Fota Wildlife Park Fota Wildlife Park News

Had a good visit to Fota today. Things of note are:
  • Both stick insect species were off-show.
  • The smaller enclosure for Jamaican boa in the Tropical House is now home to two ball pythons. They are certainly a better fit since the enclosure felt a bit cramped for the boa.
  • The macaws are mixed with red-breasted and white-fronted geese and Mandarin ducks. This is a bit strange since non of those species make sense with the nearby South American theme and for the red-breasted geese and Mandarin ducks at least, are also free-roaming.
  • The island lion-tailed macaque enclosure seems to have only two animals so a new species might arrive there.
  • The old siamang enclosure appears to be empty, but I didn't go up to the site of their new to check if they have moved there.
  • There appeared to be a very young baby colobus. I know one was born this year but it looks too small to be the same one but I could be wrong.
  • Regarding the colobus, one was being harassed by the meerkats with them biting its tail and generally being a nuisance. They also seem to have a well-developed system of burrows in the outside enclosure.
As an aside, there is a good few empty spaces in the park some of which can be used to make enclosures. Also has anyone ever seen the Visayan pigs out in the main paddock with the Visayan deer? I have only ever seen them in their stall or the small run attached to the Deer and Pig House.
Edit: Also saw a baby agile gibbon, but same reservations with that as the guereza.
 
 
A new 35-metre-high panoramic wheel is being opened today, which will provide visitors with a rare aerial view of the wildlife park and its surroundings. The wheel will only be a temporary attraction, as its set to close on 8th June.

Coming Soon - The Views Are Wild!

In animal-related news, a François' langur was born on 1st February to mum Mei and dad Shinobi.

Second Endangered François' Langur Born at Fota
 
First zoo visit of the year and it was very enjoyable. Things of note are:
  • I saw the Visayan pigs and deer together for the first time and at one point, the stag was in the small stall attached to the pig side of the house. I am very happy about this since I previously thought that the pigs were confined to the stall and their stable in the house to prevent the main enclosure from being destroyed like some other zoos do.
  • There seemed to be some construction going on between the lion complex and the Visayan deer and pig enclosure with fencing surrounding it. I assume a new enclosure is being built, but that's just speculation.
  • The siamangs were split between their old and new enclosure; I counted four in the old one and two in the new one. There is still construction going on in the new enclosure (the house is still pretty small despite a large foundation) so I'm sure the other siamangs would be eventually moved there.
  • The stick insects in the Tropical House are off-show (I didn't check the Madagascan Village) and the same goes for the ball pythons and Jamaican boas. The eel seems to be absent as well which is strange since it was always visible in all my other visits.
  • There is a fully-grown guinea fowl in the Tropical House that is mixed with elongated tortoises.
  • Speaking of the Tropical House, there seem to be a row of off-show cages near it, behind the penguin enclosure. Has anyone seen any species held there?
Not news, but I saw both mountain chicken frogs today whenever I visited their enclosure and I've only seen the one of the species once before. There was also a red squirrel in the trees outside the Tropical House.
 
Rohin said:
There seemed to be some construction going on between the lion complex and the Visayan deer and pig enclosure with fencing surrounding it. I assume a new enclosure is being built, but that's just speculation.
Click to expand...

From looking at the old brochure for the Asian Sanctuary development, that area was going to be for Malayan tapir, but it could be anything. I am planning a trip to Fota soon myself, so I'll try and ask a staff member if they know what's happening.

Rohin said:
There was also a red squirrel in the trees outside the Tropical House.
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Glad you saw the red squirrel on your visit. I remember seeing a red near the drills when I visited last year, but it was too fast for me to take a photo.
 
Piece of October 2024 News Not Mentioned:

On October 24th, it was announced that the zoo transferred (0.3) black-and-white ruffed lemurs to Wingham Wildlife Park in Kent.

Celebrating World Lemur Day 2024 - Animal Experiences At Wingham Wildlife Park In Kent

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On May 14th, the zoo announced that 6 greylag geese hatched which are now on exhibit.

138 reactions · 4 comments | It's gosling season here at Fota Wildlife Park. The greylag geese lakeside having been getting at lots of attention this week. | Fota Wildlife Park
 
Rohin said:
There seemed to be some construction going on between the lion complex and the Visayan deer and pig enclosure with fencing surrounding it. I assume a new enclosure is being built, but that's just speculation.
Click to expand...
A bit late with updates, but I was at Fota last week and I managed to ask a keeper what was happening with that area. He said they're considering building an aviary on the spot, but that would depend on finances.
 
Piece of May 2025 News Not Mentioned:

On May 30th, the zoo announced that 3 more meerkats were born, which are on exhibit.

10K views · 161 reactions | Baby boom at Fota Wildlife Park this summer | Fota Wildlife Park is delighted to announce the birth of three meerkat pups to mother Biggy and dad, Snaggles, who are the dominant breeding pair within... | By Fota Wildlife Park | Facebook

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Babyrousa said:
In animal-related news, a François' langur was born on 1st February to mum Mei and dad Shinobi.

Second Endangered François' Langur Born at Fota
Click to expand...

On June 26th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) François' langur named Li was born, which is now on exhibit. The zoo also announced the first langur's sex (0.1) and name, Sheng.

2.5K views · 37 reactions | François Langur Babies Update | An update from our Primate team after the second and third endangered François' langurs born at Fota Wildlife Park earlier this year. Have you spotted... | By Fota Wildlife Park | Facebook
 
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