Chester Zoo has announced with “a huge amount of sadness” that one of its resident jaguars has died suddenly overnight this week.
Female jaguar Goshi, who was nearly 10-years-old, and was known for being “striking” and “graceful”, was described by the UK’s biggest charity zoo as being a “firm favourite” with staff and zoo visitors alike at the Spirit of the Jaguar enclosure with male jaguar Napo.
But sadly, keepers found earlier this week that Goshi had died unexpectedly overnight.
Announcing the sudden death of Goshi, a Chester Zoo spokesperson said: “It’s with a huge amount of sadness that we can confirm the death of female jaguar, Goshi, who passed away suddenly overnight on Tuesday (1 March 2022).
“The news has come as a shock to all those who have cared for her since she arrived at the zoo back in 2013.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Chester Zoo announced Goshi’s death with “a huge amount of sadness” / Credit: Chester Zoo
“An investigative post-mortem will be carried out to try to help us to establish exactly what happened,” the zoo confirmed.
“Goshi, who was nearly 10 years old, was a firm favourite with visitors, members and staff alike, with many often left in awe by her striking appearance and graceful presence, and she will be dearly missed by everyone.”
Chester Zoo also confirmed that male jaguar Napo “remains in good health”, and that its expert carnivore team will “continue to monitor him closely.”
Jaguars are currently listed as being ‘Near Threatened’, according to Chester Zoo, and at risk of becoming extinct, due to deforestation, fragmentation, and hunting causing their numbers to decline in the wild.
ADVERTISEMENT
Chester Zoo explains that their forests are being cut down for timber, farms are expanding to grow crops like soybean and cocoa bean, and cattle ranches are growing too as demand for beef exports rise, which this means that the species normally hunted by jaguars are pushed out as farms increase in size – but because jaguars have to eat, they hunt the cattle instead.
This sadly results in jaguars being shot or poisoned by farmers and land owners, and they’re also hunted for their skins, teeth and claws – which are sold on the illegal market.
“By learning why jaguars are being killed, we can work with local people and help stop these conflicts,” Chester Zoo said.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
Trending
Review | Midsomer Murders comes to Manchester for a satisfying Opera House adaptation
Hollie Wells
‘The Fuzz are here!’ – also known as the well-known duo, Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby and Detective Sergeant Troy. As ever, they’re here to solve the murder of orchid-loving, elderly lady Emily Simpson in the seemingly sleepy county of Midsomer…
Manchester’s historic Opera House played host to the first ever stage production of Midsomer Murders: ‘The Killings at Badger’s Drift‘ last night.
With a busy, full audience of fans of the original novel by Catherine Graham and the acclaimed ITV staple. There was a hum of anticipation to see the timeless tales unfold.
Excitingly, the role of Barnaby in the stage play is under the trusted care of Daniel Casey, who is best known as DS (Detective Sergeant) Troy in the prior television adaptation of Midsomer Murders between 1997 and 2008.
Casey’s comfort and wealth of experience with these narratives comforted the audience from the outset. In a purposely complicated plot, Casey grounded the performance and was the throughline in the show.
‘The Killings at Badger’s Drift’ is a good, light-hearted, mid-week show, with an enjoyable concoction of eccentric characters and the perfect ‘whodunnit’ plot, which keeps you intrigued and entertained throughout its roughly two and a half hour duration.
Even those more than familiar with Misdomer tales and the most typical murder mystery format will still get plenty of enjoyment out of it.
The engaging use of multi-role actors received a great response from the audience, particularly the moments between Barbara Lessiter and Dickie Whitley; all of their interactions were performed with fabulous comedic timing by Chandrika Chevli.
The elements of comedy throughout made for a lovely evening at the Opera House. This was not solely through the actors, either: the use of mechanics within the set of this stage-play allowed for multiple moments of physical comedy, and this was a strong motif throughout.
A rotation of impressive transitional sets also aided in transporting the audience to the infamous village and crime scenes, allowing one to be absorbed in the story and successfully converting Midsomer Murders from page to screen to stage.
Running for only three days from Wednesday, 27, until Saturday, 30 May 2026, with matinee shows available throughout.
One must act fast to join the detective duo and catch the killer before it’s too late!
Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze
Daisy Jackson
Festival-goers have been warned not to take wheelie bins full of alcohol to festivals with them this summer.
The warning has come ahead of this year’s Download Festival, which takes place next month and kicks off the summer’s biggest run of festival dates.
But a major train operator has said there have been incidents in the past of passengers trying to travel to festivals with wheelie bins and luggage trolleys.
Passengers have had to be reminded that wheelie bins are not permitted on board, and they should instead only carry as much luggage as they can comfortably carry.
The warning comes from East Midlands Railway, one of the key services that will whisk people to Download Festival between 10 and 14 June.
Customers returning from the festival are also encouraged to use boot-cleaning brushes provided at stations to help remove mud before boarding trains.
Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director at East Midlands Railway, said: “We’re encouraging customers to travel light.
“Last year, some festive goers tried to board services with wheelie bins or festival trolleys full of beer. While it might seem like a great idea for getting your supplies to the festival, it just isn’t safe or possible to bring them onboard train services.”
Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze
EMR has also warned customers to plan journeys in advance, with engineering work taking place at various locations on the Midland Main Line, near where Download Festival takes place.
She continued: “We’re advising customers travelling to Download Festival to plan their journeys in advance and be aware that essential engineering work will affect services across the weekend.
“As a result, some services will be reduced or amended, and passengers should check before they travel and allow extra time.”
Emily Sergeant -
4th March 2022 
