begins...

14-07-2008

I think it may be something to do with the quarantine rules.

Once Sibu and his mate have left the whole area will be redeveloped in much the same way as the existing RORA exhibits.

14-07-2008

Just wanted to get people thoughts/inside information on this, Do you think that the second phase of RORA has meant other larger projects like the new aquarium being put on hold taken also the economically factors into consideration as well.

The second phase is likely to cost at least £1million (roughly based on a third of the size and a lot more demolition work).

15-07-2008

Plans have been drawn up for the new aquarium on the original site, but it may now be built on the site of the old bird house and the round aviary. The preferred option is the first one on the existing site. A raised walkway is planned around the new aquarium allowing visitors to look down on the sealions, penguins and flamingos.

15-07-2008

Sorry but being a younger member on these boards, but where were the old bird house and the round aviary??

Thanks for the information

15-07-2008

The parrot house was opposite the ibis aviary on the orang-utan house. One round aviary can be found near the dragons in danger garden and they were originally a pair of aviarys but one was demolished for ROTRA.

EDit: unless bongorob was referring to the bird corridor, which is attached to Islands in Danger.

Edit again: just realised the 2nd round aviary might have been demolished for landscaping of the komodo garden...

15-07-2008

thanks for that, I should of known that!

15-07-2008

You are right Jimmy, the old bird house (now closed) is the range of aviaries adjoining Islands in Danger and the round aviaries were two sets of flights for small parrots. One was demolished and the site is now a garden, the other is still in use. The zoo's original parrot house was here. The rare parrot breeding centre is Chester's third parrot house.

16-07-2008

Chester's visitor numbers seem to be buoyant this year despite all the economic doom and gloom so I would guess there's still a good chance of both the aquarium re-build and RORA phase 2 going ahead next year.

16-07-2008

I'm actually rather surprised they are building a 'phase 2' of RORA. The first building is pretty enormous. I think this 2nd phase if it happens- even if not as large as the first phase, will potentially make it one of the very largest Orangutan exhibits anywhere, both in size and holding capacity.

16-07-2008

Just thought I'd post this...

I've found what must be a preliminary concept for the completed RORA whilst browsing through the Chester planning permissions a while ago.

http://www.ukplanning.com/chester/do...thumbnail=true