Couldn't agree more, which is why i feel it's about time Marwell sprung a few surprises, instead of leaving those for other zoos.
Couldn't agree more, which is why i feel it's about time Marwell sprung a few surprises, instead of leaving those for other zoos.
Dicerorhinus
Well-Known Member
The majority of enclosures at Marwell are fine.
I don’t think the diversity of species has declined a great deal at Marwell, which is why I don’t understand the fuss. Almost every zoo in the developed world has seen a reduction in species exhibited in order to reallocate resources and space to improve the circumstances of those that remain. Why has Marwell been singled out?
I was comparing the ungulate exhibits of two collections I had visited in a relatively short space of time. I think the fact that Busch Gardens is a theme park (much more so now than when I first visited) is irrelevant both institutions were displaying similar species it’s just that one managed mixed species groups in larger paddocks. Would you rule out drawing comparisons between Chester and Marwell because Chester also have a monorail?
Why Marwell didn’t merge it’s paddocks and create large mixed enclosures is a question perhaps those more familiar with the park can answer.
I’m certainly not saying it’s one of the best zoos in the USA but I'm not too old to enjoy theme park rides (is anyone?) although I think developments since the "Edge of Africa" complex have a definite emphasis on the park side.
I’d like to add that Busch Gardens are active participants in many SSPs and I’m very confident they contribute more conservation money than any zoo in the UK.
Dicerorhinus
Well-Known Member
Thanks, but you don’t have to tell me what "really rare" means. You replied to a comment I made regarding the rarity of species in captivity, something important to a few members here. I obviously misunderstood you when you began discussing their population on a “global scale” and talking about animals in captivity rather than their natural range. The bulk of all Scimitar Horned Oryx are descendents from long established private collections in the middle east and, I believe, another in Spain.
I don’t need to tell anyone reading this many species managed in zoos are endangered and in severe decline.. I don’t think it’s relevant but thanks for the input.
I don't think Marwell has been singled out, other zoos have been criticised for reductions in their collection, but in some cases e.g London, it's more understandable, but Marwell have plenty of available space to build enclosures acceptable in the 21st century.
I dont think Chester having a monorail makes it a theme park.
On the subject of Busch Gardens, i am sure it does breed some endangered species under US programmes, but without wishing to prolong the argument, all i can say is it can afford to give more money to conservation, but in terms of percentage of turnover i would be surprised if its more than a lot of UK zoos!
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
To be honest its a little bit of both!
If you have inside info that will surprise us then that's great news!
If i think about it, my views currently on Marwell and
London too are based on their collections in the 70s through to early 80s when to be honest Colchester was rubbish in comparison. But i've seen that zoo go from strength to strength to be better than either in the last 10 years or so, which makes the others decline seem worse!
London too are based on their collections in the 70s through to early 80s when to be honest Colchester was rubbish in comparison. But i've seen that zoo go from strength to strength to be better than either in the last 10 years or so, which makes the others decline seem worse!
If i think about it, my views currently on Marwell and
London too are based on their collections in the 70s through to early 80s when to be honest Colchester was rubbish in comparison. But i've seen that zoo go from strength to strength to be better than either in the last 10 years or so, which makes the others decline seem worse!
London too are based on their collections in the 70s through to early 80s when to be honest Colchester was rubbish in comparison. But i've seen that zoo go from strength to strength to be better than either in the last 10 years or so, which makes the others decline seem worse!
I echo this, although my childhood visits were long before yours, when Marwell really did amaze!
I have to agree with the statement about the Marwell News , personally I much prefer to have a magazine or journal to hold to read, I can`t read something like that on the internet very easily, it is different with single pages but not magazines and journals.
But this move has been on the cards for sometime I believe, and sadly it is a reflection of the way things have been heading for some time. Marwell always was a leader in animal mangement and conservation, achieving great things in John Knowles`s days, but now the captain of that ship is no longer the driving force obviously and so, yes, without any doubt at all, the place is not the same any more and probably never will be the same again. It is not about "slating a collection", (we all love zoos on here obviously) , it is about being honest and accepting that there are problems, and there are disgruntled zoo visitors who are justified in feeling that way.
Thanks for your support of my views and so well explained too. As i think i've made clear, i have great affection for the zoo, based on the days of its founder. I just don't want the ship to go down without its captain and sincerely hope my fears are unfounded!
Congratulations to Marwell!
Marwell Wildlife praised for work with endangered species (From This is Hampshire)
Marwell Wildlife praised for work with endangered species (From This is Hampshire)
Judging from recent work I would suspect some new developments will happen in due course. The cheetah habitat along with the new aviaries have been the latest projects (and yes penguins ...). I personally quite like the cheetah area ...!!!
It means a great deal to me too , which only makes it all the more harder to accept the way things are going , but we have to accept it, the "knowles era" is now well and truly gone, swept away by the new broom as they say, that includes many who were formerly a part of that. Marwell is a very different place in more ways than is generally apparent to the casual outside viewer. But theres little point going over and over it. Marwell will move forward, hopefully, but obviously not in the same way as it once did.
It is still the only case I know of in the UK where a major animal collection lost the involvement of its founder(or any relatives thereof) and therefore its original vision/direction and has been replaced by I know-not- what.
It is still the only case I know of in the UK where a major animal collection lost the involvement of its founder(or any relatives thereof) and therefore its original vision/direction and has been replaced by I know-not- what.
It is a great shame that John Knowles sons were not interested in keeping Marwell in the family. It is also a great shame that John was pushed out. If you read John Knowles book "My Marwellous Life" it will explain all.
Pertinax I will PM you.
If their hearts weren't in it, it's probably just as well they didn't take over. We would have a similar situation to another couple of collections where either they wanted to close it down, sent the results of its breeding programmes to the wild at risk of slaughter or we would be continuously told Marwell's not like other zoos! Although on that last point, i think maybe thats what those running 'Marwell Wildlife' probably think!