Hamerton Zoo Park Hamerton Zoo News 2024
- Thread starter WhistlingKite24
- Start date
Not all that much of a surprise, given the age of the Hamerton animals - but a definite pity, as it means we are one step closer to the imminent loss of the species from European collections with only one or two other highly-geriatric individuals present in Europe.
The recently-split Southern Tigrina is doing marginally better, but not all that much.
JonWild
Well-Known Member
The opening in the small house under construction by the guenons is really reminiscent of the small doorways that the aardwolf house used to have, so they could be acquiring aardwolves again sometime in the future???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
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
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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I think that's enough of a stretch that you may pull a muscle
all it suggests is that the zoo may obtain a species of a similar size at some point.... which doesn't exactly narrow things down whatsoever given how many species (carnivoran or otherwise) would fit through a door of that scale.ZooNews2024
Well-Known Member
Quite - looks as though the doors would suit many bird spp, maybe also DikDik, Pudu (they have recently had another baby and received a male from Chester, making 3.3 according to the keeper I spoke to). Duiker would be nice too... There appear to be high level doors too, so maybe birds? - I saw Barbary Partridges, which seem to be new...I think that's enough of a stretch that you may pull a muscle
If guenons can construct a small house, perhaps Angela Rayner should employ them to build new homes in the UK.
Zoo Grapevine reports that two species of bush squirrel (Smith's and red bush squirrel) will shortly go on show, hopefully mixed with Philby's and Barbary partridges.
Additionally, does anyone have an information on a good time of day to see the oncilla?
Additionally, does anyone have an information on a good time of day to see the oncilla?
The Sumatran White-bearded Civets have bred again with the female producing her fourth litter of kits. This time three were produced. For the safety of the offspring and female, keepers finished off the rearing process and the triplets will soon go on-show. Once sexed, they hope to establish a second pair at another zoo: Hamerton Zoo Park - Animal Park Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
Excellent news about the squirrels!
I usually see the oncilla best in the late afternoon, in the hour or two before closing.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Great news on the squirrels that will be lovely. Wonder if they are popping into the new enclosures opposite the guenons.
Good to see this becoming official
weirdly enough, even though the Red Bush Squirrel would be a lifetick I'm actually more pleased about the Philby's - a species I haven't seen in a decade, and that only fleetingly.
I think you are correct
Hello there, I'm an annual pass holder and been several times this year so familiar with the layout, but can somebody please point out where the following are located please as I must be walking around with my eyes closed
Oncilla
Bat Eared Fox
Rusty Spotted Cat
And any tips to see the hyenas 4 visits this year at various stages and no sighting yet!
Oncilla
Bat Eared Fox
Rusty Spotted Cat
And any tips to see the hyenas 4 visits this year at various stages and no sighting yet!
Oncilla & RS Cat are down the path between binturong and Tayra.
Bat eared fox opposite corsac fox on path towards hyaena & serval
Think you have just been unlucky with hyaena
Prochilodus246
Well-Known Member
I'm planning to visit very soon and wondered if there are any tips regarding seeing the jackals as well as the brushtail and golden possums as well as the wombats in daylight?
Are the hyenas often out and about and photogenic as this is another species that I haven't yet seen at Hamerton?
Thanks
Are the hyenas often out and about and photogenic as this is another species that I haven't yet seen at Hamerton?
Thanks
I can't help much but if it is worth mentioning: though the hyenas don't seem out much, but when I visited in April, they were feeding and seemed quite photogenic on this occasion, so I think if you see them they should be cooperative. I had no luck on the marsupials.I'm planning to visit very soon and wondered if there are any tips regarding seeing the jackals as well as the brushtail and golden possums as well as the wombats in daylight?
Are the hyenas often out and about and photogenic as this is another species that I haven't yet seen at Hamerton?
Thanks
Lafone
Well-Known Member
I'm planning to visit very soon and wondered if there are any tips regarding seeing the jackals as well as the brushtail and golden possums as well as the wombats in daylight?
Are the hyenas often out and about and photogenic as this is another species that I haven't yet seen at Hamerton?
Thanks
The jackals are usually very visible with at least one sleeping near the end of the enclosure near the otters when it’s good weather.
I’ve seen the yellow possoms at opening when they are fed but infrequently and the others very rarely so I think it’s a bit of pot luck and I can count on the fingers of a hand the times I’ve seen the lot!
You can see the yellow possums in their nest space through viewing windows in the exit to the outback aviary if they are asleep.
The young wombat in the barn area has been out and about near closing time a couple of times. I’ve seen the hyenas a fair amount but going back frequently might be needed. They are often fed near closing too so good to keep an eye out for the keepers on their ATV and see where they head to.
Prochilodus246
Well-Known Member
On my last visit (16th August), I got very lucky with the jackal next to the Canada lynx shortly before closing time. A silly poor collared dove found its way into the lynx enclosure and was flapping about, and caught the attention of one of the jackals. Then the lynx saw it and played around with it for a little while. Eventually the lynx caught the poor bird and carried it away. Made for great photos of both individuals.
The hyaenas were lying around in the shelter by the front of the enclosure when I made my first walkaround around 2 pm, and closer to 5, two of them were active, walking around.
No luck with possums or the wombats despite checking many times, but it was a very warm and sunny day so it might be easier in September.
The hyaenas were lying around in the shelter by the front of the enclosure when I made my first walkaround around 2 pm, and closer to 5, two of them were active, walking around.
No luck with possums or the wombats despite checking many times, but it was a very warm and sunny day so it might be easier in September.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Had a fun day at Hamerton today with lots of animal activity. It was warm but with a decent breeze and not too busy. Lots of activity among the cheetahs, corsac foxes, hyenas and the young wombat who emerged just before closing. It was (of course) a possum free day but the Rusty Spotted cat was out.
The reptile house work noted above has completed and the vivariums have been rearranged (some updated pictures in the gallery) for the current residents;
The black tree monitors were particularly lively.
Only saw two of the bears (the female Laika and one of her brothers) during enclosure cleaning, feeding and also later in the day, assume the other bear was in the inside den somewhere as not outside in either space.
The house and enclosure under construction near the bat eared foxes looks near completion.
The otter enclosure had a barrier preventing access to the window as when the second otter arrived and one of the otters was out a few times.
It was fun to see a couple of nice young potoroo for the group sharing with the collared lemurs next to the lovebirds, the whole family active just before closing.
There was also a very cute new arrival for the Common Marmosets.
The red crowned cranes were sitting on a single egg - it was interesting to see them turning the egg and carefully placing new twigs and feathers around it in the nest. The Saurus cranes are also sitting, with the previous youngster in the rear enclosure as noted above. The grey crowned crane that shares with the hooded vultures was also on a nest.
The new young civets were sweet to see with helpful signage about them and their enclosure which is filled with bowls, toys and blankets for now.
Definite highlight of the day was a fantastic view of the 5 month old Ruppell's Griffon Vulture who was standing on the egg incubator desk right next to the window in the nursery. Being a pane of glass distance away from such a wonderful young bird was quite a moment. Beautiful feathers and such a good view of the feet. Awesome. Later on it had gone back onto the nest viewable through the drilled holes.
A new building was under construction in the far paddock visible from the bear enclosure, in front of the van in this not particularly good iphone shot taken from the bear platform.
The reptile house work noted above has completed and the vivariums have been rearranged (some updated pictures in the gallery) for the current residents;
- Anthill python
- Black tree monitor
- Giant African millipede
- Rio Fuerte beaded lizard
- Pygmy Mulga monitor
- Gidgee Skink
The black tree monitors were particularly lively.
Only saw two of the bears (the female Laika and one of her brothers) during enclosure cleaning, feeding and also later in the day, assume the other bear was in the inside den somewhere as not outside in either space.
The house and enclosure under construction near the bat eared foxes looks near completion.
The otter enclosure had a barrier preventing access to the window as when the second otter arrived and one of the otters was out a few times.
It was fun to see a couple of nice young potoroo for the group sharing with the collared lemurs next to the lovebirds, the whole family active just before closing.
There was also a very cute new arrival for the Common Marmosets.
The red crowned cranes were sitting on a single egg - it was interesting to see them turning the egg and carefully placing new twigs and feathers around it in the nest. The Saurus cranes are also sitting, with the previous youngster in the rear enclosure as noted above. The grey crowned crane that shares with the hooded vultures was also on a nest.
The new young civets were sweet to see with helpful signage about them and their enclosure which is filled with bowls, toys and blankets for now.
Definite highlight of the day was a fantastic view of the 5 month old Ruppell's Griffon Vulture who was standing on the egg incubator desk right next to the window in the nursery. Being a pane of glass distance away from such a wonderful young bird was quite a moment. Beautiful feathers and such a good view of the feet. Awesome. Later on it had gone back onto the nest viewable through the drilled holes.
A new building was under construction in the far paddock visible from the bear enclosure, in front of the van in this not particularly good iphone shot taken from the bear platform.
