To be somewhat fair it wasn't the biggest cheetah space... even when it was combined with old/present serval for a while.
But for sure some nice thing could go there. Maybe a caracal
Marwell Wildlife Marwell Zoo News 2024
- Thread starter UngulateNerd92
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But for sure some nice thing could go there. Maybe a caracal
HelloCrossy67
Well-Known Member
My main hope is an influx of species at the back of the zoo! Eco Island, Old GLT Walk-through, Old Red Pabda and even the Hartmans Enclosure could gain a few edits or be redeveloped
Yes, I've heard others mention it was too small in the past. I'm no expert and don't know what the institutional size guidelines are for the species but having a look from google maps it doesn't seem particularly small to me. Even if you did think it was too small for Cheetah's it certainly could be used for another carnivore.
From what I recall the GLT walkthrough was built upon what was a rabbit mound when the area was a children’s farm. In those times the area had some outdoor enclosures for domesticated mammals and turkeys. I recall seeing a video taken in either early or late 2000 that showed reindeer and llamas in pens directly adjacent to the mound - though I am not sure as to whether these were permanent enclosures or if they were moved for grazing later in the year. In any case the llamas were moved to a central corral, as were the sheep and goats formerly free roaming, perhaps after Foot and Mouth. From what I have seen there was some period of time when Marwell was without rabbits - apparently the mound was used for meerkats in the intervening time - but rabbits returned circa 2005.
Though given the shape of the enclosure I am not entirely sure how it could be redeveloped… I would say something about a nice aviary but Marwell already has two.
That entire area seems a bit lost at the moment, as if nobody has any idea what to do with it. Anything would be nice, I like to idea of an aviary even if there are others in the zoo. Alternatively you could fill in the 'walk through' area, add some glass to the sides and use it for small mammals.
I think what it could really use is another mammal attraction. There were the coatis which I suppose were hailed in as the next mammal thing after the tamarins failed there. But of course EU legislation kicked in and they were replaced with Red Panda. Which is a nice species but not quite as active as a group of coatis. The wallaby area is nice but still I feel the area is missing another mammal. I think the ex-walkthrough could provide nicely for another.
The red panda's always felt a bit out of place in that coati enclosure - too exposed!
Agree re the wallaby walk through. Just doesn't seem to be many wallabies or much activity there tbh.
American Badger?
I agree with dillotest that a mammal attraction is needed. I wouldn't say the former golden lion tamarin enclosure is a priority though. It is tucked out the way in the corner of the zoo. I doubt most people who didn't know it was there previously notice it. I think they need to turn around some of the more prominent empty enclosures first.
The former macaque island would be one of the priorities for me as that is in an obvious place. HelloCrossy made an interesting point about the mountain zebras. Since the zoo reduced the number of individuals they keep of several species, several paddocks do look quite empty considering their size and that they may only contain 3 or 4 animals. There are a few places they could bring numbers up or add an extra species.
I also wonder when something will happen with the former African valley. It might not happen in the short or even medium term, but it does seem inevitable to me that at some point they are going to have an idea for a new exhibit and start looking at all that underutilised space.
The former macaque island would be one of the priorities for me as that is in an obvious place. HelloCrossy made an interesting point about the mountain zebras. Since the zoo reduced the number of individuals they keep of several species, several paddocks do look quite empty considering their size and that they may only contain 3 or 4 animals. There are a few places they could bring numbers up or add an extra species.
I also wonder when something will happen with the former African valley. It might not happen in the short or even medium term, but it does seem inevitable to me that at some point they are going to have an idea for a new exhibit and start looking at all that underutilised space.
HelloCrossy67
Well-Known Member
I think the "Eco Island" is of highest priority. But I believe there are 2 siamang in the house, as j saw yesterday. Any notes on this?
What other enclosures are currently empty par this, the Old Red Panda & the Old Meerkat by Banteng?
What other enclosures are currently empty par this, the Old Red Panda & the Old Meerkat by Banteng?
UK Badgers wouldn't show above ground during the day so maybe try a different species?
That is true. Though I'm not sure how easy the species would be to import across the pond...
No idea, although some of the subspecies are now considered endangered.
I think there are grounds to bring in quite a few North American species not commonly found in the UK.
I would like to see more Puma, Bison, Bobcat, Lynx, Grizzly (Kodiak especially), Black Bear, Wolverine, Moose/Elk, Wapiti, Bighorn, Rocky Mountain Goat, even down to Groundhogs, Prairie Dogs and Marmots.
They would be the basis of a fairly good collection on their own!
However, specific to Marwell, since Meerkat seemed to supplant the majority of small carnivore spaces (a sadly common issue for a long time now), it would be a great move to have some active species that aren't too shy. The Coati family "pit" always had a crowd around it watching their antics.
Even the Red Panda always had a crowd simply trying to find them in the trees. The ones at Longleat seem a lot more showy and confident.
Doesn't need to be something big or an expensive exhibit, just something interesting.
I'm sure there must be surplus animals that could fill the empty spaces up for next to nothing, cost wise.
I think there are grounds to bring in quite a few North American species not commonly found in the UK.
I would like to see more Puma, Bison, Bobcat, Lynx, Grizzly (Kodiak especially), Black Bear, Wolverine, Moose/Elk, Wapiti, Bighorn, Rocky Mountain Goat, even down to Groundhogs, Prairie Dogs and Marmots.
They would be the basis of a fairly good collection on their own!
However, specific to Marwell, since Meerkat seemed to supplant the majority of small carnivore spaces (a sadly common issue for a long time now), it would be a great move to have some active species that aren't too shy. The Coati family "pit" always had a crowd around it watching their antics.
Even the Red Panda always had a crowd simply trying to find them in the trees. The ones at Longleat seem a lot more showy and confident.
Doesn't need to be something big or an expensive exhibit, just something interesting.
I'm sure there must be surplus animals that could fill the empty spaces up for next to nothing, cost wise.
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
I don't know the areas that you talking about it's been a long time since i have visited Marwell but I agree with your comment about Kodiak bears
Meet our new Chief Executive, Laura Read - Marwell Zoo
The new Chief Executive has been announced - it is Laura Read.
'Laura has 20 years of experience in leadership roles within the destination management, retail, hospitality and events sectors and is joining Marwell from Westquay Shopping Centre where she is currently Destination Director.' She will take office officially in March.
But what is interesting is Laura's relation with biology - she graduated from Warwick University in Biological Sciences, and describes conservation as her lifelong passion; and looks forward to being able to combine her long-standing commercial experience with that of her long-standing passion for conservation.
“I am very much looking forward to applying my skills to grow and develop Marwell, both as a fantastic zoo experience for our visitors but also as a globally leading force in the preservation of biodiversity. I am so proud to be working for an organisation that has done so much to protect some of the planet’s most vulnerable species.”
The new Chief Executive has been announced - it is Laura Read.
'Laura has 20 years of experience in leadership roles within the destination management, retail, hospitality and events sectors and is joining Marwell from Westquay Shopping Centre where she is currently Destination Director.' She will take office officially in March.
But what is interesting is Laura's relation with biology - she graduated from Warwick University in Biological Sciences, and describes conservation as her lifelong passion; and looks forward to being able to combine her long-standing commercial experience with that of her long-standing passion for conservation.
“I am very much looking forward to applying my skills to grow and develop Marwell, both as a fantastic zoo experience for our visitors but also as a globally leading force in the preservation of biodiversity. I am so proud to be working for an organisation that has done so much to protect some of the planet’s most vulnerable species.”
Initially struck me as a bit of a left field appointment. The other interesting comment is that she used to visit as a child herself and now visits with her own family.
I did wonder what other zoo CEOs did beforehand so I looked a few up. It seems having some senior business background is normal based on the small sample I checked.
Chester - Was managing director of Exeter Airport. He did though join Chester Zoo as Chief Operating Officer and was later promoted to CEO.
ZSL - Civil servant. Was the media director of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport prior to joining.
RZSS - This was a zoo background. His previous role was CEO for the Zoological Society of East Anglia. I couldn't quickly find what he did prior to that. I then looked up the current CEO for the East Anglia society. Prior to joining she was the commercial director for a national chain of garden centres.
I did wonder what other zoo CEOs did beforehand so I looked a few up. It seems having some senior business background is normal based on the small sample I checked.
Chester - Was managing director of Exeter Airport. He did though join Chester Zoo as Chief Operating Officer and was later promoted to CEO.
ZSL - Civil servant. Was the media director of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport prior to joining.
RZSS - This was a zoo background. His previous role was CEO for the Zoological Society of East Anglia. I couldn't quickly find what he did prior to that. I then looked up the current CEO for the East Anglia society. Prior to joining she was the commercial director for a national chain of garden centres.
From what I see Westquay is a popular location with good popular opinion. Obviously I am not one to say that one’s experience with such establishment can translate directly into such a different medium as a zoo - but given the additional she has said I have good hopes for what she can achieve at Marwell.
My hope is that in having visited many times already she knows what she likes about the place, and what can be done better. Then hopefully that should lead to exciting things!
My hope is that in having visited many times already she knows what she likes about the place, and what can be done better. Then hopefully that should lead to exciting things!
Westquay is a fine shopping centre, although I always take things like that with a pinch of salt due to its location and lack of competition. I suppose like many places like that the best thing I can say is that I don't have any complaints, which is a good review imo.
I won't comment too much on this appointment but like many I'm always sceptical about appointments from outside of the zoo world, but we all know staff of this level with industry experience are at such a premium due to there being so few zoos (and major ones at that). But I will say it's good they have a degree in the appropriate area. Here's hoping this is the start of a great new chapter for marwell!