Marwell Wildlife Sun Bears

[Zambar]

I know from the history book Marwell: The Story so Far that soon after opening Marwell kept a pair of sun bears that had moved from Weyhill Zoo (now the Hawk Conservancy) as they had got too aggresive in their previous enclosure. However it made no difference at Marwell, so they were soon moved on again.

Did anyone see the bears, and even better any pics of them and/or they're enclosure? And where were they kept in the first place? (On a side, is there any possibility of bears returning in the zoo's masterplan?)

 

[Cat-Man]

I know from the history book Marwell: The Story so Far that soon after opening Marwell kept a pair of sun bears that had moved from Weyhill Zoo (now the Hawk Conservancy) as they had got too aggresive in their previous enclosure. However it made no difference at Marwell, so they were soon moved on again.

Did anyone see the bears, and even better any pics of them and/or they're enclosure? And where were they kept in the first place? (On a side, is there any possibility of bears returning in the zoo's masterplan?)

were did you get this book? as i am intrested in it

 

[JamesB]

Ive read the book, wow you must have some great reading skills, becuase i dont remeber reading anything about bears ;P

 

[zooman1]

were did you get this book? as i am intrested in it

Cat man i have a spare copy of this book if you want to send me a private message i could let you have it.

the sun bears where moved to Rhenen Zoo in Holland its on page 22 of the book Tigerlemur so MD is reading right

 

[Pertinax]

The sun bears were only acquired by accident really as they were offered by Weyhill Zoo who wanted rid of them. They were kept temporaily in one of the quarantine cages in the old stableyard area, but proved very destructive and tried to dig their way out so were soon moved on to Rhenen Zoo without a permanent enclosure having been built for them at MZP.

 

[Pertinax]

The Sun Bears only remained in the stable yard for a very short time , indeed they later moved on from Rhenen , one moving to Indonesia I think and one died.I have the details somewhere! Z.

Marwell should not really have accepted them but there was a tendency at take on anything offered them in those early days.

 

[Bele]

There were also a pair of clouded leopards in the Stable Yard in the early days , I think they were on loan .

 

[Zambar]

Yes, there were some leopard cats in there too that never went on public exhibition.

 

[Pertinax]

There were also a pair of clouded leopards in the Stable Yard in the early days , I think they were on loan .

For a time they lived in a little metal Gazebo cage near the front of the mansion. I think it formerly was a peacock cage... One of the Cloudeds was blind in one eye, both were very nervous and hid away most of the time.

At least they and leopard cats were in line with the 'Felines' policy, but the Sunbears certainly weren't- they were a mistake....