Marwell Wildlife Marwell Zoo News 2024
- Thread starter UngulateNerd92
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Marwell Wildlife
In time for Mother's Day, another banteng was born.
Does such a thing count as news at this point?
In time for Mother's Day, another banteng was born.
Does such a thing count as news at this point?
Ten maybe another female will give birth
Notes from a visit today. Quite a lot going on.
- Because of the glow event in December limiting the time members could visit during that month, members had their membership extended by a month. I didn't know about that until I thought mine had expired and tried to renew it.
- On the snow leopard extension.
- New paths have been laid to the extension and new signs have been put up.
- They have been working on the existing trees within the extension area. It is too early to see exactly what they are doing but it looks as though they might be incorporating climbing structures or resting platforms into the trees. They have also cleared branches and prepared trees where it looks like they do not want the snow leopards climbing.
- Has anything happened to the sloth. In each of my previous visits since the new tropical house opened there has been a member of staff tracking him around the house. There were no staff in the tropical house today and I didn't any sign of the sloth.
- One of the clouded leopards was being very showy today spending quite a lot of time in view. They were getting a lot of attention and there was a small crowd around their enclosure. A lot of people don't realise how small clouded leopards are. I heard several people saying it was a baby.
- Przewalski's horses were back in the former African Valley again.
- Have the emperor and golden-handed tamarins gone from Life Among the Trees. I didn't see them and their signs had gone.
- Did Marwell already have bush thick knees? They are in the walkthrough aviary between the wallabies and Cold Blooded Corner. I don't recall seeing them before.
- The giraffes were shut inside today. The roan antelope and plains zebra still had access to the paddock. The former cheetah enclosure that was incorporated into the giraffe paddock has been separated off by a load of branches. Are there plans to make this an enclosure again?
- Great to see all the new penguins. Makes the exhibit look so much better. As it will be the first one for most visitors it is important it makes a good impression. I also saw one penguin exploring the grassy area at the back of the enclosure. I don't think I can remember seeing one back there before.
- Is anything happening with the tiger exhibit. Both pools had been drained which I thought seemed a bit odd.
- A thought I had whilst I was there today. With all the young they have had they are building up quite an impressive herd of banteng, should they be moved to a larger paddock. I know some of the larger paddocks can look quite empty to due the small number of individual animals. To me swapping the banteng and mountain zebra would make sense.
Wonder what the long term plans are for the African Valley now with Przewalski's horses.
Similarly, if the large banteng herd is a sign of things to come on further developments on an Asian tropical theme in the zoo?
Similarly, if the large banteng herd is a sign of things to come on further developments on an Asian tropical theme in the zoo?
I am annoyed they couldn't utilise it more. With the horses there there are quite a lot of things they could do with it. Add some bison for a Pleistocene theme, some camels and Asiatic deer for an Asian theme, perhaps even some longhorns there to highlight the work Marwell does in preserving marshes using those species!
I concede it's not what they wanted with the African development but that doesn't mean that they can't do much more with it. Though I suppose extra housing would need to be built
Yes, there is still a lot of potential there, but achieving it will be difficult. The absence of housing is an obvious one - where is the horses indoor accommodation?
A second, often underdiscussed, issue with the valley is the absence of viewing. You can only view the valley from the restaurant terrace or a small viewing area by the entrance, which often gets extremely crowded with either people queuing to get into the restaurant, or those trying to look at the horses. I can accept that the large enclosure makes the horses to difficult to view, but this is exasperated massively by the absence of proper viewing areas.
The result of the above means I barely ever get to see the Przewalski's Horses at Marwell, which were once a key part of my visit there. Had the African Valley ever gotten into full swing, this would have been a major problem. If they were to develop the valley further I feel that this is something which needs to be addressed.
The Przewalski's horses still have their paddock between the lesser kudus and blesboks which is where their housing is. That row of paddocks backs onto the African Valley. I am presuming there are gates between the two.
The whole African Valley project just looks like it was never thought through properly when planned. Viewing only being possible from the outdoor eating area for Cafe Graze is just ridiculous. What makes it even more stupid is that the African Valley and Cafe Graze were built at about the same time.
Resolving either the viewing or housing issue would require building work so there isn't a quick cheap fix.
I think using it for Przewalski's horses might be the best option for the foreseeable future. To the majority of people they are just horses so you are unlikely to get conflict between those who want to view and those who want to eat their lunch. To those who know what they are but are not familiar with Marwell will probably be pleased to see them get such a large paddock.
The whole African Valley project just looks like it was never thought through properly when planned. Viewing only being possible from the outdoor eating area for Cafe Graze is just ridiculous. What makes it even more stupid is that the African Valley and Cafe Graze were built at about the same time.
Resolving either the viewing or housing issue would require building work so there isn't a quick cheap fix.
I think using it for Przewalski's horses might be the best option for the foreseeable future. To the majority of people they are just horses so you are unlikely to get conflict between those who want to view and those who want to eat their lunch. To those who know what they are but are not familiar with Marwell will probably be pleased to see them get such a large paddock.
HelloCrossy67
Well-Known Member
HelloCrossy67
Well-Known Member
I don't know of any plans personally, however the branches were up per my October visit, then down again in my February visit... It would make sense to make it part of the girrafe field as they have done... however the lack of animals on the field means otherwise in my opinion.
The girrafes are low in numbers as are the roan Antelope and Zebra. They all also seem to stick to the back of the exhibit, with the girrafes seemingly rarely leaving their house/standing.
Some exciting news
Say hello to Warjun
Read more: bit.ly/3IVqSgE
We’re “chuffed” to announce the exciting arrival of our new snow leopard! Warjun, who will be two in May, is currently settling into his new habitat after travelling from Czech Republic.
While he gets used to his new home, his side will be closed off. You may still catch a glimpse of him but we ask you to stay behind the barriers so he can explore his new surroundings and we’ll update you once it fully reopens.
Carrie Arnold, Carnivores Team Leader, said: “Warjun is a really exciting new arrival to the zoo.
“He’s doing incredibly well since arriving last night and we’ve seen lots of positive behaviours as he starts exploring his new home. Warjun is a young animal and we hope one day he will play a vital role in securing the future of this species.”
Irina, our female snow leopard will be visible as usual on the other side of the snow leopard habitat.
Credit - Zoo Zurich, Fabio Süess
Say hello to Warjun
Read more: bit.ly/3IVqSgE
We’re “chuffed” to announce the exciting arrival of our new snow leopard! Warjun, who will be two in May, is currently settling into his new habitat after travelling from Czech Republic.
While he gets used to his new home, his side will be closed off. You may still catch a glimpse of him but we ask you to stay behind the barriers so he can explore his new surroundings and we’ll update you once it fully reopens.
Carrie Arnold, Carnivores Team Leader, said: “Warjun is a really exciting new arrival to the zoo.
“He’s doing incredibly well since arriving last night and we’ve seen lots of positive behaviours as he starts exploring his new home. Warjun is a young animal and we hope one day he will play a vital role in securing the future of this species.”
Irina, our female snow leopard will be visible as usual on the other side of the snow leopard habitat.
Credit - Zoo Zurich, Fabio Süess
Is this in the new development or part of the old[er] one?
Great news still