Marwell Wildlife Marwell Zoological Park 2023

Obviously there could be personal reasons behind the decision but the timing does strike me as a bit odd. In my opinion this has been the first year in a long term where the zoo has made a major step forward.
 
James Cretney arrived in 2005, and when you look back the number of mammals at Marwell then was 872, at the end of last year it was 181, a friend of mine who worked at Marwell many years ago said he has left a sinking ship, the person in charge of the animal collection for many years left last year and was responsible in my opinion for destroying the animal collection at Marwell, I hope they now get someone with a zoo background, but I wont hold my breathe, Marwell has so much potential but I feel it has lost its way.
 
okapis said:
James Cretney arrived in 2005, and when you look back the number of mammals at Marwell then was 872, at the end of last year it was 181
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Obviously numbers do not tell the full story, and I do think changes this year show that Marwell is far from dead in the water and still holds up as a good zoological collection.

However when you put it like that, the difference is truly insane. And I must admit having visited tens of times in that period, the difference is noticable.
 
I recall that when Knowles left Marwell for good in 2006, leaving behind an era of robust leadership, the legacy left behind by Cretney would then be one of turmoil. I will say I have admired that he has pushed Marwell through challenging times - but in the same vein he has left behind a zoo which was not entirely perfect in 2005/6; and almost 20 years later his zoo remains some things to be desired.
Even the public seems to agree quite a bit - that Marwell has become somewhat loosened compared to years prior. And to see Cretney leave just after what appeared to be a new chapter unfolding at Marwell; with animals returning to the zoo; is surprising for sure.
The future for Marwell, then, is one of uncertainty. The next figurehead to join the ranks of the men before them will likely have much to answer to at Marwell - so one can merely hope that whoever this is to be, they prioritise the presence of animals in the zoo. Either the new Marwell from 2024 will turn out very, very good - or they will lose the blessings of many people...
Marwell leaves little room for novel development than what would be radical - so it'd definitely be interesting to see where things go in this regard.
 
He left on a relative high after years of decline so it was relatively easy to improve what was left. I'm glad he's gone and don't think he deserves any credit at all. If he was a football manager he wouldn't have lasted 6 months!
 
Doesn't appear to be much love lost judging by comments made. I must admit my own feeling is/was coloured by the, IMO, shameful lack of resolving issues with the founder before he died.

The rapid descent of Marwell from a world class zoo to a family attraction wasting money on building follies has continued for far too long.

The more recent uptick of animal arrivals has hopefully indicated how matters will proceed.
 
GaryA said:
Hopefully his replacement will focus on spearheading an increase to the animal collection rather than spending money on elaborate buildings that don't work in context (ie empty desert house, boarded up enclosures in others, expensive Cheetah enclosure now containing Serval).
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Where did Dr Cretney come from to Marwell?
 
I am wondering if there had been any differences of opinion over how things have been run. What has happened this year is completely out of kilter for the rest of Cretney's reign. Cost cutting with the occasional high profile grandiose new development seemed to be his style, not a number of smaller improvements.
 
Some ideas of what could improve the zoo in my opinion ...
I recall reading that Marwell's Penguin Exhibit was originally designed for Rockhopper Penguins, styled off the grassy dunes of the Falklands. So with Humboldts in my opinion it's a bit off. I personally would like to see a return of the Rockhoppers myself. And also with the stairway that offers a back-view of the penguin enclosure, I think it'd be nice if it offered a view of another animal enclosure behind. Maybe something like the Striated Caracara to go with the Falklands theme. And maybe somehow you can also implement an educational display about the Warrah.
I think Fur, Feathers and Scales is an interesting concept; though it doesn't hold itself together too well. But what I think could be nice is if the area became more Australia-centric. The red pandas could be moved to another zoo location; and in their current enclosure maybe something like a tree kangaroo or a koala.
The erstwhile duck pond could be drained and used for the construction of something. Maybe a nice aviary.
Though these are merely my opinions/suggestions.
 
There did used to be enclosures behind the penguins.

The outdoor area for the creche (which was the cafe before Cafe Graze was built) used to be enclosures for mara and greylag geese.
 
NMM said:
There did used to be enclosures behind the penguins.

The outdoor area for the creche (which was the cafe before Cafe Graze was built) used to be enclosures for mara and greylag geese.
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Used to be a pair of Greater Magellan Goose, the Greylag Geese were free flying.
 
dillotest0 said:
I recall that when Knowles left Marwell for good in 2006, leaving behind an era of robust leadership, the legacy left behind by Cretney would then be one of turmoil. I will say I have admired that he has pushed Marwell through challenging times - but in the same vein he has left behind a zoo which was not entirely perfect in 2005/6; and almost 20 years later his zoo remains some things to be desired.
Even the public seems to agree quite a bit - that Marwell has become somewhat loosened compared to years prior. And to see Cretney leave just after what appeared to be a new chapter unfolding at Marwell; with animals returning to the zoo; is surprising for sure.
The future for Marwell, then, is one of uncertainty. The next figurehead to join the ranks of the men before them will likely have much to answer to at Marwell - so one can merely hope that whoever this is to be, they prioritise the presence of animals in the zoo. Either the new Marwell from 2024 will turn out very, very good - or they will lose the blessings of many people...
Marwell leaves little room for novel development than what would be radical - so it'd definitely be interesting to see where things go in this regard.
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These would be excellent changes to Marwell. Along with redeveloping some exhibits (Heart Of Africa, The Valley, Aridlands), and renovating empty enclosures (Macaque, Rhino House, Warthog etc. Etc.
 
I really like Marwell and having been three times in the last four years I do feel like it's getting better. It's encouraging to hear there could be more carnivores on the way. As they were (to my knowledge) the one of first UK Zoos to exhibit Fossa, this would be a great addition to the collection along with a few more smaller cats.
 
okapis said:
A Dik Dik has been born the second one to be born at Marwell, Thriving through Nature now has Tortoises in it think they are African spurred ( Sulcate ).
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How big are the tortoises? I recall sulcata can grow pretty big
 
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