Marwell Zoological Park

Infobox zoo
zoo_name=Marwell Zoological Park
logo=Marwell.pnglogo_width=200px
date_opened=1972
location=nr Winchester, Hampshire, England
area=100 acres (0.405 km²)
coordinates=coord|50|59|35.39|N|1|16|39.85|W|type:landmark_region:GB
num_species=236 (2006)
num_animals=2311 (2006)
exhibits = Tropical World, Roof of the World, World of Lemurs, Encounter Village, Bush Walk, Into Africa, Heart of Africa, Life in the Trees
website=http://www.marwell.org.uk

Marwell Zoological Park, or Marwell Zoo, is situated in Hampshire, England, near Winchester. Founded by John Knowles and opened in 1972, it was one of the earliest zoos in Europe to place an emphasis on animal conservation and is considered one of the leading institutions in that field. It is best known for its large collection of ungulates and unique style of enclosures.

Marwell Zoological Park is owned and operated by the Marwell Preservation Trust, a registered charity.

Conservation

The zoo's logo is a silhouetted oryx. The oryx was one of the first species kept at Marwell and more than 200 calves have been born and reared there since 1972. London, Whipsnade and Edinburgh Zoos cooperate with Marwell's oryx breeding programme, which aims to reintroduce the animal to its natural habitat.

In December 1985 ten yearling oryx were transferred from Marwell to the Bou-Hedma National Park in Tunisia (part of the former range of their ancestors). In the eight years preceding their arrival an area of 24 square kilometres had been kept free from habitation, grazing and cultivation, resulting in a dramatic recovery of vegetation, and provision of a perfect reintroduction site for the captive-born oryx. Since 1985, the herd has settled in well, has started to breed, and has become increasingly wary of humans.

Location

. [ [http://www.hants.gov.uk/localpages/central/winchester/owslebury/ Owslebury, Hantsweb] ]

During WWII an area to the south of the estate was used as a dispersal airfield (code X1MH [ [http://www.homepages.mcb.net/bones/06airfields/UK/uke08.htm UK Airfield List] ] ).

Major Exhibits

* Into Africa - An African themed exhibit which includes girrafes, gazelles, porcupines, rock hyraxes and Old World Monkeys.

* Heart of Africa - Working Title of "Into Africa 2", this exhibit is themed on the Congo forests and is home to bongos, Congo buffalo, pottos, a nile monitor, lake Malawi cilichids and invertabrates.

* Tropical World - Housed inside a large greenhouse this exhibit is filled with rainforest creatures including a marmoset island, poison frogs, fish, spiders, crocodiles, leaf cutter ants and others.

* Roof of the World - Themed along the Himalayan mountain range, this area of the zoo exhibits snow leopards, red pandas, owls and takins in natural surroundings.

* World of Lemurs - refurbished in 2000, this enclosure features a long glass corridor around the lemur enclosures. There is also a nocturnal exhibit which is home to mouse lemurs and jumping rats.

* Penguin World - Previously home to African and Rockhopper Penguins (which sadly died out after a disease outbreak) this world class enclosure which opened in 1997 is home to a 25 strong group of Humbolt's Penguins

* Aridlands - opened around 2000, this temperature controlled exhibit is home to Sand Cats, Addax, Dorcas Gazelles, Dwarf Mongoose and other small animals

* Encounter Village - originally a run down farmyard attraction, Encounter Village was refurbuished in 2007 to accommodate a tamarin walkthrough, a reptile barn as well as keeping a couple of the existing exhibits

* Australian Bush Walk - Attached to Encounter Village, this was part of the 2007 renovations. It consists of two walk-through areas. The first part is home to Bennett's Wallabies, and the second is an avery home to kookaburras and parma wallabies.

* Life in the Trees - Opened in 2007, this exhibit is based upon the Indonesian rainforest, featuring a traditional long boat house as the centre piece; this exhibit is home to Siamang gibbons, anoa and otters.

2008

Though no major exhibits will be opening in 2008, the zoo is opening a new Giant Anteater house and enclosure to form part of the new South American biome, a small amphibian house in the old Lion House and a African themed restaurant which will give guests views over the new African complex due to open in 2009.

Future

Marwell is currently running a Ten-Year plan, which will sort the majority of animals into biome areas.

Key features of this plan include;
* New African Animal exhibit to be home to Giraffes, Hippos, Zebra and Antelope due to open 2008/9.
* Planned Gorilla Enclosure and Wooded Biome, Current Opening Date Unknown

Media Coverage

In 1977, a giraffe called Victor collapsed on his stomach, and was unable to get up. The press claimed that he had slipped while trying to mate. All attempts to get him on his feet failed, and his plight became a major international news story. The Royal Navy were brought in, and made a sling to winch him onto his feet. He died of a heart attack very shortly afterwards. The publicity turned Marwell into a major tourist attraction, and interest was revived the following summer, when Victor's mate, Dribbles, gave birth to a female calf, Victoria.

In 1999, the zoo lost all 26 of its Jackass and Macaroni Penguins to avian malaria. There were other cases in the UK but Marwell was the only zoo to lose its entire colony, which had arrived only two and a half years before to stock the new 'Penguin World' exhibit. After consulting with various experts, the exhibit was restocked with Humboldt Penguins, which are present in greater numbers in captivity (although endangered in the wild).

In 2003, after constructing a new enclosure for critically endangered Amur leopards, the zoo faced public criticism after a female leopard escaped and fell to her death only days before the official opening of the exhibit. Following a replacement, the first cub born to the new pair escaped into the male's enclosure through a partition and was killed. There are only 30 of these animals in the wild, and the captive stock are part of a programme to increase their numbers.

On 18th November 2007, a female Amur Leopard cub was born as a result of a European Conservation Breeding Programme. Visitors to the Zoo and its website could vote for the new cubs name; Kiska (meaning 'pure' in Russian) was the successful choice with 45% of the votes.

Pride Of Place Award

The 'Pride of Place' poll which was conducted online by Hampshire County Council. Marwell was voted into Hampshire's number 1 spot after gaining 30% of the votes cast.

After the award ceremony James Cretney, Marwell Chief Executive said: "We are thrilled to win this poll. It is fantastic that Hampshire residents have recognised our conservation work by voting us the place that they are most proud of. Throughout 2008 the Park will also see many new developments, from a fantastic new restaurant to a new African exhibit."

Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage, Councillor Margaret Snaith also said: "Marwell Zoological Park can now bask in the knowledge that they are one of Hampshire's most popular attractions as voted by members of the public. It is a wonderful achievement for them."

References

External links

* [http://www.marwell.org.uk/ Marwell Zoological Park website]