Marwell Wildlife My Monthly Updates 2011 #1

[Javan Rhino]

I asked on Facebook if the video would be uploaded at all and Marwell's reply was that it is not going to be uploaded as it is for visitors to Marwell only.

A shame for those of us that are interested in the park and would visit more often if it wasn't for the fact that we have to plan our holiday to coincide with a park so far away

 

[mhale]

A few observations from today's visit to Marwell:

1) The new Membership Cabin is now open for business near the entrance to the park
2) The enclosure behind the penguins which housed maras and parma wallabies is now empty
3) Four of the ten giraffes were in their original paddock (the one shared with the sable antelopes and Congo buffaloes, with the viewing platform) whilst the others were in the African Valley
4) The potto enclosure is still empty
5) The Arabian oryxes have moved to the old gemsbok enclosure
6) The new meerkat enclosures look great and give the meerkats plenty of space
7) The Somali wild ass mares have moved back to their original paddock whilst the stallion is next door in the old roan antelope paddock
8) There is a display of various animal skeletons/skulls in the old crocodile monitor vivarium in Cold Blooded Corner

There have been no new arrivals since the information board was last updated.

New births (since the information board was last updated) are as follows:

15/07/11 - Female Scimitar-horned Oryx
19/07/11 - Female Scimitar-horned Oryx
20/07/11 - Male Waterbuck
24/07/11 - 1 Sand Lizard
24/07/11 - 1 Scimitar-horned Oryx

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Does this mean the Rothschildt's are now out as a complete separate grouping?

Are the Somali mares now confirmed pregnant?

With the A. Oryx move have the gemsbok been transferred off?

 

[mhale]

I have had confirmation from Marwell via their Facebook page that the five Rothschild's giraffes (Kismet, Matilda, Irsulah, Jade and Nsia) plus the two year old male hybrid (Kwame) were in the African Valley together, whilst the four female hybrids (Isabella, Makeda, Christa and Tiye) formed the group in the paddock. A keeper told me that they had put a group in the old paddock with the viewing platform so that the public could see some of the giraffes up-close when they are outdoors, as it is quite tricky to see them in the Valley when they are at the far end.

I didn't see anyone to ask if any of the Somali wild ass mares are pregnant.

The whole herd of gemsboks transferred to France some months ago.

 

[Newzooboy]

Visited Marwell last weekend for the first time this year, was pretty good weather and the zoo was well attended.

Have to say that (given the comments on some other threads re: ZSL) that Marwell do seem to manage their queues very efficiently and we were in in 5 minutes despite long queue at entrance.

Before I go on, I should say that I am a lifetime supporter of Marwell, am a member, and used to be a volunteer and have visited probably around 200 times and avidly followed the progress and developments of this, my local, collection.

First the positives

- was the first time I had seem the African Savanna fully populated and looked absolutely magnificent. Really looking forward to further developments in this area.

- new Meerkat enclosures look good and are nice and spacious

BUT

- Black Wildebeest still permanently on hardstand - are there plans to give these access to a paddock? Does seem a shame to have such a nice species but keep it in a small enclosure with lots of fencing. They would look great in the Chapmans paddock. Perhaps there are boundary concerns?

- Parts of the zoo do look decidely empty - particularly along the South Road

- Wasn't overly impressed with developments in Cheetah enclosure. The addition of an incongruous fake rock (never a favourite of mine) and a viewing walkway that follows the road anyway and provides only slightly better views than could already be achieved seemed a bit of a waste of resources that could have been spent elsewhere

- have Marwell made a concious decision to reduce their complement of smaller species? The number of reptile species to be ever-decreasing and two enclosures in cold-blooded corner were now displays for skulls, etc. Potto enclosure in Heart of Africa boarded up and monitor enclosure another display of skulls. Only spiny mouse and locust in Aridlands.

- And worst of all is the 'Desert Carnivores' house - I always thought this was a really nice development and it once held a good range of species. The house now seems to be given 100% over to Sand Cats - none of which were showing themselves which meant the house looked decidely empty - apart from yet another display of bones (a theme developing here!?). I think this area could be made into something really exciting along the lines of Prague's 'Africa From Near' albeit on a smaller scale.

Anyway, sorry to be a bit negative here, it only bothers me because this is one of favourite zoos and I want it to do well and I think much could be done to improve the small animal collection without too much additional investment - certainly for a fraction of the amount spent on the cheetah enclosure.

 

[Jordan-Jaguar97]

Newzooboy did you notice how many Hartmann's Mountain Zebra were together by any chance?

 

[Newzooboy]

Sorry Jordan, I didn't I'm afraid

 

[Jordan-Jaguar97]

Two of the Snow Leopard cubs have been named Kamala and Kitana the third cub is male and you can vote to name him according to facebook.

 

[JamesB]

I'm visiting tomorrow, very excited, I hope I see the cubs out!

 

[WookieDog]

- Wasn't overly impressed with developments in Cheetah enclosure. The addition of an incongruous fake rock (never a favourite of mine) and a viewing walkway that follows the road anyway and provides only slightly better views than could already be achieved seemed a bit of a waste of resources that could have been spent elsewhere

- And worst of all is the 'Desert Carnivores' house - I always thought this was a really nice development and it once held a good range of species. The house now seems to be given 100% over to Sand Cats - none of which were showing themselves which meant the house looked decidely empty - apart from yet another display of bones (a theme developing here!?).

Felt compelled to respond to these comments, I agree with some of what you say, but the comments about the Cheetah enclosure surprised me, the fake rock isn't that bad- certainly better than some i've seen, and certainly looks nicer than the old wooden platforms, also it conceals a cubbing den/kennel underneath which they wouldn't have been able to do with real rock quite so well. But the worst comment you made was about the walkway only giving 'slightly' better views than before... WHAT?.... that's nuts, the views from the walkway are so so much better than before, plus that corner is so much safer for everyone now that most people go up the boardwalk so the road is free for the trains and other zoo vehicles. I've had some absolutely excellent views of the Cheetahs since the new enclosure was done, of which I wouldn't have got anything like it with the old one, and for photography its great- no glass, no wire.
Marwells not perfect, but the Cheetah enclosure is one they've got right.

On a lighter note, I agree with you about the skull & bones exhibit- don't really do it for me, I'd prefer to look at live animals!

 

[mhale]

I visited Marwell today (mainly to see the snow leopard cubs, but it was so wet they didn't come out whilst I was there) and I noticed that they have a flamingo chick (at last!) I have attached screenshots taken from camcorder footage, so apologies for the quality of them.

I also noticed that Ernesto the giant anteater now has access to both halves of the enclosure, so presumably the female anteater isn't due to arrive anytime soon.

There is a sign for scimitar-horned oryxes where the Arabian oryxes used to be (opposite the outdoor enclosure for the colobus monkeys).

There are two new viewing platforms to the sides of the snow leopard enclosure (where the yurts used to be) which afford nice views through glass.

 

[Newzooboy]

Felt compelled to respond to these comments, I agree with some of what you say, but the comments about the Cheetah enclosure surprised me, the fake rock isn't that bad- certainly better than some i've seen, and certainly looks nicer than the old wooden platforms, also it conceals a cubbing den/kennel underneath which they wouldn't have been able to do with real rock quite so well. But the worst comment you made was about the walkway only giving 'slightly' better views than before... WHAT?.... that's nuts, the views from the walkway are so so much better than before, plus that corner is so much safer for everyone now that most people go up the boardwalk so the road is free for the trains and other zoo vehicles. I've had some absolutely excellent views of the Cheetahs since the new enclosure was done, of which I wouldn't have got anything like it with the old one, and for photography its great- no glass, no wire.
Marwells not perfect, but the Cheetah enclosure is one they've got right.

I'm sorry, we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one I'm afraid. You like it, good for you. I don't, and stick by my comments. Yes, I've seen worse fake rock too (much worse actually, like the truely awful Cheetah Rock at Whipsnade - where did this association of Cheetah's and Rocks come from!?), but also much better. And why does there need to be a rock at all, there are much better ways of creating a cubbing den than providing a giant plastic box that looks like a piece of giants play-doh! I much preferred the wooden platforms actually as the cheetahs used them. And the walkway would have been much better if it was a viewing platform rather than a walkway - do you really think it was done for saftey reasons? Many people still walk down the road so I can't see that being a factor. I've actually had very good views of the cheetahs in the old enclosures over the years from various vantage points and ok - if the cheetah is sat right next to the walkway, you do get a better view - but otherwise its not that different (and they are always on the ground since removal of the platforms).

Anyway, I know I'm going on off one here. Apologies. I just think they could have done better with the resources. As I said before, you like it and I'm sure lots of others do to so there you go......

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

There is a sign for scimitar-horned oryxes where the Arabian oryxes used to be (opposite the outdoor enclosure for the colobus monkeys).

Rather odd spacing for scimitars or they must be surplus to the main breeding herd (it also is out-of-sync with the general theming of that particular corner).

ANy idea if hybrid giraffe male Kwame is due to leave soon?
I take it that the separation of pure-breds and hybrids is somewhat final now?

@disagreements
I agree that the desert carnivore area is not the best representation of this biome. I feel MW needs to do better than that (also the artwork is not quite appealing). With Cheetah Rock I am more than fine. I like the exhibit and presentation. You are more than welcome not too ...

 

[mhale]

Rather odd spacing for scimitars or they must be surplus to the main breeding herd (it also is out-of-sync with the general theming of that particular corner).

I believe this particular enclosure is for 4 surplus males, who have been separated from the herd for several weeks now and have been residing in the Grevy's zebra stable block alongside where they are now.

I don't know the plans for the giraffe herd at present, sorry!

 

[sooty mangabey]

where did this association of Cheetah's and Rocks come from!?

I've not yet seen the Marwell cheetah enclosure, and from the pictures here it does look pretty underwhelming, but I think the link with cheetahs and rocks is a good one... one of the iconic East African images is of a cheetah atop a kopje, scanning the horizon...

 

[JamesB]

Had my first visit for around 3 years today, overall I really enjoyed the day. The park was relatively quiet and the weather was lovely.

Don't know if its been said, but the Mara have now moved to the enclosure by the toilets at the Tigers, they seem to have settled in well.

I agree with the comments about empty enclosures, the Bongo/Buffalo house was such a let down from how I remembered it. I'd say the cheetah enclosure was good enough, not amazing but still it fits well with Marwells subtle feel, they don't live to go overboard on theming.

It was good to see the wildebeest, first time I've seen one.

If anyone has questions, I will try to answer!

 

[Newzooboy]

I've not yet seen the Marwell cheetah enclosure, and from the pictures here it does look pretty underwhelming, but I think the link with cheetahs and rocks is a good one... one of the iconic East African images is of a cheetah atop a kopje, scanning the horizon...

Point taken - there is a good association. Does anyone know of any Cheetah enclosures that have managed to re-create this successfully?

 

[Zambar]

Having returned from Kenya two weeks ago (where I was also lucky enough to see wild cheetahs), I'd say that Marwell's fake kopje isn't far off the real thing; especially in the Mara, there's lots of grey rocky outcrops standing about.

 

[Cat-Man]

i think this is the appropriate place to as this question, what happened to the species housed in the nocturnal enclosure in world of the lemurs?

 

[Newzooboy]

Having returned from Kenya two weeks ago (where I was also lucky enough to see wild cheetahs), I'd say that Marwell's fake kopje isn't far off the real thing; especially in the Mara, there's lots of grey rocky outcrops standing about.

Do you have any pictures Zambar? Would be interested to see the comparison. Thanks