Marwell Wildlife Marwell Zoo news 2025

Notes from a visit today.

  • The tropical house was closed for maintenance.
  • The aviary next to the lawn that used to hold red-railed laughing thrushes is empty. It appears they have moved to the Fur, Feathers and Scales walkthrough aviary.
  • The left hand half of the yellow mongoose exhibit was closed off. Fresh soil has been laid. Is this being prepared for a new arrival?
  • The signs for the potoroo had gone. Have they left? With the announcement of the UK native species zone I did wonder about the future of the potoroo/swft parrot exhibit.
  • The area around the African wild ass housing was fenced off. At first I assumed it might be for work, but then realised it might be to allow the new arrival to settle in.
  • I saw the new okapi calf. The okapi house was busy but everyone was quiet and well behaved.
  • There are still signs around the red panda exhibit asking people to be quiet. If they are having behaviour issues around the pandas (as implied by the signs) it is interesting that visitors are so quiet around the okapis.
  • I saw the new Chacoan maras.
  • The pygmy hippos were shut inside the semi-aquatic mammal house. The tapirs were allowed outside though.
  • Warjun the snow leopard was very vocal about something today.
  • Valentina the Amur tiger had been given some Christmas trees to play with for enrichment.

With the above news about the new wild ass, the maras, new roan antelope and new red panda there has been a steady trickle of new arrivals recently. Hopefully that continues.
 
NMM said:
Notes from a visit today.

  • The tropical house was closed for maintenance.
  • The aviary next to the lawn that used to hold red-railed laughing thrushes is empty. It appears they have moved to the Fur, Feathers and Scales walkthrough aviary.
  • The left hand half of the yellow mongoose exhibit was closed off. Fresh soil has been laid. Is this being prepared for a new arrival?
  • The signs for the potoroo had gone. Have they left? With the announcement of the UK native species zone I did wonder about the future of the potoroo/swft parrot exhibit.
  • The area around the African wild ass housing was fenced off. At first I assumed it might be for work, but then realised it might be to allow the new arrival to settle in.
  • I saw the new okapi calf. The okapi house was busy but everyone was quiet and well behaved.
  • There are still signs around the red panda exhibit asking people to be quiet. If they are having behaviour issues around the pandas (as implied by the signs) it is interesting that visitors are so quiet around the okapis.
  • I saw the new Chacoan maras.
  • The pygmy hippos were shut inside the semi-aquatic mammal house. The tapirs were allowed outside though.
  • Warjun the snow leopard was very vocal about something today.
  • Valentina the Amur tiger had been given some Christmas trees to play with for enrichment.

With the above news about the new wild ass, the maras, new roan antelope and new red panda there has been a steady trickle of new arrivals recently. Hopefully that continues.
Click to expand...
Both Potoroos have died Marwell no longer hold this species, the other half area where the two yellow mongoose are will be home to the Cusimanse, and yes there will be a steady trickle of new arrivals.
 
Thanks okapis.

The obvious next question is what will happen to the current cusimanse enclosure?
 
NMM said:
Notes from a visit today.

With the above news about the new wild ass, the maras, new roan antelope and new red panda there has been a steady trickle of new arrivals recently. Hopefully that continues.
Click to expand...

Any indication of what to expect this year?
 
okapis said:
The focus will be for species they already hold as has been said the Somali Ass has arrived.
Click to expand...
I am glad they are looking to pair up individual species at the collection or complete up full breeding groups. It is not a hard guess ... what is needed to do so.
 
Typhlonectes said:
I’m visiting Marwell for the first time tomorrow, what rarities should I look out for?
Click to expand...

Here are some suggestions.

Five species where they are the only UK holder.
  • Arabian Oryx - On your left as you take the path towards Cafe Graze. If you are heading from the direction of the clouded leopards they will be on your left before you get to that path.
  • Beisa Oryx - The paddock next to the tropical house entrance.
  • Lesser Kudu - On the map they are between the lemur and clouded leopard symbols.
  • Dorcas Gazelle - On your right as you take the path towards Cafe Graze. They share their enclosure with addax.
  • Crocodile Monitor - In the tropical house. They are the last enclosure you come to before exiting the house.
Other highlights.
  • Okapi calf.
  • Mountain zebra foal.
  • Chacoan mara - A new arrival and only 4 UK zoos have them. They are in with the cotton-topped tamarins in Life Among the Trees.
Other tips
  • I have found the clouded leopards to be easier to see than you might expect. Still not a guarantee though. I find the best place to see one is the viewing window closest to the entrance to Wild Explorers. One does seem to walk past the window every now and then.
  • If the okapis are outside and you can't see them well it is worth following the paths around their paddocks. The outdoor viewing isn't great, but there are a few spots around the paddocks where you might get a better view.
  • The lowland anoa enclosure continues down the hill from the tigers further than it looks. If you can't see them try further down the hill.
  • There is a small invertebrate exhibit (only 4 vivariums) that isn't signposted and very easy to miss. There is a covered walkway between to buildings linking the picnic area next to the wallaby walkthrough with the courtyard area outside Cold Blooded Corner. The entrance comes off that walkway.
 
NMM said:
Here are some suggestions.

Five species where they are the only UK holder.
  • Arabian Oryx - On your left as you take the path towards Cafe Graze. If you are heading from the direction of the clouded leopards they will be on your left before you get to that path.
  • Beisa Oryx - The paddock next to the tropical house entrance.
  • Lesser Kudu - On the map they are between the lemur and clouded leopard symbols.
  • Dorcas Gazelle - On your right as you take the path towards Cafe Graze. They share their enclosure with addax.
  • Crocodile Monitor - In the tropical house. They are the last enclosure you come to before exiting the house.
Other highlights.
  • Okapi calf.
  • Mountain zebra foal.
  • Chacoan mara - A new arrival and only 4 UK zoos have them. They are in with the cotton-topped tamarins in Life Among the Trees.
Other tips
  • I have found the clouded leopards to be easier to see than you might expect. Still not a guarantee though. I find the best place to see one is the viewing window closest to the entrance to Wild Explorers. One does seem to walk past the window every now and then.
  • If the okapis are outside and you can't see them well it is worth following the paths around their paddocks. The outdoor viewing isn't great, but there are a few spots around the paddocks where you might get a better view.
  • The lowland anoa enclosure continues down the hill from the tigers further than it looks. If you can't see them try further down the hill.
  • There is a small invertebrate exhibit (only 4 vivariums) that isn't signposted and very easy to miss. There is a covered walkway between to buildings linking the picnic area next to the wallaby walkthrough with the courtyard area outside Cold Blooded Corner. The entrance comes off that walkway.
Click to expand...

Not to detract from the point, but I do worry for the future of the first 4 of those "Only Holders in the UK" species. I think a move towards strengthening populations is such a good move for Marwell this year.
 
NMM said:
Here are some suggestions.

Five species where they are the only UK holder.
  • Arabian Oryx - On your left as you take the path towards Cafe Graze. If you are heading from the direction of the clouded leopards they will be on your left before you get to that path.
  • Beisa Oryx - The paddock next to the tropical house entrance.
  • Lesser Kudu - On the map they are between the lemur and clouded leopard symbols.
  • Dorcas Gazelle - On your right as you take the path towards Cafe Graze. They share their enclosure with addax.
  • Crocodile Monitor - In the tropical house. They are the last enclosure you come to before exiting the house.
Other highlights.
  • Okapi calf.
  • Mountain zebra foal.
  • Chacoan mara - A new arrival and only 4 UK zoos have them. They are in with the cotton-topped tamarins in Life Among the Trees.
Other tips
  • I have found the clouded leopards to be easier to see than you might expect. Still not a guarantee though. I find the best place to see one is the viewing window closest to the entrance to Wild Explorers. One does seem to walk past the window every now and then.
  • If the okapis are outside and you can't see them well it is worth following the paths around their paddocks. The outdoor viewing isn't great, but there are a few spots around the paddocks where you might get a better view.
  • The lowland anoa enclosure continues down the hill from the tigers further than it looks. If you can't see them try further down the hill.
  • There is a small invertebrate exhibit (only 4 vivariums) that isn't signposted and very easy to miss. There is a covered walkway between to buildings linking the picnic area next to the wallaby walkthrough with the courtyard area outside Cold Blooded Corner. The entrance comes off that walkway.
Click to expand...
Much appreciated!
 
It will be good to see the cats get paired up and the herds growing in size. Marwell is one of those places that needs herds to show it as it's best advantage.
If this then leads to new species later on, I can wait for that. I expect we all can, as there is goodwill for the new team.
 
NMM said:
  • Arabian Oryx - On your left as you take the path towards Cafe Graze. If you are heading from the direction of the clouded leopards they will be on your left before you get to that path
Click to expand...

I've asked two people over recent months if they could get some photos of the Arabian Oryx, both times they failed to see any sign of them, so don't be disappointed if they aren't visible. If they are, a photo or two in the gallery would be welcome.
 
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