UPDATE (September 2024): Work is well underway on our buff-headed capuchin habitat! Our Maintenance Team have now deconstructed parts of the current building to make room for some exciting upgrades including extra space for our capuchins and additional viewing areas for visitors. The changes will also include a training area where public will be able to watch our Animal Care Team as they carry out regular health checks.
We are excited to share that work is now underway to start renovating one of the oldest habitats within the Zoo. Our buff-headed capuchin habitat will receive an upgrade over the next few months and will provide our animals with an improved living space.
This habitat is currently one of the oldest locations within the Zoo and whilst the area still provides the capuchins with a high standard of welfare, it was time to look at how this space could be improved for both our animals and visitors.
Due to the nature of the work, the areas either side of the habitat will be closed off to visitors to allow our Maintenance Team to deconstruct parts of the building safely and make room for the exciting work to take place.
The current habitat includes a rear and front section which will be merged in the renovation and will include additional viewing areas for visitors as well as give this species additional space. The changes will also include a training area where public will be able to watch our Animal Care Team as they train our group of capuchins for health checks. A husbandry area will also be included as part of this renovation project.
Raising awareness of the importance of conservation remains at the heart of all we do; to incorporate this into the capuchins new habitat a new entrance will entice visitors with a host of amazing facts about this species and interactive opportunities to encourage more to engage and learn.
When updating an already existing habitat within the Zoo, we use this as an opportunity to look for new ways to bring in technology that will help us to strive towards making our carbon footprint smaller. Solar panels and solar storage will be installed, allowing the habitat, along with our Rainforest Walkthrough and Iguana Forest, to run off sun power rather than electricity. An air-source heat pump will also be installed so that during the colder months the area can be warmed more efficiently. By using this sustainable method rather than a traditional or pellet boiler, the heating will be more environmentally friendly, producing less CO2 and offer a more economical solution.
Whilst certain stages of the renovation take place, our group of buff-headed capuchins will be moved to a temporary habitat at Out of Africa. Our second group of capuchins can still be seen at a different habitat located next to our Humboldt Penguins at the Inca Trail.
Buff-headed capuchins originate from South America and are currently classed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to forest fragmentation, so it’s great that we are able to care for this species here at Colchester Zoo and raise awareness of the importance of conservation.
Work on this area has already begun and is due to be completed by summer 2025! Follow us on social media and keep-up to date with all the latest developments taking place around the Zoo!
