Wildwood Discovery Park Wildwood news

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In October 2022, Wildwood received larvae of native glow worms (Lampyris noctiluca) from the Derek Gow Conservancy, together with Manchester Museum. The larvae have now developed into adults and will hopefully produce young of their own. The intention is for the increased number of larvae bred at Wildwood to be reintroduced to the wild in the south of England.

More information can be found in the link below:
Unusual facts about glow worms.
 
Here are some updates from this year about Wildwood Kent taken from their Facebook page.

In early January, bull European bison 'Haydes' died, following the death of the other male 'Orsk' in 2023.

In late January, a group of volunteer tradesmen completed a project to build eight new enclosures for the breeding of pine martens.

In late February, two new young male European bison have arrived at Wildwood Kent from Highland Wildlife Park.
 
2 Pieces of 2024 News Not Mentioned:

On January 20th, it was announced that the zoo acquired a (1.0) Scottish wildcat named Fletcher from the Five Sisters Zoo in Scotland.

Five Sisters Zoo

On February 9th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) red-necked wallaby was born.

We have some news We have a Wildwood Wallaby with a Joey!! Wallabies and other marsupials have a special pouch — called a marsupium — for carrying... | By Wildwood KentFacebook

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On March 15th, the zoo announced that they transferred a (1.0) European brown bear named Diego to Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park in Suffolk.

Safe journey Diego! | Safe journey Diego! Yesterday, we said our farewells to Diego and sent him safely on his way to his forever home at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park... | By Wildwood KentFacebook
 
Wildwood have recently announced that their arctic foxes have had a litter of cubs. To give the animals some privacy, the arctic fox walkthrough will be closed until half-term, with limited numbers of visitors allowed in from Saturday.

Information comes from the trust's Facebook page.
 
According to Wildwood Kent's Facebook page, a new species has arrived at the collection - a young Chinese water deer. Arriving with it are three young fallow deer.

The young animals are currently in quarantine, and should be on full display sometime in late September.
 
Visited the other day, a few things to note:
  • There is a new invertebrate display which talks about the zoos work surveying Heath Fritillaries (Mellicta athalia) and a rare Crab Spider species on the Canterbury site, as well as Glow worm and White-clawed Crayfish breeding at Wildwood Escot.
  • There are plenty of new wooden structures around the site for the goats and other hoofstock.
  • The new signage looks very high quality and is a massive upgrade.
  • Two empty enclosures in the bird hide in the Ken West aviary. I am hoping for some wetland invertebrates/amphibians.
  • Arctic fox cubs displaying very well.
  • Reshuffle of the reptile house, now displaying Four-lined Snake (Elaphe quatorlineata) and an unidentified water snake I believe to be the Diamondback Water Snake (Nerodia rhombifer).
  • Unfortunately the Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis argus) has gone off show but there is still an L. agilis agilis on display in the conservation centre window.
 
ITV news has reported that Boki the three years old Eurasian Bear has been suffering from seizures, has been taken to Professor Noel Fitzpatrick practice in Surrey for an MRI scan on his head to try and determine the cause of the problem. Mark Habben a spokesman for Wildwood said "it's been our absolute priority to find out why he's been suffering from seizures and we have been given this opportunity to find the best help he needs". The wait is now on for the results from the MRI.
 
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Boki, the ten-month-old brown bear cub who came to Wildwood from Port Lympne, has successfully undergone an operation to drain a build-up of fluid around his brain, a condition known as hydrocephalus that had caused seizures.

The five-and-a-half hour operation was a success and he is now in recovery. While Romain Pizzi, the vet who performed the operation, has said that there is a potential for infection over the course of this week, the overall outlook for Boki is now bright.

An article about the procedure can be read here:
Emotional footage of brown bear after UK-first brain operation
 
Other 2024 News / Early 2025 Domestic News Not Mentioned:
On June 8th, the zoo announced they bred and released 10 hazel dormice into the wild.

4.9K views · 169 reactions | Hazel Dormouse release | This week, 10 rare hazel dormice have been reintroduced into a Bedfordshire woodland to bolster the county’s only existing population. The release will... | By Wildwood Kent | Facebook

On June 18th, the zoo announced they acquired (2.2) Scottish wildcats from Highland Wildlife Park in Scotland in early 2024 which led to 4 wildcats being born from a pair in May.

9.3K views · 400 reactions | We have Wildcat kittens! | We have Wildcat kittens! With just 300 wildcats left in the wild in Britain, it's crucial that we push forward with our conservation work and captive... | By Wildwood Kent | Facebook
Head of Carnivores Sally Holt - THE WILDWOOD PODCAST EP05 - | Sally's journey to being Head of Carnivores and Small Mammals was not typical of those working in our industry. We talk about her journey to working... | By Wildwood Kent | Facebook

On January 29th, 2025, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) Soay sheep, as well as a Golden Guernsey goat and an Anglo-Nubian goat from Mudchute Park & Farm in London which are now on exhibit.

6.6K views · 506 reactions | We’ve have some new arrivals in January ❤️ Our friends from Mudchute Farm have brought us a glorious Golden Guernsey goat (the one hogging the camera limelight) and an Anglo Nubian, as well as a Soay Ram to join our females. Our resident Golden Guernsey Jean Paul Goatier is very happy | Wildwood Kent

On February 25th, the zoo announced that a domestic reindeer was born.

Wildwood Kent

On June 4th, the zoo announced they named the (0.2) wild boars that were acquired in December 2023 Saga and Toro.

Wildwood Kent

On June 17th, the zoo announced that 1+? black stork(s) hatched which are on exhibit.

Wildwood Kent

On September 11th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) Eurasian eagle-owl named Boggy which will be an animal ambassador in the future.

97K views · 3.5K reactions | Boggy | Look at that wing span! Meet Boggy, our youngest addition to the flying field of Wildwood! An impressive Eurasian eagle-owl with an incredible... | By Wildwood Kent | Facebook

On October 15th, the zoo announced they acquired (1.1) pine martens from the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Wales which are on exhibit.

3.8K views · 248 reactions | New arrivals | New arrivals We have two new pine martens to welcome to the Wildwood family All the way from @welsh_mountain_zoo ! They’re settling in great to... | By Wildwood Kent | Facebook

On October 17th, the zoo announced that 2 European bison were born.

9.3K views · 467 reactions | Two new Bison Calves! ❤️ | Two new bison calves ❤️ We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of two new members to the herd! This groundbreaking rewilding project, in partnership... | By Wildwood Kent | Facebook
 
Strathmorezoo said:
ITV news has reported that Boki the three years old Eurasian Bear has been suffering from seizures, has been taken to Professor Noel Fitzpatrick practice in Surrey for an MRI scan on his head to try and determine the cause of the problem. Mark Habben a spokesman for Wildwood said "it's been our absolute priority to find out why he's been suffering from seizures and we have been given this opportunity to find the best help he needs". The wait is now on for the results from the MRI.
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ITV news has reported Boki being in his outside enclosure climbing trees and playing in his pool. It is hoped that he will be rejoining his old pals Fluff and Scruff in the coming weeks.
 
A new Lynx Enclosure is to be built for their Lynx ,Flossie and Torrindon,which are currently at Dartmoor Wildlife Park. The new enclosure will offer the visitor an immersive experience and future breeding opportunity.
 
Apologies in advance for this question which will be popping up on several Kent-based threads:

Does Wildwood Kent allow monopods for photography?
 
JoB198 said:
I didn't know if someone here could save them a silly query tbh.
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I'd ask the zoo but there are very few places that specifically exclude either monopods or tripods particularly if you keep them out of the way. I can't say I bother with either at the zoo (even Whipsnade) as it's more faff than it's worth with the people about and getting in the way, extending it etc and there is usually a fence or wall or something to lean on, though I often use one for birding.
 
Lafone said:
I'd ask the zoo but there are very few places that specifically exclude either monopods or tripods particularly if you keep them out of the way. I can't say I bother with either at the zoo (even Whipsnade) as it's more faff than it's worth with the people about and getting in the way, extending it etc and there is usually a fence or wall or something to lean on, though I often use one for birding.
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My OH has found his invaluable at Whipsnade - might be to do with his height. He's found there are some places which exclude tripods - I think it's like the 'no professional photography' slant rather than amateurs - but thanks for the reply :)
 
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