Marwell Wildlife Marwell Zoo News 2024

Cat-Man said:
I could see London or Whipsnade going for them in the near future.
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They would work so well at Whipsnade and a great addition to the Asia section. Having them at London as well would be different (and amazing) and a homage to the cattle house that came before, however I don't know if London would have the space for them. The only place I can see them is the mappin terraces.
 
Cat-Man said:
Could possibly have them in the Casson, although it would require significant work. Not sure if the listed status would prevent this.
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Even if they magically got permission to indoor area redeveloped for them, there would be nowhere near enough outdoor space for them, and certainly not enough space to breed them.

Realistically, small zoos like London need to be keeping large herbivores to a minimum if they want to maintain high welfare standards. I would think one of the major factors that Marwell has had so much breeding success is the space (and quality of the grazing and vegetation) that they provide.
 
Max Blundell said:
They would work so well at Whipsnade and a great addition to the Asia section. Having them at London as well would be different (and amazing) and a homage to the cattle house that came before, however I don't know if London would have the space for them. The only place I can see them is the mappin terraces.
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It’s been mentioned here and also around the zoo that Banteng might be the direction for Whipsnade when the Gaur go as the Gaur are a phase out. But I hope the Gaur are with us for a long time yet.
 
Lafone said:
It’s been mentioned here and also around the zoo that Banteng might be the direction for Whipsnade when the Gaur go as the Gaur are a phase out. But I hope the Gaur are with us for a long time yet.
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I agree, I hope the Gaur are at Whipsnade for a long time yet as they are one of my favourite species at the zoo and it would be a shame to lose them but Banteng would be a great replacement.
 
equidae said:
Even if they magically got permission to indoor area redeveloped for them, there would be nowhere near enough outdoor space for them, and certainly not enough space to breed them.

Realistically, small zoos like London need to be keeping large herbivores to a minimum if they want to maintain high welfare standards. I would think one of the major factors that Marwell has had so much breeding success is the space (and quality of the grazing and vegetation) that they provide.
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Space likely and grazing likely, although it is basically a field which doesn't strike me as a particularly natural environment for them. Not that it appears to be doing them any harm.

I do not agree that if they had access to both sides of the casson it wouldn't be enough space, but I will caveat that by saying I'm not familiar with any institutional guidelines for the species.
 
Donate now: bit.ly/3JoohvQ We've only got 7 days to raise £20,000 to help save one of the UK's most endangered indigenous species. #GreenMatchFund... | By Marwell WildlifeFacebook
Fundraising for Marwell's White-clawed Crayfish area is now open. For the week they will be partnered with the Big Give campaign.
Of particular interest... the crayfish facilities will not be an entirely new construction but rather within an existing building. From the video it looks like it could be one of those within the Fur, Feathers and Scales/former Encounter Village area?
 
Notes from a visit today.

  • The Crayfish building is the one next to Cold Blooded Corner.
    • This is a new approach that I like. The local take on it (by referring to the Test and Itchen, two rivers local to Marwell) is a nice way to highlight that there are endangered species on your doorstep, not just exotic far flung locations.
    • I did wonder if this could also be a sort of reboot for Fur, Feathers and Scales, but then realised they already have crustaceans with the Vampire Crabs in Cold Blooded Corner.
  • Snow Leopard extension updates.
    • The extension isn't open yet but the new paths up to at are. It looks quite close to being finished. The only outstanding work I could see is some electric fencing that is in the middle of being installed and some branches that have been removed from trees need to be cleared out of the enclosure.
    • The right hand side of the existing snow leopard enclosure is still blocked off to visitors to allow Warjun to settle in.
  • One of the Giraffes has been separated from the other 3. I hope everything is okay.
  • I did see the new baby Banteng. I did a head count and saw 11.
  • Since the Przewalksi's Horses using the former African Valley has been discussed recently (they were in the valley again today), I did notice an open gate at the back of their paddock leading into the valley.
  • Again one of the Clouded Leopards was very easy to see. Two visits running I have had no trouble seeing one of them.
  • Something from the notice board that wasn't noted on here. In February a female Coppery Titi Monkey arrived from Blackpool.
  • The Asiatic Short Clawed Otters were very vocal about something today.
  • They have put logs on the window sills in the Cusimanses indoor quarters. I have noticed in the past that the Cusimanses often sit on them so maybe Marwell want to discourage this.
  • With the improving weather more animals were choosing to be outside rather than stay in their indoor quarters. It did make me realise though that since some Cotton Topped Tamarins were added to Life Among the Trees I don't think I have ever seen them outside. They have always been indoors. The ones next to the lawn behind Marwell Hall were outside. Has anyone seen the ones in Life Among the Trees spend much time outside?
 
"One of the Giraffes has been separated from the other 3. I hope everything is okay"

Fingers crossed its just routine
 
Social media conformation regarding Red River hoglet

Hello, little hoglet

We’re delighted to announce the arrival of a new red river hoglet! Born on Saturday 20 April, to mother Lisala and father Kermit.

You can see the new arrival with both parents and sisters in their habitat behind the Gift Shop.
 
Visited today, a few notes:
  • Bongo house (previously Into Africa) is currently closed - not sure why or for how long?
  • Snow Leopard enclosure looks very close to completion but no indication of dates. Managed to spot one in the main enclosure.
  • Giraffes on hard standing all day, they have put up a fence between their hard standing area and the main paddock so I presume the giraffes haven't been in the main paddock at all recently? Not sure why this is?
  • Spotted the Cotton Top Tamarin twins - very cute!
  • Crayfish currently housed in the Tropical House. Not sure how long this has been for?
  • Nice to see the penguins back up to a good number.
  • Definitely a number of hoofstock appear to be pregnant. Not sure what has been confirmed?
  • Amusing GP comment of the day was a guy approaching the lemur enclosure and stating 'oh looks Meerkats....oh actually it's Koalas'
 
JamesB said:
Visited today, a few notes:
  • Giraffes on hard standing all day, they have put up a fence between their hard standing area and the main paddock so I presume the giraffes haven't been in the main paddock at all recently? Not sure why this is?
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From what I have observed the giraffes aren't allowed into the paddock whenever the weather or ground conditions is not good. Not sure if they are worried about soft ground being a trip/slip hazard for them. When you say a fence has been put up, is this something new they have added? Usually if they don't want the giraffes going into the paddock they just don't open the gate from their hard standing area.

JamesB said:
Visited today, a few notes:
  • Crayfish currently housed in the Tropical House. Not sure how long this has been for?
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Are you referring to the red-clawed crayfish in the crocodile monitor enclosure? They have been there for some time. The recently announced crayfish project is for white-clawed crayfish.
 
NMM said:
From what I have observed the giraffes aren't allowed into the paddock whenever the weather or ground conditions is not good. Not sure if they are worried about soft ground being a trip/slip hazard for them. When you say a fence has been put up, is this something new they have added? Usually if they don't want the giraffes going into the paddock they just don't open the gate from their hard standing area.



Are you referring to the red-clawed crayfish in the crocodile monitor enclosure? They have been there for some time. The recently announced crayfish project is for white-clawed crayfish.
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There's a temporary type of electric fence across the whole of the top of the paddock where the giraffe gate is. Seems an unusual thing to put in when as you say, they can't access the paddock with the gate shut.

Didn't realise about the crayfish, thanks for clarifying.
 
It’s been a long time policy at marwell (and other institutions) to keep animals on hard standing when weather could cause welfare concerns. Speaking purely as an individual with no zoo experience it is easy to see why given giraffes nature, size and gait the barrier for allowing them into their (quite sloped) paddock would be higher. I expect the prolonged period of wet weather this spring has meant the ground is soggy and could pose quite the risk!
 
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