As of last autumn (when I last visited) red river hog were in the former giant anteater enclosure. Marwell seem to be in the process of removing all enclosures in the wooded area on the southern extremity of the park with the exception of the snow leopards. When the anteaters left the peccaries moved in and their former enclosure was removed. At some later point the peccaries left Marwell and were replaced with red river hog.
Marwell Wildlife Marwell 2022 News
- Thread starter GaryA
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Any idea why this is happening? What are thw plans for the Woods?
The plan for Wetlands was to close of the South Rd past the Snow Leopards to the public, and to have a walkway from one side of the zoo to the other, this together with a new entrance pushing the present one back to the shop, the area where the Red River Hogs Antelope are now would have been the Flamingo walkthrough along with another couple of species of birds,this could still be done in the future, Wetlands would have been due to be finished and opened this year Marwells fiftieth.
The nyala, sitatunga and red river hogs are not likely to remain in this area; it was always intended that the area they currently in would be the site of the proposed flamingo 'aviary'. While Marwell has always maintained a bias towards African species it has not had a zoogeographic policy for decades, so I would expect any 'wetlands' theme to be just that.
Though speaking of new enclosures for any of these, there is still that sizeable field the Blesbok moved out of, perhaps something could go there?
So what is the plan for wetlands (just pygmy hippo) going forward?
Thanks for the further information Okapis and Zooboy.
I didn't know they were planning on closing that part of South Road to the public. I had heard about removing enclosures from that part of the zoo and that is certainly consistent with observations over the past few years, but I did not know why.
I wasn't aware that the paddock behind the shop and red river hog enclosure were planned to go as part of wetlands. I know it was going to be in that area, but wasn't of what would go, stay or be redeveloped in terms of individual enclosures.
Regarding geographic zoning, wasn't there briefly a plan to do so about 10 years ago? I don't think it lasted long or got very far, but I was under the impression that Malayan tapirs were replaced with Brazilian tapirs because the semi aquatic mammal house was in what was to become the South American zone (pygmy hippos being an anomaly).
I didn't know they were planning on closing that part of South Road to the public. I had heard about removing enclosures from that part of the zoo and that is certainly consistent with observations over the past few years, but I did not know why.
I wasn't aware that the paddock behind the shop and red river hog enclosure were planned to go as part of wetlands. I know it was going to be in that area, but wasn't of what would go, stay or be redeveloped in terms of individual enclosures.
Regarding geographic zoning, wasn't there briefly a plan to do so about 10 years ago? I don't think it lasted long or got very far, but I was under the impression that Malayan tapirs were replaced with Brazilian tapirs because the semi aquatic mammal house was in what was to become the South American zone (pygmy hippos being an anomaly).
The Semi A House was opened in 1984,pairs of Malayan Tapir, Brazilian Tapir and Pygmy Hippo were there all three species bred, but now the house is in need of replacement, the last Malayan Tapir left Marwell for Twycross in 1995
There were Malayans later than that. I have an old guide book that has Malayans in the book and on the map. Brazilians aren't mentioned anywhere. The guide book has two copyright dates, 2001 and 2004. That would be consistent with my memory as I moved to the area in late 2001 with my first Marwell visit in 2002. I can remember Malayans.
Just out of interest, would updating the semi aquatic mammal house been part of the wetlands development?
Just out of interest, would updating the semi aquatic mammal house been part of the wetlands development?
In any case, I hope that the Wetlands exhibit will perhaps breath some new life into Marwell - the mass phase-out seems to be slowing down, but the zoo itself now could use some polishing, perhaps refurnishing animal-wise..
Though if anything, I hope that this doesn't turn out to be another 'dud-exhibit' - as several of the exhibits created in the late 2000s, in my opinion, were seemingly results of a minor 'identity crisis' of sorts, in that Marwell was unsure of what to make of the site. Developments of the Australian Bushwalk, and re-developed Encounter Village, whilst perhaps ambitious, never really lived to see true potential [as shown by the one last GL tamarin in the zoo who now lives in 'Life Among the Trees, in a very densely-foliated exhibit. I failed to see him on my last visit, and I would be surprised if anyone actually managed to.] Most visitors probably won't notice much of the 'Aridlands' theming either. Add on later a mass phase-out..
But if anything, I see that Marwell appears to have somewhat more confidence with their Tropical House as the newest major exhibit, and I am hopeful that similar confidence will be when W&W sees light of day.. and maybe whatever is to come after that.
But if anything, I see that Marwell appears to have somewhat more confidence with their Tropical House as the newest major exhibit, and I am hopeful that similar confidence will be when W&W sees light of day.. and maybe whatever is to come after that.
Don't forget Cheetah Rock-lasted a couple of years before the cheetahs died out and now has serval in it.
Or the African Plains (or whatever it was tagged as), which never worked in concept or execution.
Aridlands lost nearly all the relevant species, and might as well be renamed Meerkat Empire.
Or the empty Leopard walkover.
I have said before I wonder why they seem to be funding the construction industry with all these flash in the pan exhibits, at the cost of the dwindling animal collection over far too long a period.
Reports suggest that things have picked up during Covid when I've been unable to visit, but I am dubious if another multi million pound exhibit is needed.
The style at Marwell was to keep the houses simple and shed-like and to concentrate on the animals. I hope that this will come to pass again.
Or the African Plains (or whatever it was tagged as), which never worked in concept or execution.
Aridlands lost nearly all the relevant species, and might as well be renamed Meerkat Empire.
Or the empty Leopard walkover.
I have said before I wonder why they seem to be funding the construction industry with all these flash in the pan exhibits, at the cost of the dwindling animal collection over far too long a period.
Reports suggest that things have picked up during Covid when I've been unable to visit, but I am dubious if another multi million pound exhibit is needed.
The style at Marwell was to keep the houses simple and shed-like and to concentrate on the animals. I hope that this will come to pass again.
I think perhaps a proficient example of this was with 'Desert Carnivores', which has since become a viewing area only for Yellow Mongoose. Which, nitpickingly, is not strictly inhabitat of desert..
I find it interesting to look at Marwell in contrast with a park similar in various regards, Cotswolds Wildlife Park. Granted, Cotswolds is indeed fairly larger [207 v. 140] but architectually, one could say they are somewhat similar, as zoos built around a manor etc. A contrast point, however, is that how in the last 10 years or so, the animal collection of Cotswolds has stayed relatively consistent in regards to animals - and the general esque of the park too is consistent, even in more recent exhibits like 'Little Africa'. Yet, Cotswolds seemingly practices a fine balance between consistency, and also that the park does not 'stagnate' - in that the arrival of new species is ocassional, but often greeted. [Tamandua, Hammerhead bat, Cassowary etc] Aside from some exhibits, the architecture of the park has not changed dramatically in the last 10 years.
Though that said, my optimistic side hopes that the contrast between the remaining 'historical' exhibits of Marwell and the more recent exhibits [e.g. Tropical House] as well as the relative short-lifespan of various exhibits of the late 2000s is simply signs of a transitional zoo - and that in the future, Marwell will be more consistent one way or another. I also hope that the future will see less such short-lived exhibits, which exist for a short while before blending in with the background..
I find it interesting to look at Marwell in contrast with a park similar in various regards, Cotswolds Wildlife Park. Granted, Cotswolds is indeed fairly larger [207 v. 140] but architectually, one could say they are somewhat similar, as zoos built around a manor etc. A contrast point, however, is that how in the last 10 years or so, the animal collection of Cotswolds has stayed relatively consistent in regards to animals - and the general esque of the park too is consistent, even in more recent exhibits like 'Little Africa'. Yet, Cotswolds seemingly practices a fine balance between consistency, and also that the park does not 'stagnate' - in that the arrival of new species is ocassional, but often greeted. [Tamandua, Hammerhead bat, Cassowary etc] Aside from some exhibits, the architecture of the park has not changed dramatically in the last 10 years.
Though that said, my optimistic side hopes that the contrast between the remaining 'historical' exhibits of Marwell and the more recent exhibits [e.g. Tropical House] as well as the relative short-lifespan of various exhibits of the late 2000s is simply signs of a transitional zoo - and that in the future, Marwell will be more consistent one way or another. I also hope that the future will see less such short-lived exhibits, which exist for a short while before blending in with the background..
Interesting point. I had no idea Marwell was smaller than CWP, it doesn’t feel like it and Marwell has always had a larger collection.
In terms of the zoo itself I think Marwell is larger. Regarding Cotswold, I believe the Wildlife Park is 48 acres. The 207 quoted might refer to the whole Bradwell Grove estate, of which a large proportion is used for farming.
It is an interesting comparison of the two sites though. I get the feeling the two parks are run with very different strategies at the moment. It seems like Cotswold have something they know works so don't want to deviate too much from it. I agree that Marwell seem to be going through a transitional phase. It seems like they are moving into the next phase of their plan or have changed their plan over the past year or two, for example, species they have gone out of now seem to be replaced, whilst for several years they seemed to be reducing the species and enclosures they had.
It is an interesting comparison of the two sites though. I get the feeling the two parks are run with very different strategies at the moment. It seems like Cotswold have something they know works so don't want to deviate too much from it. I agree that Marwell seem to be going through a transitional phase. It seems like they are moving into the next phase of their plan or have changed their plan over the past year or two, for example, species they have gone out of now seem to be replaced, whilst for several years they seemed to be reducing the species and enclosures they had.
Ah, it looks like the source I used somehow turned 48 into 84 > . <
But yah, it seems that CWP is just about 118 acres in size.
Anyways, perhaps the end of this conversation - I wouldn't want to derail the thread!
But yah, it seems that CWP is just about 118 acres in size.
Anyways, perhaps the end of this conversation - I wouldn't want to derail the thread!