Marwell Wildlife Marwell Zoo News 2021
- Thread starter Cat-Man
- Start date
I believe that the Clouded leopards remained in the "acclimatisation area" that was the stable yard, while the gazebo style cage in front of the Hall, mentioned by Pertinax, housed Leopard cats. Neither early guidebooks nor Marwell Zoo News mention either species. The Bartlett Society website indicates that the Leopard cats may have left Marwell in/by 1972 while the Clouded leopards left in 1974. I recall one of the latter (pair) was blind. Any further details about these animals would be welcome. Sumatran tigers (although not the original pair) were eventually moved to live alongside the Asiatic lions on the South Road.
I don't remember Leopard Cats at all, but I definitely recall the disappointment at the "no show" of the Cloudeds in the yards.
I always hoped to complete the triple of "ordinary", Snow and Clouded on one visit.
Never happened.
I think the Cloudeds may have been there later than suggested, just judging by my own age at the time, as I would have only been 5 or 6, and I was not precocious enough to make the distinction between the three species.
I also never saw the Skunk that lived in one of the walled enclosures, near the Tigers, where the Meerkats (then a rarity!!!!) were also located.
I'm pretty certain the Cloudeds were kept in that Gazebo style metal cage until they left, and not in the stableyard. I think you are correct on both the other points though- in that they left in 1974 and one of them certainly had a big cataract in one eye at least. The Gazebo cage was then moved to the Children's Zoo and used to house Coatis. I don't remember Leopard cats. There were Lynx in the stableyard though, and they even bred there too.
Last edited:
The Lynx eventually went into a house roughly where the Snow Leopards are now, I think. I have some photos of them somewhere.
That part of the zoo used to be really full, with the Tarpan, Wisent, Wild Boar, Peccaries, Wallabies, Snow Leopard, Babirusa, Takin, Lions and the Owl aviaries all along the "wooded" side at one time or another.
That part of the zoo used to be really full, with the Tarpan, Wisent, Wild Boar, Peccaries, Wallabies, Snow Leopard, Babirusa, Takin, Lions and the Owl aviaries all along the "wooded" side at one time or another.
I'm going from the bottom of the hill, right the way along. The Wisent were there, and the Tarpan. Later on the Owl aviaries went in close by. Then further along were the 2 concrete pig styes that held the wild boar and peccary.
The Lynx were on one side and the Snow Leopards on the other, opposite the yards, then the Lions, and the Anoa, Takin, Babirusa and Peccaries/Wallabies. The Cassowary were also on that side, and the Pudu house.
Bear in mind this was not all at the same time, as the animals changed in and out of various enclosures over the years, and my memory may have some gaps on some details.
The Lynx were on one side and the Snow Leopards on the other, opposite the yards, then the Lions, and the Anoa, Takin, Babirusa and Peccaries/Wallabies. The Cassowary were also on that side, and the Pudu house.
Bear in mind this was not all at the same time, as the animals changed in and out of various enclosures over the years, and my memory may have some gaps on some details.
At one time in the now empty Takin area were Malayan Tapir and even an Okapi.
My memory of the Stable Yard from the early days of Marwell was as follows . As you entered , on the left were 2 large cages for Tigers , on the right hard-stands for hoof-stock . At the back , attached to the stables were a number of small cages . One of these which had a high platform , was where I remember the Clouded Leopards . It was not possible to get close to these cages , the Lynx were housed in another . Sometimes a Clouded Leopard might be seen on the platform late in the day .
I also have a vague memory that the Clouded Leopards did not belong to Marwell , but were on loan there .
I cannot guarantee the total accuracy of any of the above , it was a long time ago !!
I also have a vague memory that the Clouded Leopards did not belong to Marwell , but were on loan there .
I cannot guarantee the total accuracy of any of the above , it was a long time ago !!
Just want to say that I find these posts about what used to be at Marwell and where they were interesting.
It has been my local large zoo for quite some time now (since 2002), but I always like finding out what was there before.
Some of the reminiscing are things I remember having seen go (and in some cases come and go), particularly around the wooded area.
It has been my local large zoo for quite some time now (since 2002), but I always like finding out what was there before.
Some of the reminiscing are things I remember having seen go (and in some cases come and go), particularly around the wooded area.
Is it a former Marwell animal?
I suspect they may not want to say. Might upset people, including keepers.
As an aside, I remember my Dad telling me that one of his friends, who was a knacker man, having a Rhino from Marwell arrive at the knackers yard to be disposed of. I wonder if the horn was removed? Obviously a bit different to dispose of than a horse carcase!
Yes, I believe it is the female Rothschilds that died in 2017. I confess I have forgotten her name, but whoever is on duty in the giraffe house when you visit will be able to provide more details.
There was a male giraffe called Kwame who died in 2017. Nsia moved abroad in the same year I think
Seems odd if it is and odd if it isn't.
All emotion aside, it would seem there could be money to be made selling off dead stock for anatomical/taxidermy purposes. Maybe that does actually happen?
Makes me wonder if that would be a viable source of Rhino horn/elephant ivory? I don't agree with it, but if the harvested remains of captive animals reduced poaching of wild populations (for the benefit of ****** who believe in folk medicine), then I'm all for it.
Makes me wonder if that would be a viable source of Rhino horn/elephant ivory? I don't agree with it, but if the harvested remains of captive animals reduced poaching of wild populations (for the benefit of ****** who believe in folk medicine), then I'm all for it.
There are strict rules about disposal of carcasses, when they need to be 'post mortemened', that they can't be fed to animals at the same establishment etc, and rightly so. Any trade in rhino horn or ivory just encourages further illegal trade, so whilst I understand your line of thinking, I don't agree.