Had an enjoyable first visit to New Forest Wildlife Park today. Mixed weather and not many visitors which made for some quiet spaces. An interesting mix of native and exotic animals in a pretty setting and a definite highlight if you like otters!
Entering via the gift shop (the gates I assume are used only in the higher seasons) there were some decent aviaries for several owls including great grey and barn owls and then a walkthrough into a glass house area, with a red fox and a polecat. Some nice natural ponds, bug houses etc along the way. An enclosure for badgers (understandably unseen) was a nice surprise.
The glasshouse included a sign from 2022 on the closure of a former butterfly area, which must have been nice in it's day, but there was still plenty to enjoy inside with the first of several sets of otters..a single Eurasian otter, two female giant otters and an enclosure for asian short claws. The mix of indoor ponds, one with a small waterfall, indoor space and outside enclosures the otters could access as they liked was interesting and I can't say I've seen it done anywhere else in quite that way. Good amount of things for the otters to do and good viewing to be had.
Two enclosures for domestic ferrets sleeping in piles, a vivarium of common toads and a very nice harvest mouse display completed the glashouse collection. Good space and set things up well for the rest of the day. The harvest mouse display was particulary well done, with viewing from all four sides and lots going on...a keeper mentioned they breed the mice for wild release and the inhabitants were certainly putting their backs into it.
Further along the path were more active asian short clawed otters, this time in a double sized outdoor enclosure with house and pond.
Heading down past a couple of snowy owls next to a play area, was a right hand turn to the wallaby wood but I first headed straight on, to the free roaming deer and the enclosures in that space. Sika and fallow deer were wandering around the area. I can't say I've had a fallow deer rummaging in my pockets before, so that was a first. I managed to shake the deer off when an unsuspecting visitor stopped to admire it, last seen attached to her trousers. Nice to see deer of various ages and notes about the successful births in 2023.
There was an enclosure under construction at the start of the area with a pond, house and fencing similar to that in use in the otter enclosures but no signage. An enclosure for barn owls was opposite a spacious enclosure for smooth coated otters who were super active (helped by them having their lunch while I was there) playing in their pool and running about. Further along the path were the second group of giant otters, with one new pup visible, playing near the house. They were also active and feeding in their pond. Very enjoyable to watch. I am an unapologetic otter fan and it's an all you can eat buffet of a zoo in otter terms.
The Scottish wildcats appeared to be off show and two new separate enclosures were being constructed with some smart looking climbing structures and platforms and some new planting.
Near those enclosures was a pine marten enclosure set well back from the path. I wasn't surprised not to see the male noted as living there. The deer have full range of this area and between them and the native birds (chaffinch, wagtails, tits etc) singing in the abundant trees, it made for an enjoyable wander between enclosures.
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Further along, past an aviary for Eurasian Eagle owl and a wire aviary for a conversational tawny owl, was a spacious enclosure for a herd of red deer and seperate enclosures for three male bison and then a female boar and youngsters. The red deer stag had a stunning set of antlers.
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Heading back out of the deer walkthrough I retraced my steps then headed off down a path towards the 'wallaby wood', passing over some wooden bridges, past several ponds and a wildlife pool which must be busy in the warmer weather.
The wood does indeed have wallabies (free roaming) but also enclosures for Mouflon sheep, Lynx, a male wild boar and Northwestern wolves.
The sheep were dozing but it was great to see a herd of them and there is ample viewing. The lynx enclosure also made good use of the natural terrain (neither of the two were visible). There were platforms as well as trees to climb and good cover for the cats.
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The four Northwestern wolves were a real treat. I hadn't realised they were originally from Colchester and arrived at the zoo in 2011, so not the youngest pack, but lovely to look at. These days it is harder to see North American wolves in UK zoos, so I hung around for ages watching them after they got up from a nap in their sandy den. Good enclosure space for them with super viewing spots, varied terrain and a sizeable looking house at the rear. Super all round. There was even some howling, which is always interesting to hear.
After viewing the wallabies, I headed back up the path, found myself back at the start with time to go around again. I made a few loops over the day, seeing most of the animals.
There were a few keeper talks going on. I went to the one about the deer and it was interesting and informative.
Overall it's a zoo that makes good use of it's location, with many of the enclosures using the natural cover and trees. There's a fair amount of wire and wood as you'd expect but it is well laid out overall. Some excellent educational information on native wildlife from frogs to deer. Great backdrops for viewing the larger animals and nice views across the neighbouring fields and woods.
I did like the signage across the whole park, lots of information on the animals, clearly laid out with nice pictures and then comment cards with their names and histories nearby. A good mix of the educational and the 'personal'. This is an example from the fallow deer area including the commentary, fact board and antler. Nicely done.
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Fun day out and I'd make a return trip. Recommended for otter fans, anyone who enjoys wolves and if you enjoy a collection with a lovely backdrop.
Rolo is back on show!