Tsavo National Park Bird Safari

27 May 2009

The first outdoor walk-through bird aviary at Chester has opened its doors for the first time.

The aviary – themed around the Tsavo National Park in Kenya where Chester Zoo supports conservation projects – includes a number of new bird species. 

Von der Deckens hornbills, White-bellied go away birds, Lilac breasted rollers, Hottentot teals, Weaver birds and Superb starlings are some of the species that have already made their home in the new enclosure, the Tsavo National Park Bird Safari. Up to 15 different species will eventually be in the Tsavo aviary which allows visitors unrivalled views as they walk amongst the birds. 

A pond, specially-built termite mounds and a hide for avid bird watchers complete the walk-through experience. 

Andrew Owen, Chester Zoo’s Curator of Birds, said: “This is the first outdoor bird enclosure of its kind at the zoo. The Tsavo safari walk-through offers a new, outdoor experience giving visitors the chance to walk amongst both ground and water birds.  Although visitors can still be amongst the birds in the Tropical Realm, our new enclosure provides a new outdoor experience. The different species in the enclosure are already making themselves at home, nest-building. As they begin to breed and as more species are introduced, the walk-through experience will continue to get bigger and better.” 

The bird aviary is the second walk-through enclosure to open at the zoo in six months. The Butterfly Journey – the largest free-flight zoo-based butterfly house in the UK – opened at the end of last year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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