Zoo days at Colchester » Colchester Zoo

06-07-2008

So what where your thoughts on Zoo Days then?

My personal opinion is that it wasn't a patch on Chester's programmes. Too much repetition and constant revisiting of certain species. Hopefully there won't be another series at Colchester, and that they concentrate on Chester Zoo more.

06-07-2008

I got very bored with this series after 4 episodes. It may be due to my unfamiliarity with Colchester, but I mostly feel it is due to the different format.

The interruptions of the animal footage with a bit where Konnie Huq says the same thing to camera, as was said during the narration over the footage (not to mention the reminder sections after the advert break) really didn't make me enjoy the series as much as the Chester ones. The longleat series uses a similar format, but is able to use much more animal footage due to the larger time-slot (which makes the presenter's on screen time less noticeable).

The Chester one was very well done. A short introduction, detailed narration and no on-screen presenter made for a good format (albeit there were reminders after the adverts as well).

06-07-2008

I just found it hard to connect with Konnie, always trying to dramatise everything. I felt the subtle narration on Chester Zoo Days was far better.

When does the next Chester series begin?

06-07-2008

Colchester say in their latest newsletter that there will be another series. I don't think it did the zoo justice at all - it's far more interesting than the TV programme.

Zoo Days - Colchester
06-07-2008

I have not visited Colchester for about 20 years so I found it very interesting seeing all the new developments and species . BUT the production was so irritating with constant repeats and reminders - was this done to stretch out the material they had I wonder . It was better when pre-recorded then watched back , you could see all the interesting bits of an episode in about 10 minutes !

I did enjoy the Chester shows more though that was also rather repetitive . With Tejas gone I wonder which will be the main story next time .

06-07-2008

The above would also apply to the Chester series. Overall there was a bit more variety on the Chester programmes. There was quite a bit of "bad news" from Colchester eg elephant calf loss, tiger cubs loss, death of squirrel monkey, failure to integrate mongoose/mangabey, which I though they were brave to leave in, but made it more interesting. The scenes with the aardvarks were the best part for me. Some unusual animals such as chevrotains, fossa, and dik-dik were not seen, presumably they did not have a "story" going on. They also bred a giant anteater during this time but chose not to feature it for some reason.

07-07-2008

Correction: I've only just watched the last one which I recorded and they did feature the mother and baby anteater

07-07-2008

It was extremly dissapointing and not a patch on the Chester version.

18-07-2008

They didnt put on the Hyenas, Jackles or wolves either

18-07-2008

i tottaly agree! she made it seem more like animal park always tryin to make something big out of a tiny problem!

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James Butcher

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