Not sure, we saw two but am unsure if it was a breeding pair.
Johnsons of Old Hurst Johnsons of oldhurst
- Thread starter banham.tiger
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Not sure, we saw two but am unsure if it was a breeding pair.
As well as the new Lions, there was also an enclosure for Racoon Dogs behind the Owls to left of Sloth Bears, new Deer enclosure under the stairs to the Crocodile house, and Ostriches that were offshow on my last visit are now with the Emu, Reah, Cattle and various Deer species.
The Crocodile house has been extended and is easily double the size, with big pools for American Alligator with access to an outdoor area. There’s about 8 Crocodilian species and probably about 100 odd in total.
Overall some really good developments in the year since my last visit and well worth the £4 entry… very easy to combine with Hamerton too.
Will upload a few photos.
The Crocodile house has been extended and is easily double the size, with big pools for American Alligator with access to an outdoor area. There’s about 8 Crocodilian species and probably about 100 odd in total.
Overall some really good developments in the year since my last visit and well worth the £4 entry… very easy to combine with Hamerton too.
Will upload a few photos.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Good pics. Do the lions have a house?
Looks like the lions have a good number of cows to watch next door!
Yeah they have a house that’s where I saw them (separated), it’s the same design and approximate size of the Lynx and Puma houses, with a small viewing window.
Johnsons of Old Hurst in the news, the owner has been given permission to use culled deer to feed the new lion pair
Cambridgeshire farmer shoots deer to feed his two African lions
Cambridgeshire farmer shoots deer to feed his two African lions
Baringogiraffe12
Well-Known Member
Any idea where they've come from?
I mean, they certainly used to farm deer for venison in the farm operation and I presume they still do - if farmed animals can't be fed to lions then I'm really not sure what can..!
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Sounds like a good thing. The lions have to be fed and a culled deer is at least having a natural life. They do also farm deer as Maguari mentioned, but being able to contribute to population management of wild deer is good, as long as it is stalked well. Good to see a calm article about it too.
Thanks Brum! I'm looking forward to my visit next week.They still had them last Thursday, so I'm going to say yes, they're still there.
Enjoy, it's somewhere I've visited 5 times since its opening as it's just too cheap and so close to Hamerton/Linton that it keeps pulling me in...!
And it gets better each visit (something that can't be said of a lot of zoos!) .Enjoy, it's somewhere I've visited 5 times since its opening as it's just too cheap and so close to Hamerton/Linton that it keeps pulling me in...!
I'm glad you mentioned Linton because I somehow overlooked it in my plans.Enjoy, it's somewhere I've visited 5 times since its opening as it's just too cheap and so close to Hamerton/Linton that it keeps pulling me in...!
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Had a fun couple of hours at Johnsons of Oldhurst today before heading to Shepreth for the afternoon.
Wanted to see the new lions and they were out and about together. The female spent a little time stalking and chasing the ostriches behind the enclosure. Lots to keep the lions occupied as the field of deer, donkeys and ostriches faces straight on to the back of the enclosure and the ostriches were right at the fence staring in. The enclosure reminds me of the structures at the Wolds and appears a bit larger.
The lynx / chicken enclosure was overgrown and unsigned so assume it is empty.
Didn't see the pumas or the leopard cats. Nice views of the pheasants.
Did see one of the sloth bears who was out playing in the enclosure for some time which was lovely. Reminded me of how much I miss seeing Colombo the sloth bear at Whipsnade. The enclosure planting has grown up since the last time I visited and it all looks more bedded in.
The Crocodilia housing seemed larger than on my previous visit with lots of occupants including a nursery area with youngsters of various sizes.
As Nedpepper said, worth the £4 entry fee.
Wanted to see the new lions and they were out and about together. The female spent a little time stalking and chasing the ostriches behind the enclosure. Lots to keep the lions occupied as the field of deer, donkeys and ostriches faces straight on to the back of the enclosure and the ostriches were right at the fence staring in. The enclosure reminds me of the structures at the Wolds and appears a bit larger.
The lynx / chicken enclosure was overgrown and unsigned so assume it is empty.
Didn't see the pumas or the leopard cats. Nice views of the pheasants.
Did see one of the sloth bears who was out playing in the enclosure for some time which was lovely. Reminded me of how much I miss seeing Colombo the sloth bear at Whipsnade. The enclosure planting has grown up since the last time I visited and it all looks more bedded in.
The Crocodilia housing seemed larger than on my previous visit with lots of occupants including a nursery area with youngsters of various sizes.
As Nedpepper said, worth the £4 entry fee.
Glad to hear that the sloth bears are still there, sounds like a decent little place to visit alongside Hamerton.
cerperal
Well-Known Member
By the sounds of things, what with new acquisitions and updated enclosures, I'm not sure it'll be all that little for much longer. Definitely a must visit if I'm ever up that end of the country