The Good, The Bad, And The Surprisingly Well Done - Thoughts On An Afternoon In Lincolnshire

[Lafone]

Thanks for this thread I headed out to the Wolds and ark today. Had time for two and the lure of foxes was too much so plumped for the ark over LWP and despite enclosure / exhibit reservations was glad I did.

Wolds was fun and I added a note to the Wolds thread. Glad to see here the mention of the leopard moving - it really needs a new home. Rest of it was a lot of fun particularly the bears. A bright and well put together collection.

I really enjoyed the ark and was not expecting to tbh. The enclosures are in many cases quite limited in scope but the animals looked in good condition and seemed to be going about their business without looking upset or stressed out.

Was speaking to one of the keepers and their passion for rescuing the animals and keeping them in good condition was clear.

It was also an almighty fox fix with many foxes to take a look at. The cats were also very interesting - particularly the jungle cat which I had never seen before. Beautiful is the only word for it.

Overall I think what they are doing is very laudable and there were only a couple of spaces which I thought were a bit cramped. The macaque areas are well done. The kids toy thing is a bit ubiquitous but the raccoons were happily playing on a slide so what do I know.

Some very unusual animals though and few I’ve either had trouble seeing or have never seen before.

The educational material around the place on labs and the exotic pet trade was very good I thought. It’s quite sobering to admire a rhesus macaque and then read it spent most of its life in a university laboratory.

Its an interesting one - the exhibitry is far from the top end parks etc but the mission of the park to rescue and care well for animals whether zoo surplus or abandon pets or illegal imports or lab refugees means most of the animals do physically look like they live in one of those parks, well to me anyway.

Thanks for this thread again - you inspired a perfectly lovely day out!

 

[Sand Cat]

Thanks for this thread I headed out to the Wolds and ark today. Had time for two and the lure of foxes was too much so plumped for the ark over LWP and despite enclosure / exhibit reservations was glad I did.

Wolds was fun and I added a note to the Wolds thread. Glad to see here the mention of the leopard moving - it really needs a new home. Rest of it was a lot of fun particularly the bears. A bright and well put together collection.

I really enjoyed the ark and was not expecting to tbh. The enclosures are in many cases quite limited in scope but the animals looked in good condition and seemed to be going about their business without looking upset or stressed out.

Was speaking to one of the keepers and their passion for rescuing the animals and keeping them in good condition was clear.

It was also an almighty fox fix with many foxes to take a look at. The cats were also very interesting - particularly the jungle cat which I had never seen before. Beautiful is the only word for it.

Overall I think what they are doing is very laudable and there were only a couple of spaces which I thought were a bit cramped. The macaque areas are well done. The kids toy thing is a bit ubiquitous but the raccoons were happily playing on a slide so what do I know.

Some very unusual animals though and few I’ve either had trouble seeing or have never seen before.

The educational material around the place on labs and the exotic pet trade was very good I thought. It’s quite sobering to admire a rhesus macaque and then read it spent most of its life in a university laboratory.

Its an interesting one - the exhibitry is far from the top end parks etc but the mission of the park to rescue and care well for animals whether zoo surplus or abandon pets or illegal imports or lab refugees means most of the animals do physically look like they live in one of those parks, well to me anyway.

Thanks for this thread again - you inspired a perfectly lovely day out!

Thanks for posting this, I feel like its a much fairer review of the Ark than the original one actually. You focus on how much of an improvement their facilities offer to many of the animals and that's key really to what they are all about, I think. Your point about the macaques is so true and so sad; the story about the serval living in a single room in a house full of his own faeces and rancid meat for two years really got me. The fact that they have an awesome collection of animals is also very appealing to us as visitors of course! Glad to hear that you enjoyed those wonderful foxes and cats in particular; did you see the jaguarundis by the way?

PS. Now I really want to see a raccoon on a slide!!!

 

[Lafone]

Thanks for posting this, I feel like its a much fairer review of the Ark than the original one actually. You focus on how much of an improvement their facilities offer to many of the animals and that's key really to what they are all about, I think. Your point about the macaques is so true and so sad; the story about the serval living in a single room in a house full of his own faeces and rancid meat for two years really got me. The fact that they have an awesome collection of animals is also very appealing to us as visitors of course! Glad to hear that you enjoyed those wonderful foxes and cats in particular; did you see the jaguarundis by the way?

PS. Now I really want to see a raccoon on a slide!!!

I did laugh at the slide and indeed the raccoon rushing in and out of the metal bin and spinning around inside it which I guess echoes their habits in raiding peoples rubbish!

I didn’t see the jaguarundi though had a couple of looks. At first I thought it was a tiny space but then saw it went a longer way back into the darkness which was good but no sign.

 

[Sand Cat]

Bumping this thread as I was at the Ark today after a longer-than-planned absence, and the magic of the place has really got me all over again. Standing in a spot where I can see a serval, jungle cat, bobcat and a white fox is my idea of bliss! I can see why some people might be critical of the enclosures but I maintain that most of them are pretty good in terms of offering the animals enough space, mental stimulation and privacy. The large group of Arctic Foxes were really enjoyable to watch making great use of the large space they have available, and although the nearby Red Fox enclosure was a bit on the small side it had a very naturalistic look about it which I really liked. The various cat species were all very showy today and I even managed a brief glimpse of a Jaguarundi - oddly I seem to have very good luck seeing them despite even the owners admitting that they're hardly ever seen! Bobcats were a first for me, they are absolutely beautiful.

Oh and readers may be pleased to know that I dropped off a few new toys for the animals to enjoy.

 

[Lafone]

Also a bump as thanks to this thread I visited LWP (and the Ark again) today so completed the inspired triple.

Had a great day out! Thanks again for this thread and the other visitor comments - I’ll be visiting these three again, despite the longer journey!

I enjoyed my first trip to LWP a lot. The parrots were interesting and the care for birds at different stages of joining the collection was interesting to read about and observe. The signage is comprehensive and I learned a few things about parrot behaviour.

The free flight aviary was fun. Visitors clearly really enjoy buying the maize and peanuts to share with the birds around the park and in the aviary. I liked the free ranging parrots and the general feel was a happy place. I was most surprised to see the Eurasian eagle owl in a half fence enclosure - beautiful looking bird and apart from on displays I’ve never seen one wandering around without a full size / topped enclosure fence before.

Enjoyed the otters who have a load of space to play around in and it’s always fun to see a family of them. The boat made me chuckle - Brum is right there are a lot of boats in Lincolnshire zoos!

Thought the walk around the lake (ex quarry pit maybe?) and the bee hives was a lot of fun and it’s a good use of the overall space The mini lake with the turtles near the lions was great. I’m not sure it was intended to be open as no one was there or went that way at all but there was an open path to get to it and it was on the map so it seemed to be ok to go there.

The Puma was off show as has had eye surgery (detailed in the zoos Facebook page where his progress is being reported on) and the lions were being lions and having a persistent nap. Went back a couple of times (once I found you could cut back past the tapir and tigers) Leopard was around though. Lovely looking cat.

The tiger enclosure is a wonderful space; bit of a shame they share it but the active rotation was going on while I was there (2 females who can associate together went into the outdoor space, one male went out) and there was a lot of huffing, loud tiger grunting and marking going on so it obviously gives them a lot to think about each time they go in to reclaim it. The space is good though, the theming isn’t ridiculous and it stands up very well against many larger collections. Don’t see a great many bengals in the collections I go to more frequently. And a lot of them (the way they have the space, could see four altogether).

Overall enjoyed the feel of the park as a whole - clean well built enclosures with a consistent look and feel and it does feel well looked after.

Also had a great last few hours of the day at the ark enjoying the cat collection again and then admiring the arctic foxes getting their new coats - exciting stuff (if you’re me, mileage probably varies!). I was the last visitor there by 4 but from just before 3 there was lots of feeding and animal activity which was excellent. Spent a bit of time photographing the raccoon dogs - odd when watching them scrap over their food and indeed smelling them to think some of those animals were kept as pets - who knows what people were thinking!

 

[Brum]

Glad I inspired another trip north, don't see myself doing it again any time soon.

The boat made me chuckle -

I think there's a boat at Woodside as well...

Don’t see a great many bengals in the collections I go to more frequently.

You didn't see proper Bengals here either unfortunately, they're all subspecific mixes - ex-circus stock at that. The whole Bengal Gardens name is very misleading...

 

[Lafone]

Glad I inspired another trip north, don't see myself doing it again any time soon.
I think there's a boat at Woodside as well...

You didn't see proper Bengals here either unfortunately, they're all subspecific mixes - ex-circus stock at that. The whole Bengal Gardens name is very misleading...

Ah I did wonder if they were hybrids / ex circus as it’s notoriously hard to see a ‘bengal’ and they have lots and there is quite a difference in size between the ones on view. Thanks! As a sucker for tigers though they did look lovely.

I’ll definitely trek up there again (possibly not this side of the darker nights) I really enjoyed all three places and there were some real highlights across the three like the bears, jungle cat, servals, foxes of all shapes and sizes and the mad amount of parrots.

Should have added too that I wasn’t sure how many Tigers they had so asked and was told seven altogether. Five females (who go out in one group of two and another of three) and two males who are always alone).

 

[ian999]

Nigel the Puma had his front left leg amputated on Thursday because of Arthritis .
Seems to be recovering well from it and the park have shown a couple of videos on Facebook of him standing up at the mesh looking over at the lions.

 

[Lafone]

Nigel the Puma had his front left leg amputated on Thursday because of Arthritis .
Seems to be recovering well from it and the park have shown a couple of videos on Facebook of him standing up at the mesh looking over at the lions.

Obviously seen that in domestic animals but guessing it’s more unusual in the larger captive cats? Not questioning the care of course.

 

[Alwaysevergreen]

@Lafone , I see you liked the open aviaries at LWP.

May I recommend on your next trip towards Lincolnshire, Tropical Birdland, in Desford, near Leicester. Has to be the best Parrot zoo in the UK and very enjoyable and quite a hidden gem.

As Ian has put above, Nigel the Puma was not offshow for eye treatment, but because his front left leg has been amputated, to help him with mobility issues.

 

[Lafone]

@Lafone , I see you liked the open aviaries at LWP.

May I recommend on your next trip towards Lincolnshire, Tropical Birdland, in Desford, near Leicester. Has to be the best Parrot zoo in the UK and very enjoyable and quite a hidden gem.

As Ian has put above, Nigel the Puma was not offshow for eye treatment, but because his front left leg has been amputated, to help him with mobility issues.

Thanks - I do indeed like aviaries and I’ve never been there so will add to the list!

 

[Sand Cat]

Also a bump as thanks to this thread I visited LWP (and the Ark again) today so completed the inspired triple.

Had a great day out! Thanks again for this thread and the other visitor comments - I’ll be visiting these three again, despite the longer journey!

I enjoyed my first trip to LWP a lot. The parrots were interesting and the care for birds at different stages of joining the collection was interesting to read about and observe. The signage is comprehensive and I learned a few things about parrot behaviour.

The free flight aviary was fun. Visitors clearly really enjoy buying the maize and peanuts to share with the birds around the park and in the aviary. I liked the free ranging parrots and the general feel was a happy place. I was most surprised to see the Eurasian eagle owl in a half fence enclosure - beautiful looking bird and apart from on displays I’ve never seen one wandering around without a full size / topped enclosure fence before.

Enjoyed the otters who have a load of space to play around in and it’s always fun to see a family of them. The boat made me chuckle - Brum is right there are a lot of boats in Lincolnshire zoos!

Thought the walk around the lake (ex quarry pit maybe?) and the bee hives was a lot of fun and it’s a good use of the overall space The mini lake with the turtles near the lions was great. I’m not sure it was intended to be open as no one was there or went that way at all but there was an open path to get to it and it was on the map so it seemed to be ok to go there.

The Puma was off show as has had eye surgery (detailed in the zoos Facebook page where his progress is being reported on) and the lions were being lions and having a persistent nap. Went back a couple of times (once I found you could cut back past the tapir and tigers) Leopard was around though. Lovely looking cat.

The tiger enclosure is a wonderful space; bit of a shame they share it but the active rotation was going on while I was there (2 females who can associate together went into the outdoor space, one male went out) and there was a lot of huffing, loud tiger grunting and marking going on so it obviously gives them a lot to think about each time they go in to reclaim it. The space is good though, the theming isn’t ridiculous and it stands up very well against many larger collections. Don’t see a great many bengals in the collections I go to more frequently. And a lot of them (the way they have the space, could see four altogether).

Overall enjoyed the feel of the park as a whole - clean well built enclosures with a consistent look and feel and it does feel well looked after.

Also had a great last few hours of the day at the ark enjoying the cat collection again and then admiring the arctic foxes getting their new coats - exciting stuff (if you’re me, mileage probably varies!). I was the last visitor there by 4 but from just before 3 there was lots of feeding and animal activity which was excellent. Spent a bit of time photographing the raccoon dogs - odd when watching them scrap over their food and indeed smelling them to think some of those animals were kept as pets - who knows what people were thinking!

I'm very happy that you returned to the Ark again so quickly, it sounds like you've got the bug! And you seem to like similar animals to me - i.e. cats and foxes. To be honest I was a bit overwhelmed by how many of each I actually saw on Friday! I checked and apparently they currently have 17 foxes in total - 11 Arctic and 6 Red (although of these, 2 are Silver and 1 White, plus 2 of the others are quite unusual in colour and may have some Silver in them). I was very chuffed to see them all last week!

Did you manage to see the jaguarundi this time? As I mentioned above, I did get a glimpse of one. No-shows were the various genets and civets but I was more than happy with what I did see.

After my previous post I also wanted to add some more thoughts on the enclosures. Although I get that some of them look a bit small, I saw a lot of varied, naturalistic behaviour on Friday and my view is that if the animals can do that, then how pretty the enclosures look to us, or what kind of enrichment is offered isn't really important, the point is that they are behaving as animals should. Considering the background of some of these animals that is pretty remarkable. The bobcats in particular were really active all afternoon, running, jumping, climbing, stalking, hiding, chasing and vocalising at each other. To be honest I've rarely seen any large-ish cats so active in a zoo before, so I think that the enclosure is doing its job perfectly well.

 

[Alwaysevergreen]

I'm very happy that you returned to the Ark again so quickly, it sounds like you've got the bug! And you seem to like similar animals to me - i.e. cats and foxes. To be honest I was a bit overwhelmed by how many of each I actually saw on Friday! I checked and apparently they currently have 17 foxes in total - 11 Arctic and 6 Red (although of these, 2 are Silver and 1 White, plus 2 of the others are quite unusual in colour and may have some Silver in them). I was very chuffed to see them all last week!

Did you manage to see the jaguarundi this time? As I mentioned above, I did get a glimpse of one. No-shows were the various genets and civets but I was more than happy with what I did see.

After my previous post I also wanted to add some more thoughts on the enclosures. Although I get that some of them look a bit small, I saw a lot of varied, naturalistic behaviour on Friday and my view is that if the animals can do that, then how pretty the enclosures look to us, or what kind of enrichment is offered isn't really important, the point is that they are behaving as animals should. Considering the background of some of these animals that is pretty remarkable. The bobcats in particular were really active all afternoon, running, jumping, climbing, stalking, hiding, chasing and vocalising at each other. To be honest I've rarely seen any large-ish cats so active in a zoo before, so I think that the enclosure is doing its job perfectly well.

Lana is a Platinum Fox, which although technically a Red Fox, is a really nice morph.

I thought the new Caracal enclosure looked very nice, behind the Serval and Foxes, where a path will be made going left behind the foxes from the Bobcats, when the Caracal arrives.

 

[Lafone]

I'm very happy that you returned to the Ark again so quickly, it sounds like you've got the bug! And you seem to like similar animals to me - i.e. cats and foxes. To be honest I was a bit overwhelmed by how many of each I actually saw on Friday! I checked and apparently they currently have 17 foxes in total - 11 Arctic and 6 Red (although of these, 2 are Silver and 1 White, plus 2 of the others are quite unusual in colour and may have some Silver in them). I was very chuffed to see them all last week!

Did you manage to see the jaguarundi this time? As I mentioned above, I did get a glimpse of one. No-shows were the various genets and civets but I was more than happy with what I did see.

After my previous post I also wanted to add some more thoughts on the enclosures. Although I get that some of them look a bit small, I saw a lot of varied, naturalistic behaviour on Friday and my view is that if the animals can do that, then how pretty the enclosures look to us, or what kind of enrichment is offered isn't really important, the point is that they are behaving as animals should. Considering the background of some of these animals that is pretty remarkable. The bobcats in particular were really active all afternoon, running, jumping, climbing, stalking, hiding, chasing and vocalising at each other. To be honest I've rarely seen any large-ish cats so active in a zoo before, so I think that the enclosure is doing its job perfectly well.

I saw the jaguarundi albeit briefly as one of the keepers had just gone in with some food but not for long! The Hamerton one similarly eluded me though now in much easier to see in the new enclosure. They seem very shy indeed.

I do particularly love foxes and cats and they have some lovely examples it is indeed a pleasure to watch them.

It’s was also quite quiet when I visited this time which creates some of those amazing alone at the zoo moments. There’s something about those times I find completely captivating. Not that you wish it on the zoo all the time they have to make money. But I love the moments.

The animals do all seem very engaged - the only time they ran up and down near the enclosure edge was feeding time (most domestic animal owners can relate to that!) and there was lots of playing and being pretty fearless in front of visitors.

I rarely see banded mongoose and that was such a treat too (love all things mongoose) - wish the enclosure allowed photos but the clearish sort of plexiglass that stops them getting out is ok for looking in, can’t focus through it! Still they look like little escape artists so as you say all about them.

I wish I lived a little nearer to all three I’d definitely have them on my regular haunt list! As it is I’ll be returning for sure.

Do you know what the cat on the right of the cafe and entrance is? Couldn’t see an enclosure sign and thought it looked like it could be a savannah? I’ve never seen one in real life so thought perhaps that or a more serval than cat hybrid.

 

[littleRedPanda]

Do you know what the cat on the right of the cafe and entrance is? Couldn’t see an enclosure sign and thought it looked like it could be a savannah? I’ve never seen one in real life so thought perhaps that or a more serval than cat hybrid.

It is a 'savannah'.

 

[Lafone]

It is a 'savannah'.

Thank you!

It certainly has the jump you read about.

 

[Alwaysevergreen]

I saw the jaguarundi albeit briefly as one of the keepers had just gone in with some food but not for long! The Hamerton one similarly eluded me though now in much easier to see in the new enclosure. They seem very shy indeed.
.

If you're ever in the West Country, go to Axe Valley, the two Jaguarundi there are incredibly active and spend most of the day outside, playing and posing for camera's, they are not your normal shy, elusive Jaguarundi, that's for sure!

 

[Lafone]

If you're ever in the West Country, go to Axe Valley, the two Jaguarundi there are incredibly active and spend most of the day outside, playing and posing for camera's, they are not your normal shy, elusive Jaguarundi, that's for sure!

Thanks! That’s one for the more epic trip list but you’re on fire with the other thread too - have just added all things wild as have never seen a golden jackal and it’s not far at all. That’s two onto the will go shortly list as am planing those parrots too (and Beale too).

 

[Sand Cat]

Lana is a Platinum Fox, which although technically a Red Fox, is a really nice morph.

I thought the new Caracal enclosure looked very nice, behind the Serval and Foxes, where a path will be made going left behind the foxes from the Bobcats, when the Caracal arrives.

Are you sure? I've seen Platinum Foxes at Messingham Zoo and they looked quite different, albeit very pretty. I thought Lana was just a normal red fox lacking in pigmentation, but am happy to be proved wrong! Whatever she is though, she is a little beauty!

I saw the jaguarundi albeit briefly as one of the keepers had just gone in with some food but not for long! The Hamerton one similarly eluded me though now in much easier to see in the new enclosure. They seem very shy indeed.

I do particularly love foxes and cats and they have some lovely examples it is indeed a pleasure to watch them.

It’s was also quite quiet when I visited this time which creates some of those amazing alone at the zoo moments. There’s something about those times I find completely captivating. Not that you wish it on the zoo all the time they have to make money. But I love the moments.

The animals do all seem very engaged - the only time they ran up and down near the enclosure edge was feeding time (most domestic animal owners can relate to that!) and there was lots of playing and being pretty fearless in front of visitors.

I rarely see banded mongoose and that was such a treat too (love all things mongoose) - wish the enclosure allowed photos but the clearish sort of plexiglass that stops them getting out is ok for looking in, can’t focus through it! Still they look like little escape artists so as you say all about them.

I wish I lived a little nearer to all three I’d definitely have them on my regular haunt list! As it is I’ll be returning for sure.

Do you know what the cat on the right of the cafe and entrance is? Couldn’t see an enclosure sign and thought it looked like it could be a savannah? I’ve never seen one in real life so thought perhaps that or a more serval than cat hybrid.

I know exactly what you mean about these moments! I had one with the two red foxes near the arctics; they seemed very shy, but I managed to see and eventually photograph both of them with a bit of patience, being quiet and talking softly to them. It never ceases to amaze me how many animals do seem to respond well to being talked to!

As others have mentioned, the cat near the entrance is a Savannah Cat. She's called Flerken and is a 1st generation Savannah, i.e. one of her parents is a Serval. She was seized by customs after being illegally brought into the UK and couldn't be homed like a normal pet cat due to her 1st generation status, hence her being rehomed at a collection with some expertise with other wild cats.

 

[Alwaysevergreen]

Yup, Lana is deffo Platinum.