Fenn Bell Zoo - A First Visit

pipaluk

Well-Known Member
10+ year member
I went here for the first time today and was surprised to find there is no thread for this small zoo. There are photos from @MagpieGoose in the media section so I don't intend posting many.
This zoo should be looked at in context and compared to similar zoos that have grown on the site of other businesses such as garden centres - Hemsley, ventura, Wild, exotic zoo(or earlier ones such as rscc, the awful beaver waterworld, gentleshaw).
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of some of the enclosures : b & w ruffed lemur, ASCO, meerkat, Binturong, coati were all a lot better than I've seen in much larger zoos.
None of the exhibits were bad, probably on a par with what you might expect at wingham.

Highlights for me were very active Binturong, bobcat (first time I've seen one in the UK since kilverstone 1977), caracal, serval. Disappointed that the only species that failed me was the fishing cat- a personal favourite!

There is building work ongoing and potential for extension. At £5 entrance I would say this is better than several zoos I mentioned earlier, I wish them luck and hope to see additons in the next year or two before I will likely return
 
I had never heard of this place, so I did a little search on here after @pipaluk mentioned it in the small cats thread. A couple of unusual special species by the sounds!

Anyone know if the list on zootierliste at present is still fairly accurate?

Looking at the website, they also seem to have rebranded at some point as 'Fenn Bell Conservation Project'?
 
I’ve been here a few times as it’s not to far from where I live n people need to look at it not as a zoo built on back of the pub it’s really good value for money owners are passionate at what they do…some nice well built enclosures I really hope they continue to do well get noticed more as it has potential to be such a great place and opposite side of kent to the other zoos n aspinall
 
I had never heard of this place, so I did a little search on here after @pipaluk mentioned it in the small cats thread. A couple of unusual special species by the sounds!

Anyone know if the list on zootierliste at present is still fairly accurate?

Looking at the website, they also seem to have rebranded at some point as 'Fenn Bell Conservation Project'?
Apart from the Ural owl zootierliste is accurate as of 2 weeks ago. Doesn't show the flamingo though
 
thanks- what species of flamingo does the park hold?
Sorry they were not signed but I think they were probably Greater.
Another point re the zootierliste entry, Squirrel monkey are listed as a former holding but they definitely still had at least 4 last month.
 
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