Nice one! That should trigger a new dynamic and welcoming entry complex for Marwell. Hopefully, it will be well received by zoo visitors... too!
Marwell Wildlife Marwell Zoo news 2025
- Thread starter Nisha
- Start date
It is the cafe that is opening on the 19th, not a new entrance. My understanding is that this (dog-friendly) cafe will open daily before the Zoo does and, it seems, also after the Zoo closes early evening, which will be a plus for many visitors. I expect the other changes planned to the plaza area, and new entrance kiosks will follow over the coming months.
From what I recall part of it serves as an entrance?
HelloCrossy67
Well-Known Member
I was using it interchangeably, I apologise for not specifying.
HelloCrossy67
Well-Known Member
From what I understand from the website's "Zoo Developments" page, the work on Penguin Cove has been completed, and now that The Keeper's Kitchen has been opened work on the rest of the entrance plaza has/will be starting. Will be making a trip to the zoo next week so will update in due course.
Also, I believe the section stating a new train track would be part of the entrance has been removed. I personally think this a good move - the road train is excellent.
Also, I believe the section stating a new train track would be part of the entrance has been removed. I personally think this a good move - the road train is excellent.
The Lemur walkthrough should be open next week to people.
BBC Breakfast has a reporter at Marwell this morning for an article about the new zoo standards that take effect from today. They were at the penguin enclosure. They have moved back.
The feature included interviews with Laura Read (Marwell CEO) and Jo Judge (CEO of BIAZA). One thing I did like included in the report was an explanation of what BIAZA is and that their standards already go beyond the new rules.
It did say they will be showing more animals later on.
The feature included interviews with Laura Read (Marwell CEO) and Jo Judge (CEO of BIAZA). One thing I did like included in the report was an explanation of what BIAZA is and that their standards already go beyond the new rules.
It did say they will be showing more animals later on.
Springbok
Well-Known Member
Hi people now I've heard of the new Warty pig exhibit, I seem to remember there was a small house we could go inside to see the warthogs when they were there. Is that open again now the WPs are in here? Another thing I was curious about is has anything happened with the former bush dog exhibit?
Yes you can go in the house again, just like when the Warthogs were in there, as regards the now former Bush Dog area, there are plans for the time being, but I would not get to excited about them.
Dr. Loxodonta
Well-Known Member
Hi, I was just wondering if anyone has the link to the 2024 Annual Stocktake, or if it has actually been released yet? I was able to find the 2022 & 2023 versions, but I haven’t had any luck locating the one for 2024. Thanks.
Springbok
Well-Known Member
@Dr. Loxodonta The full animal inventory (accurate as of Dec 2024) is linked on the animals page on the Marwell website.
https://www.marwell.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/MARWELL-ANIMAL-INVENTORY-2024.pdf
It is been up for some time. I believe it was discussed earlier in this thread.
It is been up for some time. I believe it was discussed earlier in this thread.
Dr. Loxodonta
Well-Known Member
Thank you both. While I am not a frequent visitor, I always think that Marwell Zoo really has a lovely collection.
Springbok
Well-Known Member
You're very welcome! I agree that they have a great collection, and they always seem to expanding too. Chacoan maras and native species are on my bucket list for Saturday's visit!
A male binturong has arrived from France,
New binturong arrives for vital breeding programme - Marwell Zoo
New binturong arrives for vital breeding programme - Marwell Zoo
HelloCrossy67
Well-Known Member
Made a visit today, a couple of notes:
- Saw the new Binturong's tail at the back of the old cusimanse house (an offshow area)
- I belive Blesbok may have left the collection, the signs have been removed and noone were in the hardstanding or field and doors were closed.
- Snow Leopards have been introduced together
- Lemur Walkthrough is open, it's under a queue system with a max of abt 6-7 in at one time. It provided some amazing shots and it's the most active I've seen them in a while.
- Quite a bit of progress on the new Red Panda Exhibit, all the mesh roof, most of the metal fencing and almost all the boardwalk removed - I heard a kid saying "this is the 4th Red Panda exhibit" after reading (If you count the separation of their current exhibit, not an incorrect statement!)
- As previously mentioned Bush Dogs are no longer present at the collection
- Long Nosed Potoroo are still signed at the Swift Parrot, It was said the previous ones passed so is this a new arrival? Didn't see either species and haven't in a while so might be incorrect signage.
- Keeper's kitchen is a nice upgrade to the Gift Shop, I had failed to realise this wasn't an entirely separate building... The old entrance area has been paved and landscaped quite nicely.
- Penguins have returned to their exhibit
- How many Rock Hyrax are currently kept? Only seen one for the last few visits.
- Still nothing in old Warty Pig/Anoa Exhibit
- Serval are together, unsure if this is news or even if they're breeding
Overall it was not a terrible visit, and once we get 4-5 Enclosures filled and hopefully some replenished herds I think we can certify Read as a success.
- Saw the new Binturong's tail at the back of the old cusimanse house (an offshow area)
- I belive Blesbok may have left the collection, the signs have been removed and noone were in the hardstanding or field and doors were closed.
- Snow Leopards have been introduced together
- Lemur Walkthrough is open, it's under a queue system with a max of abt 6-7 in at one time. It provided some amazing shots and it's the most active I've seen them in a while.
- Quite a bit of progress on the new Red Panda Exhibit, all the mesh roof, most of the metal fencing and almost all the boardwalk removed - I heard a kid saying "this is the 4th Red Panda exhibit" after reading (If you count the separation of their current exhibit, not an incorrect statement!)
- As previously mentioned Bush Dogs are no longer present at the collection
- Long Nosed Potoroo are still signed at the Swift Parrot, It was said the previous ones passed so is this a new arrival? Didn't see either species and haven't in a while so might be incorrect signage.
- Keeper's kitchen is a nice upgrade to the Gift Shop, I had failed to realise this wasn't an entirely separate building... The old entrance area has been paved and landscaped quite nicely.
- Penguins have returned to their exhibit
- How many Rock Hyrax are currently kept? Only seen one for the last few visits.
- Still nothing in old Warty Pig/Anoa Exhibit
- Serval are together, unsure if this is news or even if they're breeding
Overall it was not a terrible visit, and once we get 4-5 Enclosures filled and hopefully some replenished herds I think we can certify Read as a success.
Great news that the snow leopards have been mixed.
They do seem to be losing several species at the moment. One possibility with the blesboks is if they need access to the paddock to work on the new red panda exhibit.
The potoroo signs definitely did go earlier this year. Maybe they have got some more. That would be a surprise as I half expected that enclosure to be repurposed given that is in now in the Native Species area. It is a poor enclosure for viewing through as I rarely saw the potoroos or swift parrots.
I know they did have two hyrax. They have got some sort of "indoor quarters" so to speak inside the large rock at the back. I have seen them appearing from it and disappearing into it. On different visits I have seen 0, 1 and 2 at different times.
Seems like a lot is changing. I have a lot of busy weekends at the moment so haven't been for a while.
They do seem to be losing several species at the moment. One possibility with the blesboks is if they need access to the paddock to work on the new red panda exhibit.
The potoroo signs definitely did go earlier this year. Maybe they have got some more. That would be a surprise as I half expected that enclosure to be repurposed given that is in now in the Native Species area. It is a poor enclosure for viewing through as I rarely saw the potoroos or swift parrots.
I know they did have two hyrax. They have got some sort of "indoor quarters" so to speak inside the large rock at the back. I have seen them appearing from it and disappearing into it. On different visits I have seen 0, 1 and 2 at different times.
Seems like a lot is changing. I have a lot of busy weekends at the moment so haven't been for a while.
To answer a few points, Marwell no longer hold Blesbok, Hyrax still a pair but non breeding, as our the Serval, yes last Potoroo had died new arrival means they are back again.