New Forest Wildlife Park The New Forest Otter, Owl & Wildlife Park
- Thread starter Zambar
- Start date
Bison nearly there; I was 4 days too early as apparently they're planning to get them from the HWP by Thursday. Elsewhere, 3 european otter cubs in the glass house which were born on April 13th have emerged and Mum's taking them on swimming lessons in the glass-fronted pool, great fun to watch. 
And the little owls have succesfully hatched out a brood of chicks, though they are being a little more private than our water-loving mustelid friends.
And whilst I saw the first adder I've seen at the park, a suprisingly small but no less impressive female, still haven't seen those damn sousliks!
And the little owls have succesfully hatched out a brood of chicks, though they are being a little more private than our water-loving mustelid friends.And whilst I saw the first adder I've seen at the park, a suprisingly small but no less impressive female, still haven't seen those damn sousliks!
Johnny Morris.
Well-Known Member
Bison nearly there; I was 4 days too early as apparently they're planning to get them from the HWP by Thursday. Elsewhere, 3 european otter cubs in the glass house which were born on April 13th have emerged and Mum's taking them on swimming lessons in the glass-fronted pool, great fun to watch.
And whilst I saw the first adder I've seen at the park, a suprisingly small but no less impressive female, still haven't seen those damn sousliks!
I visited Saturday, and hung about for the Sousliks, no joy for me either. I never got to see the Hedgehog that used to occupy that enclosure either.
Once again, a few notes if anyone's interested:
- The European Bison have arrived, and are 3 bachelor males who will we paired up for breeding in the future. When we saw them the keepers were trying to get the red deer into the meadow with them, but when you've got three huge beasts suddenly appear in the enclosure you've known for years, hesitant would be a good word to describe what they were like! Eventually though they got them through.
- Maya, a hand-reared wallaby joey, is currently living in one of the owlery otter pens.
- Grishkin the Lynx's sister, Munchkin, arrived as company for her yesterday. She was being kept in the off-show satellite pen with access to the main enclosure where Grishkin was, but both stayed out of sight the whole day as they got to reacquaint themselves through the fence between the two.
- The European Bison have arrived, and are 3 bachelor males who will we paired up for breeding in the future. When we saw them the keepers were trying to get the red deer into the meadow with them, but when you've got three huge beasts suddenly appear in the enclosure you've known for years, hesitant would be a good word to describe what they were like! Eventually though they got them through.
- Maya, a hand-reared wallaby joey, is currently living in one of the owlery otter pens.
- Grishkin the Lynx's sister, Munchkin, arrived as company for her yesterday. She was being kept in the off-show satellite pen with access to the main enclosure where Grishkin was, but both stayed out of sight the whole day as they got to reacquaint themselves through the fence between the two.
karoocheetah
Well-Known Member
I knew if I waited long enough some would be transferred here from Chesnut Centre- it was bound to happen, given their links. So a chance to see them soon (for the first time) - without travelling halfway across Britain.
yes but seeing them with their parents AND their younger brother and sister would be worth travelling halfway across britain for
yes but seeing them with their parents AND their younger brother and sister would be worth travelling halfway across britain for
Two males will do for starters.
I agree family groups of many species are far more rewarding to observe than singles and pairs- the bigger the group, the more active and interesting is the general rule. My guess is also that Giant Otters will slowly spread into some other UK Zoos now, with continued breeding success.
karoocheetah
Well-Known Member
indeed and to be honest if the Chestnut Centre continue to breed them at this rate I'm considering getting a huge garden pond and asking for a couple myself :O)
karoocheetah
Well-Known Member
The BBC are reporting the arrival of 3.0 bison, is this the same animals mentioned nearly a year ago
BBC News - Bison to be bred at Hampshire wildlife park
Johnny Morris.
Well-Known Member
The BBC are reporting the arrival of 3.0 bison, is this the same animals mentioned nearly a year ago
BBC News - Bison to be bred at Hampshire wildlife park
I imagine so, the story is about them wanting to breed them, not the arrival.
There were three when I visited a few weeks ago. I'm sure they will only get females now.
They are by far the biggest animals at the Park. They have a decent enclosure, my only critisism being the 'meadow' is a rather marshy location for them and the small Red Deer group they share with.
They are by far the biggest animals at the Park. They have a decent enclosure, my only critisism being the 'meadow' is a rather marshy location for them and the small Red Deer group they share with.