Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens News 2023
- Thread starter Lafone
- Start date
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Had a good day at CWP today - weather was boiling (peaked at 32 degrees) and this may not have been a wise Friday day hoping for a quiet post holiday zoo! It was quiet though. And most of the animals were out and about, particularly early on.
The lions were enjoying their new sandy space and sleeping in the shade. The sifaka were very active as were the variety of mongoose.
Both young bactarian camels are looking good.
The new rhino calves are lovely! They were indoors having been in the paddock before opening - the male was outside on his own. The calves were up and about and with a quiet house had great views. Excellent to see them and a fine result for the zoo.
Saw the wolves which was nice. One red panda was out. Not much activity on the lake though as most birds were preferring the shade. The large free flight aviary near the wolverines was however a hub of activity with all the birds bathing and flying about - just great to spend time at.
The young white storks near the tapir are now almost the same size as the adult birds and have all their plumage - there was lots of enclosure activity - will be interesting to see how many are rewilded this year.
Some of the crested Guinea fowl flock were in the anteater / Mara paddock. They do get around!
Lots of work going on in the gardens, grounds and tidying enclosures - hats off to all the staff working hard in really hot weather.
The lions were enjoying their new sandy space and sleeping in the shade. The sifaka were very active as were the variety of mongoose.
Both young bactarian camels are looking good.
The new rhino calves are lovely! They were indoors having been in the paddock before opening - the male was outside on his own. The calves were up and about and with a quiet house had great views. Excellent to see them and a fine result for the zoo.
Saw the wolves which was nice. One red panda was out. Not much activity on the lake though as most birds were preferring the shade. The large free flight aviary near the wolverines was however a hub of activity with all the birds bathing and flying about - just great to spend time at.
The young white storks near the tapir are now almost the same size as the adult birds and have all their plumage - there was lots of enclosure activity - will be interesting to see how many are rewilded this year.
Some of the crested Guinea fowl flock were in the anteater / Mara paddock. They do get around!
Lots of work going on in the gardens, grounds and tidying enclosures - hats off to all the staff working hard in really hot weather.
Pandaboi
Well-Known Member
Really nice to hear you had a nice day out, I’m going to Cotswold for the first ever time tomorrow and possibly Crocs of the world on the way back. Any must see species that I should lookout for?
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
There are Spinifex Hopping Mice in one of the smaller terrariums in the Bat House and free-flying White-browed Coucal in the Tropical House, both very rare species. There are Western Moustached Laughingthrush in two aviaries, one within the Walled Garden, near the tamandua, and one opposite Madagascar. Speaking of which, there are, of course, Greater Bamboo Lemurs and Crowned Sifakas, the former in a separate habitat within Madagascar, and the latter in the Walled Garden itself. There are Great Bustards in an aviary between the wolves and cassowaries. Be sure to enter the Siamang House, which is far more interesting than you might expect with Grey Mouse Lemurs, Straw-coloured Fruit Bats and one of the biggest Green Anacondas that I have ever seen (CWP is one of the very few zoos that breeds the species). Not sure if it is true, but apparently, the zoo's male Aldabra Giant Tortoise is of the Seychelles subspecies, which would make him one of just two outside of the Seychelles to my knowledge. If you eat at the Oak Tree Restaurant, look out for a Gundi enclosure within said building - if you don't, there is a second Gundi enclosure within Little Africa, although this one isn't as impressive and doesn't hold as large a group. Another aviary within the Walled Garden houses the country's only African Openbills, very impressive birds!
Of the top of my head, that is everything, but it is more than likely that I am forgetting a few. Enjoy your visit!
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Great tips above I’d also look out for the King Vulture on the left as you enter the walled garden and check out the pallas’s cats opposite the owls as the group won’t be together for that much longer with the juveniles due to move on.
It’s worth checking for the binturong if they aren’t out first time as again the family is a good size and active.
A few loops of the park will definitely pay off.
The free flight aviaries are all worth spending time at as they have lots of different birds in and some of them are harder to see than others.
And despite the heat definitely recommend going into the tropical house with the young aracari at the end as they are a bit of a treat.
The new lion house is worth seeing and the lions are lovely (though they may well be asleep).
If it’s super busy (I suspect the sunny Saturday will bring the crowds out) it will be quieter later in the day.
It’s worth checking for the binturong if they aren’t out first time as again the family is a good size and active.
A few loops of the park will definitely pay off.
The free flight aviaries are all worth spending time at as they have lots of different birds in and some of them are harder to see than others.
And despite the heat definitely recommend going into the tropical house with the young aracari at the end as they are a bit of a treat.
The new lion house is worth seeing and the lions are lovely (though they may well be asleep).
If it’s super busy (I suspect the sunny Saturday will bring the crowds out) it will be quieter later in the day.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
I’d also mention a few of my favourite things which I’m sure are routine for us nerds but I enjoy them - the yellow mongoose (near the sifaka) and dwarf mongoose near little Africa have good enclosures with uninterrupted views. And the cotton top tamarins on the left on the way to the Madagascar walkthrough are an active and productive family who have a couple of juveniles.
also not mentioned are the clouded leopards just by little africa and the lions, best to view them is perhaps early in the morning or near the end of day after 4ish they will be the most active, if not look up high on the platforms where the normally sleep
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
If you go to see the wolverines and they're hiding jingle your car keys(assuming you have a car or any keys),the wolverines will appear as they will think you're a keeper. I've done this a few times
Don't drop your keys in the enclosure. The wolverine could take your house keys and burgle your home. I don't think it can drive your car away.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Now there are two of them again they can reach both steering wheel and pedals. So very important advice! Heh.
Pandaboi
Well-Known Member
I didn’t like Cotswold Wildlife Park… I loved it! What an amazing place and it’s only a hour and a half away from me. Will definitely be getting a membership. As a major primate and bird lover their collection was fabulous. I didn’t think I would have enjoyed my day as much as I did.
Not only were all the animals amazing the zoo itself was too, the signage to the walled garden gave me old style vibes of zoos back in the 1970’s and it was just brilliant. The zoo itself is modern and leading the way for conservation but the vibe of the place is historical.
The Madagascar Walkthrough and the walled garden was my favourite part of the day, the sifakas were amazing such a stunning species, they even started leaping and dancing for me haha. The birds.. songbirds in particular… I was not expecting to find their large collection of Asian songbirds it is nearly as good as Chesters! The fact that they keep multiple pairs in different aviary’s too is brilliant and the hanging parrots and pink pigeons were a delight to see.
Now is it just me or are the animals here… bigger than at the other zoos. The emperor tamarins at other zoos are tiny, here they are massive, same with the armadillo and squirrel monkeys haha.
The reptile and invertebrate house was also a delight. A lot go cool and interesting species in there, my sister hated it but other
then that it was amazing haha.
The rhinos were locked inside except one, would anyone know why they are all locked in except one? The babies were adorable, after awhile they came out from hiding and they showed themselves. The one baby was trying to get their mom to stand up while the other was just running around. Their outdoor and indoor enclosures were stunning, I loved the fact I could watch the rhino outside with no barrier obstructing my view.
The little Africa was nice too, the jumping rats and naked mole rats were highlights for me, though the man next to me stank of BO so my visit in little Africa came to end.
I will be posting my photos tomorrow after I visit Twycross zoo.
Overall the wildlife some is lovely and I will be going back and getting a membership, I will also be recommending if you’re in the area definitely go. It’s an amazing place and the work they do is great. Thank you everyone for the tips and the highlights. It was definitely a fun experience.
Not only were all the animals amazing the zoo itself was too, the signage to the walled garden gave me old style vibes of zoos back in the 1970’s and it was just brilliant. The zoo itself is modern and leading the way for conservation but the vibe of the place is historical.
The Madagascar Walkthrough and the walled garden was my favourite part of the day, the sifakas were amazing such a stunning species, they even started leaping and dancing for me haha. The birds.. songbirds in particular… I was not expecting to find their large collection of Asian songbirds it is nearly as good as Chesters! The fact that they keep multiple pairs in different aviary’s too is brilliant and the hanging parrots and pink pigeons were a delight to see.
Now is it just me or are the animals here… bigger than at the other zoos. The emperor tamarins at other zoos are tiny, here they are massive, same with the armadillo and squirrel monkeys haha.
The reptile and invertebrate house was also a delight. A lot go cool and interesting species in there, my sister hated it but other
then that it was amazing haha.
The rhinos were locked inside except one, would anyone know why they are all locked in except one? The babies were adorable, after awhile they came out from hiding and they showed themselves. The one baby was trying to get their mom to stand up while the other was just running around. Their outdoor and indoor enclosures were stunning, I loved the fact I could watch the rhino outside with no barrier obstructing my view.
The little Africa was nice too, the jumping rats and naked mole rats were highlights for me, though the man next to me stank of BO so my visit in little Africa came to end.
I will be posting my photos tomorrow after I visit Twycross zoo.
Overall the wildlife some is lovely and I will be going back and getting a membership, I will also be recommending if you’re in the area definitely go. It’s an amazing place and the work they do is great. Thank you everyone for the tips and the highlights. It was definitely a fun experience.
Alwaysevergreen
Well-Known Member
If you were there today, the male rhino had access to the main paddock during much of the day, certainly from 11.30 onwards. The females with the two young babies were inside, but have access to the hard standing. The male rhino, I doubt has been mixed with the females and young, and given the youngsters are less than a month old, I don't know how much access to the paddock they've been given so far.
No idea, as to your size reference, but worth remembering that there are about 20 species of Armadillo and Cotswolds are Yellow Armadillo (Six Banded), which is quite a big species.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Sounds like an awesome day out! Glad you loved it - it’s such a super place. I also love the aviaries.
As alwaysevergreen mentioned the rhinos are on rotation for access to the main paddock it seems probably due to the age of the calves (they’ve done the same before) after a while the whole crash will be back out together. I expect the cows and calves will go out together first. It’s probably a few weeks until we see them all outside. I’d imagine the heat is also something they want to be careful of.
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
Glad you mentioned the aviaries,I always got the impression the bird collection played second fiddle to the rest of the collection. The bird collection has always held some real rarities
Lafone
Well-Known Member
I guess it’s not the first thing many visitors pay attention to but they are often moving birds to new spaces / getting new ones and the free flight aviaries and tropical house have lots of interesting species so it seems they shout about it less but pay lots of attention to it in practice. There are great highlights in the breeding too like the white storks each year and then the moustached thrushes and aracari.
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
Being a bird breeder/collector ,over the years the walled garden was always an inspiration for me particularly the softbills ,especially Hornbills and Laughing Thrushes
HelloCrossy67
Well-Known Member
Planning my first visit to Cotswold WP next weekend. Is there anywhere to access a list of birds & mammals as the map and website show different things. Thanks
You can use zootierliste's Advanced Search option to search all members of a certain taxonomic group by zoo.
