Wingham Wildlife Park Wingham Wildlife news 2024

Really? When I visited it didn't look like it could hold such big animal but it was still very early in the process I guess - would be really cool though! Did they mention a date of completion by any chance?
 
Tony23 said:
Really? When I visited it didn't look like it could hold such big animal but it was still very early in the process I guess - would be really cool though! Did they mention a date of completion by any chance?
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I dont know the park that well only from wathing these lives I could be wrong I will find out for you
 
Do you know what kind of rhinos? Also, I don’t fully understand why Wingham is so much more popular than Aspinall. I mean, yes, the animal collection and commercial offerings are richer, but the welfare and exhibit quality are just so terrible, and Aspinall offers such a pleasant and relaxing visit.
 
Tony23 said:
Do you know what kind of rhinos? Also, I don’t fully understand why Wingham is so much more popular than Aspinall. I mean, yes, the animal collection and commercial offerings are richer, but the welfare and exhibit quality are just so terrible, and Aspinall offers such a pleasant and relaxing visit.
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Unfortunately I don’t know the species. And yes I agree with you, the Aspinall parks are nicer zoos overall. I choose wildwood every time for Kent zoos :)
 
Tony23 said:
Do you know what kind of rhinos? Also, I don’t fully understand why Wingham is so much more popular than Aspinall. I mean, yes, the animal collection and commercial offerings are richer, but the welfare and exhibit quality are just so terrible, and Aspinall offers such a pleasant and relaxing visit.
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Last I heard it was Black rhino's mentioned but I'm not 100% certain on this.
 
I agree that visits to aspinall parks are so much better than wingham and shame so many don’t visit cos of Damian.
Wildwood is a hidden gem in Kent it’s lovely but I think with the boki the bear operation and the publicity they got 2025 could be a great year for them with as I expect many wanting to go see the tough little guy

Wingham is like a wish version of Chester without the land imo Wingham really need to streamline there species and build bigger better for ones they wanna keep
 
Having been to Howletts and Wingham inside the same week (albeit over 8 years ago) (and then Port Lympne about 5 years ago), it was chalk and cheese.

When we went to Wingham, the chimp enclosure was brand new but had extensive signage saying they'd been refused chimps at this time due to concerns over animal welfare and the ability to care for them. There was a little raccoon running in circles, and what was really odd was that some of the cats (puma maybe? Wildcat?) had little (very little) houses to sleep in and 'get away' from the viewers.. but these were literally on the enclosure side nearest the viewers, and open sided so you could see straight in. It really felt quite ramshackle as a whole place.

Has it improved much?
 
JoB198 said:
Having been to Howletts and Wingham inside the same week (albeit over 8 years ago) (and then Port Lympne about 5 years ago), it was chalk and cheese.

When we went to Wingham, the chimp enclosure was brand new but had extensive signage saying they'd been refused chimps at this time due to concerns over animal welfare and the ability to care for them. There was a little raccoon running in circles, and what was really odd was that some of the cats (puma maybe? Wildcat?) had little (very little) houses to sleep in and 'get away' from the viewers.. but these were literally on the enclosure side nearest the viewers, and open sided so you could see straight in. It really felt quite ramshackle as a whole place.

Has it improved much?
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Their new developments for the reptile house/nocturnal house have improved enclosure sizes massively but the big cat enclosures and chimp enclosure still leave much to be desired. The small cat enclosures are infamous for these privacy-lacking hide boxes, hopefully these areas are all due for redevelopment.

I have found the general view is that they are very much in the Aspinall park’s shadow in terms of animal welfare and even causal zoo goers can see it

As an ectotherm specialist however wingham scratches an itch for me that the Aspinall parks just cant
 
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Wingham houses an impressive collection without the addition of rhinos and whatever else they bring in. But for me it’s there enclosure design which lets them down id rather have less species bigger enclosures more natural builds aswell.
Aspinalls have some great enclosures more natural and suiting to the species but like Wingham some of there’s are very dated and could do with a refresh
But it be interesting how the new lion tigers and rhino enclosures will be like at wingham.
 
disagree wingham is by far the best. at least you generally get a close up view of most animals . howletts and p.l the animals can hide away and you sometimes never see them which is why more people dont go. it may be good for the animals but not for people paying huge amounts to see them. p.l have made it even worse recently by shuting off the bottom path thus not being able to see some animals especially if they hide down the bottom.
 
so is this right that at wingham they are building new rhino, tiger and lion enclosure, if so is that more cats or are the old tiger and lion enclosure going to stop housing cats. they currently only have 1 tiger and 1 lion anyway . although one asumes the sandwich tigers may appear at some point.
 
Worth noting Wingham used to have a world class and huge reptile collection. Now just a bunch of morphs and popular pet species. Atleast the invertebrate house is good
 
sidcup said:
disagree wingham is by far the best. at least you generally get a close up view of most animals . howletts and p.l the animals can hide away and you sometimes never see them which is why more people dont go. it may be good for the animals but not for people paying huge amounts to see them. p.l have made it even worse recently by shuting off the bottom path thus not being able to see some animals especially if they hide down the bottom.
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I suppose it depends what you prefer in a zoo. Being 'brought up' on Whipsnade (and now being a regular there), that bigger more animal-friendly feeling is probably what I prefer.
 
I wonder if Wingham will end up switching over to keep Sumatran (or Siberian) Tigers in future once these new enclosures are built and ready.

I've never been to this park but I always thought their Lion enclosure looked very small, even if it has only ever housed Clarence and Brutus (RIP). Are they any chances they might be able to bring in anymore Lions to keep their lone male company, maybe some lionesses?

It is nice to see another smaller-scale zoo going into keeping Rhinoceros. Hope the enclosure will be of decent size and contain enough space for these wonderful giants.
 
Quick question: Does anyone know if the park still has Blesbok? I thought they were in with the Giraffes, but lately it seems the African crowned crane have moved in.
 
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