Colchester Zoo
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Colchester Zoo is constantly evolving to ensure our world class level of commitment to our animals. If you would like to contribute to any of our developments listed below, or require further information on our donation schemes - please click here. Colchester Zoo's Nature Area In an exciting new development Colchester Zoo has recently acquired 1.2 hectares of land to the south of the zoo site. Colchester Zoo aims to manage this land as a conservation area, by creating a nature trail, enabling visitors to see a range of native wildlife species and highlighting local conservation issues. This low lying land is comprised mainly of riverside marsh and is situated on the northern bank of the Roman River. Numerous species already inhabit the site like Celery-leaved buttercup, Bog Stitchwort and Yellow Flag, as well as the locally rare Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly and birds like the Song Thrush and Turtle dove. With the creation of more wetland the zoo hopes to increase the diversity and abundance of invertebrate fauna and thus encourage more foraging birds to the site. Colchester Zoo’s nature area is currently only in planning stage and the zoo is in the process of applying for planning permission and to get land drainage consent from the Environment Agency. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Changes to the Beginning Zone A section of the Beginning Zone including the old Rainforest Life, the Goeldis monkey enclosure and a number of smaller aviaries are currently being demolished. This will make way for an outdoor extension to the new Green iguana enclosure and a new enclosure for the Two toed Sloth. Recently a two toed sloth arrived from the Cotswolds Wildlife Park and in the coming months a female will arrive to join him from Zurich Zoo. Two toed sloths are omnivores and live in tropical rainforests. They are related to the three toed sloth and the giant anteater. As two toed sloths are slow moving they are unable to escape if an area of forest is felled for logging or agriculture. Little is known about their population in the wild. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Orang utan enclosure Work on Colchester Zoo’s new enclosure for Orang utans is now well underway. The new exhibit will also feature a butterfly house and a selection of Asian fish and reptiles will be on display. Work for this development is likely to cost in the region of £1,750,000. The large roof of the enclosure is now fitted and it is hoped that the exhibit will be finished in late 2007. Colchester Zoo is offering you the opportunity to leave your mark permanently by having your name and a short message displayed on a plaque when the enclosure opens. Orang utans are critically endangered in the wild and so it is our hope that in the future in addition to providing a new home for Rajang and Djambe we can take a breeding pair which will give us the opportunity to one day breed Orangs at Colchester Zoo. If you would like to make a minimum donation of £30 just Go to the Donations page and we will get in touch with you regarding the wording for your plaque. For more information Sponsorship opportunities are available, Please email mailto:marketing@colchester-zoo.co.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Enclosure for Rare Species of Deer Colchester Zoo’s group of Blackbuck are now off show and will soon be leaving the collection to join a herd at the West Midlands Safari Park. Their enclosure is currently being altered to house a brand new species for Colchester Zoo. Philippine’s Spotted Deer are globally one of the most endangered species of deer, found only on two islands in the Philippines. They are the largest mammal to inhabit these islands and are listed as endangered by the IUCN (The World Conservation Union). The existing Blackbuck enclosure will be enlarged for this new species of deer and will be naturalistic, encouraging species typical behaviour. The enclosure will feature large grassy areas, as well as shaded areas to suit this species. The enclosure will also feature water, mud wallows and novel enrichment. This arrival of this species is very important and it will become one of Colchester Zoo’s flagship Philippine species. Action for the Wild will be sponsoring a conservation programme for the species, to secure its future in the wild. Colchester Zoo is open every day from 9.30am except Christmas Day Closing times vary according to season. September 12th to 31st December 2011 Open at 9:30am Last Admissions to zoo grounds at 3.00pm Zoo Grounds close at 5.00pm Main Rate 2011 Adults - £15.99 Child - £9.99 Senior - £12.99 Disabled - £7.99 Peak Season 2011 Adults - £16.99 Child - £10.50 Senior (over 60)- £13.99 Disabled - £8.50 Bank Holiday Weekends 2011 Adults - £17.99 Child (3 14) - £10.99 Senior (over 60) – £14.50 Disabled - £8.99 Winter Rate 2011 Adults - £9.99 Child - £6.50 Senior (over 60) - £7.99 Disabled - £4.50 Magic of Christmas events Adults - £12.99 Children - £10.99 (Price includes a present from Father Christmas) Senior (over 60) - £9.99 Disabled Child - £8.99 (Price includes a present from Father Christmas) Disabled Adults - £6.49 | |||||||||||||||||||||||