Latest news with #ChesterZoo
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Yahoo
Cheshire named home to some of England's most popular attractions
Cheshire has been named home to some of England's most popular visitor attractions. The county's tourist destinations have once again been recognised for their economic impact and visitor appeal, with several sites ranking among the most visited in both England and the North West. Chester Zoo secured third place in England's top 20 most visited paid attractions, according to Visit England's 2024 Annual Attractions Survey. Cristian Marcucci, managing director at Marketing Cheshire, said: "Today's rankings showcase just how important and popular our attractions are to the region's economy. "Cheshire and Warrington is blessed with world-class attractions. "From Chester's Roman history, world-famous zoo and beloved racecourse to Gulliver's World theme park in Warrington, the UNESCO World Heritage site at Jodrell Bank, and beautiful Tatton Park, to name just a few. "It is wonderful that millions of people from across the North West and beyond are coming here." The survey revealed that seven of Cheshire's attractions made the North West's top 20 paid visitor attractions list. Chester Cathedral also represented the county in the free attractions category, ranking seventh among the North West's top 20. Zebras at Chester Zoo (Image: Chester Zoo) Marketing Cheshire said the results highlight the strength of the region's tourism sector, which generates £3.9 billion annually, supports 38,000 jobs, and attracts more than 56 million visitors each year. Chester Zoo recorded 1,947,544 visitors in 2024, making it the most visited attraction in the UK outside London. Other Cheshire attractions in the North West's top 20 paid list include Tatton Park (third), Dunham Massey (fourth), Lyme Park and Gardens (seventh), Quarry Bank Mill (ninth), BeWILDerwood (14th), and Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement (17th). Jamie Christon, chair of Marketing Cheshire and CEO of Chester Zoo, said: "It's great to see Chester Zoo ranked third in the national table and topping the North West rankings – and joined in the most visited lists by so many brilliant attractions that help fuel Cheshire and Warrington's £3.9 billion visitor economy. "The region's world-class tourism offer continues to evolve with new attractions for 2025 including Lapland UK bringing its premium Christmas experience to Capesthorne Hall, creating 1,200 seasonal jobs." Chester was also recently named one of top 10 most welcoming places on the planet.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Quacking News: Rare African Diving Ducklings Born At Chester Zoo
Four Maccoa ducklings, one of Africa's rarest duck species, have hatched at Chester Zoo for the very first time. The ducklings mark the zoo's first ever successful breeding of the endangered African birds and comes as part of the zoo's growing efforts to help safeguard the continent's most threatened species. Experts say only around 5,000 of the ducks remain in the wild, with the birds found in increasingly fragmented pockets across Central and East Africa. Once widespread across the continent, latest surveys found just 14 individuals in Kenya and fewer than 100 in Tanzania - prompting concern over the future survival of the species. The newly hatched ducklings are the first to emerge within the zoo's huge new Heart of Africa zone - a 22.5-acre habitat dedicated to supporting the conservation of African species that are disappearing in the wild. Bird conservationists at the zoo say it hopes the successful hatchlings will contribute towards the long-term protection of the rare ducks. Andrew Owen, Head of Birds at Chester Zoo, said: "As one of just seven zoos in Europe, and 12 zoos globally, that care for Maccoa ducks, these ducklings are very special as they're the first of their kind to ever hatch here at the zoo - making it a really historic moment for our team. "This success gives a real boost to the future of the species and these vital new additions will contribute to the safety-net population in zoos. These birds are facing rapid decline in the wild, so every hatchling really does count. To see them now out on the water inside our new Heart of Africa habitat, which is dedicated to helping Africa's most threatened species thrive, makes this milestone even more special." Maccoa ducks are diving ducks, known for their stiff tails and deep-blue bills and are often found in nutrient-rich wetland habitats. Their rapid decline is linked to habitat degradation, water pollution and climate change.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Chester Zoo welcomes new rare species for first time
Chester Zoo is celebrating the safe arrival of four babies from an endangered species. Four Maccoa ducklings, one of Africa's rarest duck species, have hatched for the very first ducklings mark the zoo's first successful breeding of the endangered African birds and comes as part its growing efforts to help safeguard the continent's most threatened say only around 5,000 of the ducks remain in the wild, with the birds found in increasingly fragmented pockets across Central and East Africa. Once widespread across the continent, latest surveys found just 14 individuals in Kenya and fewer than 100 in Tanzania - prompting concern over the future survival of the newly hatched ducklings are the first to emerge within the zoo's huge new Heart of Africa zone - a 22.5-acre habitat dedicated to supporting the conservation of African species that are disappearing in the wild. Bird conservationists at the zoo say they hope the successful hatchlings will contribute towards the long-term protection of the rare ducks. Andrew Owen, Head of Birds at Chester Zoo, said: "As one of just seven zoos in Europe, and 12 zoos globally, that care for Maccoa ducks, these ducklings are very special as they're the first of their kind to ever hatch here at the zoo – making it a really historic moment for our team. 'This success gives a real boost to the future of the species and these vital new additions will contribute to the safety-net population in zoos. READ MORE: Aldi 99p tin foil trick can keep your house cool in heatwave READ MORE: 18 photos as thousands gather for first day of On the Waterfront "These birds are facing rapid decline in the wild, so every hatchling really does count. To see them now out on the water inside our new Heart of Africa habitat, which is dedicated to helping Africa's most threatened species thrive, makes this milestone even more special.' Maccoa ducks are diving ducks, known for their stiff tails and deep-blue bills and are often found in nutrient-rich wetland habitats. Their rapid decline is linked to habitat degradation, water pollution and climate change. As a result, the species is listed as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species – highlighting the need for urgent conservation Zoo is one of just a dozen institutions in the world working with the highly threatened species and hopes to play a vital role in its survival. Scientific name: Oxyura maccoa Status: Endangered (IUCN Red List) Native to: Central and East Africa Habitat: Freshwater wetlands and lakes Population: Estimated 5,000 in the wild Known for: Bright blue bill (in males), stiff tail feathers, diving for food Main threats: Habitat loss, wetland pollution, and climate change The news of the duck's arrival comes just days after Chester Zoo announced the sad passing of two beloved big cats, 18-year-old female lion Kiburi and 18-year-old male cheetah, Singa. Both Kiburi and Singa were cherished by staff and visitors at Chester Zoo.
BBC News
21-06-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Rare ducklings hatch at Chester Zoo
A group of rare ducklings have hatched at Chester Maccoa duck is one of Africa's rarest and most endangered duck the first time the species has ever been successfully bred at the say only around 5,000 of the ducks remain in the wild, with the latest surveys finding just 14 individuals in Kenya and fewer than 100 in Tanzania - prompting concern over the future of the conservationists say they hope the successful hatching will lead to more protection for the birds. Maccoa ducks are diving ducks often found in nutrient-rich wetland habitats, like freshwater wetlands and are known for their stiff tails and deep-blue species is listed as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened degradation, water pollution and climate change have been blamed for the species decline. There are just twelve zoos in the world that look after Maccoa ducks. Andrew Owen, Head of Birds at Chester Zoo, said:"This success gives a real boost to the future of the species... These birds are facing rapid decline in the wild, so every hatchling really does count."
The Guardian
20-06-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
Rare maccoa ducklings hatch at Chester zoo for first time
Chester zoo has successfully hatched one of Africa's rarest species of duck for the first time. It said the successful breeding of four maccoa ducklings formed part of growing efforts to safeguard Africa's most threatened species. The maccoa population in the wild is estimated to be only 5,000, and recent surveys found only 14 in Kenya and fewer than 100 in Tanzania. The ducklings are now in Chester zoo's Heart of Africa zone, a 22.5-acre habitat supporting endangered African species. The habitat is home to 57 species of animals including giraffes, zebras and ostriches. Andrew Owen, the head of birds at Chester zoo, said: 'These ducklings are very special as they're the first of their kind to ever hatch here at the zoo, making it a really historic moment for our team. 'This success gives a real boost to the future of the species and these vital new additions will contribute to the safety-net population in zoos. These birds are facing rapid decline in the wild, so every hatchling really does count.' The zoo is just one of seven in Europe, and 12 globally, that care for the ducks and it hopes to play a vital role in their survival. Maccoa ducks are found in nutrient-rich freshwater wetland and lakes. They can be seen diving for food and are known for features such as stiff tails and deep-blue bills. They are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) red list of threatened species. Water pollution and climate change has led to their habitats degrading and the species' rapid decline. Bird conservationists at the zoo say their successful hatchings will help the long-term protection of the ducks.
