Birmingham Nature Centre Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park 2024

pendraig_milnerae

pendraig_milnerae

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
Bush dog (Speothos venaticus) puppies have been born at the BWCP. There’s not been an official announcement yet, however on a visit yesterday afternoon I could see at least one puppy in the house, which then ventured outside and was promptly brought back in. It couldn’t have been more than a few weeks old, and I have no idea how many have actually been born, I suppose we’ll have to wait for an official announcement once they’re a bit older. In any case, what a way to kick off the year!
 
We visited yesterday.
Our passes expired last September, and we didn't renew. We really just went now to see the Bush Dog pups, and did not dissapoint!
All 5 of them at one point were outside, being very active, playing, walking and jumping around.
Mom was trying to keep them inside, and taking one by the neck, but as soon as she dropped him, he ran out again, and all the others seemed to be making a game of it, as soon as mommy comes let's all run away from her, haha!
2 ventured out to the little watery place they got and started drinking from it.

Usually when we haven't been to a park for a few months, there's always something different, switched around, changed, but I noticed everything was still the same, so I didn't get that feeling of getting a new season pass.

It was great to see all familiar animals again though, I just love the Red Panda's, especially female Aria, she's just so cute!
We saw loads of Otters, lol, but I'm not sure we saw the latest 2 editions, as I don't know how big they would be by now.

It was the busiest I've ever seen it in the past year that we've been, to the point where I really wanted to go back to both nocturnal houses, but people just kept walking in when there was already lots of people inside, not realizing they wouldn't fit, and still squeezed in, kids screaming "why is it red in here" and "why is it so dark in here" ... just because it's dark doesn't mean we're all deaf suddenly ... and I like my space, so I didn't bother anymore.

As anyone seen the Ringtail Lemurs outside though? I've never seen them outside, they are always huddled up inside, and they seem to have quite a decent space outside.
 
The Ring-Tailed Lemurs do go outside, just not often or for very long. The best views I've had of them outside are from the little bridge over the canal closest to the Spider Monkeys.
 
I'm visiting for the first time soon and I'm just wondering if there's anything I should look out for e.g. rare species or enclosures that are easy to miss. I'd also like to know if the red pandas and Komodo dragon are more active and awake at certain points in the day as I'd really like to photograph these species. Thanks
 
GiraffeJack10 said:
I'm visiting for the first time soon and I'm just wondering if there's anything I should look out for e.g. rare species or enclosures that are easy to miss. I'd also like to know if the red pandas and Komodo dragon are more active and awake at certain points in the day as I'd really like to photograph these species. Thanks
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Birmingham have a very nice and unusual collection - specifically, their nocturnal house holds two species of loris and also potto. They hold Borneo earless monitors, however, I am unsure if these are currently on-show.

The Komodo dragon is one of the most active dragons I have seen, a very nice specimen as well, he can be seen both indoors and outdoors.
 
GiraffeJack10 said:
I'm visiting for the first time soon and I'm just wondering if there's anything I should look out for e.g. rare species or enclosures that are easy to miss. I'd also like to know if the red pandas and Komodo dragon are more active and awake at certain points in the day as I'd really like to photograph these species. Thanks
Click to expand...

The nocturnal house is my favourite part. The potto are a real treat.

The new bush dog pups are still small and lovely which is good.

As far as Pete, I think he’s the most active dragon I’ve seen, compared to Chester where they seem quite sedentary he’s always doing something.

The pandas are trickier but I find they’re usually fed around 2 or 3 and are easiest to see then, they do have nest boxes so can be totally invisible sometimes.
 
Baringogiraffe12 said:
Birmingham have a very nice and unusual collection - specifically, their nocturnal house holds two species of loris and also potto. They hold Borneo earless monitors, however, I am unsure if these are currently on-show.

The Komodo dragon is one of the most active dragons I have seen, a very nice specimen as well, he can be seen both indoors and outdoors.
Click to expand...

Loris now in the own house the former invert house.

Interesting that you think they have bornean earless monitor as they have never admitted to having them, but I bow to the knowledge and experience of a zoochat expert on this matter.
 
Laboratory 7 said:
Loris now in the own house the former invert house.

Interesting that you think they have bornean earless monitor as they have never admitted to having them, but I bow to the knowledge and experience of a zoochat expert on this matter.
Click to expand...

I’d suggest this is an admission- Adam Radovanovic on Instagram: "Freshly sloughed, adult female Bornean earless monitor, Lanthanotus borneesis. Husbandry with this species is still trial and error but all individuals fit and healthy. Fingers crossed for a productive 2024! #lanthanotus #lanthanotusborneensis #borneo #earlessmonitor #monitorsofinstagram #monitorlizard #monitorlizards #monitorlizardsofinstagram #reptile #reptiles #reptilesofinstagram #herpetology #research #project #reptilehouse #lizard #lizards #lizardsofinstagram #reels #reelsinstagram #animalreels #dragon #dragons #reptilesofig #animals #animalsofinstagram #wild #zoo"
 
 
I had a lovely first visit here today. I didn't know what to expect walking in but I was pleasantly surprised. It feels much bigger than it is and the limited space is certainly used very well. It was a very quiet and peaceful day in regards to other visitors and the weather which certainly made it more enjoyable. The collection mostly consists of small primates and other mammal species. The bird collection was pretty underwhelming but I didn't really mind.

The reptile house was small but well done with species on show inside; Chinese crocodile lizard, Jamaican boa, emerald tree monitor, Saharan uromastyx, rhino ratsnake, mangrove snake, leachianus gecko, Madagascar tree boa and beaded Lizard. I couldn't spot the tree boa, crocodile lizard or mangrove snake despite my best efforts and several visits to the reptile house. There's also a couple of tortoise species in other enclosures across the park and of course the Komodo dragon. The enclosure isn't anything special but it seems to work well and it was a real treat to see such an active dragon both inside and, later on, outside.

There's lots of primate species including several callitrichids and lemurs as well as spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys and a large group of capuchins in a pretty underwhelming enclosure. Larger zoo mammals like capybara, red panda, sitatunga and European lynx were also good to see. Does anyone know why the lynx appears to have only one eye? The young bush dogs were good fun to watch, as were the baby meerkats. I wasn't aware they had babies before I saw them so I'm not sure now old they are but they were definitely very small and adorable. There looked to be three of them. The nocturnal houses were very entertaining and I was able to spot almost every species.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and would highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't already been. The entrance price is very affordable, the gardens are beautiful and the species collection is very unique with some good rarities. I've already uploaded a few photos to the gallery.
 
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GiraffeJack10 said:
I had a lovely first visit here today. I didn't know what to expect walking in but I was pleasantly surprised. It feels much bigger than it is and the limited space is certainly used very well. It was a very quiet and peaceful day in regards to other visitors and the weather which certainly made it more enjoyable. The collection mostly consists of small primates and other mammal species. The bird collection was pretty underwhelming but I didn't really mind.

The reptile house was small but well done with species on show inside; Chinese crocodile lizard, Jamaican boa, emerald tree monitor, Saharan uromastyx, rhino ratsnake, mangrove snake, leachianus gecko, Madagascar tree boa and beaded Lizard. I couldn't spot the tree boa, crocodile lizard or mangrove snake despite my best efforts and several visits to the reptile house. There's also a couple of tortoise species in other enclosures across the park and of course the Komodo dragon. The enclosure isn't anything special but it seems to work well and it was a real treat to see such an active dragon both inside and, later on, outside.

There's lots of primate species including several callitrichids and lemurs as well as spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys and a large group of capuchins in a pretty underwhelming enclosure. Larger zoo mammals like capybara, red panda, sitatunga and European lynx were also good to see. Does anyone know why the lynx appears to have only one eye? The young bush dogs were good fun to watch, as were the baby meerkats. I wasn't aware they had babies before I saw them so I'm not sure now old they are but they were definitely very small and adorable. There looked to be three of them. The nocturnal houses were very entertaining and I was able to spot almost every species.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and would highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't already been. The entrance price is very affordable, the gardens are beautiful and the species collection is very unique with some good rarities. I've already uploaded a few photos to the gallery.
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The lynx got accidentally hurt by her mother when little.
She's now 21 I believe? (Or something around that)
 
Lovely spring visit this afternoon. Great views of the three very small meerkat kits, absolutely adorable! Don't think I've ever actually seen baby meerkats before, so was a lovely first. Bush dogs were out and about, and very interested in a keeper who was power washing the Eurasian Lynx enclosure fencing next door. First time I've ever really seen the ASCO family outside, they were enthusiastically destroying the roof of one of the little shelters in the enclosure. Pete the Komodo made the most of the outside space in the afternoon, he really is a lovely, active dragon. Another first, seeing rather than just hearing, the Red Ruffed Lemurs, who were both very active at the end of the day, playing and jumping around. The Young Goeldi's Monkey with the short tail is now nearly as big as the adults. All three Sloths very active, with one getting quite bitey on the other two.

Rather lovely views too of a Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff in the shrubs opposite the Ringtail Lemurs, next to the middle bridge over the little canal.

Pygmy Slow Loris were no-shows, not even as a ball of fur. Hope they are still around. Ocelot also a no-show.

The visit was however somewhat marred by excessive glass-banging, about 90% of which was by the adult visitors rather than the kids. Don't think I've had a visit to any zoo before where this was so noticeable and obvious. Such a shame, as the zoo really is such a nice one.
 
Crowthorne said:
Lovely spring visit this afternoon. Great views of the three very small meerkat kits, absolutely adorable! Don't think I've ever actually seen baby meerkats before, so was a lovely first. Bush dogs were out and about, and very interested in a keeper who was power washing the Eurasian Lynx enclosure fencing next door. First time I've ever really seen the ASCO family outside, they were enthusiastically destroying the roof of one of the little shelters in the enclosure. Pete the Komodo made the most of the outside space in the afternoon, he really is a lovely, active dragon. Another first, seeing rather than just hearing, the Red Ruffed Lemurs, who were both very active at the end of the day, playing and jumping around. The Young Goeldi's Monkey with the short tail is now nearly as big as the adults. All three Sloths very active, with one getting quite bitey on the other two.

Rather lovely views too of a Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff in the shrubs opposite the Ringtail Lemurs, next to the middle bridge over the little canal.

Pygmy Slow Loris were no-shows, not even as a ball of fur. Hope they are still around. Ocelot also a no-show.

The visit was however somewhat marred by excessive glass-banging, about 90% of which was by the adult visitors rather than the kids. Don't think I've had a visit to any zoo before where this was so noticeable and obvious. Such a shame, as the zoo really is such a nice one.
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Funnily enough I was considering heading over to BWCP myself this afternoon seeing as it was such a lovely day. Plus I’ve not seen the bush dog puppies outside yet.

I’m pretty confident both the pygmy slow loris and the female ocelot are still there given they were there on my last visit in the middle of February, so something might have happened in that time but I doubt it.
 
Thanks both, good to know they're still there. Usually the Pygmy Loris are at least visible as a ball of fluff, so was a little concerned not to even see that today.
 
 
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