Marwell Wildlife Marwell Zoo news 2025

HelloCrossy67 said:
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.
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This is about the conclusion I came to - makes sense to put a popular species in an area more guests will be able to see it rather than at the back of the zoo which may be easily skipped.

Though for what it's worth the enclosure was initially designed for coatis - which were moved from the Coati Roundabout after years of breeding there and doing very well. The reason Marwell went out of coati was no fault of theirs - it was that they were listed on the European Invasive Species list subject to strict regulation and prohibition of breeding [and remain there as part of 'retained EU law'; which could be overturned but as of yet no one seems particularly moved to do so] and so Marwell had the coatis there for 2 more years before eventually sending them off.

My main question with adapting the [ex-] clouded leopard enclosure for red panda is that the viewing suits something that's on the ground for a decent amount of time and decently large in size. What would be inconvenient is if the panda climbs up and you can only see the tip of its tail from the ground. Unless the 'stairway' to the side of this enclosure is again in use?

Saying all that... given that they have now gotten rid of the old tamarin area and have planned for it to become a nature-garden-area-thing one must wonder if they intend to extend the reach of the UK Native Species Zone [still not partial to that name] to the rest of the Fur, Feathers, and Scales area. Which was redeveloped in 2006 from what was a paddock for Ankole Cattle and a children's farm.
 
dillotest0 said:
Though for what it's worth the enclosure was initially designed for coatis - which were moved from the Coati Roundabout after years of breeding there and doing very well. The reason Marwell went out of coati was no fault of theirs - it was that they were listed on the European Invasive Species list subject to strict regulation and prohibition of breeding [and remain there as part of 'retained EU law'; which could be overturned but as of yet no one seems particularly moved to do so] and so Marwell had the coatis there for 2 more years before eventually sending them
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Yes ofcourse, this point has been discussed over the years and I agree its by no means Marwell's fault, it just makes for a peculiar Enclosure for Red Panda.

Regarding the stairway, I had forgotten that was even there, it would be great to see it restored and reused! I agree with a ground dwelling animal though, wonder if there's opportunity for a mixed species exhibit...
 
I must admit, I had not considered it to be a possible mixed species exhibit. Looking at the normal species mix in other places, I don't think there is sufficient floor space for hooved herbivores, and any birds might have their eggs fall prey to an intelligent omnivore like a panda.
Strange that it went from a Leopard enclosure, to a Clouded Leopard enclosure, to a Red Panda enclosure-what next? Squirrels?!
If Marwell wanted Coati back, could they source one of the other, non-restricted species? Would the enclosure work for a different species entirely, like Fossa or Olingo?
 
You'll never see the red panda in the leopard enclosure. If a suitable cat species can't be obtained, a primate would be far more appropriate.
 
With or without the netting I'd argue the exhibit is an improvement for them, which is always good. I'd think that surely this would be the opportunity to reopen the walkway which would lead to decent viewing or am I mistaken?
 
HelloCrossy67 said:
With or without the netting I'd argue the exhibit is an improvement for them, which is always good. I'd think that surely this would be the opportunity to reopen the walkway which would lead to decent viewing or am I mistaken?
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This would help, but I'm still unconvinced it's going to be a good exhibit from a visitor perspective. I agree the red pandas certainly will love it, especially if the netting is removed.

Regardless, as far as I know, reopening the walkway is out of the question.
 
okapis said:
The Red Panda are due to move in there, they are talking about taking the netting of the roof so the Panda will be able to get to the trees above.
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Hopefully that is not a serious suggestion. Once the roof mesh is removed it would be exceedingly difficult to replace it to the same standard and Marwell will have lost an enclosure suitable for a range of medium to large cats (and other animals). Use for the red pandas until another species can be obtained makes every sense, but it would be far better for animals, their management, display and cost, to build new accommodation for red pandas and re-use the clouded leopard enclosure for species with similar needs.
 
I am going to reserve judgement on saying it won't be a good enclosure for red pandas (from a viewing points of you).

When the clouded leopards were announced there were a number of us on here, me included, who questioned if they would ever be seen. It ended up being pretty good and I saw them on most visits.

The enclosure is obviously going to need to be adapted. How successful it is is going to be dependent on what changes they make.
 
NMM said:
I am going to reserve judgement on saying it won't be a good enclosure for red pandas (from a viewing points of you).

When the clouded leopards were announced there were a number of us on here, me included, who questioned if they would ever be seen. It ended up being pretty good and I saw them on most visits.

The enclosure is obviously going to need to be adapted. How successful it is is going to be dependent on what changes they make.
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Agree. Clouded leopards are not, by nature, diurnal but Marwell encouraged them to be so with enrichment, training, random feed times etc which worked well. Most species will adapt to being more visible and active provided their needs are understood and time and motivation is given for keepers to do that.
 
Female Snow leopard has now arrived:

Article on both new arrivals (arrival of male tiger on site already announced):

Roaring with excitement as two rare big cats arrive at Marwell Zoo - Marwell Zoo

Zaya, an 18-month-old snow leopard, arrived at Marwell on Thursday 27 February 2025, from The Big Cat Sanctuary. Born on 1 July 2023, she grew up alongside her brother, Attan and has now joined Marwell’s male snow leopard, Warjun, as part of a conservation breeding programme.

Pasha, a five-year-old Amur tiger, has also arrived at Marwell from Port Lympne Safari Park. He has settled in quickly and has been spotted interacting with our female Amur tiger, Valentina, through the fence line between their habitats.
 
dillotest0 said:
International Women's Day: 10 questions with Marwell's CEO Laura Read - Marwell Zoo
Of some interest...
close to the end of the article, it is mentioned that soon Read will be 'unveiling [a] new 10-year strategy'.
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But possibly the most important statement from this is "I always try to find time in the day to get out into the zoo for a walk, however brief and some of my favourite hours are spent walking around with our Zoological Director, Dr Will Justice, as we play hypothetical Zoo Tycoon (what would we do in the zoo if we had all the money in the world?!)".
 
Notes from a visit today.

  • Very busy. The most people I have seen there for some time. Presumably people taking advantage of the weather this weekend.
  • The old admission kiosks have been demolished. There is a temporary entrance just before the penguin enclosure, or just behind the gift shop if you go round backwards.
  • The penguins are still in the temporary enclosure.
  • The cusimanses have moved and are now next to the yellow mongooses.
    • Work to incorporate their old enclosure into the binturong exhibit is still ongoing.
  • I did see both tigers.
    • Pasha (the new male) has the side of the enclosure closest to Wild Explorers. Valentina (the existing female) the side closes to the okapis. Access to the viewing windows on Pasha's side and the indoor viewing has been blocked off to allow him to settle in.
  • Zaya, the new female snow leopard is in the older part of the enclosure. The paths around that part of the enclosure have been blocked off to allow her to settle in.
  • Looks like their has been another banteng calf. I did see one that doesn't look very old.
  • The paths around the red panda exhibit were closed off for maintenance.
  • Work has started on two wooden structures in the courtyard area outside cold blooded corner. Presumably this is something to do with Native Species, but too early to tell yet.
 
I am surprised they haven't mentioned anything on their site or social media.

Agree, it will be interesting to see what happens with that part of the zoo. The most obvious thing that will seem out of place will be Cold Blooded Corner.
 
NMM said:
I am surprised they haven't mentioned anything on their site or social media.

Agree, it will be interesting to see what happens with that part of the zoo. The most obvious thing that will seem out of place will be Cold Blooded Corner.
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It was well covered on local television last night and I suspect this was prioritised over a social media post. Creation of a wildlife pond in the former tamarin walk-through opens up the area again, Sand lizards will not, of course, be viewable until they are out of hibernation. I assume those that will be in the encounter village site will be in addition to the long-standing off-show facility.
 
zooboy said:
It was well covered on local television last night and I suspect this was prioritised over a social media post. Creation of a wildlife pond in the former tamarin walk-through opens up the area again, Sand lizards will not, of course, be viewable until they are out of hibernation. I assume those that will be in the encounter village site will be in addition to the long-standing off-show facility.
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I'm delighted to hear the sand lizards will be on show. Marwell has a stellar record with them and are not afraid to talk about it, but it has always frustrated me that I've never seen one!
 
Native Species Zone - News Release:

We've opened our new Native Species Zone | Marwell Zoo

The new area features Hampshire’s first white-clawed crayfish conservation breeding centre, a new habitat for endangered sand lizards and a native wildlife pond.

It also includes a wildlife pond, bug hotel, natural play area and a Nature Nook library to inspire visitors to connect with and protect the UK’s natural world.
 
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