Conservation is on the agenda at most British zoos, but Chester’s reputation for international field work lends its latest venture a considerable degree of authenticity.
“Islands was designed to drive home our conservation mission, so ideas for the project came from our own team,” says Jamie Christon, managing director at Chester Zoo.
“They decided to recreate six [south-east Asian] islands: Papua, Bali, Sumatra, Sumba, Panay and Sulawesi.”
Christon describes Islands as “an expedition” rather than a traditional exhibit. On the trail, visitors will encounter Monsoon Forest, the largest zoological building in the UK, meet ranger staff in a special camp, and take a 450-metre river ride. They can even sample authentic Indonesian food in the Manado Street Kitchen.
“Islands captures the magic and majesty of south-east Asia and its rich culture,” says Dr Maggie Esson, education programmes manager at the zoo. “Conservation is about human behaviour and Islands provides a sense of people, places and animals.” She describes Islands’ conservation story as one that explores “the relationships between humans and animals in a non-judgmental way. We’ve recreated a bird market because they are part of the cultural landscape in south-east Asia.”
Although some of the animals visitors will discover in Islands are familiar – such as Sumatran tigers and orangutans – other species are less well-known. Dr Mark Pilgrim, Chester Zoo’s director general, reveals an enthralling list of inhabitants. “You’ll see fish-eating gharial crocodiles, and we also have cassowaries – big, flightless birds from Papua New Guinea.” Pilgrim also promises that the insects, amphibians and invertebrates are just as fascinating.
“We want people to feel inspired by Islands,” he says. “The reality is that we’re losing biodiversity at a faster rate than at any other time in human history – but people power is the solution. We’re showing our visitors how they can be a part of that.”
Islands opens to the public on Monday 13 July 2015.
