Hoo Farm Hoo Farm zoo news

[Animallover1998]

Just popped back from my local ASDA to notice a poster inside showcasing Hoo Farm which apparently will re-brand themselves as Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World.

So far they have not announced any new species or additions to the collection yet (Suppose due to COVID), but judging by the new name it won't be too long before they start to introduce some of the larger and more 'traditional' zoo animals like tigers, leopards, bears, macaques, camels, zebras, tapirs, penguins (?). IMO these are the kind of animals I can see joining the Hoo Zoo collection over the next few years but I could be wrong.

Haven't managed to pick up a leaflet yet but will upload to the gallery when available.

 

[Rajang21]

Judging by the new name it won't be too long before they start to introduce some of the larger and more 'traditional' zoo animals like tigers, leopards, bears, macaques, camels, zebras, tapirs, penguins

I don't think including 'Zoo' in the collection name implies anything of the sort.

 

[Zia]

I don't think including 'Zoo' in the collection name implies anything of the sort.

I agree - they already hold species that firmly move them out of 'Farm Park' territiory. Using 'Zoo' just reflects that.

 

[nedpepper]

Visited today for the first time, nice little collection. A bit disappointed to find out that the leopard cat have gone back to their owner though.

 

[Animallover1998]

I got one of the new leaflets today and aside from the dinosaurs there doesn't seem to be any new species at the park as of recently.

 

[Brum]

Visited today (with @cliffxdavis ) and had a thoroughly pleasant visit. Got to se the bobcats and jungle cats (both new since my last visit), and we finally saw the zorillas after missing out last time. The reptile house looks a lot better now, but unfortunately it's also lacking a tenrec now. They do have desert hedgehogs though so all is not lost for lovers of insectivores. Blackbuck have gone as well, not sure where the male went but the females have passed away.

I really do enjoy visiting this place, the animals are an interesting bunch and the staff are generally happy to see you. The gorgeous weather certainly helped out as well.

 

[Pertinax]

Blackbuck have gone as well, not sure where the male went but the females have passed away.

Not surprised to hear this in the slightest. When I saw them there were three- male, female and young female(?) fawn/lamb but the paddock was quite small and they were very nervous. With these tiny numbers a death or two usually spells the end of keeping them.
Perhaps too much to hope they sent the surviving(?) male to Whipsnade or West Midlands- either could benefit from it. Hard to track as they are not a high profile species the zoos that keep them bother to mention really.

 

[Brum]

Perhaps too much to hope they sent the surviving(?) male to Whipsnade or West Midlands- either could benefit from it

He went "down south" but the keeper I spoke to wasn't sure exactly where as they hadn't dealt with the transfer personally. I did ask if it was Whipsnade (I knew you'd be interested ) but they genuinely didn't have a clue.

 

[Pertinax]

He went "down south" but the keeper I spoke to wasn't sure exactly where as they hadn't dealt with the transfer personally. I did ask if it was Whipsnade (I knew you'd be interested ) but they genuinely didn't have a clue.

Thanks... 'Down South' could indeed mean either Whipsnade- or possibly at a pinch- West Midlands. I can't think of where else have them that could need a male, unless its a private set-up somewhere.

 

[catfan]

Visited today for the first time in around 5 years and had a great day. Got to see most of what had wanted to including the cats that have arrived since I was last there (bobcats, jungle cats, rusty spotted cat - that one albeit briefly whilst heading back to sleep in the nesting box) Lovely little collection.

 

[demonmoth]

ive been debating to go to hoo zoo for the longest time but it will take me 1.30ish mins to get there, is the place quite a big collection? or is it one of those ones where i be there just for a couple of hours?

 

[littleRedPanda]

Any zoo that only take "1.30ish mins" to get to is worth going to and getting membership

 

[demonmoth]

Any zoo that only take "1.30ish mins" to get to is worth going to and getting membership

ah! I would be there all the time then! 1hr and 30mins

 

[littleRedPanda]

Takes me about that time and it's only because I wanted to get decent photos of the Bobcat that I thought it was worthy of the travel time/cost.

 

[pangolin12]

ah! I would be there all the time then! 1hr and 30mins

If you visit in late august (I think that’s the right time) then exotic zoo in Telford town park is very close to Hoo zoo

 

[demonmoth]

Takes me about that time and it's only because I wanted to get decent photos of the Bobcat that I thought it was worthy of the travel time/cost.

Yes i do like the range of smaller cats they have, just wondering if they are other zoo's around just in case i do that in a few hours

 

[demonmoth]

If you visit in late august (I think that’s the right time) then exotic zoo in Telford town park is very close to Hoo zoo

yeah just been on that website, its still closed atm?

 

[pangolin12]

yeah just been on that website, its still closed atm?

I think it is right now, but I’d suggest checking their Facebook for any updates

 

[Ned]

There's also Gentleshaw close by if you're driving.

 

[littleRedPanda]

There's also Gentleshaw close by if you're driving.

Their hours make it a bit awkward though: 11am -3:30pm although I now see they close at 4. Just a fiver , so maybe worth popping in for an hour.