Marwell Wildlife The Future
- Thread starter Cat-Man
- Start date
I know quite a bit about the ten year plan, and hope to be of use. From what I know...
- The African Valley, as you've been discussing, will initially hold some present species that will be connected from current housing: zebras, ostriches, etc., later adding the giraffes and rhinos to the mix. A safari bus (eg. Port Lymnpe) or a train (eg. Whipsnade) will be added later on, and one or more waterholes will be dug in the gap between the valley.
- The paddock opposite the coatis will become a new complex for gorillas. This is another of the most put-forward plans, and should materialise within a few years.
- The woodland opposite the entrance pond will become the British Woodland area; visitors will be able to take a nature trail, whilst discovering native species like dormice and learning about Marwell's in-situ conservation work.
- The Entrance & Gift Shop will be relocated to the site of the former restaraunt, Treetops, into one large 'visitor centre' complex. The current gift shop would then become the zoo's new tropical house, specialising in South American Rainforests. Tropical World would then likely become home to Komodo Dragons, as it is in the South-East Asian biome area.
I'm a member of the Oryx Club there, so I go there nearly every month, therefore knowing the zoo like the back of my hand.
If anyone wants to know something about Marwell, please ask me. 
- The African Valley, as you've been discussing, will initially hold some present species that will be connected from current housing: zebras, ostriches, etc., later adding the giraffes and rhinos to the mix. A safari bus (eg. Port Lymnpe) or a train (eg. Whipsnade) will be added later on, and one or more waterholes will be dug in the gap between the valley.
- The paddock opposite the coatis will become a new complex for gorillas. This is another of the most put-forward plans, and should materialise within a few years.
- The woodland opposite the entrance pond will become the British Woodland area; visitors will be able to take a nature trail, whilst discovering native species like dormice and learning about Marwell's in-situ conservation work.
- The Entrance & Gift Shop will be relocated to the site of the former restaraunt, Treetops, into one large 'visitor centre' complex. The current gift shop would then become the zoo's new tropical house, specialising in South American Rainforests. Tropical World would then likely become home to Komodo Dragons, as it is in the South-East Asian biome area.
I'm a member of the Oryx Club there, so I go there nearly every month, therefore knowing the zoo like the back of my hand.
If anyone wants to know something about Marwell, please ask me. 
Im not sure why they should want to relocate the gift shop, I always thought the one at Marwell to be quite good to be honest. I dont think its that old either.
Im really looking forward to the next couple of years as far as Marwell is concerned, seems like it could be some of the most crucial and important years in the zoos history.
Im really looking forward to the next couple of years as far as Marwell is concerned, seems like it could be some of the most crucial and important years in the zoos history.
Can you explain more precisely where this will be? What species uses the area now would help. Thanks.
marwelldalek - why on earth would they want komodo dragons in a tropical house themed on the amazon?
pertinax i think he means where the somali wild ass and water buck are or it could be where the chapmans zebra are, can you confirm this marwell dalek?
and also any questions please feel to ask me too
pertinax i think he means where the somali wild ass and water buck are or it could be where the chapmans zebra are, can you confirm this marwell dalek?
and also any questions please feel to ask me too
Tiger, read Marwell Dalek's post again.
He said that there would be a new tropical house (on the site of the gift shop) which specialises in south american species and that Komodo Dragons would be in the exisiting one (Tropical World).
Komodo Dragons isn't confirmed, it's a rumour that I believe is likely, as I said in my post; Tropical World is currently in the South-East Asian Biome, and if it were to remain a tropical when one in the gift shop would already be present, it would have to be for said South-East Asian animals, which Life in the Trees and Encounter Village have sussed pretty well. James Cretney has said that he wants Marwell to keep more 'dangerous' reptiles, so Komodos seem the logical choice.
By opposite, I mean any side facing; so yes it could be the current zebra/ostrich paddock or current wild ass/waterbuck paddocks. The okapi paddocks will remain as they are as far as I can estimate.
By opposite, I mean any side facing; so yes it could be the current zebra/ostrich paddock or current wild ass/waterbuck paddocks. The okapi paddocks will remain as they are as far as I can estimate.
karenZOO
Well-Known Member
All sounds fantastic 
I am going for a few days next week (staying at the hotel right outside the zoo!)
I love Marwell its always evolving and there is always so much to see, so much has changed since we were there early last year but the future plans sound very exciting!
I am going for a few days next week (staying at the hotel right outside the zoo!)I love Marwell its always evolving and there is always so much to see, so much has changed since we were there early last year but the future plans sound very exciting!
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OK, I'm now going to say the exact opposite of Karen - I think the new plans sound positively ghastly, and I fear that Marwell is losing it's sense of direction altogether.
I dislike the African safari idea, it sounds to me like something that wouldn't be out of place at a Disney theme park, and it's obviously being done to make big bucks. African species equal more visitors, and conservation efforts go out of the window!
I also really don't like it when zoos plough vast sums of money into cafes and gift shops when their existing facilities are fine - in the case of Marwell, I'd rate their facilities as some of the best of any UK zoo. So why change it? Most of these projects sound like a terrible waste of money to me, surely they could think of better projects than that lot. Only the gorilla exhibit sounds even slightly appealing to me, and I'm not too fussed on that.
I dislike the African safari idea, it sounds to me like something that wouldn't be out of place at a Disney theme park, and it's obviously being done to make big bucks. African species equal more visitors, and conservation efforts go out of the window!
I also really don't like it when zoos plough vast sums of money into cafes and gift shops when their existing facilities are fine - in the case of Marwell, I'd rate their facilities as some of the best of any UK zoo. So why change it? Most of these projects sound like a terrible waste of money to me, surely they could think of better projects than that lot. Only the gorilla exhibit sounds even slightly appealing to me, and I'm not too fussed on that.
My only problem with the new gibbon exhibit is the lack of vines, as i've mentioned before, but i believe they are going to sort that out soon.
I can see why they have built a new restaurant, the old 'Treetops' one is situated right at the entrance of the zoo, hardly the best place for people to stop off and grab a bite to eat. Its the gift shop that puzzles me more.
I can see why they have built a new restaurant, the old 'Treetops' one is situated right at the entrance of the zoo, hardly the best place for people to stop off and grab a bite to eat. Its the gift shop that puzzles me more.
I have to disagree with Sand Cat.
Firstly the old Restuarant 'Treetops' was in a v poor state and desperately needed replacing. Also having a new Restuarant more central to the Park is a lot better for visitors - otherwise if you want lunch half way round you would need to go back to the beginning again.
The African Safari area is being v carefully planned and is not going to be 'Disney style'! They already have many of the species that will go in this field (which they already owned). The area is huge and will be good for both the animals and visitors. Marwell continue to do a lot of Conservation work in Africa and other parts of the world - extending the Part will not affect this - but could offer more opportunties to tell visitors about their work, particularly with Grevy zebra.
Most zoos have a development plan, so I think it is good that Marwell now also knows what direction they are going in. The recent developments eg Snow Leopard, Gibbon, Anteater, Encounter Village are all much better than before for both visitors and animals. The Gibbon enclosure is still fairly new and they may be plans to develop/ improve signage etc. - I think it is unfair criticise it so much because this takes time and money.
This thread is about the future of Marwell zoo, so I totally understand why Marwell Dalek is talking about the 'Master Plan' - but as pointed out previously many of these plans may be in the very distant future and may not even happen.
Marwell Dalek I think it is better to just talk in detail (eg new species) about the things that are v likely to happen, just to avoid confusion. This is not a criticism
Firstly the old Restuarant 'Treetops' was in a v poor state and desperately needed replacing. Also having a new Restuarant more central to the Park is a lot better for visitors - otherwise if you want lunch half way round you would need to go back to the beginning again.
The African Safari area is being v carefully planned and is not going to be 'Disney style'! They already have many of the species that will go in this field (which they already owned). The area is huge and will be good for both the animals and visitors. Marwell continue to do a lot of Conservation work in Africa and other parts of the world - extending the Part will not affect this - but could offer more opportunties to tell visitors about their work, particularly with Grevy zebra.
Most zoos have a development plan, so I think it is good that Marwell now also knows what direction they are going in. The recent developments eg Snow Leopard, Gibbon, Anteater, Encounter Village are all much better than before for both visitors and animals. The Gibbon enclosure is still fairly new and they may be plans to develop/ improve signage etc. - I think it is unfair criticise it so much because this takes time and money.
This thread is about the future of Marwell zoo, so I totally understand why Marwell Dalek is talking about the 'Master Plan' - but as pointed out previously many of these plans may be in the very distant future and may not even happen.
Marwell Dalek I think it is better to just talk in detail (eg new species) about the things that are v likely to happen, just to avoid confusion. This is not a criticism
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I am using this information from what I have gained from zoo news, annual reports, and discussions with Bill Hall; if anyone knows the zoo, it's him, and if you ever meet him you can learn some interesting. I have been saying that these are rumours, outlines and likely events; anything different could happen, such as before the Bat-Eared fox enclosure was built, two apparentley confirmed plans were made before this: Building avairy and mixing with birds and then mixing them with Addax in Aridlands. So as the Doctor would say, zoo management is in a state of flux: Things can change with the slightest descisions.
TLG, I know for sure the restaraunt is opening tommorow, and gates from some some existing paddocks to the valley have already being built, so species will move in on pending times after the restaraunt's opening presumably. And what's with the whole 'official representitive': Everyone is equal depending on how much they like their local zoos, and to claim that is a bit selfish.
TLG, I know for sure the restaraunt is opening tommorow, and gates from some some existing paddocks to the valley have already being built, so species will move in on pending times after the restaraunt's opening presumably. And what's with the whole 'official representitive': Everyone is equal depending on how much they like their local zoos, and to claim that is a bit selfish.