The cloudie looks like it's a hybrid with a tiger.
Marwell Wildlife Marwell Zoo news 2025
- Thread starter Nisha
- Start date
I will say regarding this there was a time when I would be absolutely livid that a zoo used generative AI to create an illustration which on second glance isn't even that good all things considered.
And am I still annoyed that this was done? Yes, Marwell has in the past been very good with pedagogical materials, and I do not want this representative of what they will provide in the future - and they are a zoo, who should be fighting the 'battle for what is real' that I've rattled on about many times on this forum... but then I look on the internet and see how in the span of just 2 years since ChatGPT's public release just how infiltrated everything's become... stock photo sites.... Google... and YouTube is especially guilty with the volume of 'slop' it has come to provide... it's enough to make me think that as for a place to learn about the natural world, the internet, or at least the parts that go most viral, is becoming something of a lost cause. Was it really better when whatever picture of an animal there was on Wikipedia was the only picture you could find anywhere? I don't know.
I recall seeing the other day to prove a point one image I think summed up how I feel about this more than any other... incidentally it was an AI-generated image, on a stock photo site... it featured a wapiti having an unusually large 'release' of dung, with a helpless fox surrounded and about to get buried itself. I think somehow for an AI image, it has managed to encapsulate the essence they have come to provide the internet.
On a somewhat different note, I will say I have been doing 3D models of different species in Blender for a good while now, and have gotten to a point where I'd like to think I'm 'somewhat good' at it. I have been building up a backlog of models for a good while now, which cost me nothing but time and effort to make most cases, and for a while I have toyed with the idea of starting an illustration company or something of sort using these models, so they can be licensed in the off-chance somebody needs an illustration of an aardwolf, a pudu, a tarsier... but can't find an image they are fully happy about. But then I question... not everybody's as experienced with Blender as myself and not everybody knows how it is used. And so I worry that if I just gave them the model or file of the Blender scene that it'd be difficult to work with... but it remains a thought.
I appreciate to hear what others think.
And am I still annoyed that this was done? Yes, Marwell has in the past been very good with pedagogical materials, and I do not want this representative of what they will provide in the future - and they are a zoo, who should be fighting the 'battle for what is real' that I've rattled on about many times on this forum... but then I look on the internet and see how in the span of just 2 years since ChatGPT's public release just how infiltrated everything's become... stock photo sites.... Google... and YouTube is especially guilty with the volume of 'slop' it has come to provide... it's enough to make me think that as for a place to learn about the natural world, the internet, or at least the parts that go most viral, is becoming something of a lost cause. Was it really better when whatever picture of an animal there was on Wikipedia was the only picture you could find anywhere? I don't know.
I recall seeing the other day to prove a point one image I think summed up how I feel about this more than any other... incidentally it was an AI-generated image, on a stock photo site... it featured a wapiti having an unusually large 'release' of dung, with a helpless fox surrounded and about to get buried itself. I think somehow for an AI image, it has managed to encapsulate the essence they have come to provide the internet.
On a somewhat different note, I will say I have been doing 3D models of different species in Blender for a good while now, and have gotten to a point where I'd like to think I'm 'somewhat good' at it. I have been building up a backlog of models for a good while now, which cost me nothing but time and effort to make most cases, and for a while I have toyed with the idea of starting an illustration company or something of sort using these models, so they can be licensed in the off-chance somebody needs an illustration of an aardwolf, a pudu, a tarsier... but can't find an image they are fully happy about. But then I question... not everybody's as experienced with Blender as myself and not everybody knows how it is used. And so I worry that if I just gave them the model or file of the Blender scene that it'd be difficult to work with... but it remains a thought.
I appreciate to hear what others think.
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HelloCrossy67
Well-Known Member
Just seems the the zoo changing with the world around it to me. Doesn't concern me massively but I can understand your reasoning very well.
Just heard back from Marwell. They were grateful for your spotting the problems, and assured me they would resolve them (they actually said they would confirm themselves, but I said don't worry).
I also made my suggestion about the Lynx from Scotland being brought down to use the enclosure.
They thought it was a good idea but suggested they may already have plans in place. No speculation, please. That would be unfair on the zoo.
I also made my suggestion about the Lynx from Scotland being brought down to use the enclosure.
They thought it was a good idea but suggested they may already have plans in place. No speculation, please. That would be unfair on the zoo.
News from a Big Cat Sanctuary email just received:
Zaya’s New Adventure
On February 27th, the team at the Sanctuary will be bidding a fond farewell to our beautiful Snow Leopard, Zaya. Zaya is embarking on a new adventure to Marwell Wildlife joining their male, Warjun as part of the Endangered Species Breeding Programme; which plays a vital role in the conservation of these big cats.
Zaya’s New Adventure
On February 27th, the team at the Sanctuary will be bidding a fond farewell to our beautiful Snow Leopard, Zaya. Zaya is embarking on a new adventure to Marwell Wildlife joining their male, Warjun as part of the Endangered Species Breeding Programme; which plays a vital role in the conservation of these big cats.
He is Pasha - born in 2019 at Colchester. He's been living with his brother (at PL) for the last couple of years
HelloCrossy67
Well-Known Member
Apart from the obviously sad news about the clouded leopards ( of which ofcourse was to the fault of nobody) 2025 has started off with a bang for Marwell. Hope its the start of much success and prosperity!
A few notes from todays visit:
- A new (temporary) penguin enclosure has been built on the hardstand of the old rhino house. The penguins will move here temporarily whilst work is completed on their enclosure pool.
- The old tamarin walk-through enclosure next to cold blooded corner has been removed. A ‘wild garden’ themed area is being built as part of the native species area opening in March.
- A nature themed mural is being painted on the wall of the building opposite the swift parrot aviary.
- I saw people looking for the clouded leopards. There are no signs (that I saw off) on the enclosure to tell visitors that it is currently empty.
- The admissions building is no longer in use as work has started on the new entrance area and Keeper’s kitchen restaurant.
- A new (temporary) penguin enclosure has been built on the hardstand of the old rhino house. The penguins will move here temporarily whilst work is completed on their enclosure pool.
- The old tamarin walk-through enclosure next to cold blooded corner has been removed. A ‘wild garden’ themed area is being built as part of the native species area opening in March.
- A nature themed mural is being painted on the wall of the building opposite the swift parrot aviary.
- I saw people looking for the clouded leopards. There are no signs (that I saw off) on the enclosure to tell visitors that it is currently empty.
- The admissions building is no longer in use as work has started on the new entrance area and Keeper’s kitchen restaurant.
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jzwildlife
Member
I visited yesterday, there are now boards outside the former clouded leopard exhibit saying “coming soon, new red panda exhibit”.
Male snow leopard seemed very excited in the morning to have a new female neighbour
Male snow leopard seemed very excited in the morning to have a new female neighbour
Wow....will be interesting to see what goes in the old red panda/coati exhibit now !!
Hmmmm......disappointing, IMO, to be honest.
HelloCrossy67
Well-Known Member
I think it's a more central and visited part of the zoo, so it makes sense to put a "star" species there. It wouldn't have suited much else par another species of small cat, and I'm not sure there's much availability at the moment, par the lynx but the enclosure doesn't seem appropriate IMO. Curious to see what future progress holds, especially considering the peculiar design of the current red panda exhibit.
Wonder if it has anything to do with the signs about not climbing on the red panda enclosure. There obviously has been an issue with people doing that else the signs won't be there. Assuming they adapt the clouded leopard enclosure (as opposed to knocking it down and building something new), that isn't going to be possible.
I know the red panda exhibit was originally designed for coatis but the pod concept is very unusual. Trying to think if there are any species that it could work really well for.
I know the red panda exhibit was originally designed for coatis but the pod concept is very unusual. Trying to think if there are any species that it could work really well for.