Are you aware what the collection use to be like? when was your first visit?
Marwell Wildlife Marwell Zoo News 2024
- Thread starter UngulateNerd92
- Start date
In 2007 when James Cretney became Director there were 109 Mammals species today its 57, there were large groups of antelopes, Dama Gazelle, Nyala, Greater Kudu, Gemsbok, Sable, and Waterbuck all gone, Congo Buffalo, gone, a dozen Giraffe, as well as species like Babirusa, Takin, Diana, Colobus, Macaque, Giant Anteater, Fossa, Cheetah, all gone its such a different place now.
Thank you for your explanation, So something did clearly happen to this collection, a different director!
This is just delusional!
It sure is.
1971 and every year since.
1972?
No, 1971, a year before Marwell opened.
HelloCrossy67
Well-Known Member
As much as the current Marwell compares less to the Marwell of 2000s, (which, don't get .e wrong, is super important to comparison) I've still never found it to be a bad zoo or underwhelming of any sort? Just slightly empty and with small groups. I'm just super excited for the future, hoping we get a speculative forum about Marwells Futute (can't set one up myself)
Whilst that is an understandable first reaction, it may not be true. We will have to wait and see.
I personally view those from the political classes nor litigation work hardly the most particularly apt to lead a conservation ex situ facility.
What I have read about her she has a degree in biology along with her commercial background into this CEO role.
Yeah that's a plus. Think first and foremost a zoo is a tourist attraction and a business. That's how they make the money to afford to pay for conservation projects. So someone with those skills of running a successful commercial/leisure entity is going to do a good job. You've then got people to run the animal side - welfare and conservation and the business side. Just think with the growing distaste for zoos and the push from born free for certain animals to be no longer kept in them having someone to fight their corner legally and politically might also be useful
Had my first vist to Marwell today and loved it, highlights for me were the Bongo very much on show, the red panda very active and seeing the clouded leopard 2nd time round. Found the enclosures to be of a high standard with special mention to the mongoose and red panda enclosures. Only disappointment was the indoor tapir/pygmy hippo enclosure and i hope they have plans to improve these.
The 2 young Bongo were separated from the male and adult females for the night not sure why.
Shame the giraffe/zebra and roan antalope were not using what looks like a great outdoor space but understandable given it was a cold windy day.
Also never seen so few penguins (4)at a collection,but understand they have had issues in the past.
Will definitely be returning in the summer.
The 2 young Bongo were separated from the male and adult females for the night not sure why.
Shame the giraffe/zebra and roan antalope were not using what looks like a great outdoor space but understandable given it was a cold windy day.
Also never seen so few penguins (4)at a collection,but understand they have had issues in the past.
Will definitely be returning in the summer.
The indoor tapir/Pygmy hippo enclosures aren’t particularly noteworthy Imo, and are fairly standard from what I’ve seen for other zoos. I suspect this building isn’t up for redevelopment anytime soon, anyway. I am delighted you enjoyed your visit though, and share your enjoyment of the bongos. They’re a real treat at marwell.
That semi-aquatic house, and entire area from there up to the gift shop were actually planned to be redeveloped as a new 'wetlands' area. But that was before covid hit and since then it seems as if the plans have been dropped. I definitely think that that area will be looked at, there's no doubt the tapir/pygmy hippo currently gives a poor impression and is on the whole quite dated.
Visited today. I didn't notice anything different since my last visit. The lack of changes is perhaps the most notable news.
Tashi is dong fine. Today he was high up in one of his trees surveying his wallaby neighbours.
On the subject of the semi-aquatic mammal house I would agree it is perhaps the most dated enclosure in the whole zoo.
- There wasn't any noticeable progress with the snow leopard extension. Maybe they are waiting for it to dry out or maybe they planned for not much happening in the winter.
- The bush dogs are still off show with a sign saying they are being monitored by a vet.
- The lower path through the wallaby walkthrough is still shut. It looks like they are relining the stream through the enclosure.
Tashi is dong fine. Today he was high up in one of his trees surveying his wallaby neighbours.
On the subject of the semi-aquatic mammal house I would agree it is perhaps the most dated enclosure in the whole zoo.