Marwell Wildlife Marwell Zoo News 2024

Devastating news

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our much-loved Rothschild’s giraffe calf, Mbonisi.

Born in August to first-time mother Ruby, Mbonisi quickly captured all our hearts with his determined and curious spirit. Although he overcame an early infection as a newborn, his condition remained delicate and there was a high risk of further complications.

In recent weeks, our dedicated keepers and veterinary team have been closely monitoring Mbonisi after tests showed he had developed another infection. Despite undergoing intensive treatment, his condition worsened yesterday, strongly suggesting that the infection had significantly progressed.

Our teams did everything they possibly could to try to save Mbonisi, but sadly, it became evident that euthanasia was the best option to prevent further suffering. A full post mortem will now take place to enable us to better understand the cause of his condition.

Mbonisi was loved by all who met him and his loss will be felt deeply, especially by his devoted keepers and veterinary team who cared for him each day. We respectfully ask for your understanding and respect to allow our animal care teams some privacy while they come to terms with this loss.

Thank you, as always, for your compassion and support during this difficult time.
 
Terrible news. They have had a really rough year with high profile animal deaths.

I believe there are 3 Arabian oryx.
 
I had an email from Marwell that they are going to be introducing a tiered structure for annual membership.

The basic level will only include unlimited access to the zoo for a year. It won't include reciprocal visits to other zoos or the 10% discount on food/drink/items from the gift shop that members currently receive.

The mid level will include the current benefits and in addition invitations to attend talks by keepers and conservationists.

The higher (premium) level will also add previews of new events and exhibits, premium member events and friends & family days, where premium members can bring guests at a discount.
 
I did go for a quick visit this afternoon. I had the day off today using up leftover holiday. It is the start of the winter Glow event, so I could only visit between 1 and 4.

Notes
  • There is a sign saying that the crayfish exhibit will open in March. It does refer to it as native species. I don't know if that will be the name or not. The exhibit will also include sand lizards.
  • The aviary that held red-tailed laughing thrushes next to the lawn at the back of Marwell Hall appeared to be empty. The signs of gone. They also have them in the Fur, Feathers and Scales walkthrough aviary. Have they moved there or gone?
  • There are signs around the red panda exhibit about being quiet and letting them settle with each other. Have there been more behaviour issues? The viewing windows in pod 3 have been blocked off, presumably to give the pandas some privacy.
  • One half of the okapi house was closed for veterinary care.
  • I did see the mountain zebra foal.
  • The red river hogs were quite noisy today about something.
  • Has anyone seen Warjun the snow leopard in the extended area yet? I have only seen him on the big rock in the old section. Maybe he likes it there.
 
I was also there today and did the Glow event!

My friend who has an annual pass says that Warjun (Snow Leopard) hasn't been let into the new area at all. I wonder how long it will take them to acquire a new female? I loved watching Warjun feeding off the pole in the late afternoon, there was a bit of meat left on the pole and it took him several attempts to get it off the feeding pole.

I also saw the mountain zebra foal as well as the young Bongo, Addax and Dik-dik all outside.

Only other news to report from me, we spoke to someone who was observing at the Cotton Top Tamarin enclosure. They stated that Mara had been introduced to the enclosure. We did not see them but the indoor enclosure seems far too small to me for Mara? I wonder if she said the wrong species.

Most animals were very active, as we did the Glow trail we saw one of the Clouded Leopards walking around the enclosure. The Bokyboky were both very active too in the afternoon.

How many Roan Antelope are left? My friend says she has never seen them on all of her visits this year.
 
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JamesB said:
I was also there today and did the Glow event!

My friend who has an annual pass says that Warjun (Snow Leopard) hasn't been let into the new area at all. I wonder how long it will take them to acquire a new female? I loved watching Warjun feeding off the pole in the late afternoon, there was a bit of meat left on the pole and it took him several attempts to get it off the feeding pole.

I also saw the mountain zebra foal as well as the young Bongo and Dik-dik both outside.

Only other news to report from me, we spoke to someone who was observing at the Cotton Top Tamarin enclosure. They stated that Mara had been introduced to the enclosure. We did not see them but the indoor enclosure seems far too small to me for Mara? I wonder if she said the wrong species.

Most animals were very active, as we did the Glow trail we saw one of the Clouded Leopards walking around the enclosure. The Bokyboky were both very active too in the afternoon.

How many Roan Antelope are left? My friend says she has never seen them on all of her visits this year.
Click to expand...
A pair of Chacoan Mara have arrived there are still two female Roan.
 
On my last visit they were bringing stones into the cotton topped tamarin enclosure and today it looked like they had made some small shelters out of them. Given how small Chacoan mara are, it could be for them. Is there a way at ground level to get between the indoor and outdoor parts of the enclosure? I never took any notice before.

Chacoan mara are an interesting addition as they are not commonly held. Interesting that both my local regular zoos (Beale Wildlife Park being the other) have them, or is that not a coincidence ;)? Have to see if both their pairs are still there on my next visit.

They did drop to just one roan antelope this year but later acquired a second. I did see both today. I only noticed today that when looking at the plains zebra's indoor quarters you can see part of the indoor area for the roan antelopes at the back. I thought I caught something moving at the back out of the corner of my eye so looked more closely and there was a roan antelope. It moved out the way and I saw the other one behind. That was lucky though, only a very particular part of their area is visible.
 
Yes, opposite the bokibokys, although I thought that is where I recall the ring-tailed lemurs being when the area was World of Lemurs.
 
NMM said:
On my last visit they were bringing stones into the cotton topped tamarin enclosure and today it looked like they had made some small shelters out of them. Given how small Chacoan mara are, it could be for them. Is there a way at ground level to get between the indoor and outdoor parts of the enclosure? I never took any notice before.

Chacoan mara are an interesting addition as they are not commonly held. Interesting that both my local regular zoos (Beale Wildlife Park being the other) have them, or is that not a coincidence ;)? Have to see if both their pairs are still there on my next visit.

They did drop to just one roan antelope this year but later acquired a second. I did see both today. I only noticed today that when looking at the plains zebra's indoor quarters you can see part of the indoor area for the roan antelopes at the back. I thought I caught something moving at the back out of the corner of my eye so looked more closely and there was a roan antelope. It moved out the way and I saw the other one behind. That was lucky though, only a very particular part of their area is visible.
Click to expand...

Yes, I noticed a door at ground level to the outdoor enclosure and also to the off-show area. Great addition to the park, hopefully they will become easier to spot over time.

I remember it holding B&W Ruffed Lemurs many years ago. The Ring-taileds used to be in the first enclosure on left as you entered World Of Lemurs. They may well have moved around at some point.
 
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Warjun has definitely been in the new part of his enclosure - I've seen him in there myself lol

and my friend saw the mara midweek - they look fun :)
 
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