Marwell Wildlife Marwell Zoological Park 2023

[dillotest0]

Marwell Zoo are soon to welcome Bush dogs and Caracara to the collection, once bird flu restrictions have been lifted (hopefully in early April). They also hope to have a red panda back at the zoo by summer time, alongside the opening of the new Thriving Through Nature exhibit.

The zoo has also announced plans to extend the current snow leopard habitat, with the hopes of bringing in more snow leopards for breeding, as per EEP recommendations. This is part of a larger plan to refresh carnivore facilities around the zoo!

I've been thinking that it may be bush dogs !
Makes me very happy to hear. Caracara will be nice additions too!
Roof of the World definitely deserves a refresh after almost 20 years ... very good also. I recall almost 20 years ago [2004] there was too a campaign to bring better quality to Marwell's carnivore facilities ... it tickles me a bit in happiness to see a similar thing happening almost 20 years afterwards.

Marwell has also announced several experiences -
Exclusive Carnivore Experience - £400 for 2 people, Amur Tigers + Snow Leopards - 45 minutes
Aviary 'behind the scenes' - £85 for one person, birds of the walkthrough aviaries - 30 minutes
Lemur Experience - £85 for one person, lemurs - 30 minutes
Savannah Experience - £150 for one person, servals and yellow mongoose/meerkats - 30 minutes
Tropical House 'Behind the Scenes' Experience - £85 for one person, animals of the tropical house - 30 minutes
Photography Experience Day - £350 per person [6 guests maximum] - 465 minutes [from 8.15 to 16.00] - on various event days led by a wildlife photographer

 

[Fallax]

Any idea what species of caracara?

 

[dillotest0]

Any idea what species of caracara?

I am tempted to say Striated Caracara, as that is the most common one in UK aviculture .. though I would like it if they got Crested Caracara again .. that is the species they held previously !

 

[Alwaysevergreen]

I've been thinking that it may be bush dogs !
Makes me very happy to hear. Caracara will be nice additions too!
Roof of the World definitely deserves a refresh after almost 20 years ... very good also. I recall almost 20 years ago [2004] there was too a campaign to bring better quality to Marwell's carnivore facilities ... it tickles me a bit in happiness to see a similar thing happening almost 20 years afterwards.

Marwell has also announced several experiences -
Exclusive Carnivore Experience - £400 for 2 people, Amur Tigers + Snow Leopards - 45 minutes
Aviary 'behind the scenes' - £85 for one person, birds of the walkthrough aviaries - 30 minutes
Lemur Experience - £85 for one person, lemurs - 30 minutes
Savannah Experience - £150 for one person, servals and yellow mongoose/meerkats - 30 minutes
Tropical House 'Behind the Scenes' Experience - £85 for one person, animals of the tropical house - 30 minutes
Photography Experience Day - £350 per person [6 guests maximum] - 465 minutes [from 8.15 to 16.00] - on various event days led by a wildlife photographer

Jesus, those experience prices are very expensive! I used to think the £350 keeper for a day experience was a lot, but £200 for a 45 minute experience (providing there is 3 of you) is pretty insane!

 

[dillotest0]

there is also plans to have animals back in the old Rhino area.

For what species would this area be suitable? Unless it is going to be opened into the Wild Explorers area, I can only really see it being some kind of pig ....

 

[dillotest0]

Construction is underway for a new, large-scale jaguar enclosure at Marwell.
marwell.org.uk/zoo-news/some-exciting-news/

 

[okapis]

Construction is underway for a new, large-scale jaguar enclosure at Marwell.
marwell.org.uk/zoo-news/some-exciting-news/

Stop Dreaming.

 

[okapis]

The first Kirks Dik Dik has been born at Marwell making 1.2.1.

 

[Mazoku]

My last visit to Marwell was last year, in May. I know I'm late to this, but I got some questions on my last visit to there that got me wondering and need to know about these:

- Why there're some empty exhibits? Are they planning for something soon? I can't remember which exact exhibits, but I've seen some empty exhibits in there
- What happened to Sulawesi Macaques, did the last one died out or they're not holding them anymore?
- I know that the last Amur Leopard passed away in last year, are there any reasons why they're not keeping Amur Leopard anymore? Marwell isn't feel the same without the leopard for me lol

 

[dillotest0]

- Why there're some empty exhibits? Are they planning for something soon? I can't remember which exact exhibits, but I've seen some empty exhibits in there

The exact answer to this question depends quite a bit on which exact enclosure you talk about. In regards to 'planning for something', there is actually quite a bit planned for 2023 in regards to animals - for one thing, Bush Dogs and Caracara are supposed to arrive soon enough, should all go to plan, to be in the former Bat-eared Fox and Ocelot exhibits respectively. There is also the opening of Thriving Through Nature, which uses the old Tropical World. This exhibit is set to open in the Summer.

- What happened to Sulawesi Macaques, did the last one died out or they're not holding them anymore?

They all went to Emerald Park [formerly Tayto Park] in Ireland by EAZA recommendation.

- I know that the last Amur Leopard passed away in last year, are there any reasons why they're not keeping Amur Leopard anymore? Marwell isn't feel the same without the leopard for me lol

The leopard enclosure, constructed I believe in 2004, is quite small by modern standards for the species. And so, smaller clouded leopards are considered more suitable species.

 

[Mazoku]

The exact answer to this question depends quite a bit on which exact enclosure you talk about. In regards to 'planning for something', there is actually quite a bit planned for 2023 in regards to animals - for one thing, Bush Dogs and Caracara are supposed to arrive soon enough, should all go to plan, to be in the former Bat-eared Fox and Ocelot exhibits respectively. There is also the opening of Thriving Through Nature, which uses the old Tropical World. This exhibit is set to open in the Summer.

They all went to Emerald Park [formerly Tayto Park] in Ireland by EAZA recommendation.

The leopard enclosure, constructed I believe in 2004, is quite small by modern standards for the species. And so, smaller clouded leopards are considered more suitable species.

Ah yes! it was that area, glad to hear about Bush Dogs and Caracara will be added to their collection soon.

I see, I assume that they may have plans for that exhibit? I remember seeing the brickosaur thing placed in that exhibit in my last visit to there, maybe a new primate species or something else?

The exhibit looks great for clouded leopards though.
I should go back to there soon, I used to visit there that often before the lockdown.

 

[dillotest0]

I see, I assume that they may have plans for that exhibit? I remember seeing the brickosaur thing placed in that exhibit in my last visit to there, maybe a new primate species or something else?

I'm not entirely sure what species that island would be useful for - though at the moment it has essentially become a wildflower field, and if I have heard reliably the house on it has a siamang in it at the moment [or did a while ago].
I recall not long [a few years] ago there was also a large rhino statue on the island, though I'm not sure whether it's still there.

 

[Mazoku]

I'm not entirely sure what species that island would be useful for - though at the moment it has essentially become a wildflower field, and if I have heard reliably the house on it has a siamang in it at the moment [or did a while ago].
I recall not long [a few years] ago there was also a large rhino statue on the island, though I'm not sure whether it's still there.

I remember that, that exhibit turned into a wildflower field with brickosaur placed in there. I can't remember seeing the rhino statue on the island. It would be nice if they upgrade the island exhibit for siamangs to move in, but we'll wait and see what the island will be used for in the future.

By the way, thank you for answering my questions!

 

[J C]

My last visit to Marwell was last year, in May. I know I'm late to this, but I got some questions on my last visit to there that got me wondering and need to know about these:

- Why there're some empty exhibits? Are they planning for something soon? I can't remember which exact exhibits, but I've seen some empty exhibits in there
- What happened to Sulawesi Macaques, did the last one died out or they're not holding them anymore?
- I know that the last Amur Leopard passed away in last year, are there any reasons why they're not keeping Amur Leopard anymore? Marwell isn't feel the same without the leopard for me lol

I was there last July, the first time in many years and managed to corner one of the helpers / staff on the road train and had a good chat with her, we where to only ones on it towards the end of the day and she couldn’t escape, she said one of the reasons for not replacing the leopards was a lack of carnivore keeps not sure if a clouded leopards takes a less grade of carnivore keeper. Also she understands there current lack of species numbers from there past but they where trying to get what they have right first before expanding into larger groups or new species, which I found quite an intelligent view as what I saw was impressive to be honest, not being able to remember there former glory days and taking the place as I saw it it looked to be quite a smart zoo in my opinion

 

[Charles]

How many beisa oryx do they have?

 

[dillotest0]

How many beisa oryx do they have?

Two for the time being - father and son.

 

[dillotest0]

I was there last July, the first time in many years and managed to corner one of the helpers / staff on the road train and had a good chat with her, we where to only ones on it towards the end of the day and she couldn’t escape, she said one of the reasons for not replacing the leopards was a lack of carnivore keeps not sure if a clouded leopards takes a less grade of carnivore keeper. Also she understands there current lack of species numbers from there past but they where trying to get what they have right first before expanding into larger groups or new species, which I found quite an intelligent view as what I saw was impressive to be honest, not being able to remember there former glory days and taking the place as I saw it it looked to be quite a smart zoo in my opinion

I quite like this line of thought - it is logical that after Knowles' retirement in 2006 that his lead would, for better or for worse, not be entirely realised as he liked it. Though I do also like to see that even if Knowles' original plans for Marwell may not have gone to fruition, it seems to be finding its footing and, as well as securing what it does have, making for a hopeful future. Days of great herds made for nice spectacles, but I believe ultimately animal management and economics in Knowles' time was rather different to that of the 21st century - an age of maximalism has met face with an age of pragmatism. I am of the belief that if these two things are balanced out, the results will be pleasant to see.

 

[dillotest0]

Though I must wonder whether there are any plans for 'The Mound' in Encounter Village/Fur, Feathers + Scales - pre 2006 it was a rabbit mound where visitors could peep through domes to get a closer clook at the animals. In 2007 it was converted to a Golden Lion Tamarin enclosure, which I believe only lasted a few years. For a short while it became a walkthrough aviary, and then closed when it was superseded by a different aviary in 2013.
Given the size and shape of the thing I'm not sure what it could be used for ... maybe prairie dogs? Or a nice souslik? [though you could only exhibit that one half the year..] or maybe some other medium-sized ground dwelling thing ...

 

[NMM]

Visited today. My last visit was at the end of January. Quite a lot of observations from today.

- Cotton topped tamarins are now in Life Among the Trees as well as the lawn next to the hall.
- It looks like the small enclosure in Life Among the Trees is being prepared for something to move into. This is the enclosure near the door next to Marwell Hall that has been obscured for sometime by a display board. The board has been removed, the lights for the enclosure were on. It looks almost ready for something to move in. There are no signs at present. I believe this enclosure held mouse lemurs several years ago before it was hidden away.
- The potoroo have moved to the red panda enclosure. Is this just a temporary measure so there is something there whilst they await new pandas?
- There is a pet travel box in the cusimanse enclosure. Is this crate training in preparation for one or more of them departing?
- I didn't see any ibis or wonga pigeon in the walthrough aviaries and they are no longer mentioned on the signs. Have they left?
- There are now crickets and locusts in Aridlands (exhibits, not an infestation).
- There is a baby sitatunga which I don't believe has been announced. It doesn't look that old as it is very small. It was out and about in their paddock today.

 

[dillotest0]

- Cotton topped tamarins are now in Life Among the Trees as well as the lawn next to the hall.

I recall that this has been the case since 2022, when I saw some there. [photo attatched]

- The potoroo have moved to the red panda enclosure. Is this just a temporary measure so there is something there whilst they await new [red] pandas?

I'd imagine so ! Though I doubt they use the climbing materials to good effect ..

- I didn't see any ibis or wonga pigeon in the walthrough aviaries and they are no longer mentioned on the signs. Have they left?

Both the ibis and pigeon are still on the website. That said, whilst I did see a few ibis in 2022 [my profile picture is one of them!], I don't recall seeing the pigeon, oddly enough ...

- There are now crickets and locusts in Aridlands (exhibits, not an infestation).

In the mongoose house, or the hoof-house? I recall before it was converted to a mongoose house, Desert Carnivores had crickets + locusts inside. The only other place I can think of would be the vivarium which in 2021 [didn't go to this area in 2022] had Agama .. though I would hope this isn't the case ! [though, Agama are still listed on the website]
Interesting to hear on the other developments.