Golders Hill Park and Zoo Personal Vision

S

simmojunior

Active Member
I live about a 15 minutes walk from here and used to visit regularly. It used to have Blackbuck, Capybara, Flamingos, Rheas, Maras and Wallabies. However, about 10 years ago all of these (apart from the Mara) were removed and eventually replaced with many species of birds including Cranes and Seriema as well as some Alpacas briefly. However, about two years ago most of its collection was recalled by the owner of the animals and all that remains are Mara, Lady Amerherst's Pheasants and Rheas have returned. There is also a large fallow deer paddock which has a herd of about 15 deer and a pair of Donkeys.

There were plans of Meerkats, Otters, Red River Hogs, Bat-Eared Foxes and Owls but these were abandoned.

Does anyone have any idea what will happen to the collection next or alternatively have an idea of the species they would like to see in it (please no Giraffes, Pandas, Tigers etc.). It has a large deer paddock, two netted crane enclosures, a fairly large enclosure with Mara and Rhea, 3 fairly small aviaries and an empty shorebird enclosure.
 
I have seen pics of this zoo an it looks like its in a nie setting with some potential.
The Large Fallow Deer enclosure could also have some muntjak added to it perhaps a european theme would be very good idea for the small park.
the enclosure with Mara and Rhea could be moved and could hold Eurpean Lynx in a Howletts Style enclosure - Wire mesh with a dip going to the fence which allows for good viewing.
Foxes could be added next to it too if possible next to the Muntjak and Fallow Deer enclosure to add a predator/prey atmosphere to it, But with plenty of space for the animals to move away from the other enclosure if they get stressed.Wild Cats could also be added.
The Crane enclosure's could hold European Cranes and other bird species.
One of the avaries could be made into a British Otter enclosure with a stream running through it with wader species in an avairy next door.
With more smaller zoos specialising in different sets of species European collections are rare in the Uk especially in a city park setting but this specialising could help the park go forward. :)
As ive never been what i could of said could all be rubbish but i hope everyone does along with the idea.
Regards
 
Riziki said:
I have seen pics of this zoo an it looks like its in a nie setting with some potential.
The Large Fallow Deer enclosure could also have some muntjak added to it perhaps a european theme would be very good idea for the small park.
the enclosure with Mara and Rhea could be moved and could hold Eurpean Lynx in a Howletts Style enclosure - Wire mesh with a dip going to the fence which allows for good viewing.
Foxes could be added next to it too if possible next to the Muntjak and Fallow Deer enclosure to add a predator/prey atmosphere to it, But with plenty of space for the animals to move away from the other enclosure if they get stressed.Wild Cats could also be added.
The Crane enclosure's could hold European Cranes and other bird species.
One of the avaries could be made into a British Otter enclosure with a stream running through it with wader species in an avairy next door.
With more smaller zoos specialising in different sets of species European collections are rare in the Uk especially in a city park setting but this specialising could help the park go forward. :)
As ive never been what i could of said could all be rubbish but i hope everyone does along with the idea.
Regards
Click to expand...

There used to be muntjacs in the collection with wallabies, mara and Rhea in what now has Rheas and Maras. However they were sent to exmoor as the owner of the animals wanted to make a South American exhibit here. He said that they could not go in with the deer as they migh jump out of the cage.

I like the idea of European species, particularly European Cranes and Otters. I think the two small aviaries would be ideal for owls (perhaps Eagle Owl or Barn Owl). The enclosure at the bottom would be by far the largest Lynx exhibit in the country and is more of a size suitable for Wolves. One of the crane enclosures could be used for Wildcat but is probably too small for Lynx. Unfortunately, as Golders Hill Zoo is free, they are unlikely to be able to afford Wolves, Lynx and Wildcat but species such as polecats, red squirrels and Red Deer would be very nice.
 
Has anyone managed to talk to the owner first and get some idea of the future plans for this privately run zoo?
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Has anyone managed to talk to the owner first and get some idea of the future plans for this privately run zoo?
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The zoo is not privately owned, its owned by the council. The previous animals were owned by a private collector in Norfolk whose name I have forgotten. He said he owned a lot of the animals in London and Twycross Zoo.
 
simmojunior said:
The zoo is not privately owned, its owned by the council. The previous animals were owned by a private collector in Norfolk whose name I have forgotten. He said he owned a lot of the animals in London and Twycross Zoo.
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The name you are looking for is Ben Potterton who is now Curator of Birds and Plants at Twycross Zoo.
 
As the zoo is run by the council and is free money to keep such big animals such as bears or bison would be very difficult to find so big animals are not a possibility for the park.
Not all zoos need big species though.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Could this be the Shorelands, Norfolk?
I have just put out a new thread on them!
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He said, when I spoke to him about 4 years ago, his collection was based in Norfolk. He said his collection included deer, alpaca, blackbuck, lemurs, Dik Diks, Meerkats, Bat Eared Foxes and Many birds.
 
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