Hamerton Zoo Park Hamerton Zoo News 2024

CrashMegaraptor said:
I suppose, now that the possums are more visible, the new "sighting = 0" count will be the skunk/ringtail.

I mean, I've never seen either of them since I arrived except for a possibly maybe of the latter.
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We've had the best of luck straight upon opening, seen the ringtail 3 times that way. Just need to approach very quietly we noticed.

Only one we haven't seen yet now is the little possum in the little monkeys house.
 
Moorhunhe said:
We've had the best of luck straight upon opening, seen the ringtail 3 times that way. Just need to approach very quietly we noticed.

Only one we haven't seen yet now is the little possum in the little monkeys house.
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I've seen it once. I almost missed it because it was tucked around the corner.
 
We had a nice afternoon at Hamerton yesterday.
We only went from 2-5pm as we had things to do in the morning, and figured we could still spend a few hours after we were done with those things.

We didn't see the newest black-and-white ruffed lemur, they posted a video on FB which I saw when we got home again.
Since most animals were being fed, it was a nice opportunity to see most of them.
We saw 4 of the 5 brown hyena's. Of which one of the youngsters super curious and kept walking up to the fence and trying to sniff at us.

The rusty spotted cat was being fed, so we got some really great sights of it being still on the rocks in the enclosure, jumping in the tree to get the food.

And one of the bat eared foxes showed itself, it was sitting outside, but right next to the hut opening. I keep forgetting to bring my glasses because I can't see that far out, haha! But I saw it, albeit a bit blurry, but it counts, lol.

Saw 2 tawny frogmouths in the incubator. The meerkat enclosure looks really good! Despite signs saying "moving in soon" people still stood by it saying "I don't see anything" :rolleyes:

The latest corsac fox editions are so adorable to watch! They were constantly playing with each other.

There was also a baby donkey, and next to it, the wombat was out and about for a bit.

But no news really, apart from a new "Hamerton" sign in the parking lot, I didn't look up close so don't know if the gate is gone or not, but the sign is where a gate was (or still is) to go to the off-show cheetahs.
 
Moorhunhe said:
We had a nice afternoon at Hamerton yesterday.
We only went from 2-5pm as we had things to do in the morning, and figured we could still spend a few hours after we were done with those things.

We didn't see the newest black-and-white ruffed lemur, they posted a video on FB which I saw when we got home again.
Since most animals were being fed, it was a nice opportunity to see most of them.
We saw 4 of the 5 brown hyena's. Of which one of the youngsters super curious and kept walking up to the fence and trying to sniff at us.

The rusty spotted cat was being fed, so we got some really great sights of it being still on the rocks in the enclosure, jumping in the tree to get the food.

And one of the bat eared foxes showed itself, it was sitting outside, but right next to the hut opening. I keep forgetting to bring my glasses because I can't see that far out, haha! But I saw it, albeit a bit blurry, but it counts, lol.

Saw 2 tawny frogmouths in the incubator. The meerkat enclosure looks really good! Despite signs saying "moving in soon" people still stood by it saying "I don't see anything" :rolleyes:

The latest corsac fox editions are so adorable to watch! They were constantly playing with each other.

There was also a baby donkey, and next to it, the wombat was out and about for a bit.

But no news really, apart from a new "Hamerton" sign in the parking lot, I didn't look up close so don't know if the gate is gone or not, but the sign is where a gate was (or still is) to go to the off-show cheetahs.
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Looking at recent posts, sounds like quite a list - to be dismissed as 'no news really...'
 
On May 16th, the zoo announced that 2 collared lemurs named Cookie and Fozzie were born in April which are on exhibit.

We are having a baby boom at the park! First up we have welcomed twins to one of our Collard Lemur couples! They are now a month old and they are... | By Hamerton ZooFacebook

Moorhunhe said:
The meerkat enclosure looks really good! Despite signs saying "moving in soon" people still stood by it saying "I don't see anything" :rolleyes:
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On May 21st, the zoo announced they moved their slender-tailed meerkats to the new exhibit which is now open.

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT We are excited to announce one of our Meerkat groups have relocated to their brand new enclosure! Moving in just yesterday they are settling in well! We can’t wait for you all to see their new home! Don't forget to share your pictures when you do! | Hamerton Zoo
 
 
Had the first visit of the year last week. I live about 90 minutes away so only manage 2 or 3 visits a year. I always enjoy Hamerton although it can be a bit hide and seek trying to spot some of the more unusual and elusive creatures. I started at the small animals and birds section and saw the civet climbing all round its enclosure, a first for me. There were multiple brush turkeys on show. I didn’t see any pudus, do they still keep them? Saw a small monkey with a baby? Glimpse of a potoroo. Loved the Aviary - glimpsed a wombat in the distance. Lots of budgies, plovers and zebra finches. Loved the large birds - vultures, storks, seriema, wattled and crowned cranes. Always a pleasure to see the tigers, although sad there are only 2 left. The pretty Syrian bears came out to play - beautiful animals. Got a glimpse of a rusty spotted cat asleep near the rock but the oncilla was a no show. Saw 2 new species for me - all 5 brown hyenas wandering around and a couple came up to the window - and the two gorgeous jackels, very pretty and photogenic. A few of the corsac foxes were out and about, such cute little animals. Last, but not least, the cheetahs were wandering about and lazing under the trees at the front. An enjoyable trip but I missed so much.
 
YWP fan said:
Had the first visit of the year last week. I live about 90 minutes away so only manage 2 or 3 visits a year. I always enjoy Hamerton although it can be a bit hide and seek trying to spot some of the more unusual and elusive creatures. I started at the small animals and birds section and saw the civet climbing all round its enclosure, a first for me. There were multiple brush turkeys on show. I didn’t see any pudus, do they still keep them? Saw a small monkey with a baby? Glimpse of a potoroo. Loved the Aviary - glimpsed a wombat in the distance. Lots of budgies, plovers and zebra finches. Loved the large birds - vultures, storks, seriema, wattled and crowned cranes. Always a pleasure to see the tigers, although sad there are only 2 left. The pretty Syrian bears came out to play - beautiful animals. Got a glimpse of a rusty spotted cat asleep near the rock but the oncilla was a no show. Saw 2 new species for me - all 5 brown hyenas wandering around and a couple came up to the window - and the two gorgeous jackels, very pretty and photogenic. A few of the corsac foxes were out and about, such cute little animals. Last, but not least, the cheetahs were wandering about and lazing under the trees at the front. An enjoyable trip but I missed so much.
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Sound a fun day out. The Pudu are in the enclosure behind and to the side of the tortoise house and they can also go in the run in front of the bird enclosures along the path. Sometimes can be a bit less visible on a chillier day.

I think the monkey with baby was one of the new common marmosets as they’ve had twins according to the Facebook page.
 
YWP fan said:
I always enjoy Hamerton although it can be a bit hide and seek trying to spot some of the more unusual and elusive creatures..... An enjoyable trip but I missed so much.
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Why do you think that is? Is it because some of the species they house are not kept elsewhere , so you cannot compare? - or, because the animals are given every opportunity to retire from view if they choose, in enclosures designed to allow this? Are they not given this choice in other zoos? - I know some zoos still shut animals out to force them to display themselves. In the case of the general public, not seeing an animal is sometimes purely because they didn't look fort it, but I assume that is not the case for yourself!
It is interesting that not seeing a species (like the Pudu) immediately makes you question if they still have them; in fact I am sure I've seen Pudu with the anteater too, if so they actually have 2 groups.
Also I wonder why is it 'sad' that they have just two tigers? - most zoos dont have more than 2, does Yorkshire?, I have never been...
 
ZooNews2024 said:
Why do you think that is? Is it because some of the species they house are not kept elsewhere , so you cannot compare? - or, because the animals are given every opportunity to retire from view if they choose, in enclosures designed to allow this? Are they not given this choice in other zoos? - I know some zoos still shut animals out to force them to display themselves. In the case of the general public, not seeing an animal is sometimes purely because they didn't look fort it, but I assume that is not the case for yourself!
It is interesting that not seeing a species (like the Pudu) immediately makes you question if they still have them; in fact I am sure I've seen Pudu with the anteater too, if so they actually have 2 groups.
Also I wonder why is it 'sad' that they have just two tigers? - most zoos dont have more than 2, does Yorkshire?, I have never been...
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For me part of Hamerton charm is never knowing what you will see and enjoy the fact that you don't always see everything.
As for the none visible pudu it does seem to be a zoochat default if something isn't seen it's gone, but I can safely say on my last visit I saw both groups admittedly not at first, I have however not seen a black howler at all this year but never have I assumed it's gone just that I have been unlucky.
From memory I think ywp now only has two Tigers,as for having not visited I don't believe that you are missing much unless you love walk round safari parks and only seeing mostly mammals.
 
ZooNews2024 said:
Why do you think that is? Is it because some of the species they house are not kept elsewhere , so you cannot compare? - or, because the animals are given every opportunity to retire from view if they choose, in enclosures designed to allow this? Are they not given this choice in other zoos? - I know some zoos still shut animals out to force them to display themselves. In the case of the general public, not seeing an animal is sometimes purely because they didn't look fort it, but I assume that is not the case for yourself!
It is interesting that not seeing a species (like the Pudu) immediately makes you question if they still have them; in fact I am sure I've seen Pudu with the anteater too, if so they actually have 2 groups.
Also I wonder why is it 'sad' that they have just two tigers? - most zoos dont have more than 2, does Yorkshire?, I have never been...
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Perhaps YWP thought it was sad the other tigers had died. Speaking as someone who did feel sad they were gone, and felt for the keepers, I think it is a shame to see the numbers depleted, when they were such lovely animals. Still nice to see the two who remain.

What UK zoos force their animals outside?

I'd recommend a visit to YWP, it has some lovely animals and exhibitry.
 
Thanks for the last few replies. I certainly am not someone who gets annoyed when I don’t see a particular animal, although like most people I have my favourites. I am a regular visitor to YWP and Wolds as they are fairly close but I do like Hamerton and try to visit a few times a year. There’s always something unusual to see. I did manage to get a good look at the raccoons recently, first time for me. I certainly don’t agree with animals being forced to be outside just to please visitors.
I was just commenting that it was sad that Hamerton has lost 2 of its tigers fairly recently. I was devastated when Vlad at YWP died.
 
I don't think there's anything wrong with experiencing and expressing disappointment when you miss a species. I am also disappointed when a friend cancels plans -- sometimes this is necessary for your friend's welfare, too (and I have cancelled plans as well!) and perfectly respectable, but certainly you would like to be seeing them happy, healthy and comfortable. I view it through that lens.

I missed a number of interesting species in my visit to Hamerton, but of course also saw many that I had incredible luck to see, so it all worked out as a very positive visit, and I look forward to revisiting on my next trek across the pond!
 
Lafone said:
Perhaps YWP thought it was sad the other tigers had died. Speaking as someone who did feel sad they were gone, and felt for the keepers, I think it is a shame to see the numbers depleted, when they were such lovely animals. Still nice to see the two who remain.

What UK zoos force their animals outside?

I'd recommend a visit to YWP, it has some lovely animals and exhibitry.
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In all years that I have been working with exotics and zoo visits and speaking to keepers,I have never known animals being forced outside. Obviously, there are occasions when animals have to be locked in/outside for certain reasons, most obvious one being for cleaning out periods.
 
 
Fun few hours at Hamerton this afternoon. I was working in the area so took the afternoon off. Lovely weather and quiet spaces, quite the treat.

Was great to see the collared lemur twins leaping about. Young wallaby and the new tawny frogmouths were also fun. Also lovely to see a young barking owl in the enclosure too, all downy feathers and huge eyes, such great looking birds. Enjoyed seeing the new marmosets as didn't see those on my last visit. The young vulture is now quite the size too.

Lots of active animals all round; even the bat eared foxes were sitting outside in the sun and we watched each other for a bit before they fled back inside.

The tortoises were out enjoying the paddock opposite their house (sharing with the wallabies and red breasted geese), good views to be had of them munching away in the long grass.

The red crowned cranes looked to be sitting on a nest but coudn't see underneath to see if there was anything in it.

The cheetah cubs were very active, playing chase all around the enclosure with their mother just before closing which was excellent to watch.

The hard standing from my last visit (near the foxes and next to the parrots) now has a building on it

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and there has been more work in the building area near the guenons and racoons, with new building work and a couple of new hard standings in place

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Don't know what is going in either of these spaces, but nice to see things developing.

Construction in the flamingo enclosure from my last trip appears to be for new netting, with the wires and pillars in place, so it appears the aviary is going to be completely netted in.

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