I'll probably be seeing Howletts next month; any tips on at what time of day I might be seeing these guys above ground? (they were hiding when I was there a decade ago) i.e. morning, afternoon, feeding time, etc.
I'll probably be seeing Howletts next month; any tips on at what time of day I might be seeing these guys above ground? (they were hiding when I was there a decade ago) i.e. morning, afternoon, feeding time, etc.
Afternoon generally seems best for the Ratels from my two visits. It's also worth doing a lap of the small cats between about 4-4.30pm as they'll have just been fed.
Afternoon generally seems best for the Ratels from my two visits. It's also worth doing a lap of the small cats between about 4-4.30pm as they'll have just been fed.
Afternoon generally seems best for the Ratels from my two visits. It's also worth doing a lap of the small cats between about 4-4.30pm as they'll have just been fed.
He's definately right about the Small cats(both parks). I saw virtually every species active at about 4 p.m., prior to being fed, at Port Lympne my last visit, whereas previously I hardly saw any of them.
I can't remember a visit to Howletts when I haven't seen at least one Ratel.
He's definately right about the Small cats(both parks). I saw virtually every species active at about 4 p.m., prior to being fed, at Port Lympne my last visit, whereas previously I hardly saw any of them.
I can't remember a visit to Howletts when I haven't seen at least one Ratel.
This is great to know. But since I've been reading scary stories for years of how Port Lympne is laid out (i.e. easy to miss a lot of good stuff if you don't know the place almost like the back of your hand even before your first visit) and because I'm fond of small carnivores, I might ask you since we're on the subject if the small cats are housed next to or close to each other, or if I would have to be running between sections in order to catch them active around 4 PM?
That map also shows pretty clearly what is likely to happen at Port Lympne from now- the right hand 'fifth' on the Map(the West side) where the woodland is, will stay pedestrian access. Probably you could draw a line about where the standing Gorilla symbol is as I believe they've built a new pedestrian path across from roughly here cutting up through the rhino paddocks to the 'top road' to make a shortened(?)walking circuit.
I'll be interested to see how they price the changed access.
I saw all the small cats (unexpectedly) active at 2/3/4 and 5/6/7 without having to run around though its quite a trek between the two groups(down past the Lions) Port Lympne strange layout means there is lots of walking between exhibits. Probably why they are trying this new upcoming 'experience'.
Now I remember also- the Pallas Cats at Howletts- active late in the day-around 'closing' time (though they don't seem to actually have one!).
