Chester has recently expanded its holding of Black Rhinos (Diceros bicornis michaeli) with the arrival of a new male from Japan. This increase in herd size is accompanied by an expansion in paddock area, with a new Rhino House and enlarged paddocks now open, with the promise of more to come. This year, watch out too for extensions to the Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) enclosure, and a new pen for Bush Dogs (Speothos venaticus) in the Forest Zone. Two Wattled Cassowaries (Casuarius casuarius) are among other new arrivals at the zoo this year. More
- Breeding success with Waldrapp Ibis in new Marabou Heights aviary
Marwell is having a successful year, with births including Red Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata rubra), Ring Tailed Coati (Nasua nasua), Przewalski's Horse (Equus przewalskii) and Slender Tailed Meerkat (Suricata suricatta). Most notable, however, is the hatching of Waldrapp Ibis chicks (Geronticus eremita) in the new stork and ibis aviary Marabou Heights. This is a highly endangered species and is breeding for the first time at Marwell. More
- Arrival of Alaotran Gentle Lemurs
Among several new arrivals this year, notable are the unusual Alaotran Gentle Lemurs (Hapalemur griseus alaotrensis) and the rare Purple Faced Langurs (Trachypithecus vetulus) and Mhorr Gazelles (Gazella dama mhorr). Belfast is the only other UK zoo to hold the two latter species. More
- London Mayor backs new aquarium for London
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has backed a new ZSL plan to build a state of the art aquarium in East London as part of the £1 billion regeneration of Silvertown Quays. More
- Europe's first baby Hoffman's Sloth 'Roxy' doing well
When Roxy Peru was born, her mother abandoned her and she had to be hand reared. She's doing well, which is particularly special as little Roxy represents the first recorded birth of a Hoffman's Sloth (Choeropus hoffmani) in Europe. She is now over six months old, and still happy and healthy. It is hoped to introduce her to her parents in the zoo's Tropical House soon. More
- Opening of Spirit of Africa and Edge of Africa
The new African developments at Colchester are now completed, with new areas for African Elephants (Loxodonta africana), Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis), White Rhinos (Ceratotherium simum), Spotted Hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) and many more. A new Amazonian enclosure and sealion pool are now under construction. More
- New Lemur Complex
This new development has brought 5 new lemur taxa to Blackbrook, namely the Black and White and Red Ruffed Lemurs (Varecia variegata variegata and V. v. rubra respectively), Mayotte Lemurs (Eulemur fulvus mayottensis), White Fronted Lemurs (E. f. albifrons), and Black Lemurs(E. macaco macaco). More
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