England: New “Chimpanzee Eden“ Animal Habitat at Twycross Zoo Now Open

Located in the English county of Leicestershire, Twycross Zoo has recently opened its new 1,160 sqm-large “Chimpanzee Eden” apes habitat. The approx. four million Euro (3.5 million British Pound) enclosure features a close to nature design with tropical and native shrubs as well as an eleven meter high semi-translucent roof for natural daylight in the indoor area. The zoo’s chimps enjoy their new surroundings, holding lots of play elements for swinging and climbing indoors and outdoors.

In cooperation with the University of Birmingham, the zoo has developed a so-called “Enclosure Design Tool“ (EDT), an interactive computer interface, using elements that mimic the physical and mental challenges the animals face in their natural environment. The university also helped design cognition pods in Chimpanzee Eden, an area where the chimps can participate in puzzles, allowing visitors and scientists to learn about the cognitive abilities of our closest living relatives.

Visitors see the animals close up as they pass through the habitat, information panels provide interesting things to know about Cameroon’s tropical forests, the natural home of chimpanzees.

The new chimpanzee enclosure is part of Twycross Zoo’s 62 million Euro (55 million British Pound) masterplan on its way to become a national conservation organization and a world-class visitor attraction. According to its own figures, the zoo yearly welcomes around 500,000 visitors who come to see more than 500 animals from some 125 different species. (eap)