Another new zoo for me today!
British Wildlife Centre 16/10/22
48. Black Rat (Rattus rattus)
49. Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
50. House Mouse (Mus musculus)
51. Wood Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus)
52. Yellow-Necked Mouse (Apodemus flavicollis)
53. Short-Tailed Field Vole (Microtus agrestis)
54. European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)
55. Stoat (Mustela erminea)
56. American Mink (Neogale vison)
57. European Pine Marten (Martes martes)
58. European Badger (Meles meles)
Must admit this site exceeded my expectations. Excellent viewing for all animals and the vast majority of nocturnal species have indoor viewing which I think is an essential for species like these. I particularly enjoyed the hedgerow section and the pine marten enclosures. The talks were fantastic too, often bringing out the shyer species for all to see. I attended the hedgehog, red fox, Scottish wildcat, Eurasian otter, European pole cat and European badger talks and whilst neither the badgers or otters could be coaxed from the dens, the other species were highly active and engaging. It was also great to be able to properly see pine martens and wildcats for the first time as both had poor viewing at previous places I visited that had them (New Forest Wildlife Park). I believe the only species eligible for this challenge that I missed were the weasel, the bank vole, the bats and the two dormice. The adders and grass snake were also no shows alongside the polecat which I've already counted for the challenge. Not bad going for an overcast October afternoon where I expected most animals to be no shows...
Will definitely go back next year to see some of the species I missed! Great little place!
And another new collection today!
Hemsley Conservation Centre 25/10/22
59. Tayra (
Eira barbara)
60. Brazilian Porcupine (
Coendou prehensilis)*
61. Southern Three-Banded Armadillo (
Tolypeutes matacus)*
62. New Guinea Ground Cuscus (
Phalanger gymnotis)*
63. Sri Lankan Rusty-Spotted Cat (
Prionailurus rubiginosus phillipsi)*
64. Ocelot (
Leopardus pardalis)
65. Geoffroy's Cat (
Leopardus geoffroyi)*
66. Kinkajou (
Potos flavus)
67. Maned Wolf (
Chrysocyon brachyurus)*
68. Southern Aardwolf (
Proteles cristata cristata)*
69. Pygmy Slow Loris (
Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus)*
70. Grey-Legged Douroucouli (
Aotus griseimembra)
A lovely day out and an opportunity to see some really unique animals. I must admit this place has a lovely collection of rarer species and it was great to get some new lifers (asterisked). After having read some of the reviews of this place I was a little hesitant to make the one hour drive but decided to give it a go today. The weather wasn't amazing and some of the animal viewing may not be optimal (the nocturnal houses could really use infrared lights and the outdoor enclosures with glass could really do with some black backdrops/canopies to prevent glare) but still managed too see nearly every species. The small footprint of the park and interlinked paths make it easy to regularly walk past every enclosure and see if a certain species has emerged. This is how I managed to see several of the species that initially weren't visible including the kinkajou, Geoffroy's cat, aardwolf, slow loris and douroucouli. I believe the only no shows were the recently joined binturongs, the seemingly off-show Goeldi's marmosets, the day gecko and the (sobs) echidna - which I decided was never gonna wake up after half a dozen enclosure visits.
I actually thought most of the enclosures were okay, perhaps some of the nocturnal enclosures could do with being a bit bigger (cuscus, vontsira) but again I'm not sure how large their off-show areas are. The rusty spotted cats appear to be moving enclosure soon too which were probably the most in need of more space imo. The ocelot and maned wolves could perhaps do with a bit more space too (does the neighbouring campsite belong to the park or not? Seems odd the maned wolves haven't got more space if it does).
But yes, overall a great day out for a cheap price and it is seemingly ever expanding. Definitely going to return if only to see the echidna but would certainly return even if I had seen it today. It was actually quite shocking to see how tall maned wolves really are!
Side note: I'm right that the ring-tailed vontsira doesn't count for this challenge or?