Marwell Wildlife The Cat Collection

[Zambar]

When Marwell is described it usually highlighted about it's cat collection. Indeed, along with hoofstock big cats were one of John Knowle's focus points for the park when he planned it in 1970. However...

In 1982, cats at the park were Siberian Tigers, Sumatran Tigers, Asiatic Lions, Jaguars, Persian Leopards, Snow Leopards, Cheetahs, Northern Lynx, Caracal Lynx and Servals.
Now, it is Siberian Tigers, Amur Leopards, Snow Leopards, Cheetahs, Ocelots, Servals and Sand Cats.

Whilst it seems reasonable compared to other collections, the loss of lions and jaguars and lack of small cat species seems a bit desolate when you look at John Knowles' ambition. It'd be interesting to see what you think, but I personally feel Marwell doesn't have a broad enough scope of cats given their interest and success they have with them.

 

[Cat-Man]

they should have continued with the jags, what happened to the Sumatran tigers?

 

[MARK]

Would you expect any zoo collection to stay the same since 1970?

 

[Zambar]

I'm not explicitly saying that they should stay the same, I just feel that as one of Marwell's 'focus' animals I feel there should be more emphasis on what is something the park is very keen and very successful on.

 

[zoogiraffe]

Aren`t zoo`s allowed to change their focus,as for it been a Focus species these can change within a zoo with a change of leadership at the collection or as recommend by BIAZA,EAZA and EEP`s.