Shepreth Wildlife Park Shepreth Wildlife Park News

Up at Shepreth today (planning on expanding regular haunts this year so this is first outing here for me) - very active keepers and volunteers and not that rammed considering it’s a bank holiday.

Seems a pretty varied collection with lots of interesting enclosures - good balance of viewing and space for the animals. Got some good red panda shots.

They seem to have some nice multi animal groups (otters, coati etc) which is great to see and can’t help comparing diminishing collections in a couple of the larger places I visit a lot.

Any particular recommendations?

Enjoyed seeing the coatis - seeking the genets.
 
Was a bit of a treat to see the maned wolves out with one of the pups today, they were very active and a species that I often find quite hard to spot. Clouded leopards were also out and some good angles to see them from along with lots of things in their enclosure.

Enjoyed the tiger enclosure - good amount of vegetation and spots to hide in, one of the more interesting ones.
 
Last edited:
Lafone said:
Enjoyed the tiger enclosure - good amount of vegetation and spots to hide in, one of the more interesting ones.
Click to expand...

Agreed, I really like it! Despite its size, they've done a great job with filling it with plenty of plants and climbing structures; Works well for its 0.2 non breeding individuals.
 
Went to Shepreth on the way back from Linton today - managed to mostly dodge around the Duxford traffic - can’t begrudge air show nerds on the roads when you are on the way to the zoo!

Torrential rain and sun - classic British mix.

The black tailed marmoset and capybara youngsters were the highlight for my visit today (saw 2 young marmosets and 3 capybara) - first time I’ve seen the youngsters of either species and they were all visible at different times so a complete treat. Well worth the trip if you haven’t seen the young ones before.

The maned wolf pups have really grown out and appear to be nearly as big as mum and dad. They were shut in separate enclosures today (pups in the right hand side with the weird tower building and adults on the left) but not sure if that’s a temporary thing. All four were active.

The Scottish wildcats were also wandering around in their enclosure as were the genets. First time I’ve had a really good view of the genets.
 
Excellent afternoon at Shepreth today. Got to see (and photograph) the Scottish wildcats doing their keeper training (so they can be weighed etc) which was fascinating to watch.

All the animals were active including an infant red bellied tamarin I hadn’t seen before.

The young capybara were playing about - great to see them growing - the capybara are currently split between the two paddocks rather than altogether.
 
Very enjoyable visit to Shepreth today although it rained solidly and sometimes heavily from 11am onwards - not too many people around but lots of the animals were active despite the rain.

One of the advantages of a quiet day is the hive of activity in the free flight bat house when the bats realise there is someone there. Lots of noise and low flying and space to stay for a while too. Just the right time of year to see the nocturnal house in the quiet!

The aviary that contained the barn owl was empty and signed as going to be joined with the bengal eagle owl aviary next door to form a larger enclosure. I recall the barn owl was said to be quite old when I saw her flying in the summer so she may have died since I visited last. Or she may have moved collections. A beautiful bird though.

A few of the other birds (macaws etc) were signed as inside due to avian flu precautions. All the free flight birds such as the ibis were out.

Two young Pygmy marmosets have been produced by the group in the tropical house which was lovely to see.

Excellent sightings of the maned wolves, genets, wildcats - the tigers and otters were also active all day. I always enjoy the Shepreth otter group - great to be able to see a large number of otters together. The capuchins were also having fun in the rain. The young capybara are now quite a size and showing lots of independence wandering around the enclosure.
 
Lafone said:
Very enjoyable visit to Shepreth today although it rained solidly and sometimes heavily from 11am onwards - not too many people around but lots of the animals were active despite the rain.

One of the advantages of a quiet day is the hive of activity in the free flight bat house when the bats realise there is someone there. Lots of noise and low flying and space to stay for a while too. Just the right time of year to see the nocturnal house in the quiet!

The aviary that contained the barn owl was empty and signed as going to be joined with the bengal eagle owl aviary next door to form a larger enclosure. I recall the barn owl was said to be quite old when I saw her flying in the summer so she may have died since I visited last. Or she may have moved collections. A beautiful bird though.

A few of the other birds (macaws etc) were signed as inside due to avian flu precautions. All the free flight birds such as the ibis were out.

Two young Pygmy marmosets have been produced by the group in the tropical house which was lovely to see.

Excellent sightings of the maned wolves, genets, wildcats - the tigers and otters were also active all day. I always enjoy the Shepreth otter group - great to be able to see a large number of otters together. The capuchins were also having fun in the rain. The young capybara are now quite a size and showing lots of independence wandering around the enclosure.
Click to expand...
Surprised they moved the Macaws given Parrots aren’t considered that susceptible to AI.
 
Was up at Shepreth yesterday for a couple of hours on the way back from Linton. Kelabu, one of the female Sumatran tigers turned 15 yesterday so there was a lot of activity in the tiger enclosure with cardboard boxes being crushed and some feeding going on. Not sure about anyone else but I never tire of watching the big cats getting fed or having enrichment, the sheer power on display is excellent.

A new coati has arrived to add to the existing female group. From the Shepreth news feed it appears to be a former exotic pet. The same bird restrictions were in place as on my orevious visit. Loads of people (nice Sunday weather at end of half term) but the zoo manages to not feel crowded around the animal areas, even when the car park is mostly full.

Was sad to see the capybara group without the female who had the three young pups last year (she died in Jan) but all of them looked like they were getting on well.
 
Last edited:
Excellent morning at Shepreth today (Linton in the afternoon) and was lucky enough to get some great views of the Scottish wildcat kittens. There are barriers around the enclosure at a sensible distance and lots of quiet signs but the kittens were all playing about on the walkways and platforms so easy to see and enjoy from the designated spots. Haven’t seen Scottish wildcat kittens before so a definite treat. Got there at opening and there was quite a time before anyone else was around - lots of fun.

Zoo was fairly busy but not crowded (though the car park was full when I left) and the weather was lovely. Was nice to see some new prairie dog pups in the group in the wallaby walkthrough.

The bird enclosures at the bridge area have seen some changes with the barn owl sadly gone and the caracara now having access to a double enclosure, the tawny owl next door and the bengal eagle owl now up at the end of the zoo near the red pandas.

The maned wolves including juveniles were all active (they are the least shy maned wolves I’ve seen) and generally all the animals were out and about apart from the clouded leopards but that wasn’t a surprise as I’ve had little luck seeing them there!
 
We went to Shepreth today for the first time.
Very much enjoyed it.
All 4 Scottish Wildcat kittens were active before noon, they are just adorable. The keeper said during the talk they are 3 months old.

I knew it wasn't going to be a big place, and I thought it looked slightly bigger on the map, then actually walking around.
But we managed to stay for almost the entire day.
We did do see most of the talks too and had lunch there, so that already fills in some gaps.

We also spotted 2 tiny baby Pygmy Marmosets
The Genets were very visible before noon, wich was nice.
Shame you can't go to Lemur island? hehe So could only watch from a distance.
The big Armedillo was lying flat (sleeping I guess), and we've seen quite a few Armadillo's now, but for the first time we actually managed to get a nice picture, as I've never actually seen one lying still, always quickly on the move when we see them.
Out of all the animals, the Agouti is the only one we didn't see all day.

I seem to be terrible at zoo reports I've noticed, but yeah, nice day out, and entrance discount due to having a Linton pass was also a very nice bonus.
 
Other 2023 News:

On January 26th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) miniature donkey named Sheri passed away.

It's with great sadness that we... - Shepreth Wildlife Park

On January 20th, the zoo announced they acquired (1.1) golden lion tamarins named Manchego and Rae which are now on exhibit.

Fabulous news! We have a new... - Shepreth Wildlife Park
✨ Have you spotted some of our... - Shepreth Wildlife Park

On March 19th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) Parma wallaby was born and emerged out of the pouch.

Happy Mother's Day! | By Shepreth Wildlife Park | Facebook

On March 22nd, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) Indian eagle owl named Cassie.

Shepreth Wildlife Park

On April 19th, the zoo announced the names of (1.1) pygmy marmosets born in 2022, Sinchi and Chaska.

Time's up! We're thrilled to... - Shepreth Wildlife Park

On May 10th, the zoo announced the names of (1.1) maned wolves, Orion and Lua.*

SAY HI TO LUA & ORION ✨! Thank... - Shepreth Wildlife Park

On May 13th, the zoo announced they acquired (1.1) white-crested turacos named Winston and Wanda which are now on exhibit in the Africa Sands area.

Please everyone welcome Winston &... - Shepreth Wildlife Park

On June 17th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) striated caracara named Daphne in April which is now on exhibit with the facility's male.

Everyone please welcome Daphne,... - Shepreth Wildlife Park

On June 19th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) snowy owl named Freya.

Wish Thor a HAPPY... - Shepreth Wildlife Park

On June 30th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (1.0) maned wolf named Zorro to Hamerton Zoo in Huntingdon.

Hamerton Zoo Park on Instagram: "A new Maned Wolf! Please welcome Zorro to the Park! Zorro arrived a few weeks ago from @sheprethwpark and is settling in to his new home well. #manedwolf #hamertonzoopark keeper Georgina"
Kanassa and Pacha's first son... - Shepreth Wildlife Park

On August 9th, the zoo announced they acquired (2.0) black-and-white ruffed lemurs named Alexi and Dustin from Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park in Scotland, which are now on exhibit.

Meet our new lemurs with keeper TK! If you visit us, you will be able to hear all about them at our daily talk at 2.30pm. | By Shepreth Wildlife Park - Facebook

*I'm not exactly sure what maned wolves they are referring to here, as the 2 maned wolves that were born in 2022 were previously named Zorro and Zyanya, and of which Zorro went to Hamerton Zoo, not under Orion. Was there another set of births in 2022 that was missed?
 
Smaggledagle said:
Other 2023 News:

On January 26th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) miniature donkey named Sheri passed away.

It's with great sadness that we... - Shepreth Wildlife Park

On January 20th, the zoo announced they acquired (1.1) golden lion tamarins named Manchego and Rae which are now on exhibit.

Fabulous news! We have a new... - Shepreth Wildlife Park
✨ Have you spotted some of our... - Shepreth Wildlife Park

On March 19th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) Parma wallaby was born and emerged out of the pouch.

Happy Mother's Day! | By Shepreth Wildlife Park | Facebook

On March 22nd, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) Indian eagle owl named Cassie.

Shepreth Wildlife Park

On April 19th, the zoo announced the names of (1.1) pygmy marmosets born in 2022, Sinchi and Chaska.

Time's up! We're thrilled to... - Shepreth Wildlife Park

On May 10th, the zoo announced the names of (1.1) maned wolves, Orion and Lua.*

SAY HI TO LUA & ORION ✨! Thank... - Shepreth Wildlife Park

On May 13th, the zoo announced they acquired (1.1) white-crested turacos named Winston and Wanda which are now on exhibit in the Africa Sands area.

Please everyone welcome Winston &... - Shepreth Wildlife Park

On June 17th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) striated caracara named Daphne in April which is now on exhibit with the facility's male.

Everyone please welcome Daphne,... - Shepreth Wildlife Park

On June 19th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) snowy owl named Freya.

Wish Thor a HAPPY... - Shepreth Wildlife Park

On June 30th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (1.0) maned wolf named Zorro to Hamerton Zoo in Huntingdon.

Hamerton Zoo Park on Instagram: "A new Maned Wolf! Please welcome Zorro to the Park! Zorro arrived a few weeks ago from @sheprethwpark and is settling in to his new home well. #manedwolf #hamertonzoopark keeper Georgina"
Kanassa and Pacha's first son... - Shepreth Wildlife Park

On August 9th, the zoo announced they acquired (2.0) black-and-white ruffed lemurs named Alexi and Dustin from Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park in Scotland, which are now on exhibit.

Meet our new lemurs with keeper TK! If you visit us, you will be able to hear all about them at our daily talk at 2.30pm. | By Shepreth Wildlife Park - Facebook

*I'm not exactly sure what maned wolves they are referring to here, as the 2 maned wolves that were born in 2022 were previously named Zorro and Zyanya, and of which Zorro went to Hamerton Zoo, not under Orion. Was there another set of births in 2022 that was missed?
Click to expand...

The pups Zorro and Zyana were born in December 2021 to Kanessana and Pascha, see the post by Desertrhino150 at the top of this page. I took this of one of them and parent in May 2022.

Zyana has since gone on to have a pup at Exmoor.

I believe Lua and Orion were born end 2022.
 

Attachments

  • 8323A2A6-1021-4600-9FB4-F5E10F785724.jpeg
    8323A2A6-1021-4600-9FB4-F5E10F785724.jpeg
    113.8 KB · Views: 5
Piece of July 2023 News Not Mentioned:

On July 26th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (0.0.1) Asian small-clawed otter named Bao to Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire.

Meet the amazing otters! | Otterly adorable! Kai & Bao recently joined us from Edinburgh Zoo and Shepreth Wildlife Park and have settled into their new Otter Rocks habitat! ... | By Paradise Wildlife Park | Facebook

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On August 30th, the zoo announced they transferred a (0.1) black-tailed marmoset named Pi to Writtle University College in Essex.

Although we miss her, we are so... - Shepreth Wildlife Park
 
Had an enjoyable afternoon at Shepreth - quiet visitor wise and the weather was lovely.

Although it had been reported above and on the Zoo's facebook page I was sad to see the Black tailed marmoset enclosure without the marmosets (Agouti remain in residence). One of my favourite small primates and not easy to see in the UK with so few holders.

It was however great to see the pygmy marmoset family coming along well in the tropical house.

Was good to see the new Caracara female - the two caracara share the now double enclosure opposite the Lemurs with the other space now out of use and signed for vet care (no inhabitants). No sign of the tawny owl so guess that has gone.

The golden lion tamarins acquired since my last visit were out on their island, offering excellent views. Both the islands are occupied at the moment (the other with the red bellied tamarins) before they move back into their winter area and a good way to see them.

Was lovely to see the Scottish Wildcat kittens playing about in the enclosure, all nearly the size of their mother by this stage. Some of the enclosure was fenced off but managed to get good views and shots anyway.

One of the macaw enclosures was signed as empty.

The quiet day paid off with some very active and visible clouded leopards who played together and sat around washing themselves in the sun. I've always found them elusive before, so that was a bit of a treat. The tigers and red pandas were also active which offered a fun end to the day.
 
Had a pleasant few hours at Shepreth on the way back from Linton. Some nice sunshine. Caught clouded leopard, wildcat and tiger feeding so that all made for some good views!

The Scottish wildcat kittens have been split up, with the two males now in the enclosure for the Scops owls who are now housed next door to the Caracara in the enclosure marked empty on a previus visit. The two female wildcats are in with mum. The males are signed as leaving soon, the keeper talk mentioned they don't know the destination as yet. So if you are looking to visit to see the young cats, worth bearing their upcoming move in mind. The temporary additional stand off fencing has been removed, making for good views all round.
 

Attachments

  • sheprethkittensign.jpg
    sheprethkittensign.jpg
    126.2 KB · Views: 4
Just adding that when reviewing my trip notes for photo processing (how sad does that make me sound so moving on fast ) that the Cusimanse are not signed in the enclosure with the Aardvark near the meerkats any more. Don’t know if the Cusimanse have moved on, or something else has happened to them or I just missed them somewhere else - one at least was fairly old. Will be a shame if they have gone, not easy to see them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top