Colchester Zoo

Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex CO3 0SL

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News Archive

Below are the news reports for Colchester Zoo, covering significant events concerning the animal collection, such as births, arrivals, departures, and deaths.

Colchester Zoo Details

Birth: 29 June 2012

A baby Buffy-headed Capuchin has been born, the second for mum Barney with dad Fabio.

Birth: 20 June 2012

A Spotted Hyena cub has been born, the first both for the zoo and for parents Kalabi and Abu, who only arrived last July.

Birth: 18 June 2012

A baby Black and White Colobus Monkey has been born, to experienced parents Etosha and Apollo who were themselves born at the zoo. The baby has not yet been sexed.

Birth: 5 June 2012

A Victoria Crowned Pigeon chick has hatched, the first at the zoo.

Arrival: June 2012

A male Shire Horse called Homer has arrived from World Horse Welfare. He will be held off-show while he completes his quarantine period, then will join Meg and Bruce on show on a rota basis in the Familiar Friends section.

Arrival: June 2012

A female Andean Condor called La Maya has arrived from Nurnberg Zoo, Germany. She is to join resident male Mannie to form a new breeding pair, but the introductions are likely to be a long process as the birs get to know each other while carefully monitored by keepers.

Arrival: May 2012

A young female Red Panda called Liwei has arrived from Beauval Zoo, France. Once old enough to breed, she will join resident male An An. Meanwhile she is being housed in a separate enclosure, but still on-show.

Arrival: May 2012

A pair of Francois Langurs have arrived, to hopefully form a new breeding pair for this Endangered primate species. The male came from Twycross Zoo, while the female has come from Howletts.

Birth: 29 March 2012

A baby Ring-Tailed Lemur has been born, to experienced mum Madison and dad Rio; the first baby for the new Lost Madagascar walkthrough enclosure.

Birth: 21 March 2012

Three Red River Hog piglets have been born, to experienced mum Mathilde.

Birth: 20 March 2012

A baby Aardvark has been born, the 7th for mum Oq, and the 8th for the group overall. Mum and baby are again being separated from the main group for about a month while the baby grows stronger, but visitors will still be able to see them via CCTV.

Update: The baby is now known to be female, and has been named Saphira. Mum and baby have also now rejoined the main group.

Arrival: 11 March 2012

A female Linnes Two-Toed Sloth called Calypso has arrived from Amazon World.

Arrival: 29 February 2012

Two adult male Ocellate River Stingrays have arrived, to join the four youngsters that arrived last year.

Birth: 24 February 2012

A baby Golden Lion Tamarin has been born, to parents Shirley and Sebastian. The pair was formed in December 2010 and previously produced twin girls named Spring and Summer in April 2011.

Birth: 7 February 2012

Silvery Marmoset twins have been born, to parents Olive and Arthur, their third litter since the pair was formed in 2010.

Birth: 18 January 2012

A baby Mandrill has been born, to experienced mum Millie.

Birth: 29 December 2011

A baby Goeldi's Monkey has been born, to mum Hazel and dad Willow.

Birth: 5 September 2011

Three baby Meerkats have been born, the eighth litter of pups for mum Pippa and dad Robbie.

Birth: 29 August 2011

A baby Silvery Marmoset has been born, to parents Olive and Arthur, who previously produced twins in March.

Birth: 28 August 2011

Geoffroy's Marmoset triplets have been born, to mum Gizmo and dad Gremlin. This is their second set of triplets this year.

Arrival: August 2011

Four young Ocellate River Stingrays called Little Sun, Ringo, Lucky and Dot have arrived. They have joined the Pacu Fish in the main pool within the inside small primate walkthrough on the Worlds Apart exhibit.

Arrival: 21 July 2011

A pair of Spotted Hyena have arrived. The male, Abu, was born in 2005 and came from Amersfoort Zoo, The Netherlands, while the female, Kalabi, was born in 2008 and came from Berlin. It is hoped they will form a successful breeding pair, and are the only members of this species in the UK.

Birth: July 2011

Green and Black Poison Dart Frogs have been born. Three batches of frogspawn have been collected, and the first have now almost fully developed from tadpoles into frogs; the first for the Zoo. They will reach full sexual maturity at about 6-15 months and typically live for about 2 years in the wild, but 6-25 years in captivity.

Birth: July 2011

Three Cheetah cubs, 2 females and a male, have been born, to parents Uria and Jack. These are the first offspring of this pairing, which was formed by Jack's arrival earlier this year. The cubs are likely to be kept in their den by their mother for the next few months, so will be difficult to see.

Update, 19 October: the cubs have been named Milawi, the male, Tatu and Savannah, and are now venturing outside of their den.

Birth: 2 May 2011

Four baby Smooth-Coated Otters have been born, to mum Chea and dad Kong Kea who both came to Colchester from the Rare Species Conservation Centre in Kent last October.

Arrival: May 2011

A male Cheetah called Jack has arrived to join Uria, in the hope that they will from a successful new breeding pair for the European breeding programme.

Arrival: April 2011

A female Pied Tamarin has arrived from Paradise Wildlife Park to join Will, the resident male, to form a new breeding pair following the sad death of Grace, Will's previous mate, in September last year. Will and Grace's last offspring, born in May last year, have now been named William and Kate after the Royal couple.

Birth: April 2011

Recent primate births include Silvery Marmoset twins, to parents Olive and Arthur; Geoffroy's Marmoset triplets; and Golden Lion Tamarin twins.

Birth: April 2011

Four Humboldt Penguin chicks have hatched, the offspring of three different sets of parents. They are being looked after by their parents in their burrows, and will remain underground for about 3 months, at which time they should become visible to visitors.

Birth: 7 February 2011

A baby Aardvark has been born to mum Oq and dad Adela. This is their fifth offspring, and the sixth for the group overall, making Colchester's one of the most successful groups in Europe. Mum and baby have been separated from the rest of the group, to prevent accidental injury and to allow them to be monitored closely. They will return to the main group after about a month.

Update, 17 May: the baby is now known to be male, and has been named Scorch.

Birth: 29 January 2011

A number of Meerkat pups have been born; two of them, the offspring of mum Pippa and dad Robbie, have been named Louie and Spence after the celebrity dance expert. Other recent births include Squirrel Monkeys, Buffy Headed Capuchins, a Mandrill and a Cherry Crowned Mangabey - something of a primate baby boom..

Death: 15 December 2010

Sasha the white Tiger has sadly died peacefully in his sleep. He was 15 years old and had been at the Zoo since 1998. He had been showing signs of illness for about two weeks, but was not responding to treatment. The results of investigations carried out before his death do not explain why he died, so a full post-mortem will be carried out.

Depart: 10 November 2010

Uria the female Cheetah has temporarily been transferred to Paignton Zoo, in the hope that she will mate with Kasai, their male. While Uria is away, she will be replaced by Tosca, Paignton's female. It is also hoped that the temporary absence will encourage Tosca and Kasai to breed again once she returns to Paignton.

Birth: 11 October 2010

A baby Giant Anteater has been born, the third for parents Furai and Gilberto since their arrival at the Zoo in 2007 and 2005, respectively. The sex of the new youngster won't be known for about 6 months, to avoid disturbing the bonding process between mother and baby. Silva, the pair's first offspring born in 2007, has just been transferred to Vienna Zoo as part of the European breeding programme.

Arrival: 9 September 2010

A pair of Sun (or Honey) Bears have arrived from the Rare Species Conservation Centre. Srey-Ya, the female, and Jo-Jo, the male, were confiscated as young cubs by the Cambodian government in 2007 and 2008, respectively, and then came to the RSCC to become the only Sun Bears to be housed in Britain for 30 years; they are still the only Sun Bears in England.

Arrival: 9 August 2010

Red-backed Bearded Saki Monkeys have arrived from the Rare Species Conservation Centre in Kent.

A pair of Rufous Hornbills, a pair of Rhinoceros Hornbills and a pair of Victoria Crowned Pigeons have also arrived from the same place.

Birth: July 2010

Three Crowned Crane chicks have hatched, to parents Wonky and Willow.

Birth: 12 June 2010

Two Waldrapp Ibis chicks have hatched; good news for this Critically Endangered speciea.

Arrival: 2 June 2010

A male Reticulated Giraffe called Espi has arrived from Nurnberg Zoo in Germany, to join the existing two purebred females Lili and Isha. The three Giraffes are still young, but it is hoped they will breed once they mature.

Depart: 2 June 2010

Koife and Century the male Giraffes have moved to the Cotswold Wildlife Park.

Birth: 27 May 2010

Pied Tamarin twins have been born, to parents Grace and Will; good news for this Endangered species. Their sex is yet to be determined, and they have therefore not yet been named.

Birth: 20 May 2010

Another litter of Meerkat pups have been born to parents Pippa and Robbie. This is mum's third litter, and her second this year.

Birth: 10 May 2010

Five Humboldt Penguin chicks have hatched over the last couple of weeks: George and Tuxedo were born to Nautilus and Ebby; Bounty was born to Sam and Zippo; and Coral and Reef were born to Angel and Aslan.

Arrival: 6 May 2010

A male Red Panda called An An has arrived from Warsaw Zoo. He joins the resident female Lushan, in the hope that they will form a breeding pair when he is old enough - he is currently just 11 months old and should reach sexual maturity at around 3 years.

Arrival: 5 May 2010

A male Komodo Dragon has arrived from Prague Zoo, in order to take part in the European breeding programme for this Vulnerable species.

Birth: May 2010

Five Wolf cubs have been born, to mum Akila.

Arrival: 21 April 2010

Three young African Lions have arrived from Woburn Safari Park, where they were slowly being rejected by their pride. The group consists of a 3-year-old male called Bailey and two 6-year-old females called Malika and Naja. They are too closely related to form a breeding group.

Death: 1 April 2010

Subu the 20-year-old male African Lion has sadly been put to sleep. He had been suffering from chronic active spinal arthritis.

Birth: 1 April 2010

Annie the Pygmy Goat has given birth to triplets.

Birth: 23 March 2010

A pair of Ring-Tailed Lemur twins have been born, to mum Madison and dad Rio.

Update: the babies are a male and female, and have been named Oscar and Ellie.

Tilly the Pygmy Goat has also given birth to a kid.

Arrival: 4 March 2010

A male Cheetah called Ares has arrived on brreding loan from Hamerton Park. He will join the resident female Uria for about a month, in the hope that they will mate successfully.

Birth: 2 March 2010

Pippa the Meerkat has given birth to her second litter of pups. She gave birth to a single pup last October and has now produced triplets!

Birth: 27 February 2010

A baby Aardvark has been born, the fourth for parents Oq and Adela and the fifth for the zoo - this is the only breeding group of Aardvarks in the UK.

Update: The baby is male and has been named Tatsu (meaning dragon).

Death: 19 January 2010

Edmund the Giraffe has sadly died; he was found by his keepers to have passed away during the night. The cause of his death is yet to be determined. He was the oldest Giraffe at the zoo, having been born at Whipsnade Zoo in February 1999 and arrived at Colchester in February 2001.

Birth: 23 December 2009

A baby Gelada Monkey has been born, to mum Mena and dad Junior. The baby has been named Jabu (meaning 'blessing' in Zulu) but is yet to be sexed. This brings the breeding group to 8 and is great news for this highly endangered species.

Birth: 27 November 2009

A baby female Pygmy Hippo has been born to mum Venus; the first at the zoo. The baby has been named Ayo, meaning 'joy'.

Arrival: 27 November 2009

An adult male White Rhino called Otto has arrived from Knuthenborg Park and Safari in Denmark, to join the existing females as part of the European breeding programme.

Arrival: 26 November 2009

Two female African Hunting Dogs have arrived from Duisburg Zoo, Germany, to join the two existing males.

Birth: 22 November 2009

A baby male Black & White Colobus Monkey called Olly has been born to mum Etosha.

Death: 6 November 2009

Katavi the cheetah, who was hand reared following her birth in June last year, has sadly died. She suddenly became ill on 30 October with a suspected trauma to her spine or hind legs. A scan revealed an infection in the tissues around the vertebrae in her neck. Despite round the clock care and veterinary treatment her condition became worse, until the decision was taken to end her suffering by putting her to sleep.

Birth: 3 November 2009

A baby L'Hoest Monkey has been born, to mum Biko and dad Chris. The baby is yet to be sexed, but has been named Moto (meaning 'fire' in Swahili).

Death: 29 October 2009

Leoni the Lioness has sadly died. She was unwell for a couple of days but the veterinary treatment could not prevent the heart failure that resulted from a growth around one of her valves.

Birth: 22 October 2009

Two baby Meerkats have been born, to first time mum Pippa.

Birth: 3 October 2009

A baby male White Rhino has been born, to mum Cynthia. He has been named Zamba and is the first White Rhino calf to be born at the zoo. His father is Simba, who sadly died earlier this year, and Cynthia was made pregnant by pioneering artificial insemination treatment.

Birth: October 2009

Mandrill babies have been born.

Arrival: 9 September 2009

Two young (14 months) female Reticulated Giraffe, called Lily and Isha, have arrived from the Czech Republic. They are too young to breed, but have already joined the existing three males. They should also be joined by a third male in October.

Birth: 29 August 2009

A pair of Red River Hog piglets have been born, to parents Ans Marcus and David.

Arrival: 5 August 2009

A new colony of Leaf-cutter Ants has arrived, to replace the previous colony that was sadly lost. The new colony is a lot smaller than the previous one, but is expected to grow.

Birth: 22 July 2009

A baby Giant Anteater has been born.

Update: The baby has now been named Zorio, but its sex is still to be determined.

Arrival: 25 June 2009

Tiga, a 7-year-old Bornean Orangutan, has arrived from Twycross Zoo, to join Rajang the much older resident male in the new Orangutan Forest enclosure.

Arrival: 6 June 2009

A two-year-old male Amur Leopard called Sayan has arrived from Mulhouse Zoo in France. He is currently on show in a temporary enclosure in the Aquatic Zone while he undergoes six month's quarantine. He will then be introduced to Milena, the resident female, in the hope that they will form a breeding pair. Amur Leopards are currently the rarest of the big cats, with just 35 left in the wild. There is, however, a healthy captive population, and it is hoped that some can be returned to the wild in the future.

Depart: May 2009

Kito, the first baby Elephant to be born at the zoo, will soon (early June) move to Dvur Zoo in the Czech Republic as part of a breeding programme. Kito was born in December 2002, to parents Tembo and Tanya.

Birth: 10 April 2009

Twin baby Ring-Tailed Lemurs have been born, to mum Madison.

Death: 9 April 2009

Simba the elderly bull White Rhino has sadly been put to sleep. He was suffering from a number of problems, including arthritis and acute anaemia. His legacy will live on, however: Cynthia, of the zoo's females is currently pregnant, having been artificially inseminated with his sperm. His sperm has also been used to produce a baby male Rhino at Budapest Zoo (born 22 Oct 2008), and will shortly be used to inseminate Emily, another of Colchester's females.

Death: April 2009

Shadow, the zoo's last remaining Zeedonk, has sadly been put to sleep due to rapidly deteriorating health. At 34 years old she was also extremely elderly. Three Zeedonks were born in the early 1970s as a result of accidental mating between a male Chapman's Zebra and a female Black Ass.

Birth: April 2009

There have been a number of births in the Familiar Friends section, including two Southdown lambs and a variety of chicks and ducklings.

Birth: Spring 2009

Six Penguin chicks have been born.

Update, July 4: two more chicks (twins) have hatched, making a total of eight, divided evenly between the two Penguin enclosures. The new chicks have been named Indie and Panda, while the other chicks have also been named: Chilly, Domino, Surf, Polka, Mojo and Inca.

Arrival: Spring 2009

A group of Wallabies have arrived from Woburn Safari Park, to take up residence in the new Wallaby Walkabout enclosure.

Birth: 14 March 2009

A female baby Chimpanzee called Talia has been born, the second for mum Tekita and bringing the group up to 8..

Birth: March 2009

Three baby Warthogs have been born, to mum Tunip.

Birth: 14 January 2009

A baby Aardvark has been born, to mum Oq. If all continues to go well, this will be the fourth baby Aardvark to be successfully reared at the zoo - the previous three youngsters have all gone on to other zoos as part of the breeding programme for this species, which is becoming increasingly threatened in the wild.

Birth: 6 November 2008

Six baby Squirrel Monkeys have been born over a period of about 3 weeks. The species is currently classified as Vulnerable in the wild, due to habitat loss.

Death: 25 October 2008

Djambe the female Orang Utan has sadly died. She suffered a heart attack following the rupture of an ovarian cyst. The cyst had been discovered during her move to a new enclosure at the beginning of the month and surgery was planned once she had recovered from the move. However, it's now clear that the surgery would not have been viable anyway. Djambe was born in 1978 and arrived at Colchester in 1998.

Birth: 23 October 2008

Red-bellied Tamarin twins have been born to parents Poca and Piura.

Arrival: October 2008

Three young Anglo Nubian Goats have arrived at Familiar Friends. Having been hand-reared they are very friendly and enjoy lots of attention.

Birth: October 2008

A baby Black and White Colobus Monkey has been born, to parents Apollo and Etosha. Great news for this endangered species which is threatened by hunting for meat and fur.

Arrival: 10 September 2008

A male Cheetah called Cooper has arrived from Banham Zoo.

Birth: September 2008

Four more baby Meerkats have been born.

Birth: September 2008

Seven Madagascan Tree Boas have been born.

Birth: 24 August 2008

Golden Headed Lion Tamarin twins have been born, making four babies this year for parents Nala and Samuel. Great news for the breeding programme for this endangered species.

Birth: 13 August 2008

A female baby Mandrill has been born to mum Solomina and dad Dume, the second in a month.

Arrival: August 2008

Two baby Blue and Gold Macaws have arrived. Called Squishy and Hooligan, they will be trained to join the falconry displays next summer.

Birth: 15 July 2008

A baby Gelada Baboon has been born, to mum Mena and dad Junior.

Birth: 5 July 2008

A baby L'Hoest's Monkey has been born to mum Biko and dad Chris.

Arrival: 3 July 2008

Two male Pied Tamarins have arrived from Montreal, Canada. Little Jesus and Willie will undergo 6 months quarantine before being put on show. It is hoped that a female will join them to form a new breeding pair for the European breeding programme for this critically endangered species - the most endangered primate of the Amazon.

Arrival: 26 June 2008

Two female Cuban Crocodiles have arrived from the Czech Republic.

Arrival: 9 June 2008

A two-year-old male Rothschild Giraffe called Century has arrived from Longleat Safari Park. It is hoped that he will be joined by a female to form a new breeding pair for the European Breeding Programme for this, the second most endangered of Giraffe sub-species.

Birth: 2 June 2008

A female baby cheetah called Katavi has been born, and is being hand-reared after being abandoned by her mother, Uria.

Birth: 24 May 2008

A baby Rocky Mountain Goat has been born to experienced mum Polar and dad Merlin.

Arrival: 22 May 2008

A pair of Philippine Spotted Deer have arrived. The male, two years old, came from Mulhouse Zoo in France, and is now also named Mulhouse since he arrived without a name. The female, also two years old, came from Chester Zoo and is called Pandan. This is one of the most endangered of deer species, with only about 200 left in the wild, and are already extinct on three of their five native islands. Habitat loss is the main threat.

Birth: 19 May 2008

A litter of 6 Canadian Timber Wolf cubs have been born to mum Tallulah and dad Wilfy.

Birth: 12 May 2008

Red River Hog triplets have been born, to experienced parents Ans-Marcus and David.

Arrival: 1 May 2008

A three-year-old male Ostrich called Kruger has arrived, to join the existing females Kosi and Pongola.

Birth: 23 April 2008

A baby Red-ruffed Lemur has been born, the first for mum Ruby and dad Jess Jr. Good news for European Breeding Programme for this critically endangered species.

Birth: 10 April 2008

Triplet baby Warthogs have been born, to parents Tunip and Marli.

Birth: 7 April 2008

A baby Ring-tailed Lemur has been born, to parents Madison (her third) and Rio.

Birth: 30 March 2008

Twin baby Meerkats have been born, to mother Tabbi, who was herself born at the zoo two years ago. The precise date of their birth is not known, since they were born underground. They were first seen above ground on 10 April, but their keepers believe they were born in the last few days of March. Meerkats are not yet classified as endangered, but increasing habitat loss and expansion of the Kalahari Desert could change this in the near future.

Birth: 24 March 2008

Eleven Essex piglets have been born.

Depart: 4 March 2008

Jambo the Elephant has moved to the Bioparc Valencia, Spain, a brand-new state-of-the-art zoo He will be followed by Kito, another young bull. It is hoped that the two of them will become active members of the European breeding programme.

Birth: 26 February 2008

Twin Southdown lambs have been born to mum Mathilde, one male and one female.

Birth: 10 February 2008

A baby Chevrotain has been born, a rare and important birth for this endangered species.

Arrival: 24 January 2008

A male Von der Decken's Hornbill has arrived from Edinburgh Zoo, to join the female that arrived in November and form a breeding pair.

Birth: 28 December 2007

A baby Aardvark has been born, to mother Oq, great news for the European breeding programme for this species, which is becoming increasingly threatened in the wild from habitat destruction. Colchester has successfully raised two previous babies, the only UK zoo (and one of only two in Europe) to have bred this notoriously difficult species.

Update: The baby is now known to be a boy, and has been named Kiyo.

Birth: 16 December 2007

A baby Spider Monkey has been born, to experienced parents Cheekaboo and Heineken.

Birth: 2 December 2007

A baby Giant Anteater has been born, the first for mother Furai who arrived at Colchester earlier this year. Good news for the EEP breeding programme.

Birth: 26 November 2007

Two further Squirrel Monkeys have been born, making a total of 5 this season. Good news for this endangered species, which has recently been placed under a European Breeding Programme.

Birth: 23 November 2007

Two more Squirrel Monkeys have been born, to different parents.

Death: 6 November 2007

Rosa the Elephant has sadly been put to sleep as a result of rapid worsening of her condition; she has been suffering serious health problems since the birth of her son Jambo in 2004.

Arrival: 6 November 2007

A female Von der Decken's Hornbill has arrived from Germany. She should be joined in a few weeks by a male from Edinburgh Zoo to form a new breeding pair.

Arrival: November 2007

Seven female Humboldt Penguins have arrived from Halle in Germany, as part of the EEP European Breeding Programme. Two are to join existing unattached males while the other five are to be joined by new males from Sweden that should arrive in a couple of months.

Birth: 18 October 2007

Twin baby Golden Headed Lion Tamarins have been born to experienced parents Nala and Samuel, just 130 days after Nala gave birth to her previous baby - the gestation period for this highly endangered species is 125-128 days!

Birth: 7 October 2007

A baby Mandrill has been born to parents Celine and Dume. Good news for the EEP breeding programme for this endangered species, which is under threat from habitat loss and hunting for the bushmeat trade.

Birth: 24 September 2007

A baby Squirrel Monkey has been born to parents Macey and Peter.

Birth: 12 September 2007

Two more Red River Hog piglets have been born, the second litter in three weeks and this time to mother Mathilde.

Birth: September 2007

Three African Crowned Crane chicks, born 10 weeks ago, are now being slowly introduced to the Kingdom of the Wild mixed paddock.

Birth: 13 August 2007

Two Red River Hog piglets have been born, to parents Ans-Marcus and David. Although not yet endangered, Red River Hog numbers are in decline due to hunting in their native Africa, so the new piglets are good news for the European Breeding Programme.

Arrival: 2 August 2007

A new Essex Pig sow has arrived, along with her litter of 8 piglets, who were just 1 day old when they arrived. Other new arrivals in the zoo's Family Friends area include 3 Narragansett Turkeys, 3 Transylvanian Naked Necked Chickens, and 2 Light Sussex Chickens. Three new young female Giant Continental Rabbits have also arrived.

Birth: 25 July 2007

A baby Emperor Tamarin has been born to parents Rosie and Alfie. Rosie is an experienced mum, but this the first baby for this pairing. This species, one of the smallest Tamarins, is highly endangered due to habitat loss, so this birth to a new pairing is particularly good news for the breeding programme.

Birth: 21 July 2007

A baby Buffy-Headed Capuchin has been born to experienced parents Wicket and Little Man. Also known as Yellow-Breasted Capuchins, these primates are critically endangered with less than 300 left in the wild, due to habitat destruction and fragmentation of its native Amazon and Atlantic Rainforests of Brazil.

Birth: 16 July 2007

A baby male Cherry-Crowned Mangabey (a type of primate) has been born to experienced parents Michelle and Sputnik. This species is highly endangered due to deforestation and hunting for the bush meat trade in its native Nigeria.

Arrival: 13 June 2007

A pair of Blue-Eyed Black Lemurs has arrived, from Mulhouse Zoo, France. It is hoped that Gila and Attila will settle into their new home quickly, and then breed. This is very important for this critically endangered species, with only around 100 left in the wild, and very few in captivity - too few, in fact, for a proper breeding programme to be set up.

Birth: 10 June 2007

A baby Golden Headed Lion Tamarin has been born to experienced parents Nala and Samuel - they had 3 babies only last year. Great news for the breeding programme for this highly endangered species.

Depart: June 2007

Jasmine the Colombian Black Spider Monkey is about to leave Colchester for Szeged Zoo in Hungary, where she will join the European Breeding Programme. Jasmine was born at Colchester on 17 December 2002, and had been fitted with a contraceptive implant when she reached sexual maturity in October 2006, to prevent her breeding with her relatives. The implant has now been removed in preparation for her move.

Birth: June 2007

Three Barn Owl chicks have hatched. They are being partly hand reared to get them used to people, and they well eventually trained to join the Birds of Prey flying display.

Birth: 17 May 2007

Twin Rocky Mountain Goat kids born, one male and one female, to mother Polar and father Merlin. The twins appeared to be healthy at birth, but the male did not grow as strongly or quickly as his sister, and unfortunately died on 24 May. It is believed that he died of Pneumonia, but post mortem results are not yet available. The keepers are now keeping a very close eye on the surviving female twin.

Arrival: 11 May 2007

A young (1 year old) female Sloth called Galina has arrived from Zurich Zoo in Switzerland, where she was born as part of a European Breeding Programme. Although Sloths are not yet classified as Endangered, they are threatened by loss of habitat due to deforestation of their native rainforests.

Birth: 15 April 2007

Five Pallas Cat kittens have been born, to parents Rhiannan and Rasputin. This is Rhiannan's first litter, but she is proving to be a very good mother. The kittens are particularly good news because their parents are part of a European Breeding Programme, due to Pallas Cats being threatened in the wild as a result of shortage of prey caused by spreading human populations.

Birth: 13 April 2007

Baby Ring-Tailed Lemur born, to mother Madison. Good news for the European breeding programme for this highly endangered species.

Birth: 12 April 2007

Chevrotain fawn born, the second at the zoo for the mother, who is part of the European breeding programme for this endangered species.

Birth: 12 April 2007

Two Warthog piglets born, to parents Tunip and Marli.

Birth: 13 March 2007

A female baby Pygmy Goat has been born, to mother `Tilly'.

Birth: 2 March 2007

The first of the season's lambs has been born; a female Southdown Sheep. More are expected.

Birth: March 2007

A litter of Essex pigs has been born.

Arrival: 23 February 2007

A female Giant Anteater called Furai has joined the existing male, Gilberto, from Zurich Zoo as part of a recommended breeding programme.

June 2007 update: Furai has settled in well and is now being gradually introduced to Gilberto, having been kept separate until now. It is hoped that they will soon be together permanently, and then breed.

Arrival: 7 February 2007

The new male Amur Tiger, Igor, who arrived at the zoo in November, has been introduced to the existing female, Anoushka, and the meeting went very well.

Death: 31 January 2007

Neo the Giraffe has been put down to relieve his suffering resulting from poor leg bone development arising from his rejection by his mother and subsequent hand-rearing. His condition had worsened considerably over the last 2 months as he grew and put on weight, resulting in excessive stress on his joints.

Arrival: 24 January 2007

A male Two-toed Sloth has arrived from the Cotswolds Wildlife Park. A female is expected to join him in a few months from Zurich Zoo, and a new enclosure is being built for them.

Birth: 12 January 2007

Three Red River Hogs born to mother Ans Marcus and father David. One piglet subsequently died, on 18 February, but the other two continue to do well.

Birth: 10 January 2007

A baby Aardvark was born to first time mum Oq.

June 2007 update: Now named Magic, the pup is still doing well, and growing strongly. Good news for the European Breeding Programme for this endangered species, and only the second time an Aardvark pup has been born in the UK and survived - the first was also born at Colchester.

Open: 18 December 2006

The new penguin pool is now open in the Aquatic Zone, and is home to 11 of the zoo's 19 penguins. The other 8 will remain in the existing enclosure, Penguin Shores, and it is hoped that further Humboldt Penguins will join the zoo in the future.

Arrival: 25 November 2006

Male Amur Tiger, Igor, has arrived from Vienna Zoo, to join Anoushka, the existing female, as part of the European Breeding Programme for this highly endangered species..

Birth: 19 October 2006

Three Cheetah cubs born to parents Uria and Bruno, the first to be born at the zoo. The cubs have since been diagnosed with the genetic condition, Carpal Vulgaris, which results in inward or outward deviation of the forelimbs. This can be mild, but can cause problems with walking or seriously affect the mobility of the animal.

Arrival: 19 October 2006

Female Amur Leopard, Milena, has arrived from Marwell Zoo, to join existing male Dende, as part of the European Breeding Programme for this critically endangered species.

Birth: 15 August 2006

Golden-headed Lion Tamarin twins born.

Death: 8 August 2006

Henrietta, an elderly Ostrich, was put down following a fracture to one of her legs that resulted from an accidental collision with another Ostrich.

Open: 26 July 2006

New Dragons of Komodo exhibit open. The Komodo Dragons were moved into their new state of the art enclosure on 15 July.

Open: 24 July 2006

A second Spider Monkey enclosure has been opened, with extra height and indoor and outdoor areas.

Birth: 14 July 2006

Male baby Gelada Baboon born. Colchester Zoo is the only zoo in England to have this endangered species of baboon, and they are part of a European Breeding Programme.

Arrival: 10 July 2006

Male Cheetah, Bruno, has arrived from Hamerton Wildlife Park, to join the zoo's existing female, Uria, as part of a European Breeding Programme.

Arrival: 23 June 2006

Three Red-bellied Tamarins, one male and two females, have arrived from Belfast Zoo. The tamarins are part of a European Breeding Programme, and will join two Pygmy Marmosets and a Geoffroy's Marmoset in a newly refurbished enclosure.

Birth: 8 June 2006

Waldrapp Ibis chick hatched. This species is one of the rarest birds in the world, being listed as critically endangered, and is part of a European Breeding Programme.

Birth: 17 May 2006

Baby Rocky Mountain Goat born, the zoo's first.

Birth: 14 May 2006

Five Timber Wolf cubs born.

Open: 26 April 2006

The existing group of 5 Silvered Leaf Langurs have moved into their new enclosure, whih they will be sharing with 2 Asian Short Clawed Otters.

Birth: 7 April 2006

Essex Pig sow gives birth to 12 piglets.

Arrival: 21 March 2006

A female Timber Wolf has recently arrived from Howletts Zoo, to join the existing males, Nelson and Wilfy.

Arrival: 8 March 2006

A pair of rare Tamanduas (a nocturnal arboreal species of anteater) have arrived from the Anteater Conservation Trust, and are part of a European Breeding Programme.

Arrival: 25 January 2006

102 Dwarf Seahorses arrived, in a poor state of health, following seizure by HM Customs & Excise at Stanstead Airport. 10 of them have not survived, but the remainder are now doing well. They are currently housed in an off-show aquarium, and will remain at the zoo permanently.

Arrival: 21 December 2005

Six rare African Hunting Dogs have arrived, to form part of a recommended breeding programme. The 4 males came from Artis Zoo, Amsterdam, and the 2 females came from Port Lympne Zoo.

Notes:

Where possible, the dates given are for the event itself, but some zoos do not make this information available, when the date of announcement is used instead.

Seasons: Winter = Jan - Mar, Spring = Apr - Jun, Summer = Jul - Sept, Autumn = Oct - Dec.

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