Colchester Zoo

...should it decide to shine. Colchester Zoo seems to tick all of these boxes nicely, and with a clutch of complimentary tickets in hand thanks to a recent animal adoption, we set off to enjoy the many marvels of the animal kingdom at the sixty acre site in the North of Essex. Colchester Zoo opens its doors at 9.30am every day of the year, except Christmas day, while closure times depend on the season, with the doors open through summer until 6.30pm, ...
...arrows upon leaving the A12. Colchester Zoo is on the outskirts of Colchester, about twenty-three miles from Ipswich or sixty from London. Public transport links are poor at best, meaning by far the best bet is to visit by car, or better still a coach trip if you fancy letting someone else take on the driving.

==Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh my!==

Or at least Lions and Tigers, surprisingly there are no Bears of any ... more

With the summer holiday season here at long last we are all looking for interesting day trips to fill our time. Parents want something that little bit different to engage kids during the long school break, while the rest of us want something to enjoy while soaking up the sun, should it decide to shine. Colchester Zoo seems to tick all of these boxes nicely, and with a clutch of complimentary tickets in hand thanks to a recent animal adoption, we set off to enjoy the many marvels of the animal kingdom at the sixty acre site in the North of Essex. Colchester Zoo opens its doors at 9.30am every day of the year, except Christmas day, while closure times depend on the season, with the doors open through summer until 6.30pm, and 4.30pm during the winter months.

Getting there

Despite the Satellite Navigation in my car seemingly determined to strand me in an industrial estate on the outskirts of Colchester, we eventually found our way to the zoo, thanks mostly to the many signposts and directional arrows upon leaving the A12. Colchester Zoo is on the outskirts of Colchester, about twenty-three miles from Ipswich or sixty from London. Public transport links are poor at best, meaning by far the best bet is to visit by car, or better still a coach trip if you fancy letting someone else take on the driving.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh my!

Or at least Lions and Tigers, surprisingly there are no Bears of any variety at the zoo. The animals are divided into sub sections depending on the continent they originate from or their habitat suitability. This seems an intelligent way of arranging the animals and lets you get a far better feel for the animals and their habitat – going from African elephants to King Penguins to Orang-utans would be pointless, and confusing! There are loads of opportunities to meet the keepers of animals throughout the day, so you can get the inside info on how the animals are and whether they are in a sociable mood. Displays are also plentiful in the different zones, with my favourite on the day we went being the Sea Lion and Otter feeds.

Beginning Zone – Situated immediately after the entrance, the Beginning Zone is the first section of the zoo. It seems to consist of a fifty/fifty split of animal and non animal exhibits, with the shops, ticket office, theatre and children’s play area sitting side by side with some of the smaller animals in the zoo – Parrots, Iguanas and Tortoises chief amongst them. There is also the interactive Discovery centre where school trips and children are encouraged to learn about the animals, as well as studying in detail skeleton and bone structures. Most exciting of all though is the section where Insects like hissing cockroaches and stick insects can be handled. Initially filled with trepidation, I soon warmed to the idea of holding one of the giant cockroaches, it wasn’t nearly as bad as first feared and I was glad I gave it a go. With 2009 marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin the Zoo has set up an interesting and informative display detailing his theory of evolution, with some fun examples of Darwin’s hypothesis, and some interesting predictions about where evolution may lead to in the future.

Kidz Zone – The Kidz Zone is another section concentrating firmly on younger children and their enjoyment, with a petting zoo and a wallaby walkabout area where you can get up close and interact with the animals. The day of our visit the wallabies seemed more intent on sunbathing than taking notice of the public, but the goats, sheep and rabbits in the petting zoo were very friendly and happy to be stroked. There is an activity centre here where kids can try their hand at panning for gold, as well as another theatre with shows about pets of the world, as well as reptile handling sessions. Baby changing and feeding facilities and a Pizza bar complete this section.

Valley Zone – This section, situated to the East of the Kidz zone, is by far the busiest in the zoo, thanks largely to the impressive Meerkat enclosure. Whether a certain price comparison website advert has raised the profile of these little critters I’m not sure, but people were standing two deep around their enclosure to catch a glimpse. The Meerkats played their part for the watching throngs, standing on their hind legs and generally looking cute to the delight of all. The popularity of the section could also be because it is where the main picnic area is situated, certainly at around 12.30pm when we were there it was very busy indeed, so perhaps it would be an idea to visit this section away from meal times if you don’t plan to eat there. Other animals worthy of mention in this section are the majestic looking White Bengal Tiger, who seemed totally uninterested in anything other than sleeping on her raised wooden platform. A smattering of Lemurs, Monkeys of the Colobus and Medallin variety, and Baboons wrap up this amazing, if very busy, zone.

Aquatic Zone – We timed our visit to the Aquatic Zone especially so we could witness the 1pm Sea lion feeding display. The sheer frenzy and energy these glorious mammals expel in their quest for some thrown fish is a sight to behold, the water became a churning mass of froth and speed as they raced around, all trying to get the food before others. Such is the design of the Sea Lion enclosure you can walk through a glass tunnel underneath it as well as viewing it from above, so you can witness the graceful effortlessness as they swim and glide underwater. A wide selection of fish, turtles and invertebrates continue the Aquatic theme, but I’m not overly sure how the recently opened Orang-utan Forest fits into the whole Aquatic theme. Geographical contradictions aside, the Orang-utan Forest is a spacious but humid building which houses an indoor area for the Orang-utans to play, sleep and feed in. There are several openings to a larger outside area where the animals can stretch their legs, and swing from tires on ropes to their hearts content. One word of caution, the Aquatic Zone is probably the section with the steepest hills and walkways, so it is probably a better idea to approach it from the Beginning Zone to the South, rather than the Valley Zone to the West, this will ensure the hills are mostly of the downward variety as you move through.

Lakeland Zone – No prizes for guessing that the Lakeland Zone consists of three lakes of varying sizes, situated to the South of The Valley Zone. To me this was an ideal place to rest a while, as it seemed less cluttered and noisy than the neighbouring zones. The animals found in this section were for the most part the sort you would find on any lake in any park in the UK, with various species of water fowl enjoying a leisurely wade. There were a couple of exceptions to this rule though, with a smattering of flamingos stood sentry in the smaller lake and some terrapins lined up on a tree branch protruding into the water. Perhaps because of the tranquil feel to this area there were a few food establishments and plenty of seats and benches, so those wishing to make the most of the relative quiet can do so while enjoying a snack or lunch.

The Heights – The Heights are a long swath of animal enclosures and eating establishments stretching from the Aquatic Zone in the North of the Zoo to the African Zone in the West. Those willing to walk the long distance from one end to the other are rewarded with some of the finest animals in the Zoo. The Amur Tigers were impressively majestic while the Wolves relaxed style belied their power and poise. The Komodo Dragons stalked their enclosures, looking for all the world like prehistoric hunters, while the Philippine Deer were as skittish as you’d expect. As with all the other areas of the Zoo there were a smattering of eateries and refreshment kiosks, and an abundance of toilets and changing facilities.

African Zone, incorporating Spirit of Africa – Very much the meat and drink of the Zoo, the African Zone is where the tradition large zoo animals are housed. A family of Giraffe feed from specially constructed towers while a brace of Rhino roll lazily in the dust. All watched by an attentive looking Ostrich and four Zebra, their tales swishing lazily at errant flies. The other side of the walkway houses the Elephant Kingdom, a spacious enclosure consisting of sand, a mound and a watering hole. Alas both of the Elephants were at the far end of their enclosure, away from the general public, no doubt seeking out some much needed shade to enjoy. Other animals in this Zone include an impressive array of Warthogs, Hyenas and Cheetahs, and some quarrelsome Mandrill Monkeys who seemed intent on having a full scale domestic argument in front of the watching public. The Africa Zone is by far the largest in the zoo, so it is perhaps a good idea to take advantage of the Tanganyika Road train which tours the section every fifteen minutes.

The whole Ethics/Morality argument

It is an oft argued point that animals such as those found in zoos should not be held in captivity, but rather left to freely roam their native environments. I fully appreciate and understand this view, up to a point. However, to simple say that Zoos are no place for wild animals is to belittle the tireless work that Zoos like Colchester undertake to encourage conservation and active breeding programs both within the zoo itself, and in the wild. For example, one pound from every admission ticket goes to the Action for the Wild charity which supports a nature reserve in kwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Over seventy species of animals at Colchester Zoo are part of breeding programs due to risks of endangerment or even extinction in the wild, And with glorious beast like the Amur Tiger numbering fewer than 400 in the wild, they need all the help they can get. Colchester Zoo are also committed to ensuring the animals in their care as comfortable as possible and their conditions as close to those they would encounter in the wild, and they seem to be on the right track with their award winning enclosures and contented looking animals.

Feeding time at the Zoo

Snack kiosks are plentiful and intelligently situated around the zoo, so you are never more than five minutes from refreshment should hunger strike. There are also a plethora of vending machines offering up myriad of cold drinks to keep energy and hydration levels topped up during hot days. Food outlets vary from pizza bars, fish and chip restaurants to coffee bars, all offering up a variety of snacks to suit your mood. There is also lovely picnic area near the Meerkat enclosure where you can either buy goodies like sandwiches, cakes and fruit from a kiosk or supply your own and sit in the sun picnic style. Because of its central location though, this area was very busy, with seating very much a premium at peek eating times. My recommendation would be to avoid the main thoroughfares and head for the Playa Patagonia coffee shop in the Aquatic zone, due east of the Meerkat enclosure. Here you can purchase a nine inch baguette with various fillings, a cake, and a hot or cold drink for £5, with plenty of seating both in the shade and in the sun an added bonus. This value for money seems to be prevalent throughout the zoo, because they have you as a captive audience with no competition they could really sting you on the refreshment pricing front, and yet they don’t, food and drink is all very reasonably priced, well made and tasty.

Access for the old, infirm and disabled

Colchester Zoos layout can best be described as undulating, although the majority of inclines are manageable. There are a couple of exceptions – entering the Aquatic Zone is a very steep climb, pushchairs and wheelchairs are advised not to attempt it. The zoo does have an easy route suitable for all which is marked with a continuous yellow line on the walkways. If a wheelchair is required the zoo are happy to supply one for a small charge. There is also the opportunity to enjoy some sections of the zoo riding on road trains. The Umphafa road train does a circuit of the African Zone every fifteen minutes, while the Tanganyika road train does the same around the Heights section. This is a nice way to enjoy the zoo exhibits while giving your legs a well deserved rest. Finally, those who are hearing impaired are also well catered for, with induction loops fitted at the pay desk, theatres and other interactive exhibits.

Will small children enjoy the experience?

I should say they would. All of the enclosures and exhibits have low viewing windows to allow little ones to see the animals up close. There are also many play areas, activity centres and interactive exhibits to keep them engaged, and all are pertinent to the animals nearby. For example, there are a set of hanging rails next to the Orang-utan enclosure, so children can see if their dangling and swinging skills are on a par with the long armed primates. Just after the entrance in the Beginning Zone there is a soft play complex, encompassing ball pits, crash mat areas and even the opportunity to have your face painted to match the fiercest lion or scariest tiger! School parties are also well catered for; there are interactive quizzes for some of the animals, and a petting zoo section where you can get up close and personal with animals like goats, sheep and pigs.

Commercial aspects

Of course for all the good intentions of the zoo in helping to conserve and breed species, it is at heart a business. Colchester Zoo needs over £27,000 a day to operate, with the majority of this sum taken up by staff wages and animal feed. An adult ticket costs £15.99 while children can gain entry for £8.99. There are a couple of shops on exiting the zoo, one selling the sort of fare you would expect – mugs, pens and cuddly toys of virtually every animal just seen. The other shop is altogether more upmarket, selling wood carved animals, delicate chinaware and even small items of furniture. There is also the option to adopt any of the animals in the zoo, alas you don’t get to take that cute little Meerkat home with you, but the most expensive £110 Gold scheme does get you a plaque next to the enclosure and eight complimentary tickets to the zoo, valid for a year. Even the cheapest Bronze adoption offers up two free tickets, as well as a photograph, certificate and regular news of your adopted animal. If you decide you want to make trips to Colchester Zoo a regular occurrence there is the opportunity to buy a gold or platinum card which gives you unlimited access for one or two years respectively. These cards start at £39.99 for an adult and £23.99 for a child, with the more expensive platinum card also offering admission to a smattering of other zoos in this country, as well as Topeka Zoo in America and a couple more in Denmark and The Netherlands.

Negative points

I am really struggling to find any facet of the zoo which left me feeling less than happy. There are some fairly hilly areas to walk up and down so those that might struggle in such situations should maybe ask about the free loan of a wheelchair, or alter the path travelled to avoid the steepest inclines. It is also fairly hard to get to the zoo using public transport, with Colchester railway station a good three and a half miles away. There is a free bus shuttle service connecting the station to the zoo, but this is only once a day and not all year round. Finally, and I’m really being nitpicky here, the Orang-utan forest enclosure was a little on the hot and humid side, not a place you’d want to spend much time in, for fear of passing out or sweating yourself into a puddle.

Positive points

As you can guess my visit to Colchester Zoo was a positive and fun experience, with the many plus points detailed above. It just had that sort of feel about it that you cannot always quantify – the staff seemed happy, they were all courteous, helpful and attentive, and the many walkways and thoroughfares were clean and uncluttered. But much more important than that, the animals themselves seemed happy in their surroundings; all of the pens were spacious, clean and you could tell they had been designed to give the animals the very best experience and living conditions. The little things also seemed to be taken care of too, there were plenty of hand gel dispensers scattered around so that hygiene could be adhered to after petting animals or using door handles or hand rails.

Conclusion

Truly a great day out, combining interesting displays, contented looking animals and a well run and maintained location. My advice would be to get to the zoo early as the crowds start to build around lunchtime. Also, grab a welcome guide at the ticket office, it folds out into a large map which really helps you plan your route and get the most out of the day. If you dislike crowds it’s probably best to avoid visiting during school holidays or at weekends, and the hillier parts of the site are probably hard work in the really hot weather. Five stars out of five from me, I really cannot wait until I revisit this lovely zoo.

www.colchester-zoo.co.uk
 

...less