Am I right in thinking that land is rather limited at WMSP for grazers? I have seen no photographs where the land doesn't look overgrazed or overused. Is there even the space to give 9/10 hippopotamus ample grazing? Its easier to provide the Longleat hippos with good paddock space, they have a large lake in which they feel secure to spend most of their days, and there are only two animals, so far less pressure on the land they have access to.
Am I right in thinking that land is rather limited at WMSP for grazers? I have seen no photographs where the land doesn't look overgrazed or overused. Is there even the space to give 9/10 hippopotamus ample grazing? Its easier to provide the Longleat hippos with good paddock space, they have a large lake in which they feel secure to spend most of their days, and there are only two animals, so far less pressure on the land they have access to.
Your absolutley right. the lake is large enough but they dont have anything else really. It would be good if longleat took on some animals and the size of the WMSP herd was dramatically reduced, but the sea lions and hippo integration greatly complicates the matter.
Am I right in thinking that land is rather limited at WMSP for grazers? I have seen no photographs where the land doesn't look overgrazed or overused. Is there even the space to give 9/10 hippopotamus ample grazing?
You are correct many of the Ungulate enclosures at WMSP are very close-cropped. They do have large areas but I suspect may still be rather overstocked for the available grazing, in order to make good displays for the visitors- they have big herds of many species, Eland, Axis, Blackbuck and Nilgai for example.
Re the Hippos- they have only one smallish 'haul-out'/wallow area adjacent to their indoor barn. Plus a tiny concrete landing area below a cafe balcony(?) shop on the opposite shore which only two or three could access at the same time. The long narrow lake is mostly bordered by trees so they couldn't get out at other points anyway. They must be entirely fed on Hay/Vegetables as there is no grazing available.
But I wonder if there is even the space elsewhere in the park to graze such a large group of hippo....given other photos I've seen of the grazing at WMSP.
I don't think so- unless they somehow gave them access to an area which isn't currently used by stock. From memory I can't remember if that would be possible but on my visit nowhere obvious seemed evident. Their lake is bordered on one side mainly by ungulate housing, and the main visitor entertainment/food complexes on the other.
I think the non-grazing regime has been longterm here and isn't likely to change- its something they can get away without.
