Marwell Wildlife My Monthly Updates 2009 #2

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It's more likely that the female will replace Ascha as Marwell's breeding leopard. If the male is sent to act as Kiska's mate, then they would soon have to be sent elsewhere so that Akin and the new female could be kept seperate.
 
Hmm, sorry to go off topic a bit but I thought I'd shove this in this thread rather than start a new one. A position has opened at Marwell and I wanna apply. I know it says driving license advantageous and that I'm still learning, but it's worth applying for at least. Problem is, I'm not going to waste their time if I can't get there anyway.

Does anybody know how I could get to Marwell for... I'd assume 8am to work via public transport etc. I have no problems with days starting at 5am to get there. My main route there would be via Fareham. Is there a train I could get and how would I then get to the zoo from the station? Hmmm.
 
I guess that would be the open herpetology section posistion. Have you had any experience in herp care, cos I guess that would be needed. And I think a driving lisence is required so you can get around the park on one of their own veichles, but I could be mistaken. Good luck if you go for it anyway. :)

Notes from today's visit:

2/8/09

- Summer's tapir calf is very cute, and was really bouncing around the paddock today. The two capybara who shared their paddock have been removed so as not to cause bother for the little one.
- Speaking to Ian Goodwin (Head of West Section), he told me that two pure rothschild giraffes were due to arrive at Marwell soon. This part of their long-term plan to phase out the breeding of hybrids, as their only pure Roth' is Isabella.
- Two ground hornbills are in the smaller aviary in Marabou Mansions.
- No giraffes were in the valley or bongo paddock today, as the herd were being kept in the house and yard so a feeding from a private venue could take place.
- The Bat-Eared Foxes are back on show, but didn't see any as they now have even more privacy after the renovation.
- Black Wildebeest on show yet? Nada.
- The old crane enclosure in the hall gardens was being dug up with the fences pulled out and a digger parked.
- The pygmy hippo paddock is being extended onto the bank facing South Road.
- An artificial termite mound has been installed in the giant anteater enclosure.
- And on a final note, I was snorted at by a Sable Antelope bull for being too close for comfort, and I heard a giraffe producing vocalisations for the first time in my life; suprisingly loud and deep!
 
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My experience with reptiles, amphibians etc would come from keeping a few myself as pets as well as having a lot of experience working with the exotics at college. We also get reptiles in at work from time to time. And then there's various work placements I've been on. I've talked over my options with various people, and if anything were to come of this, I would be buying a moped to get there. And I think I'd only need a provisional to drive those things at Marwell because they're not really cars and its on private land. I may be completely wrong about that, though. It's more wishful thinking, really. Sorry about going off of topic, I didn't think it was really worth a whole new thread and fitted in nicely in this thread as it seems to be the place for various Marwell chit chat.

Anywho... my sister went to Marwell today, she said the weather was really hot and that she had a really great day. Glad you had a good day, too MD.

Have the Capybara moved back in with the others or been moved elsewhere? What exactly has happened to the Bat Eared Foxes enclosure, as whenever I've peered in whilst it was empty it looked much the same.
 
Marwell Dalek said:
Speaking to Ian Goodwin (Head of West Section), he told me that two pure rothschild giraffes were due to arrive at Marwell soon. This part of their long-term plan to phase out the breeding of hybrids, as their only pure Roth' is Isabella.
Click to expand...

Interesting news regarding the giraffes, but I thought the two Rothschild's were Kismet and Matilda?

I'm pleased to hear that the bat-eared foxes are back on display, and that the pygmy hippos are having an extension to their enclosure. Shame that the wildebeest aren't on show yet, though. I was fortunate enough to see the pair at Newquay Zoo yesterday (but not the calf), but will write about that on the appropriate thread and upload pics tomorrow.
 
Good to hear. :) Do you go to Sparsholt then? During my work experience at a pet shop, one of my co-workers who was still 17 told me how she'd done some work looking after them at the college.

Yes, it was really nice weather, best later on when most are heading home.

Don't know about that, I presume they're either off-show or gone to another collection as the main group seemed to be around the same volume. And in the battie's enclosure they've made a few sand patches, added more plants, wood-lined the shelters and added a mound with a burrow in it.

EDIT: Mhale, that was what I heard Ian say, unless he was only reffering to breeding cows. ;)
 
Nopes. Sparshalt was one of the options, but I went with the more local South Downs College. They have about... 20 to 25 different species of exotic herps. I did just list them out before realising they had nothing to do with anything. I myself at home only keep Leopard Geckos, Spotted Salamanders, GAL Snails and Fish. But I'd love more. Parents and lack of space are stopping this. Ive done work experience in various pet shops, a zoo, a farm and a vets. Worth applying for, even if its not likely to be successful.
 
Yeah, I've just got a Leopard Gecko myself, but in the near future I hope to keep Hermann's Tortoise, Giant Millipede and Yemen Chameleon too. I'm only 15 so the only work experience I've done is at a pet shop, but I want to get a weekend job at a kennels and intend to do work experience at the New Forest Otter, Owl and Wildlife Park when I'm 18.

Ah, the ambition. Can't wait. :)
 
Good for you MD, its always good to have ambition, and obviously I approve of the choice! Leopard Geckos are good pets. I've had mine since May and November last year.
 
New book is being published at end of Oct 09: Should be an interesting read

I saw it on Amazon

My Marwellous Life: In Zoos and Conservation (Hardcover)
by John Knowles (Author)

A passion for wildlife and conservation led John Knowles OBE to found his own latter-day Ark - the Marwell Zoological Park. His autobiography tells the fascinating story of how a childhood collector of stick insects became a successful farmer and poultry breeder, and went on to achieve his ambition to own a zoo.

John's story unfolds against the backdrop of a rapidly changing post-war world where rising populations and increasing demands on natural resources place huge pressure on wildlife. Recognising that captive breeding populations may be the only way to save many species, he established several successful herds at Marwell. The roan antelope, reintroduced to Swaziland, Scimitar horned oryx and the famous Przewalski's wild horse, are among the animals that have benefited from John's efforts.

His account describes how Marwell developed from small beginnings, with all the planning, financial and operational headaches that entailed. He tells of the necessary balancing act between conservation of the animals and the historic Marwell Hall; the need to make the enterprise pay; and how, because of his determination that Marwell should itself be safe, he formed a charitable Trust to which he gave the entire zoo.

Throughout this book, John's 'can-do' attitude to tackling one of Planet Earth's greatest challenges shines through and, as he now enjoys a well-earned retirement, John Knowles can be justly proud of what Marwell has achieved.'
 
That's fantastic news! John Knowles is one of my zoo heroes, and I just can't wait for it. Along with people like John Aspinall and Gerald Durrell, Knowles was one of the British Zoo Founders who realised that animals weren't just a sort of entertainment and were in desperate need for their habitat's and their own protection.

Hopefully this can be followed with a revision of 'The Story So Far' in time for the fortieth anniversary in 2012.
 
Just off to the postbox now to post the application form. I spent all last night getting it as good as possible. Eeep.
 
Here are my observations from today's visit to a very sunny Marwell:

1) Most of the capybaras were lounging by the pond and a couple were in it
2) None of the giraffes were in the African Valley today
3) It was nice to see the three bat-eared foxes back in their enclosure
4) The douroucoulis didn't appear to be in their enclosure
5) There was a light on in the enclosure for the jumping rats in Lemur World which highlighted the fact that they weren't in there
6) I actually saw the pair of cusimanses in their new enclosure in Roof of the World
7) The Amphibian Ark has a proper sign on it now
8) The female Brazilian tapir calf has been named Rio

Since my last visit in July, the following births have occurred:

1 Przewalski horse born 26th July
2 red-footed tortoises born 28th July
1 female roan antelope born 28th July
3 maras born 31st July
6 black-cheeked lovebirds born 1st August
1 female roan antelope born 2nd August
1 scimitar-horned oryx born last week
1 sable antelope born 9th August

That's pretty good going in such a short time :)
 
I love that bloody window in the jumping rats enclosure. I am forever thinking I'm gonna be falling into it if I lean too much.
 
But back on topic.. how is the Amphibian Ark going to work once complete? Is it just the viewing windows or is there more to it?
 
I had another lovely sunny visit to Marwell today. Here are my observations:

1) T.V. crews spent most of the day at the penguin pool filming Ralph the humboldt penguin in his wetsuit
2) One of the rheas has had five chicks (one of them is white) and they have been given a fenced-off section of their shared paddock
3) One of the staff was mowing the lawn in the cheetah enclosure with both cheetahs in there
4) There are now two sable antelope calves (one born on Sunday 9th and one born on Wednesday 12th August)
5) None of the giraffes were in the African Valley today, nor were any of the Grevy's zebras
6) Both the amur leopards seemed fine to me
7) The coatis were definitely in their enclosure
8) The walk-through golden lion tamarin enclosure was closed
9) The douroucoulis were back in their enclosure
10) The larger group of red-ruffed lemurs were still offshow
11) The Madagascan giant jumping rat was back onshow

I asked a keeper about the sable antelopes and she said that both the calves are females. Also, there is a young pair of antelopes separated from the group in their indoor quarters awaiting relocation to France.

I asked her if she knew when the wildebeest might be onshow and she said that they are still doing medical checks, but that they are actually in their indoor quarters right now getting to know each other :)

The sculptures located around the park at the moment are amazing. I wish they could be there all the time :)
 
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