Watatunga Wildlife Reserve Watatunga Wildlife Reserve
- Thread starter DesertRhino150
- Start date
The Javan peafowl came from Marwell.
The second female bongo, that was pregnant on arrival at Watatunga, has now had its calf. It is still unknown if the calf is male or female but it is feeding well from its mother.
Information comes from the Watatunga Facebook page.
Information comes from the Watatunga Facebook page.
A new Malayan sambar calf has been born at Watatunga; there are currently four adult female Malayan sambar at the reserve, of which three are expecting calves.
Information comes from the Watatunga Facebook page.
Information comes from the Watatunga Facebook page.
After spending the last six months living in a five-acre enclosure within the reserve, the seven great bustards at Watatunga have been released and are now able to roam throughout the entire reserve.
Information comes from the Watatunga Facebook page.
Information comes from the Watatunga Facebook page.
At Watatunga, there is now a waterfowl pond in the reception area for visitors to look at while waiting for their tour. Species mentioned are mandarin duck, white-faced whistling duck and Bahama pintail.
Information comes from the Watatunga Facebook page.
Information comes from the Watatunga Facebook page.
I have been looking through the blog at Watatunga and noticed several birds not previously mentioned and not listed on Zootierliste in one of the posts.
As well as the white-faced whistling ducks, mandarin ducks and Bahama pintails, a picture of the entrance pond also shows bar-headed goose, yellow-billed duck, Northern pintail and Laysan duck:
https://www.watatunga.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/reception-pond-2.jpg
Even more interestingly, the end of the post lists several of the other birds that live on the site, most of which are already known (monal, Reeve's pheasant, Eurasian crane and great bustard) but also mentioned here are capercaillie.
The blog post can be seen here:
A Word On The Birds - Watatunga | Holidays in Norfolk
As well as the white-faced whistling ducks, mandarin ducks and Bahama pintails, a picture of the entrance pond also shows bar-headed goose, yellow-billed duck, Northern pintail and Laysan duck:
https://www.watatunga.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/reception-pond-2.jpg
Even more interestingly, the end of the post lists several of the other birds that live on the site, most of which are already known (monal, Reeve's pheasant, Eurasian crane and great bustard) but also mentioned here are capercaillie.
The blog post can be seen here:
A Word On The Birds - Watatunga | Holidays in Norfolk
Births at Watatunga that have been announced in a post on their Facebook page are:
- Nineteen white-faced whistling duck hatchlings so far
- Several new young blackbuck
- Additional births from axis deer, hog deer and Manchurian sika
- Nineteen white-faced whistling duck hatchlings so far
- Several new young blackbuck
- Additional births from axis deer, hog deer and Manchurian sika
A new species has arrived at Watatunga - a male common eland. He is already living in the main reserve.
Information comes from the Watatunga Facebook page.
Information comes from the Watatunga Facebook page.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Had my first trip to watatunga today - not ideal weather as boiling hot but was booked a while ago and there was a surprising amount to see - it’s an impressive setup and a short tour probably doesn’t do it justice but it was good to go around.
The tour itself was very interesting and informative.
Overall it’s a novel experience compared to other zoos / collections U.K. wise and some good things to see in a really very beautiful setting. There were lots of opportunities for photos - glad to have taken the long lens!
The overall approach is fascinating given all the species are living in one space and self supported. Obviously you only see what chooses to be seen but I am a fan of that even if there’s something you miss. Lots of things were clearly in the shade today but there was still a lot out. Would bear a few visits I think!
Went on to Banham afterwards so it made for a good day out.
Saw blesbok, water buffalo, pere David deer, oryx, roe and white lipped deer (roe with fawn), blackbuck and roan antelope and then the bustards and reeve pheasant lots of ducks and geese native and otherwise. They have a good amount of native birds too the general feel is very serene. It’s as much what they are doing and where they are as what, if that makes sense.
Would definitely recommend it - would like to go back for a bit longer.
The tour itself was very interesting and informative.
Overall it’s a novel experience compared to other zoos / collections U.K. wise and some good things to see in a really very beautiful setting. There were lots of opportunities for photos - glad to have taken the long lens!
The overall approach is fascinating given all the species are living in one space and self supported. Obviously you only see what chooses to be seen but I am a fan of that even if there’s something you miss. Lots of things were clearly in the shade today but there was still a lot out. Would bear a few visits I think!
Went on to Banham afterwards so it made for a good day out.
Saw blesbok, water buffalo, pere David deer, oryx, roe and white lipped deer (roe with fawn), blackbuck and roan antelope and then the bustards and reeve pheasant lots of ducks and geese native and otherwise. They have a good amount of native birds too the general feel is very serene. It’s as much what they are doing and where they are as what, if that makes sense.
Would definitely recommend it - would like to go back for a bit longer.
A third male great bustard has recently arrived at Watatunga. He was originally a wild bird at Salisbury Plain, but was brought into captivity after being attacked by another male. It has already been released into the reserve with the other bustards.
Information comes from the Watatunga Facebook page.
Information comes from the Watatunga Facebook page.
Still only one White-lipped deer?
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Yes they said they had the one and were hoping to add another one.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Was at Watatunga yesterday for a late afternoon / early evening photography session - definitely recommend it as there was controlled exit of the trailer to spend time on foot and we had a very interesting tour with lots of animals visible.
If you are thinking of going to watatunga and enjoy taking photos (it’s not tutored or anything and people had a wide variety of cameras and lenses from small to ‘omfg’) I’d say it would be £50 well spent.
Seeing the three roan antelope together in the setting sun was really cool and a visit highlight as was a pair of silver pheasants. New white lipped deer are now confirmed and due to arrive shortly. Got very close to the stag which was lovely.
If you are thinking of going to watatunga and enjoy taking photos (it’s not tutored or anything and people had a wide variety of cameras and lenses from small to ‘omfg’) I’d say it would be £50 well spent.
Seeing the three roan antelope together in the setting sun was really cool and a visit highlight as was a pair of silver pheasants. New white lipped deer are now confirmed and due to arrive shortly. Got very close to the stag which was lovely.
Alwaysevergreen
Well-Known Member
Did you meet a Bongo ?
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Yes indeed came close wearing its tracking collar (monitoring behaviour / progress around the reserve and feeding patterns very interesting). Good looking.
Presume they're just to add to the existing herd
It's finally time to introduce Watatunga's latest arrivals... 3 male Roan Antelope!
These chilled chaps travelled to us from Longleat and have so far been loving life on the reserve!
Found in wooded areas and savannah across Central and Southern Africa, this antelope has a horse like build with long elf-like ears tipped with tassels of black hair. Their name comes from their colouring, as their backs are a lovely reddish brown – otherwise known as roan. They are mostly grazing animals, but when grass becomes scarce, they revert readily to browsing.
It's finally time to introduce Watatunga's latest arrivals... 3 male Roan Antelope!
These chilled chaps travelled to us from Longleat and have so far been loving life on the reserve!
Found in wooded areas and savannah across Central and Southern Africa, this antelope has a horse like build with long elf-like ears tipped with tassels of black hair. Their name comes from their colouring, as their backs are a lovely reddish brown – otherwise known as roan. They are mostly grazing animals, but when grass becomes scarce, they revert readily to browsing.
The male capercaillie moved to another collection last week, where he is living in an off-show facility with several females.
Information comes from Watatunga's Facebook page.
Information comes from Watatunga's Facebook page.
Not any more....
Taken from their Facebook page
An EPIC journey!
Earlier this week, Julian took the 16-hour round trip to Highland Wildlife Park in Scotland to pick up these two beautiful White Lipped ladies! We are beyond thrilled to have them here at Watatunga, after joining the EEP earlier this year.
An EEP is a European endangered species programme; by being apart of a species’ EEP its means that collections can be considered to breed these animals. We are now officially one of 2 facilities in the UK to breed the White Lipped deer… to say we’re excited would be an understatement!
We look forward to sharing more about these vulnerable species and their incredible journey to us this week!
That male has been on his own there quite a while so this is good news indeed, particularly being females rather than surplus males. Doug Richardson from HWP was down there recently as I saw he'd commented something on their FB page(not about the deer though) So I thought his visit was probably connected. When I asked Watatunga they confirmed that was the case too which was nice to know in advance.