Took me far too long to work out what an Asco was....
Interesting that the new enclosures have netting, they didn't when I was there at the end of Feb. I'm guessing that they're for more carnivores rather than birds.
Wingham Wildlife Park Wingham Wildlife Park News 2018
- Thread starter Quincey
- Start date
Took me far too long to work out what an Asco was....
Interesting that the new enclosures have netting, they didn't when I was there at the end of Feb. I'm guessing that they're for more carnivores rather than birds.
Yes, I should have said that there seem to be den blocks between the enclosures.
FunkyGibbon
Well-Known Member
What I love about Wingham updates is that they are basically guaranteed to be interesting and positive.
Agreed, the best I could come up with was "a 1970's zoo in the modern era" then the chimp enclosure came along and wrecked that analogy.
For the record, (overall) I like the place and it's the only Kent collection that's guaranteed a visit (but never on a weekend) when I'm down there.
Yeah, a continuously expanding, varied/unusual, collection ticks most of our boxes and helps paper over a few cracks (see also RSCC).
Yeah, a continuously expanding, varied/unusual, collection ticks most of our boxes and helps paper over a few cracks (see also RSCC).
Must admit, this is all definitely piquing my interest!
What is the current situation in terms of the Himalaya development. Are all the enclosures now open to the public?
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
This is another excuse to head down there; as well as wanting to see the Bears, I want better Black Mangabey photos too!
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
Indeed, the one in south Wales. I was looking through their gallery and noticed a photo of them a few weeks back.
Yes, forgot about that one- I think there were two at one stage? But no mainstream UK zoos( is Wingham 'mainstream'- I think so now) have had them for some years now.
See above- more apt to have replied to your comment perhaps...
I visited here for the first time yesterday, as I have been curious about it for some time. I found it is literally only a few minutes drive from Howletts... It reminded me a little of a very miniature Colchester in some ways, particulaly the newer part. Its a park of two halves, old and the much newer. The old part is dated and rather scruffy overall, but the range of species is good. Tropical and butterfly houses were particularly run down-looking, as was the 'waterfowl' lake. I didn't like seeing the Macaws pinioned or clipped (like Colchester's). Best was the newer area with the Himalayan Bears and Black Mangabeys(1.2. the male has a stump-tail). Chimp enclosure is huge and rather stark, a big investment for them for a just a small group of chimps. They do good rescue work it seems, but its not somewhere I would revisit in a hurry I don't think. How do they survive being so close to Howletts I wonder? (I know they have a wider collection including birds, reptiles etc, maybe that is why?)
They understand their customer base - I think it is a more accessible / appealing park for families with younger children (they have a big indoor play area which will always draw the mums with tots) and their family season ticket prices are very reasonable.
The black crested mangabeys have a new addition - a baby! However, the baby is off-show at the moment. We were lucky enough to be passing by their enclosure as a keeper was doing some re-introduction work with the adults. The keeper said it had some troubles but didn't go into details. A new enclosure is being built, and has a sign on it titled Rainforest SOS. Lots of work going on being it too. Will post some photos in the gallery.
The Southern tamandua has left Wingham and moved over to the neighbouring Sandwich Wildlife Park.
Information comes from the Sandwich Wildlife Park's Facebook page.
Information comes from the Sandwich Wildlife Park's Facebook page.