Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park (Closed) Visit Update and Opinions

Paix

Well-Known Member
Hello,

I visited Galloway Wildlife Park for the first time a couple days back and I must say I was rather excited whilst we were driving down the long, thin road to the park, regardless of the fact that we really would be stuck if we bumped into another car!

We arrived at the carpark and I instantly got the small zoo feel, the small house, the wooden entrance, log and junk piles etc. We entered through the gates and I must admit, my face dropped. I saw a kids play area and Rabbit Hutches... We followed round the circle of exhibits opposite the entrance...

A large yet bare Otter enclosure, I saw my first Bat Eared Fox, a large Meerkat enclosure, wild chickens, A Mara enclosure (which suprised me as they are usually allowed to roam a Zoo) and a slightly on the small side Yellow Mongoose Enclosure. We followed on, didnt see the Civets, enjoyed seeing the Baby Rabbits and got some excellent snaps of the Macaw.

Following down I once again became a little upset as I could not see the Scottish Wildcat although I did see the Eurasian Lynx beside them, Oposite was your average mix of Tapir/Capybara/Rhea and oddly Guinea Fowl. I became very excited when I saw my first Tree Porcupines and for what it seemed to be, a very good enclosure too. I saw my first Caracal Lynx, a few Owls followed etc.

My opinions were good at this point but I wanted much more, until I came around the corner, A fantastic Collared Peccary Enclosure, my favourite animals - Maned Wolves, a very good Corsac Fox enclosure and just around the corner the Dhole Enclosure, although I didnt see the Dhole!

Well I was extremely happy, the back half of the zoo is much more exotic and exciting, in a woodland setting, it is the perfect scene. I was happy to see many log piles, plant piles, and there were signs up explaining their great environmental impact!

What followed was an Aussi Outback, an interesting mixed aviary, great Lemur Enclosures and a fantastic Red Panda enclosure.

Future exhbits was a Marmoset enclosure with Agouti in one of the Owl Aviaries, they had a lack of funds yet I spent about £30 there and donated to the Marmoset enclosure fund! In my opinion it is definatly worth the visit and is a must to any zoo lover.
 
not an update as such but thinking of visiting here on my way back home from a couple of weeks further north - anyone recommend somewhere to stay for the night? - I'll be travelling down from Pitlochry and then heading home to the North west of england after a trip to the park maybe or does it need a whole day to visit?
Thanks as always
 
Last edited:
does it need a whole day to visit?

The park will not take a whole day to visit. Whilst I know everyone has different paces for their zoo visits, you could easily do the whole place (possibly including two walk arounds) in between two and four hours (absolute maximum).
 
I think Galloway Wildlife park is a lovely small zoo, it was the first place and still the best view I have had of Mane Wolves and we saw the Red Panda cubs in 2009 which were beautiful. Sadly as a sign of the times, Galloway is struggling, but they have some wonderful species and hope that people give generously to help this zoo stay open :)
 
Back
Top