Colchester Zoo Looks Forward to a Number of New Developments in 2012

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Colchester Zoo’s constant programme of development continued apace in 2011 despite a difficult year in terms of attendance the year before. Developments are set to continue into 2012 with a number of new developments already well underway.

Over the year, 745,000 visits were made to Colchester Zoo by paying visitors and annual pass holders and in this time, 27,000 gallons of Fairtrade Coffee were consumed and despite a strong emphasis on healthy eating visitors munched through 36 tonnes of chips!

Highlights of 2011 included Colchester Zoo becoming the only zoo in the UK to house a pair of Spotted Hyena who, it is hoped, will go on to breed to help maintain the population of this species within the captive environment.

It also saw the successful birth of a litter of three Cheetah cubs! Milawi, a male and Tatu and Savannah two females who took their first steps into their outside enclosure in October. They are all strong and healthy and it is hoped that Uria and Jack will continue to breed successfully in the future.

2011 also saw the opening of phase one of Colchester Zoo’s nature reserve on the edge of the park, an extension to the Wilds of Asia enclosure with Red Pandas, Pileated Gibbons and Hornbills moving into modern, new enclosures and the group of smooth-coated otters moving to their exciting new exhibit, Otter Creek.

The zoo’s forward thinking approach to technology also continued with the introduction of its mobile app designed as a modern and exciting way for visitors to become more interactive in the park and with the animals. The App became a big hit with visitors and won two top awards, one at the national Effective Mobile Marketing awards and the other at the Colchester Business Awards.

The Zoo’s work in the community continued with over 3,000 complementary tickets being given to charities and organisations for fundraising events and educational outreach activities taking place with schools and through evening talks.

Colchester Zoo’s charity Action for the Wild also had a very successful year with nearly £180,000 being donated to conservation projects across the globe including the charities own UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa where Rhinos, Giraffe, Zebra and various Antelope species all bred successfully.

2012 looks bright for Colchester Zoo with many new developments underway despite the gloomy economic climate. February will see the opening of the new ‘Kids Safari’ play area which is a specially designed adventure play area including a savannah area, crocodile tower, lion lookout tower with slides and even a sensory play area and areas specifically designed for wheelchair access.

A new lemur walkthrough exhibit, Lost Madagascar, will also be open by Easter 2012. Built on the site of the old white tiger enclosure it will provide a unique and immersive experience, allowing the chance to be closely surrounded by different species of charismatic lemurs as you stroll through their serene retreat.

Zoological Director, Anthony Tropeano, comments, “It is very much part of our plans that 2012 will see Colchester Zoo continue to expand and develop to provide a first class experience for all our visitors. This is only possible with the fantastic support of the community through all their visits and the funds we receive from our retail and catering sales as we receive no other funding. In addition to the huge children’s adventure play area and the lemur walkthrough enclosure which are opening soon; we also hope to move our sun bears to their new enclosure by the end of the year”.




EssexTouristGuide.com 25th January 2012

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