Marwell Wildlife Marwell Zoo news 2025

Tim May said:
London Zoo also had a male Arabian oryx, which remained at Regent’s Park, and wasn't sent to the world herd.
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Thanks Tim. Do you happen to know why this was the case, and if he spent the rest of his life alone at the zoo?
 
Pertinax said:
For decades I'd assumed Caroline was a single specimen at the zoo, until you posted on here about the male a while back.
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Yes, I thought so too, until I looked at ZTL a few weeks ago. I had a dig around to try and find other information but couldn't see anything. Should have just asked Tim in the first place; I knew he'd know!
 
Tim May said:
Unfortunately I don't know the details but, presumably, the world herd had sufficient males so didn't need another one. I think the male Arabian oryx lived alone for another couple of years until he died in 1965.
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Thanks Tim, as ever your knowledge of ZSL is very valuable. What you've said there aligns with what is on ZTL.
 
Tim May said:
Unfortunately I don't know the details but, presumably, the world herd had sufficient males so didn't need another one. I think the male Arabian oryx lived alone for another couple of years until he died in 1965.
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They did..., allthough it beats me ... that they actually held on to the male and not send him over as well???!
 
zooboy said:
In Anthony Shepherd's book "The Flight of the Unicorns" (1965) about the Fauna Preservation Society's project to save the Arabian oryx, the London Zoo male was "apparently barren".. "
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That is interesting. Very possibly in a small enclosure with a single female there was no breeding and they attributed this to the male 'being barren'. Highly unlikely IMO. If he had been sent to the breeding nucleus he might well have bred there but as Tim said, they probably had sufficient males anyway, plus that way London got to continue exhibiting what was then an extremely rare, almost fabled, species.
 
Had another visit today. Very busy with many school groups. I have a couple of notes from the day to share and then may share my thoughts on some more specific bits later.

- Saw Banteng Baby and new Binturong
- There was somebody working on the Serval housing, a rectangular portion of the green metal has been removed and they were drilling into the brick. I'm presuming this is an indoor viewing window but can't say for sure.
- Zebra were on the Giraffe hardstanding today, giving all 3 species access to the whole paddock is always nice
- Confirmation that Eastern Mountain Bongo are 0:3
- Walkway at old Clouded Leopard Exhibit was completely gone, there seems to be fast progress.
- More of the old Coati enclosure was demolished.
- For anyone who wants to know, the Arabian Oryx that passed was the one with the broken horn. I got to know the 3 quite well over the last few years so am very sad about this, thoughts are with the keepers.
- Still no sign of Swift Parrot or Potoroo, but are signed... has anyone seen them??
 
So it is the "unicorn" that has gone.

I rarely see the swift parrots or potoroos. Lots of places to hide in that enclosure.
 
zooboy said:
In Anthony Shepherd's book "The Flight of the Unicorns" (1965) about the Fauna Preservation Society's project to save the Arabian oryx, the London Zoo male was "apparently barren".. "
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I have heard similar rumours. It would be interesting to know some more detail on the bulls medical and other husbandry data or information lingering about in historical archives.
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I’ve been keeping up with news on this forum for a long time and, as an ex-volunteer at Marwell and long time annual member thought I may as well add some contributions

We visited today - brilliant weather for it, most of the animals were enjoying the mild but not overly sunny weather.

-Serval house is still having bricks drilled out of the wall - it looks as if they may possibly be putting in a window further down the wall?
-Valentina (female tiger) was easily spotted pacing in the right hand enclosure near the okapi playpark but there was a gardener at work in Pasha’s side - I spoke to a member of staff a few weeks ago who said they’re planning to mix the tigers very soon, so I’m looking forward to that!
-the giraffes, zebra an antelopes were sharing the field again which was wonderful to see, and we saw the rhino, oryx and zebra all sharing the same part of their field too
-the Banteng now have access to both fields - the wild African ass stallion looks like he has possibly been moved back in with the female?
-the resident geese were entertaining (and terrifying) all children as usual - I follow the family every year and they’ve had a very successful brood this year, only losing one of their goslings

I can’t think of anything else in particular off the top of my head but I’m sure I will as soon as I’ve posted this ‍♀️
 
Interesting that the Banteng have access to both fields now. With a group so large it makes sense to give them more space if it is available - Marwell has a few issues with putting the smallest herds in the largest enclosures sometimes.

Great to hear the tigers are to be introduced, would be amazing to see some baby tigers or snow leopards in the future.
 
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