Marwell Wildlife Marwell Zoo News 2024

HelloCrossy67 said:
Moving slightly away from the larger hoofstock herds - Personally am worried for some of the lesser known species. The Anoa, Dorcas Gazelle. Ostriches and even the meerkats seem to be struggling at low numbers. A lack of Otter sightings makes me fear for the worst...
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All reduced in numbers under the previous administration. Although, I don't think the dorcas gazelles are doing too badly. I think there is only a single anoa and the ostriches are all female. The meerkat group is surprisingly small, I think only 3 or 4 individuals.

Given how ubiquitous Asiatic short clawed otters are I wouldn't consider it a major loss if they have gone providing they are replaced with something else. What about smooth coated otters? They would still fit the theme with the siamangs and warty pigs. At the New Forest Wildlife Park I have found them to be one of the more entertaining otter species.
 
I saw about four or five of the otters last Saturday, but was worried as to why they weren’t signposted. If they lose them then that exhibit loses a huge part of its spirit.

Regarding Anoa, are they still present?
 
I totally agree - however there is not a great track record with Marwell replacing species very fast/at all and despite not being much popular with us Zoonerds are Staple Species and crowd pleasers! Hope Laura Read changes this under her leadership.
 
To be fair in the last few years that had got a lot better at replacing species they had gone out of.

For example, clouded leopards replacing Amur, banteng replacing sable antelope, red river hog replacing peccaries, binturong replacing fossa, etc.
 
HelloCrossy67 said:
Nor animal related, but Marwell have opened a few new facilities around the zoo! A Pizzeria at the Okapi Playground and Tea Rooms at Marwell Hall for example!
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I wonder if these will be just for the summer term when there are more people visiting the zoo or if these will be year-round.
But what I like about Read's time so far is that unlike Cretney the amenities and erstwhile enclosures are separated in nature ... and the crayfish development [how's that going?] is even overtaking a former shop area!
 
On the website it does say they are just for the summer.

Don't know about the crayfish development. You can't see into the building at all so no idea what has been done so far or what is still left to do.

I also wonder when the snow leopard extension will open. It has looked more or less done for a while. I was wondering if they were holding back to advertise it as something new for the summer period, but no news at present.
 
I plan on revisiting for the year once those 2 are open. Somehow I still haven't seen Thriving Through Nature, The Bush dogs or Penguins despite visiting 3 times in the last year haha.

Crayfish development is very positive, that part of the Zoo is so empty, a new "area" is lovely.
 
Welcome to the world Buxton

A new addition to our hamerkop family has fledged the nest six weeks after hatching in the zoo’s walk-through aviary.

The hamerkop chick, who has been named Buxton, is already quite difficult to distinguish from its father, Jack hamer(kop), and Mother, MC hamerkop, as they grow very quickly but the chick does have a fluffier crest.
 
Excellent news.

Explains why the hamerkops were behaving unusually (sitting in much more prominent positions than normal) on my last visit. Probably keeping a lookout.
 
According to Marwell's facebook page, ITV Meridian's (the local ITV news program) weather forecast was from Marwell yesterday. The feature revealed two pieces of news.

1 - A Grevy's zebra foal has been born.
2 - The snow leopard extension opens today.
 
Very sad news to wake upto this morning

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our elderly snow leopard, Irina, after a decline in her health due to age related symptoms.

Irina, who turned 16 this year had been on a geriatric care plan for some time but sadly her symptoms worsened, and the incredibly difficult decision was made to euthanase her.

She spent most of her life alongside former mate Indeever and raised four healthy cubs. Irina was also a grandmother 15 times over and a great grandmother twice so her legacy will live on through the contribution she made to the survival of her species.

This is a very sad time for everyone at Marwell, particularly so soon after the death of Bagai, our male Amur tiger and Makeda the female giraffe.

Carrie Arnold, Carnivores Team Leader, said: “Irina was a very playful snow leopard, always stalking her keepers and playing 'hide and seek' with us. She was incredibly strong willed and knew exactly what she wanted! She was a very affectionate and loved sitting up high watching the world go by. She will be sorely missed by her whole team.”

Following Irina’s death, Warjun, the young male who arrived last year, will have access to the whole snow leopard habitat.

Marwell is working, along with the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), to bring a young female into the zoo next year, starting a new chapter in Marwell’s snow leopard conservation story.
 
Sad but given her age it was inevitable it was going to be sooner rather than later.

Three major animal deaths in a couple of months. It has been a rough time for Marwell.

Hopefully the breeding success they have had in the past will continue with Warjun and his future beau.
 
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